Brilliant Shadows: Part One of the Book of Gray Magic

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Brilliant Shadows: Part One of the Book of Gray Magic screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 175 reviews

story80 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game features beautiful artwork and a unique art style that enhances the storytelling experience.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, with engaging dialogue and strong voice acting that brings them to life.
The story is intriguing and offers multiple endings, encouraging replayability and exploration of different choices.

The pacing can feel rushed at times, particularly towards the end, leaving some plot points underdeveloped.
Some choices may not feel impactful enough, leading to a sense of linearity despite the branching paths.
There are minor inconsistencies in the writing and character actions that can detract from immersion.

story
226 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The story of "Brilliant Shadows" is generally praised for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and beautiful art, though some reviewers noted pacing issues and a rushed beginning. While the romance is present, it is not the central focus, allowing for a rich exploration of themes like acceptance and personal growth. Overall, the narrative is compelling and leaves players eager for the sequel, despite some minor continuity and pacing concerns.
- “The story was really interesting and it was carried by the wonderful characters.”
- “The compelling story was well written while also thought-provoking, coupled with some wonderful sound quality and absolutely fantastic illustrations.”
- “The story is very immersive.”
- “The romance is also severely undercooked and the actual plot is rushed.”
- “However, I found the ending to be a little too disjointed, especially compared to the rest of the story.”
- “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.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
37%
8%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique and beautiful art style, which stands out from typical visual novels. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, detailed character designs, and the effective use of visuals to enhance the narrative and emotional depth. While some noted minor issues with animation, the overall presentation is considered polished and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “I love this game; it has a very interesting art style and an in-depth storyline that kept me interested for hours!”
- “The game employs beautiful artwork, both colorfully vibrant and dark and ominous when the narrative dictates it, skillfully portraying the different emotional states of the characters.”
- “The artwork is a joy and very rich with color and detail; it never leaves you wanting.”
- “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.”
- “The character artwork is animate and expressive (again, within the limitations of the medium - the horse riding sequence really could've used a separate character model) and the style fits the setting of the story.”
- “While originally I was concerned that adding in visuals and 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.”
music
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
20%
10%
The music in "Brilliant Shadows" is widely praised for its beauty and immersive quality, enhancing the overall experience of the visual novel. Reviewers highlight the original soundtrack as superb and well-integrated with the game's mood, often noting that it stands out as a significant aspect of the game. While some mention minor issues with volume balance, the consensus is that the music, alongside the art and voice acting, contributes to a harmonious and captivating experience.
- “Overall, Brilliant Shadows is one of the best English visual novels I've played; it has a unique setting and compelling characters, and the writing, art, music, and voice acting all come together in a harmonious, beautiful experience.”
- “The voice acting and soundtrack are superb.”
- “An original soundtrack that is not repetitive and ties in very well with the mood of the story.”
- “The only issue I had was the music level being much higher than the voice level.”
- “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.”
- “As far as options go, there are the basics like sound and music volume.”
humor
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 quality of voice acting, clever writing, and entertaining blooper reels, 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.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game elicits a wide range of emotions, effectively blending humor with poignant moments that resonate deeply with players. Its vibrant artwork and well-developed characters enhance the emotional stakes, creating an engaging experience that can evoke laughter, sadness, and anxiety. While some transitions may feel abrupt, the overall narrative delivers a heartfelt and immersive emotional journey.
- “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.”
- “This game took me on a four-hour emotional ride, leaving me laughing, damn near crying, feeling anxious, and excited for more.”
- “I got very emotional over this game; it's very earnest and real.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 also beautiful to look at, and speaks of the artist's talent in presenting this world and the people who live in it.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The gameplay in this visual novel is minimal, as is typical for the genre, placing a heavy emphasis on the narrative. The mechanics are standard for visual novels, set within a familiar fantasy world with slight variations.
- “The mechanics are standard for visual novels, fitting well within the genre.”
- “Typically, a visual novel has no gameplay, which places an extreme burden on the narrative.”
- “The world is a standard fantasy setting with only a few specified variations; the mechanics are average for visual novels.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
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 that surpasses many mainstream titles.
- “The optimization is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “I experienced numerous bugs and glitches that made the game nearly unplayable at times due to poor optimization.”
- “The game feels rushed and unpolished, with optimization issues that detract from the overall experience.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
200%
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.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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, encouraging me to replay and explore different outcomes.”