Blackberry Honey

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In "Blackberry Honey," Lorina Waugh, a maid searching for employment in 19th century England, finds herself at Bly, where she's met with long hours, bullying from other maids, and a peculiar encounter with the secretive Taohua. As Lorina uncovers the mysteries surrounding Bly, she also discovers the possibility of unexpected romance. This tale of maids, music, and mystery unfolds with stunning hand-drawn art and atmospheric music, immersing players in Lorina's journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 160 reviews

story55 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The story is beautifully written, with well-developed characters and a compelling romance that keeps players engaged throughout.
The art and music are stunning, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.
The game tackles themes of love and societal issues in a thoughtful way, making it more than just a simple romance.

Some characters, particularly the antagonists, lack resolution in their story arcs, leaving players wanting more closure.
The pacing can be slow at times, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.
The game is a kinetic novel with no choices, which may not appeal to those who prefer interactive gameplay.

story
196 mentions
28 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Blackberry Honey" is a beautifully crafted, heartwarming romance set in Victorian England, focusing on the relationship between two maids, Taohua and Lorina. While the writing and character development are praised for their depth and emotional resonance, some reviewers noted that certain side characters lacked resolution and that the pacing could be slow at times. Overall, the narrative is celebrated for its engaging storytelling, rich atmosphere, and the ability to evoke strong emotions, making it a standout visual novel in the genre.
- “Amazing story, the writing and the art are top notch.”
- “The story is so touching, and I couldn't help but tear up several times throughout this game.”
- “It's a very heartwarming story covering very sad topics and depressing tones, but always holds that light at the end of the tunnel for the resolution.”
- “It's really hard to find f/f romance set before the modern era that doesn't end in utter tragedy, but Blackberry Honey knocks it out of the park with its story.”
- “The abuse that the protagonist goes through really exceeds far beyond what was necessary to communicate her hopeless situation and the actually significant story developments were very few and far between.”
- “My only story complaint is it felt like the ending didn't wrap up all the loose ends; I felt like Lady Constance's plotline never really got any closure and by the end I was rooting for her slightly after she'd opened up a bit.”
music
66 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful compositions and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, with many reviewers noting its fitting orchestral and piano elements that evoke the Victorian setting. While some found the soundtrack occasionally repetitive, the overall consensus is that the music effectively complements the narrative and character development, creating an immersive atmosphere. Additionally, the inclusion of character themes and the composer's commentary on the music's creation further enrich the player's experience.
- “The music captured my attention as well as the story.”
- “I greatly appreciated the beautiful composition; the delicate string instruments and beautiful pianos really come together to make a soundtrack that blew me away, and aided in making me feel as if I were in the moment at times.”
- “The writing is top notch, the UI is gorgeous, the art is consistent and beautiful, and the music is phenomenal.”
- “The music is reused situational, so you’ll recognize it after a few chapters.”
- “The music gets a bit dull after listening to it for three or so hours, but I didn't get so annoyed that I turned the volume off.”
- “The music is really well done but I found a few of the tracks a bit overused in too many areas, but there are worse problems to have.”
graphics
31 mentions
39 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their unique and beautiful art style, which enhances the storytelling experience. While some users noted a vintage or oil painting-like quality that may not appeal to everyone, the overall visuals are considered high-quality and well-executed, complementing the narrative effectively. The soundtrack is also well-received, contributing to a relaxing atmosphere that pairs nicely with the visuals.
- “The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing. I don't usually play this kind of game, but the Ebi-Hime games are really great!”
- “The artwork is beautiful and goes well with the narrative.”
- “The graphics, soundtrack, plot, and the portrayals of the characters are exceptionally excellent.”
- “It's really a story that stands so strongly on its own two feet that it could have been just text and I would have been almost as drawn to it; however, I don't think that would begin to do the game justice, as it is a visual novel and the visuals should also be up to par.”
- “The art and music in Blackberry Honey all feel very vintage, with soft amber tones throughout all the visuals that make it feel very dated and era-appropriate.”
