Arisen
- September 21, 2021
- Maratus
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"Arisen - Chronicles of Var'Nagal" is a single-player fantasy role-playing game with an interesting plot and pretty visuals. You play as a slave seeking freedom on the island of Maccialatt, where your choices and interactions with various characters will impact the world around you. With 360,000 words and multiple paths, the game offers a rich and immersive story-driven experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning artwork and character designs, particularly the unique card system that represents emotions.
- The storytelling is engaging and well-written, with interesting character development and the potential for complex relationships.
- The innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the choice selection through cards, add a fascinating layer to the narrative experience.
- The game is unfinished and has numerous bugs, including issues with save files and soft locks that prevent progression.
- There is only one save file available, making it difficult to explore different choices without replaying entire acts.
- The relationship dynamics feel superficial, with choices often lacking significant impact on character interactions and outcomes.
- story84 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as intriguing and engaging, with a mix of dark themes and positive elements that keep players invested. However, many users express frustration with bugs and incomplete narratives, leading to concerns about the game's unfinished state and the weight of player choices. Despite these issues, the characters and world-building are praised, making it a recommended experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
“It tells an amazing story following a character that is purely built on your reactions to events.”
“The story is dark, but there's also beauty and positive aspects in it, and I've had a lot of fun replaying it in different ways.”
“What a wonderful story and great set of characters.”
“I wish I would've known that so I didn't invest my time and emotions in the story that are not going to be completed now.”
“So far it seems like it does not matter whether you are friend or foe with the characters... also you can be a friend for multiple missions to suddenly change to neutral over one issue; this doesn't feel like a real relationship.”
“The story feels like there is no quick bad end, just seemingly unimportant mission failures making it so that it feels your choices do not have much weight.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning artwork and beautiful character designs, creating an immersive atmosphere. However, some players noted that the lack of NPC animations during dialogues can feel unsettling, and the animated backgrounds may cause performance issues at times. Overall, the visuals are a major highlight, making the game worth playing for its aesthetic appeal.
“Overall, I say get the game to enjoy the visuals and the overall atmosphere.”
“First and foremost, a game with beautiful artwork.”
“The graphic part is really gorgeous; the characters are nicely designed, the small animations on the backgrounds work really well, and the designs of the cards are wonderful.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay features innovative mechanics, including a unique card system that enhances player experience and allows for dynamic character relationships, such as nemesis or friend dynamics. While the game shows great potential with its intriguing story and art, it is currently unfinished, with limited gameplay and bugs that may deter some players from purchasing it at this stage. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate dark narratives and character-driven experiences, but others may want to wait for a more polished release.
“The gameplay of this game is amazing.”
“If you enjoy a good story (even if it is dark), innovative gameplay, and interesting characters, I would highly recommend giving this game a try.”
“As for the gameplay, I'm in love with the card system; the fact that you can win cards that match the mood you've been following really tailors an experience that enriches your playstyle.”
“Otherwise, I suggest just adding it to your wishlist and waiting for the full release since there's currently not nearly enough gameplay and too many bugs to warrant the price tag.”
- music6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its loveliness and quality, enhancing the overall experience alongside the intriguing characters and story. Reviewers highlight the art and soundtrack as standout elements that contribute positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The characters and story are intriguing, and the art and music are amazing!”
“The soundtrack is lovely, and the game is interesting.”
“The setting and story have me intrigued, and the art and music have been good thus far.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its engaging romance elements, but many players feel it lacks depth, making it challenging to form strong connections and ultimately choose a partner.
“The character development and romance is great!”
“Character development is not very deep, so deciding who to finally settle with is not easy when you can't spend more time romancing them.”
“Character development is not very deep, making it difficult to decide who to finally settle with when you can't spend more time romancing them.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game's story and visuals are praised for their depth and emotional impact, the lack of animated NPCs during dialogues detracts from the overall experience, creating an uncomfortable disconnect that undermines the intended emotional resonance.
“It's honest, emotional, and painful.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players have reported minor stability issues, including glitches with character versions and occasional character freezing. Additionally, the bug reporting feature has been noted to cause game freezes, particularly in the early access phase.
“I'm playing in early access and my only real issue is the report bug feature freezes the game when I try to report anything.”
“Apart from some minor glitches with the wrong version of characters and some characters getting stuck on screen, I really enjoyed this.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game incorporates humor, it often lacks depth and nuance, with players expressing a desire for more complex comedic elements that reflect real-life situations. The current humor tends to be simplistic, missing opportunities to explore the subtleties of laughter in the face of adversity.
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers consistently highlight the game's stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere as key strengths, making it a worthwhile experience for players who appreciate these elements.
“Overall, I say get the game to enjoy the visuals and the overall atmosphere.”
