Changeling

About

"Changeling" is a single-player romance simulation game with an intriguing story and spectacular graphics. As Nora, a normal girl who discovers a world of supernatural creatures, players will uncover secrets from their past and reconcile with their twin brother in a dangerous supernatural world. The game features a good soundtrack, wholesome story, and the chance to romance six love interests, with over 40 unique endings in approximately 25-35 hours of gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 214 reviews

story112 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story with interesting characters and multiple unique routes.
Beautiful art style that departs from traditional anime aesthetics, enhancing the overall experience.
Relatable and strong protagonist, Nora, who has a distinct personality and does not conform to typical 'damsel' tropes.

Some routes may feel repetitive with shared dialogue and themes, which can detract from the overall experience.
The music can become repetitive over time, potentially leading to a less immersive experience.
Certain choices may not feel intuitive, requiring the use of a guide to achieve desired endings.

story
294 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The story of the game is praised for its rich world-building, engaging character arcs, and multiple unique routes that offer distinct narratives and endings. Players appreciate the depth of the lore and the intertwining of romance with a broader supernatural plot, although some feel certain routes could benefit from more development. Overall, the storytelling is described as compelling and well-executed, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The story is richly detailed and I've definitely enjoyed the bits of folklore woven throughout it.”
- “The multitude of choices, the expansive story, the realistic characters, and detailed writing bring several different plots together to make something truly beautiful.”
- “Each route felt unique and fresh; even though certain plot-lines and revelations were consistent throughout each route, the introduction to and delivery of that information and the resolution of the plot varied with each route.”
- “Story is dull and mostly not that interesting (skipped my way halfway through to at least finish one route).”
- “Most scenes feel like they're just there to fill the story with something; they don't contribute anything to the story - and strangely, those who do are way too short.”
- “Choices didn't matter, only for getting different character endings, not for the story.”
graphics
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful acrylic-brush style artwork, featuring diverse character designs and varied backgrounds that stand out from typical anime styles. While some players noted that the character sprites can occasionally appear odd and the amount of text may distract from the visuals, the overall aesthetic is considered unique, polished, and engaging, ultimately enhancing the storytelling experience. Many reviewers found that the art style, though initially jarring, grew on them, contributing to the game's charm and replayability.
- “The visuals are gorgeous and the story was interesting from start to finish.”
- “It's clear that Steamberry Studio worked very hard on 'Changeling.' To their credit, the premise is interesting, and that artwork is unique and beautiful.”
- “Not only is there lots of routes (with multiple different endings) and a beautiful art style, but the actual storyline is so good that you almost forget it's an otome game!”
- “The art style somehow made my brain first assume this game would be unpolished or amateur, but I'm glad I gave it a fair try because it's well-written and very polished.”
- “The art style is jarring at first, as it's so dissimilar from other games like this, but it grows on you quickly.”
- “The amount of text sometimes distracted from appreciating the artwork and changing expressions on the sprites.”
music
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
42%
13%
The music in the game is generally appreciated for its ability to set the tone and enhance the storytelling, with some tracks being described as lovely and touching. However, many users noted that the soundtrack lacks variety, leading to repetitiveness that can detract from the experience over time. While some found the music enjoyable and fitting, others felt it did not always align with the game's darker themes, resulting in mixed reviews overall.
- “The game is great all around: the art is gorgeous in its cozy design and shading, both for backgrounds, sprites, and CGs; the music is mysterious and although somewhat repetitive, it still sets an incredible mood.”
- “The art is lovely, the music is really pretty and not at all intrusive to play, and all in all, I am really, really impressed with the storytelling and quality of the game.”
- “I have hundreds of hours into this and am still enjoying all the music.”
- “The only critique I have is that the music doesn't have much variety, so it becomes repetitive quickly.”
- “Changeling is described as being 'dark,' but the game's background music (should you choose not to mute it) completely ruins the ambiance.”
- “Pretty much the only negative that I can point out at this stage is the music; it can get a bit repetitive.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty banter, and relatable characters, particularly the protagonist, Nora, who is described as funny, assertive, and endearingly flawed. Players appreciate the light-hearted tone, with many moments that elicit genuine laughter, showcasing a blend of comedy and drama that keeps the experience engaging. Overall, the humor is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The game is also funny, and I found myself laughing out loud many times, something rare for me as I don't find things funny very easily.”
- “Changeling is brilliantly written and often hilarious, with a sassy main character and some seriously cute love interests.”
- “There's a good mix of comedy and drama across the game, and while some routes are heavier on drama than others, none are absent at least a few chuckles... and some had me laughing out loud.”
emotional
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, with players forming strong attachments to the characters and experiencing a range of feelings throughout the narrative. The combination of touching music, snappy yet poignant dialogue, and complex storylines contributes to an adult-themed emotional journey that resonates deeply with players. Many reviewers recommend it for those seeking a heartfelt story filled with significant emotional moments.
- “The dialogue is snappy and funny, but it can also get very emotional (*sobs* William).”
- “You will get emotionally attached to the characters.”
- “Late routes: William and Ewan (deep lore and emotional roller coasters galore! The end of Ewan's route feels like a nice, triumphant end to the game in general.)”
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
69%
19%
The gameplay is primarily focused on narrative rather than complex mechanics, with each playthrough lasting a minimum of four hours. Players appreciate the lack of stat-raising or intricate gameplay elements, allowing the engaging writing to take center stage. Overall, it is highly recommended for fans of visual novels and otomes, offering substantial value for its price.
- “What I especially liked gameplay-wise in this route is that if all the good choices are made, the main character does not need to solve any riddles at the end of it.”
- “Overall, if you just want a 'should I play or should I skip,' I'd say that if you are a fan of visual novels and otomes, certainly go for it as this is one of the good ones and the amount of gameplay you get certainly fits the full price.”
- “One of my only complaints involves some of the mechanics.”
- “I really liked the writing in the secret world, if not the gameplay because of this, and a fair bit of changeling reminded me of the works of Charles de Lint and Holly Black.”
- “Gameplay-wise, each playthrough should take a minimum of four hours (this of course assumes a very fast reading speed).”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the numerous outcomes and routes that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the repetitive plot and dialogue limit its overall replay value. Utilizing a guide can enhance the experience for those seeking specific endings, but the enjoyment may diminish for players who prefer a more varied narrative.
- “There's lots of replay value; but utilizing a guide would be ideal if trying to get onto routes and endings specifically.”
- “The artwork is simple and attractive, as is the background music, though you could find it tedious if you don't turn it down low. There are plenty of opportunities to find different outcomes, so the game has a lot of replayability.”
- “It's a great game but has very little replayability because the plot stays the same and a lot of the dialogue does too.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Character development is highly praised for its depth and detail, with well-written interactions that enhance the overall narrative. The diverse character designs, both in ethnicity and fashion, contribute to a rich and engaging experience.
- “The detail, character development, and interactions are just so well written.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be potentially tedious, especially with repetitive tasks, but appreciate the simple and attractive artwork and background music. The game offers ample opportunities for different outcomes, contributing to its replayability.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting smooth performance and no noticeable glitches, lagging, dead ends, or crashes.
- “First the basics: it runs well; no glitches, lagging, dead ends, or crashes were noticed.”