A Sky Full of Stars
- December 15, 2017
- MoeNovel
- 10h median play time
"A Sky Full of Stars" is a visual novel that follows the story of Lucien, a young man who discovers a world in the sky filled with stars and memories. Together with his friends, they work to uncover the truth behind this world while also dealing with their own personal struggles and growth. With multiple endings and a captivating soundtrack, players will become immersed in this emotional and heartwarming journey.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating story that intertwines themes of friendship, love, and astronomy, making it both educational and emotionally engaging.
- The visuals and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's atmosphere.
- Each character route offers unique perspectives and developments, with Hikari and Saya's routes being particularly well-received for their depth and emotional impact.
- The localization has some issues, including awkward translations and the removal of honorifics, which can detract from the authenticity of character interactions.
- Some routes, particularly Korona's, feel shorter and less developed compared to others, leaving players wanting more depth and resolution.
- The absence of 18+ content in the Steam version has disappointed some players, as it limits the exploration of certain character dynamics and relationships.
- story243 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "A Sky Full of Stars" is generally praised for its heartwarming and engaging narrative, focusing on themes of friendship, youth, and astronomy. While the common route is well-received for its character development and emotional depth, some specific character routes, particularly Korona's, are criticized for being less impactful or engaging. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate a slice-of-life romance with a strong emphasis on character relationships and personal growth, despite some pacing issues and a lack of excitement in certain segments.
“A sky full of stars is a very good visual novel game with a beautiful story.”
“The story is charming, accompanied by good soundtracks and stunning art.”
“The characters and story are very well thought out, done with a lot of care, and made me emotional many times.”
“It starts off very boring and does absolutely nothing to draw you into the story.”
“The plot is just boring nonsense.”
“The story is too long for what actually happens, so eventually it becomes a chore.”
- music80 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its stunning soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the story. While the majority of tracks are described as beautiful and fitting for the game's themes, some users noted occasional mismatches between the music and specific scenes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to purchase it separately due to its quality and emotional resonance.
“The soundtrack is amazing and fits the atmosphere and vibe for people who want to look up at the stars in the night sky.”
“The music is a masterpiece!”
“The amazing soundtrack also helped punctuate the entire experience, and had me replaying the songs whenever I had the chance on the gallery.”
“If you buy the OST pack, listening to the OST on its own is pretty good, but some music doesn't really fit the scene, and sometimes the music got cut short. It's like the game is trying to hype you up for a big moment but then turns out there's nothing.”
“I really love both of the opening themes for this visual novel and I like some of the background music too, but if I were to compare this game's music to 'If My Heart Had Wings', then this game is still lacking.”
“I could pick out three acts once again; the dialogue was informative, but also way too repetitive. The cutscenes and transitions didn't outdo 'If My Heart Had Wings', the music wasn't as impactful, and the romance options weren't as likable.”
- emotional31 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "A sky full of stars / miagete goran, yozora no hoshi o" is highly praised for its heartwarming narrative and well-developed characters, which evoke strong feelings throughout the gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of wholesome romance and personal growth, often finding themselves emotionally invested in the characters' journeys and achievements. The game's music also enhances the emotional experience, making mundane moments feel special and magical, contributing to an overall touching and memorable story.
“The characters and story are very well thought out, done with a lot of care, and made me emotional many times.”
“It really knows how to make something potentially mundane feel special and magical, and the themes and stories throughout are touching and enjoyable to play through.”
“The characters are really well written and the story is absolutely beautiful and touching.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics in this visual novel are widely praised for their beautiful and polished art style, which is consistent with the studio's previous works. While some reviewers note that the character art is simpler compared to other visual novels, the overall design, including backgrounds and menus, contributes to an immersive experience. The combination of stunning visuals and a well-complemented soundtrack enhances the storytelling, making it a standout title in the genre.
“The graphics were nicely designed, and the OST complemented these to give an immersive playthrough.”
“Visually, a sky full of stars is just as aesthetically pleasing as this studio's other works, and the way the menus are displayed and overall visuals, from the character sprites to the background graphics, give off a very polished feel, again typical of this studio.”
“The details and effort put into the graphics are incredible.”