- “Yet it is a bit flawed in the number of visuals: only 6 characters have sprites and only one pose (two if you count the arm movement).”
emotional
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players noting its heartwarming narrative and the ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears during poignant moments. The story effectively balances sad themes with uplifting resolutions, creating genuine emotional investment in the characters and their journeys. Overall, it is regarded as one of the more emotionally impactful visual novels in recent memory, with excellent writing and memorable moments.
- “The story is so touching, and I couldn't help but tear up several times throughout this game.”
- “Each arc of the story escalates perfectly, and there's genuine tension and heartfelt emotion that radiates from the final product.”
- “It's a very heartwarming story covering very sad topics and depressing tones, but always holds that light at the end of the tunnel for the resolution.”
character development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Character development is a standout aspect of the story, particularly for the main character, whose growth is effectively portrayed through engaging scenes and quality design. While the supporting cast, especially Lady Constance, offers intriguing potential, their development feels underexplored, leaving some players disappointed. Overall, the character designs enhance the narrative, contributing to the emotional depth of the experience.
- “Love this story so much, the scenes, character development, and overall story are amazing with music that perfectly sets the tone for the events of the story as they unfold.”
- “Quality backgrounds and well-done character designs, switching poses occasionally during dialogues, accompany our story’s narration faithfully.”
- “The story is portrayed by notable days, and while we cannot encounter any dragons there, we are subject to visible character development of our protagonist as well as some difficulties of life in nobility.”
- “The character development of the supporting cast, especially with Lady Constance, was quite interesting, but ultimately led nowhere, leaving me with a feeling of bitterness.”
- “This lack of character development leaves me slightly disappointed since she had such a big impact on the maids.”
- “While we cannot encounter any dragons, we are subject to visible character development of our protagonist as well as some difficulties of life in nobility.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its clever integration of memorable lines and dry English wit, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Notable moments include amusing character interactions and quirky details, such as a character's unusual appearance and a humorous line about an allergy to sunlight. Overall, the humor adds depth and enjoyment to the narrative, making it a standout feature of the experience.
- “The humor is perfectly intertwined with memorable lines and touching moments.”
- “I don't want to give too much away, but the line about the allergy to sunlight was so funny I genuinely wonder if the author actually came up with that one themselves.”
- “On numerous occasions, I found myself chuckling at some entertaining character interactions, often involving Effie, who is one of my favorite characters from any game I've played.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its Victorian-era background music, which complements the narrative and setting, immersing players in the historical context of the story. This harmonious blend of sound and theme effectively transports players to the time and place of the game.
- “To add more to the noble atmosphere, Blackberry Honey’s story is accompanied by Victorian-era background music that is pleasing to the ear, perfectly complementing the concept of the place and timeline in which the story is set.”
- “The musical atmosphere aligns beautifully with Victorian England, immersing us further into the game.”
- “To add more to the noble atmosphere, Blackberry Honey’s story is accompanied by Victorian-era background music, which perfectly complements the concept of the place and timeline the story is set in.”
- “The musical atmosphere aligns well with Victorian England, immersing us further into the game.”
gameplay
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and immersive, with a captivating story and well-written dialogue that keeps players invested. The combination of beautiful art and realistic character personalities enhances the overall experience, making it a memorable visual novel.
- “It is very rare for stories to grip me, especially in visual novels, but I finished this in less than 24 hours with 6 hours of gameplay. The story was wonderful, the dialogue was fantastically written, and the characters and art were absolutely gorgeous. The personalities felt somewhat realistic, and I really loved my time with this game.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Many users feel that the game's design significantly diminishes its replayability, leading to a lack of incentive to revisit the experience.
- “For some folks, this might seem like a negative as it takes away any semblance of replay value.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Users have reported issues with stability, noting specific bugs such as glitches in the character's piano-playing animation.
- “The cutscene of her playing the piano is buggy.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”