Samantha Lienhard

“Dark Auction left me asking "why" quite a bit. Why are we calling the leader of Germany during World War II "X"? Why was AI generated art used at all, especially in a part of the story that talks about the importance of art? Why isn't this a visual novel, when the 3D exploration adds more tedium than value? Why does the ending feel like it needs a lot more context? Nevertheless, there are still a lot of good moments here, especially in the final chapters when the mystery starts to come together. It's an interesting story with some unexpected developments, but it just feels like it could have been much more than it is.”

“While the tone can be jarring at times, a few areas lack polish, and I wish the characters had been given more depth, The Real Face of a VTuber is an intriguing murder mystery that brings fresh ideas to its courtroom gameplay. It’s well worth playing for fans of the genre, and you might even learn a little more about VTubers while you’re at it.”

“The Séance of Blake Manor is an intriguing supernatural mystery filled with interesting characters and secrets to discover. While the time management aspect might feel intimidating at first, it adds a sense of urgency and helps the player feel like a detective while offering enough freedom not to feel stifled. Overall, it’s an excellent game for fans of mysteries and the supernatural.”

“While Type-Noise: Shonen Shojo could have executed some of its concepts a little better, it tells a solid story about trauma and moving on. These characters' stories aren't revolutionary, but they're emotional and heartfelt, and I found myself rooting for each one as I learned more about them. As an adventure game, it also provides a wide variety of puzzles that are both challenging and satisfying.”

“Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game is cute, and its puzzles really put your comprehension skills to the test. Beyond that, however, it doesn't have too much else to offer. It's an interesting experience, but one that ultimately ends up feeling rather bland.”

“Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer takes everything from the first game and improves it, with stronger puzzles and an intriguing story. Fans of point-and-click adventure games will find an enjoyable experience here, and fans of the first game should enjoy seeing how Kathy’s murder investigation unfolds.”

“I enjoyed my time with Rosewater and its characters, although the narrative lacked the strong drive that would have really made it click. The presentation is great, the puzzles are challenging, and the multiple solutions add noteworthy replay value, but I didn't find myself as invested in the story as I had hoped I would be after playing Lamplight City.”

“Never 7 is often overshadowed by the praise heaped upon its successor, Ever 17, and is considered to be the lesser of the two. It's not amazing or earth-shattering, it's simply... fine. Nevertheless, it offers a charming visual novel experience and deserves time to shine. It might be a fairly straightforward romance visual novel despite its time loop premise, but it's a fine story in its own right.”

“Despite a very slow start and some repetition across its routes, Ever 17 deserves its status as a classic. The occasional typos are unfortunate, but overall this remaster is a great opportunity to experience a clever and inventive visual novel.”

“If you’re looking for something straightforward or with a long, detailed story, this isn’t the game for you. But if you want a short, surreal sequence of puzzles in an adventure game format, Follow the Meaning should get you thinking. It aims to do something specific, and it does it well, even if it might not be to everyone’s tastes.”

“Noctuary combines visual novel storytelling with action RPG battles to create a memorable experience that will appeal most to fans of visual novels, though its combat is enjoyable as well. With easily over 20 hours of content and a great amount of attention to detail in its storytelling, it stands out as an overlooked gem of 2023.”

“It's hard for a game to live up to expectations when you've been waiting for years. As a result, I might have hoped for more from the story of Long Gone Days than it actually delivered. However, it has a good cast of characters and presents a view of how terrible war is for civilians, presented through an RPG-style structure. Despite some bugs and other flaws, Long Gone Days is still an enjoyable experience.”

“After all these years, the final chapter of Faith turned out to be worth the wait, and with all three chapters bundled in the Unholy Trinity release, there’s never been a better time to play. The dangerous world of Faith requires some patience, but the unsettling atmosphere and intense demonic encounters make it worthwhile for anyone who loves the horror genre.”

“With a compelling cast, intriguing mysteries, and emotional storytelling, Root Double is a visual novel fans of the genre do not want to miss.”

“Transient isn’t a long game, and its gameplay tends to take a backseat to its storytelling, but if you’re looking for a cyberpunk mystery or a cosmic horror story, Transient blends them remarkably well to create an engrossing journey.”

“While it’s a tough sell based on any of its individual pieces alone, you might check it out if the story intrigues you–as long as you remember it isn’t what it first seems to be.”

“Despite its short length, Dear Devere is a compelling tale with elements of both romance and mystery that should be viewed as a short story told in visual novel form.”

“The Shattering is a surreal, psychological adventure game. The story might not be anything groundbreaking, but its portrayal of memories makes for an intriguing storytelling experience.”

“It’s a simple slice-of-life story with straightforward puzzles, but if that’s your thing, Half Past Fate does a clever job of connecting its cast of characters in ways that feel natural.”

“Blending the storytelling of film noir with the premise of a child playing with toys, Bear With Me: The Lost Robots is a point-and-click adventure game that manages to be a lighthearted romp and a gritty crime story at the same time.”