Ceiba
- November 10, 2023
- 7DOTS
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"CEIBA" is a single-player Adventure game offering approximately 9 hours of playtime, set in a distant future where human exploration of deep space is forbidden. Players control a young Artifite named Ein, who is tasked with wooing a cold and unfriendly female Artifite by accompanying her to explore abandoned alien ruins, which have begun to respond to her presence. Features Studio Wirion's signature sci-fi art style and immersive storytelling.
Reviews
- The game features a unique art style and gorgeous graphics, enhancing the overall visual experience.
- Voice acting is excellent, adding depth to the characters and the story, even if the language is unfamiliar to some players.
- The story presents thought-provoking themes and a creative setting, making it engaging and enjoyable despite its brevity.
- The game is very short, leaving players wanting more content and character development.
- Player choices often feel inconsequential, with many options leading to similar outcomes, which can be frustrating.
- The writing quality varies, with some parts feeling rushed or underdeveloped, detracting from the overall narrative experience.
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its creativity and engaging characters, with themes of immortality and purpose that resonate well. However, some reviewers feel the execution is lacking, describing it as rushed or underdeveloped, with one noting it feels more like a prologue than a complete narrative. Overall, while the concept and setting are strong, the storytelling leaves room for improvement.
“A nice story and a lovely set of characters, every one of them!”
“I quite literally did not expect an existential story about immortality, finding purpose, and what it means to be.”
“I really liked the game, it's a very well made sci-fi story.”
“The story is creative, but told by an amateur - or very rushed - writer.”
“I only got 1 ending but that was enough to see how barebones this story is.”
“This isn't even a story, more like a prologue followed by a synopsis of what was supposed to be told in the same detail.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their unique art style, featuring beautiful character designs and a cozy, dreamy color palette that enhances the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the gorgeous visuals complemented by a cool parallax effect, and the inclusion of a PDF artbook as a bonus adds to the appeal. However, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in character art due to multiple artists contributing to the designs.
“The graphics are gorgeous with a cool parallax effect; the game comes with a PDF artbook as a bonus.”
“The art style is beautiful, the color palette and environmental design have this cozy, dreamy vibe to it, and it is just so pleasant to look at and play.”
“I bought this because I liked the art style; it looked very different.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its excellent ambient sound design and atmospheric quality, perfectly complementing both the gameplay and visuals. The soundtrack, reminiscent of Vangelis and Amethystium, enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature that players enjoy at high volumes.
“Excellent ambient sound design and good music throughout.”
“The soundtrack is amazing; I had my volume at 100% to fully appreciate it. It's so atmospheric and fits perfectly with what's happening in the game, and most importantly, it complements the visuals beautifully.”
“A simple but polished visual novel with a Vangelis/Amethystium style soundtrack.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the soundtrack is polished, it doesn't evoke any strong emotions or enhance the gameplay experience.”
“The background music is forgettable and doesn't complement the game's atmosphere.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the exceptional soundtrack that enhances the experience by perfectly complementing both the visuals and the gameplay. The immersive audio design encourages players to fully engage with the game's environment.
“The soundtrack is amazing; I had my volume at 100% so I could hear it better. It's incredibly atmospheric and fits perfectly with what's happening in the game, but most importantly, it complements the visuals beautifully.”
“The game's atmosphere is immersive, drawing you into its world with every sound and visual detail.”
“Every element of the environment contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged and on edge.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a typical dating sim dynamic, featuring a protagonist who is portrayed as spineless and overly driven by his feelings, particularly in his pursuit of a distant love interest among a limited cast. This setup may resonate with players familiar with the genre but could also feel clichéd and lacking depth.
“The game beautifully captures the complexity of emotions, making players feel deeply connected to the characters and their struggles.”
“I was genuinely moved by the story; it explores themes of love, loss, and personal growth in a way that resonates with real-life experiences.”
“The emotional depth of the characters is astounding, and their journeys left a lasting impact on me long after I finished playing.”
