I don't know what to rave about first. The dynamic and expressive art? The deliciously flirty banter? The staging and visual effects? Those gorgeous ending CGs?
AAAAAAA-------
What an absolutely delightful experience Hello Counsel was! It just oozes cheeky irreverence and style from every digital pore. I think I grinned my whole way through haha!
Poise is such an undeniable icon - consider me the newest member of her fanclub. <3
This was such an unforgettable experience - absolutely beautiful in its poignancy and brevity!
This game has such an intriguing premise with polished presentation. The ending mechanic was executed, so, so wonderfully and added to the tension of every choice I made. I really appreciated how well hints to the larger story were sprinkled throughout the narrative's different paths and choices.
--MINOR SPOILERS BELOW--
It took about an hour and a full page of notes for me to figure out which choices connected to which outcomes, but I did successfully manage unlock all six endings, ahaha!
My favorite of the bunch (In Her Footsteps) ended up being the final one I unlocked, and I am so happy this was the path my Princess and Knight's story ended on. :) They finally get a chance to live life on their own terms, outside the shadow of expectations.
Ugh, I played this shortly after release, but I have struggled to encapsulate the feelings it gave me into a coherent review!
I feel like this VN was just made for me! The art direction is absolutely gorgeous, and there so many charming details, like the UI that changes alongside the POV. It hits every bone in my body juuuuust right, and I cannot stop thinking about these characters! I see from other reviews there is also more to come! Yay!
Your writing style is so distinctive--absolutely rife with poetic beauty and endless depths. Every word lands exactly as it should and there is just... such a loving gentleness in the way this relationship was explored. <3
In short: "What Remains" is absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for creating this.
Every detail in this game is so full of beauty and charm that pairs perfectly together to create an undeniably immersive, unforgettable, and enticing experience. It's so apparently how much thought and love has gone into Bright Oak -- it absolutely radiates with endless passion!
I love the little poppies in the UI, the soft clouds drifting steadily by in the animated BGs, how well the characters play off each other, the evocative and lyrical writing, the subtle SFX and larger-than-life, heart-pounding, and tension inducing wild-west inspired soundtrack that adds so much to the scenes...! Ahhh, the list goes on and on and on! This game was SUCH a fun experience.
Truly, Bright Oak absolutely feels alive, thanks to the charming cast of characters and the vibrancy in the choices! For once, I can finally brag about my excellent typing speed--and it's relevant! Ahaha!
I anticipated John or Sparrow to steal my heart, but Jasper's exasperated nose pinch sprite might just be my favorite thing. Ever. Of all time. I love this cranky, no-nonsense man, and I am SO excited to see more of his story. <3
Ohhhhhh lordy.
I do not know where to begin. What a ride that was, truly a unique and wild experience from start to finish.
I could not look away from your gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous characters (O, my beloved - I love your abs! Please don't ever talk about wearing a suit again, what blasphemy!) paired so well with the hilariously punny writing. The poetical opening / character introduction was also such a clever way to introduce the overall gameshow premise - definitely one of the most memorable openings to a VN I've read!
Every aspect is so dynamic from the sprites leaning in from the edges of the screen to the writing to the ENDINGS?? I love how character reactions change at the credits - such a great touch! The VA cast also gave an amazing performance as well, breathing so much life and spirit into the characters with their performance.
There's so much heart and polish put into Nuts - thank you for sharing it! <3
The minute I saw that bell...
I knew what had to be done...
And that's slam it endlessly until I got yelled at, aaaaaa!!! xD
Little interactions like this are always my favorite - I think they truly help a game shine, and there are SO MANY. EVERYWHERE I LOOKED.
And with so many well-thought out details buried into every part of this game, it all adds up to an amazing and unforgettable experience. The GUI? BEAUTIFULLY SLEEK. The writing? EVOCATIVE AND POWERFUL. The characters? UNFORGETTABLE.
Really digging our leading lady already - I find myself feeling so protective of her. :( In all her versions, from paragon to renegade to abstract, she is so, so lovable. I am so excited to experience the rest of her story.
Well done, well done, well done!!! Truly stellar job. <3
Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!
What else is there to say but... WOW!!!!
Belladonna's Flight is so unbelievably stylish and divine! The sprite art possesses such a soft and angelic quality in contrast to the darkly poisonous activities being engaged in. Absolutely LOVE the dichotomy presented, and I cannot wait to get my hands on Gilbert in the full game. I can totally fix him, right?
The writing is absolutely excellent, and the cast has such a lifelike way of interacting with one another. The gossip scene was by far my favorite. With the way the camera panned around and the characters leaned in and out... I genuinely felt like I was eavesdropping in the corner. I never wanted it to end!
Really looking forward to future updates!
Ohhhhhh lordy.
I do not know where to begin. What a ride that was, truly a unique and wild experience from start to finish.
I could not look away from your gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous characters (O, my beloved - I love your abs! Please don't ever talk about wearing a suit again, what blasphemy!) paired so well with the hilariously punny writing. The poetical opening / character introduction was also such a clever way to introduce the overall gameshow premise - definitely one of the most memorable openings to a VN I've read!
Every aspect is so dynamic from the sprites leaning in from the edges of the screen to the writing to the ENDINGS?? I love how character reactions change at the credits - such a great touch! The VA cast also gave an amazing performance as well, breathing so much life and spirit into the characters with their performance. There's so much heart and polish put into Nuts - thank you for sharing it! <3
I've only unlocked two endings so far, and normally I would wait until I've played through them all, but... Not this time. I need to throw relentless praise in your direction, because it's more than deserved. It's been a while since a story has touched me with the softness and loneliness that come with languished grief. I absolutely loved experiencing Jo's story, and it will stick with me for some time.
On the surface, this seems like a simple story, but there is so much depth hidden underneath the pastoral charm. So many wonderful details that I only discovered on my second playthrough when I stopped, slowed down, and breathed in the atmosphere--like the blue thistles leading my path through the forest all along. I thought I would need to remember the choices, but the answers I needed were there all along, almost like Marta herself was guiding me.
Absolutely well done. Thank you for sharing. <3
Oh, goodness -- this has been on my to-play list since release, and now I am kicking myself for taking so long.
What a wonderfully, delightfully, gorgeously crafted story! So, so tightly woven with layers upon layers of details scattered all throughout for players who want to delve deeper into the lore and witchy atmosphere. I
From the intricate sprite art to the evocative writing to the cleverly designed UI (THE. NECKLACE!! GENIUS!!), I am so inspired, no--OBSESSED!! I can't say it enough: well done! <3
(Can I please enter my own timeloop so I can experience this story all over again?)
Amazing effects and animations that create a fully immersive, almost movie-like experience! From falling leaves and a flowing waterfall in the background to a darkening vignette VFX when the sun begins to set, Autumn Spirit has perfectly captured autumn's otherworldly, ethereal atmosphere.
I have fallen in love with this adorable, blushy ghost boy and no-nonsense MC! They have such a lovely dynamic, like Nathan gently teasing Clarisse about her outfit, and then her outfit changing in the next scene… only for him to tease her again. The story is intimate, vulnerable, and bittersweet, but there is an underlying layer of hope and perseverance all throughout.
