All Ashes and Illusions

About

"All Ashes and Illusions" follows the story of Yuel, whose mother was executed for adultery, and was raised under his father's philosophy of mistrust towards women. As the crown prince, Yuel must navigate the palace's treacherous politics, including his own grief and the kindness of his nursemaid Safiya. The game explores themes of love, betrayal, and the societal expectations of a prince. *Note: The game's description contains mature and potentially triggering themes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

story18 positive mentions

graphics2 negative mentions

The story is beautifully written and deeply immersive, with complex characters and a gripping narrative that captivates readers.
The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the atmosphere and emotional depth of the story, making it memorable even after finishing the game.
The art style is lovely, with adorable character designs and well-crafted backgrounds that complement the dark themes of the narrative.

The game is a kinetic novel with no player choices, which may disappoint those looking for interactive storytelling.
Some players found the pacing unbalanced, spending too much time on Yuel's childhood and not enough on his adult complexities.
There are instances of triggering content and dark themes that may not be suitable for all players, requiring caution for sensitive audiences.

story
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
5%
The story is a beautifully written, dark romance that explores heavy themes such as trauma, obsession, and loss, leaving a lasting impact on readers. While it features a linear narrative and some potentially triggering content, the gripping plot and well-developed characters, particularly the one-sided love dynamic, make it a compelling read for fans of darker themes. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally intense experience, though it may not be suitable for everyone due to its somber tone.
- “I'm a fan of ebi's writing; this story is beautifully written.”
- “This story occasionally appears in my mind every now and then even after a few months since I finished it.”
- “An incredibly painful, beautifully written story that could have all been avoided if Yuel could have just gotten some therapy.”
- “This story is very dark with some potentially 'problematic' triggering elements.”
- “This story has no winners and is absolutely devastating for everyone, including the reader themselves.”
- “The story begins with a young six-year-old Yuel witnessing his mother's execution set up by his father.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
35%
18%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and immersive quality, with a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the effort put into the compositions, including the use of a specially-made conlang, and find the tracks well-suited to the story's atmosphere. While some prefer ambient music over vocal tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “I have listened to the soundtrack outside of the game a lot.”
- “The excellent soundtrack and all the effort clearly packed into that deserve high praise as well.”
- “The music in this VN is on another level.”
- “Several CGs are presented, and there's a varied soundtrack although no voice acting.”
- “I personally prefer ambient music in visual novels, as I find vocalizations too distracting.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The graphics in the game receive mixed feedback; while some users find the anime artwork stunning and commend the overall visual quality, others feel that it falls short of expectations for a "graphic" novel. Overall, the visuals are highlighted as a strong point, contributing positively to the narrative experience.
- “Stunning anime artworks, noteworthy story.”
- “As a 'graphic' novel, however, it leaves something to be desired: specifically, graphics.”
- “Expect excellence in audio, visuals, and narrative.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, effectively enhancing the story's tension. The beautiful music tracks contribute significantly, capturing the essence of a Middle Eastern setting and enriching the overall experience.
- “It's so catchy and it guides the atmosphere and tension of the story so well.”
- “It feels so immersive and atmospheric!”
- “Regarding the music, the tracks are beautiful to listen to, depicting that whole Middle Eastern atmosphere well.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized by a linear narrative, offering no choices for players to influence the story.
- “The gameplay is very linear, offering no choices for players to make.”
- “After reviewing the story and gameplay, I have some critiques to share.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Ashes" is characterized by its dark and unsettling narrative, which unfolds over a brief 4-5 hour gameplay experience, leaving players with a profound sense of unease and reflection on its grim themes.
- “Ashes is a short story of about 4-5 hours, and it is a dark narrative with a deeply emotional and not-so-wholesome plot.”