All Ashes and Illusions
- August 3, 2022
- ebi-hime
Get on Steam"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.
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Reviews
- The writing is superb, with well-developed characters and a compelling dark romance narrative that explores themes of obsession and trauma.
- The art and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the immersive experience of the story.
- The story's emotional depth and complexity keep readers engaged, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read.
- The graphics are sparse and do not significantly contribute to the storytelling, leaving some players wanting more visual content.
- The pacing feels unbalanced, with a lengthy focus on the protagonist's childhood and insufficient exploration of adult complexities.
- There are minor grammatical errors and typos that can detract from the overall reading experience.
- story37 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story is a well-crafted dark romance that explores themes of obsession, revenge, and tragedy, set against a backdrop of a fictional Middle Eastern kingdom. While it features a linear narrative that may evoke feelings of emptiness and sadness, it is praised for its emotional depth and beautifully written prose, making it a compelling choice for fans of darker tales. The segmented structure enhances the storytelling, though it may not be suitable for those seeking a lighthearted experience.
“As a short story/novella, this is well-written and interesting.”
“Overall a really excellently written story as I've come to expect from ebi-hime, with art and music to match (I've had the opening theme stuck in my head for the past hour now).”
“A grim yet beautiful story.”
“They add nothing to the story.”
“As for the gameplay, the story is linear, so no choices are presented.”
“When the story starts off with Yuel witnessing his mother's death, you can guess that it isn't going to have a happy story.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its beautiful and atmospheric tracks that complement the story, effectively capturing a Middle Eastern vibe. While some players found the varied soundtrack engaging, others felt certain tracks were distracting, highlighting a preference for ambient music in visual novels. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong element that enhances the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is just perfect for the story!”
“Regarding the music, the tracks are beautiful to listen to, depicting that whole Middle Eastern atmosphere well.”
“Overall a really excellently written story, as I've come to expect from ebi-hime, with art and music to match. I've had the opening theme stuck in my head for the past hour now.”
“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.”
“But I think this will be down to personal preference, and the music was all on theme.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have been criticized for not meeting expectations, suggesting that they fall short of what is typically anticipated from a "graphic" novel. Overall, users feel that the visual presentation lacks the quality and detail necessary to enhance the experience.
“As a 'graphic' novel, however, it leaves something to be desired: specifically, graphics.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, enhanced by beautiful music that effectively captures the essence of a Middle Eastern setting. Reviewers appreciate how these elements work together to create a captivating experience.
“It feels so immersive and atmospheric!”
“Regarding the music, the tracks are beautiful to listen to, depicting that whole Middle Eastern atmosphere well.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
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.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.