“Character art style is simpler and less detailed than other visual novels I've played, but they do the job.”
“The art style is cute but still lacking in comparison to the newest title (if My Heart Had Wings was released in 2013, this game right here is from 2017).”
“The artwork is similar to any Pulltop/MoNovel game.”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of silly antics and clever interactions among a well-rounded cast, contributing to both comedic and poignant moments. While some players found the "whiplash humor"—where serious scenes are abruptly undercut by jokes—didn't always resonate, many appreciated the balance of lightheartedness and emotional depth. Overall, the humor is described as campy and engaging, making it a recommended experience for fans of romance and anime humor.
“This route screams ojou-sama and I found her antics to be silly and hilarious.”
“There were so many funny interactions between the characters, and there wasn't a single dislikable one in the entire cast.”
“What really pushed this to my second all-time favorite visual novel was the campiness of the humor and text, along with the lessons and values that this game addressed.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a straightforward and intuitive interface, primarily involving making choices, though some players express a desire for more options. Unlike other titles in the genre, it lacks dating sim mechanics, leading to a more limited interactive experience. Overall, while the gameplay is familiar and clean, it can sometimes feel repetitive and frustrating due to the character's actions.
“The gameplay is clean and intuitive; the UI is the same as in IMHHW, but it's mostly Kinect as there are just a few choices to be made.”
“There was always a pleasant sense of familiarity throughout the gameplay.”
“"Gameplay" is simply picking choices, same as usual for the genre.”
“Gameplay amounts to hitting enter endlessly and saving as you go.”
“The gameplay is clean and intuitive, but it's mostly kinetic as there are just a few choices to be made.”
“Although I would love to have more choices during gameplay, sometimes it's just annoying to see the main character acting so stupid.”
- character development12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the gradual discovery of goals by the heroines and the strong development in certain routes, others feel that the individual character arcs lack depth compared to the common route. Notably, the friendships and backstories, particularly of characters like Akito, are well-explored, providing a richer understanding of their motivations and histories. However, some reviewers noted that character development is not always essential to the overall story, leading to a sense of inconsistency across different routes.
“Although there isn't a lot of character development, I love how the heroines slowly discover their goals, be it a bigger life goal or just a stepping stone for something bigger, yet unknown.”
“We get insight into her life as well, and while this route doesn't have as much conflict, it makes up for it with strong character development and a solid ending.”
“It also shows us well the harsh and unpleasant past of Akito Sorami and the well-built character development of him thanks to the help of his friends, which gives us a deeper understanding of Akito's life and the origin of his love for the stars.”
“All the character development in the common route leads you to expect that each of the individual character's routes are going to be similarly development heavy, but I didn't find that to be the case.”
“Because as I have been telling you, they in this case at least aren't that necessary to the story and/or for character development.”
“In their previous game, the removal of +18 content actually hindered the story and character development; so far I have not experienced that having almost finished Hikari's route.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive soundtrack that complements the serene and nostalgic themes, particularly evoking feelings of stargazing and winter. Reviewers note the perfect alignment of music with the game's tone, creating a calming and enchanting experience that resonates with players seeking a reflective and youthful ambiance.
“The soundtrack is amazing and fits the atmosphere and vibe for people who want to look up at the stars in the night sky.”
“The atmosphere was perfect, especially because I was playing the game during winter; it felt just right.”
“The soundtrack is also great, adding the right atmosphere at the right time.”
“As someone who played IMHHW before this, I was pretty surprised how similar, yet different in tone and atmosphere this felt.”
“Also, the astronomical soundtrack makes you feel somehow at ease; these tracks fit totally with the atmosphere!”
“Just take in the atmosphere!”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its four distinct routes, categorized into two groups, providing ample content and varied experiences. Players find the quality of the story enhances the value, making it a worthwhile investment for multiple playthroughs.
“First of all, the visual novel is amazing both in quality and story. With four routes classified into two groups, it offers a lot of content, making it highly replayable. For its price, it's a great deal.”
“The game has multiple endings and choices that significantly affect the story, encouraging players to replay it to explore all the different outcomes.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse character interactions and branching paths, making you want to dive back in for a new experience.”