Brilliant Shadows: Part One of the Book of Gray Magic
- November 2, 2015
- Ithaqua Labs
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Brilliant Shadows: Part One of the Book of Gray Magic" is a visual novel starring Veronica Ashmar, a new graduate necromancer who receives a mark with no match during the pairing ritual. She must then uncover the origin of her mark and solve the Mountain's greatest magical mystery. The game is approximately 57,000 words long and offers 3 different endings based on player choices, with an estimated 3-6 hours of gameplay.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork and immersive music, enhancing the overall experience.
- The voice acting is well done, adding depth to the characters and making the story more engaging.
- The story is intriguing with well-developed characters, and it effectively explores themes of love and identity.
- The plot can feel rushed at times, especially towards the ending, leaving some character arcs underdeveloped.
- Some choices lack significant impact on the story, making the gameplay feel less interactive.
- The writing occasionally suffers from inconsistencies and clichés, detracting from the overall narrative quality.
- story189 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its engaging plot, character development, and beautiful art, though some reviewers noted pacing issues and a rushed beginning. While the romance is present, it often takes a backseat to the main narrative, which features diverse characters and intriguing twists. Overall, players found the story compelling and are eager for sequels, despite some minor criticisms regarding continuity and the impact of player choices.
“The compelling story was well written while also thought-provoking, coupled with some wonderful sound quality and absolutely fantastic illustrations.”
“Brilliant Shadows has a compelling story, good world-building, and a great cast of characters.”
“The story really pulls you in, and the twist at the end is not something you are likely to see coming.”
“The storyline in this game is the worst I've seen in a pretty long time; it starts out really well, but goes further and further downhill as the game goes on.”
“The story felt a little weak.”
“However, despite my complaints, the game does have an exciting plot that makes me interested in the next part of the game.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received praise for their unique and beautiful art style, which stands out from typical visual novels by avoiding conventional anime influences. Reviewers highlighted the vibrant and detailed artwork, effective use of color palettes, and expressive character designs that enhance the storytelling experience. While some noted that animation could be improved, the overall visual presentation is considered polished and engaging, contributing positively to the game's appeal.
“Loved the artwork, the characters, and the stories.”
“The game employs beautiful artwork, both colorfully vibrant and more dark and ominous when the narrative dictates it, moreover this is also skillfully portrayed in the different emotional states the characters go through.”
“Amazing artwork, diverse and lovable characters, and a magical universe that is so detailed and new.”
“Devoid of even the most basic attempts to emulate a medieval or feudal culture beyond cliché visuals and terminology, I couldn't help but think of cheap, printed-on Halloween costumes.”
“At times it gets confusing with the dialogue and POV (although that may just be me), however, I do have to applaud the artwork.”
“While originally I was concerned that adding in visual voices to characters would take away enjoyment, I have discovered that instead being given a concrete step upon which to envision my characters was refreshing.”
- humor20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its effective blend with drama, providing players with both laugh-out-loud moments and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the excellent voice acting, clever writing, and entertaining blooper reel, which enhance the overall experience. Many found the humor to be a standout feature, making the game not only enjoyable but also memorable.
“It's completely hilarious and highly entertaining to listen to.”
“The scenes after the ending were just hilarious!!!”
“I normally don't buy visual novels, but the voice acting and hilarious dialogue made this game one of my favorites.”
- music19 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in "Brilliant Shadows" is widely praised for its beauty and immersive quality, enhancing the overall experience of the game. Many players noted the soundtrack's ability to captivate, with some even enjoying it as background music for other activities. Coupled with excellent voice acting and distinctive art, the music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, despite some mixed feelings about other aspects like character dialogue and plot consistency.
“Beautiful art, immersive music, and great voice acting!”
“Also the music is awesome, and at one point I even just had the game open just so I could listen to it while doing other things...”
“Amazing art style, amazing music, amazing voice acting, amazing story.”
“As far as options go, there are the basics like sound and music volume.”
“I can't comment on the voice acting/music since I was secretly playing it at work and therefore had it muted, but I'm sure they're also good, given the quality of everything else in the game.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a rich emotional experience, skillfully blending humor and drama to evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to sadness and anxiety. Its vibrant artwork enhances the emotional depth of the narrative, while the multi-faceted characters contribute to a compelling and immersive emotional journey. Despite some abrupt transitions, players find themselves on a captivating emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact.
“The game employs beautiful artwork, both colorfully vibrant and more dark and ominous when the narrative dictates it, moreover this is also skillfully portrayed in the different emotional states the characters go through.”
“Touching, funny, and real for as fantastical as it seems.”
“This game took me on a four-hour emotional ride, leaving me laughing, damn near crying, feeling anxious, and excited for more.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its engaging storytelling and well-designed protagonists, highlighting the depth and appeal of the characters. The beautiful art style further enhances the experience, showcasing the talent behind the game's visual presentation.
“A fun and engaging story with great character development.”
“Love the character designs, especially the protagonists.”
“From the character designs to the backgrounds, the art style is beautiful to look at and showcases the artist's talent in presenting this world and the people who live in it.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, with fast plot progression and no noticeable stuttering, contributing to an engaging experience. The well-delivered voice acting and likable characters further enhance the overall enjoyment, showcasing a level of polish often lacking in mainstream titles.
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that visual novels often lack traditional gameplay mechanics, which shifts the focus heavily onto the narrative, making it crucial for the story to engage players effectively.
“Typically, a visual novel has no gameplay, which places an extreme burden on the narrative.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“There are too many mechanics that don't work well together, leading to a frustrating experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a tense and dramatic tone, where the protagonist faces repeated setbacks in her pursuit of love, creating a sense of dread and uncertainty. Despite the challenges, her resilience adds a layer of emotional depth to the experience.
“Deliciously juicy drama with a dread-inducing atmosphere, as you feel the character's hopes and dreams scatter multiple times, yet she picks herself up time and time again.”
“The atmosphere is filled with a sense of dread, leaving players uncertain about the character's fate and emotional journey.”
“While the drama is engaging, the overall atmosphere lacks clarity, making it difficult to connect with the character's hopes and dreams.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, complemented by appealing art, excellent music, and strong voice acting, making it an engaging visual novel experience.
“Overall a good visual novel with a large amount of replayability, good art, great music, and excellent voice acting.”
“The multiple story paths and endings make each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“I love how my choices impact the story differently each time, encouraging me to replay and explore all the possibilities.”
