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Ballads at Midnight

96%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, grinding
96% User Score Based on 298 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindows

About

When a sarcastic bard is arrested and exiled to an abandoned castle, she expected to be at the mercy of a hungry, blood-thirsty vampire. She soon discovers that the vampire, Lucius, is not starving: he is gravely bored. She may just survive on borrowed time, one ballad each midnight.

Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot
Ballads at Midnight screenshot

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 298 reviews
story106 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions

  • Beautiful artwork and compelling story that keeps players engaged.
  • Charming characters with well-developed personalities and relatable interactions.
  • Multiple endings provide replayability and a satisfying exploration of the narrative.
  • Limited choices throughout the game, making it feel more like a visual novel than an interactive experience.
  • Some players may find the pacing slow, especially in the beginning.
  • Voice acting is inconsistent, with some lines feeling out of place or poorly executed.
  • story
    214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of this visual novel is widely praised for its beautiful writing, engaging characters, and compelling romance between a human and a vampire, often described as both touching and humorous. While some players noted a lack of meaningful choices and a somewhat rushed ending, many found the plot twists and character development to be surprisingly deep and satisfying. Overall, the combination of stunning artwork and a well-crafted narrative has left players eager for more, making it a standout experience in the genre.

    • “A beautiful little story about the romance between a human and a vampire.”
    • “The story itself was surprisingly deeper than I would have imagined for such a short visual novel and I really enjoyed it.”
    • “Absolutely delightful game, both main character and the love interest have interesting and defined personalities, their interactions are fun and enjoyable and the story itself is well developed.”
    • “The story is quite short and there are not many meaningful choices.”
    • “Very nice art but the pace of the story is boring as hell; I spent 15 minutes reading thoughts from the protagonist while she's escorted by two guards.”
    • “Some chapters go by where you are not given any options to twist the story in any way.”
  • music
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance immersion, while others found it repetitive or lacking in variety. Some users noted that the music effectively matched the game's themes and situations, though a few expressed a desire for more dynamic or impactful musical moments, especially given the game's focus on a bard. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered pleasant and fitting, contributing positively to the overall experience despite some criticisms regarding its execution.

    • “The music is good, the art is good, and the writer follows the rule of show don't tell; I didn't notice any exposition dumps.”
    • “The artwork and music were very immersive, and I loved the banter between the two characters.”
    • “I loved the art, the music did a great job of setting the scenes, and the story was fun.”
    • “Personally, I found the background music a bit tedious at times, but this is a free game after all, and I will make sure to look into their next game.”
    • “The music was effective, but the two individual songs were surprisingly low key given that the game has 'ballads' in the title.”
    • “And the music was repetitive; I ended up muting it and listening to my own music.”
  • graphics
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning artwork and unique art style, which diverges from typical anime aesthetics. Players appreciate the beautiful character designs and immersive visuals that enhance the storytelling experience, although some have noted a desire for more varied graphics in the endings. Overall, the combination of captivating visuals and a decent soundtrack contributes to a highly enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “The artwork for this game is devastatingly beautiful and the story was far above my expectations.”
    • “The art is a tapestry of enchanting visuals where every glance and gesture from the characters is rendered with such finesse, it feels like they might step out of the screen and onto your lap.”
    • “Gorgeous graphics, music and some voice acting, and it's free!”
    • “I didn't spend time figuring out what caused the issue, but it was weird in that the d-pad and button controls worked fine, there were seemingly no graphical issues, and this is a very short visual novel so it's not like there's anything intensive going on in the background.”
    • “The writing and artwork are fine, though the two main characters look very wholesome considering one is a prisoner condemned to a fate worse than death, and the other a troubled vampire.”
    • “My only few gripes with the game were that at times it felt like there were not really many choices given for the player; it could have been just a novel with pictures, and the second was that I wished there would have been scene artworks like in general otome/visual novel games.”
  • humor
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue, dry snark, and charming banter between well-developed characters, creating a delightful interplay that keeps players engaged and entertained. Many reviewers noted the unexpected depth of the humor, with laugh-out-loud moments and clever achievements that enhance the overall experience. The blend of humor with the game's darker themes adds a unique charm, making it a memorable and enjoyable narrative.

    • “Believable characters with decent emotional depth, witty and funny bantering, interesting story twists here and there, and the voice acting isn't bad either.”
    • “The interplay between them is a melodic duet of snark and charm that keeps you chuckling even as you navigate a world painted in eerie, moonlit hues.”
    • “In short, this visual novel is a spellbinding concoction of darkness, humor, and romance, a narrative that will linger in your mind long after you’ve put down your bard’s lute, leaving you craving more of its bewitching secrets.”
  • gameplay
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some users noting a lack of depth and suggesting the inclusion of more puzzles. However, the game features multiple endings based on player choices, which adds replay value and encourages exploration for a richer experience. Overall, while the gameplay may be simplistic, it offers enough variety to engage attentive players.

    • “As for the gameplay, 'Ballads at Midnight' has multiple endings, so there are choices presented throughout the story that determine which ending you get.”
    • “From a gameplay point of view, there is something in the way this is told that could potentially reward the attentive player to dig further for a greater story/gameplay experience.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, this also made replaying it worthwhile, which can’t be taken for granted.”
    • “There wasn't much gameplay (obviously), but I think it could have had more small riddles and stuff like that!”
    • “Music is enjoyable, even though it practically doesn't change at all during gameplay.”
    • “From a gameplay point of view.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its believable characters and heartwarming storylines, which evoke a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the impactful writing, noting how the narrative balances lighthearted moments with more intense emotional experiences. Overall, the game successfully creates a touching and immersive experience that resonates deeply with players.

    • “Some of the endings are heartbreaking and sweet all the same.”
    • “I got chills during points of suspense, emotional when learning more about the characters, and many other feelings in between.”
    • “It tells a compelling story with endearing characters and knows when to have moments of levity to make the most heart-wrenching parts more impactful.”
  • character development
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in this visual novel is highly praised, with reviewers noting the beautifully paced exploration of relationships and personalities, particularly between the main characters, Abigail and Lucius. The distinct character designs effectively convey their traits, enhancing the overall storytelling experience. Fans of slow-burn narratives focused on character growth will find this title particularly rewarding.

    • “Their chemistry was lovely to read through and their character development and character exploration were beautifully paced with some sudden good voice acting and singing along the way.”
    • “In terms of character development, this visual novel is definitely one of the best as far as otome goes.”
    • “If you like slow stories focused on character development, just go and read it; this is extremely good.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed with their growth throughout the game.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the characters don't evolve in a meaningful way, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. Despite this, many still appreciate the overall experience, especially as an introduction to visual novels. The repetitive nature of grinding may deter some, but it doesn't overshadow the enjoyment of the game for others.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the impressive art style and music that contribute significantly to the overall experience. The thoughtful design, including the font, enhances the immersive quality, creating a captivating ambiance.

    • “Nice and atmospheric music.”
    • “Great art, style, and music; even the font adds to the atmosphere.”
    • “Good atmospheric music.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real depth or immersion.”
    • “Despite the beautiful visuals, the overall atmosphere fails to engage or evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The sound design is underwhelming, which detracts significantly from the intended atmosphere of the game.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game is well-received, as it is a free visual novel that avoids excessive ads and time gating, offering enjoyable art and a compelling story without financial barriers.

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