The Remainder: The Complete Edition
- March 23, 2022
- Square Weasel Studio
Get on Steam"The Remainder: The Complete Edition" is a narrative-driven game following two magi, Vyn and Ilar, trapped in a collapsing tower. With amnesia, players must uncover the truth behind Ilar's story, as the ritual for salvation becomes murkier. The game features around 50 false endings and two true endings, with nearly 145,000 words exploring a world of ritual magick, ancient technology, and mystic traditions. Artwork and atmosphere evoke an occult world, inviting players to read between the lines and solve the mystery.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Chronicles of Tal'Dun features stunning artwork and an atmospheric soundtrack that immerses players in its dark fantasy world.
- The game offers a complex and engaging narrative that explores themes of grief, guilt, and kindness, making for a deeply emotional experience.
- Players appreciate the intricate branching paths and the satisfaction of unraveling the story through multiple playthroughs, with many finding the writing to be beautifully poetic.
- The writing style can be convoluted and cryptic, making it difficult for some players to follow the narrative and understand character motivations.
- Some players found the gameplay loop tedious, with certain choices leading to repetitive outcomes and making the death-hunting mechanic frustrating.
- Technical issues, such as a non-intuitive user interface and occasional bugs, detracted from the overall experience for some users.
- story105 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story is a deeply emotional and complex narrative that explores themes of grief, guilt, and kindness, drawing players into a beautifully crafted world filled with intricate characters and choices that significantly impact the plot. Many reviewers highlight the stunning artwork and atmospheric soundtrack, which enhance the storytelling experience, while the layered mysteries and philosophical elements invite players to engage deeply with the narrative. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings and provide a memorable, immersive journey through its rich and thought-provoking storyline.
“This is a story about grief, about guilt, about change, about suffering, but above all -- it is a story about kindness.”
“With stunning artwork, well-developed characters, and an engaging story, Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder pulls you into a beautiful fantasy world both enigmatic and bittersweet.”
“How can you hope to write a good, complicated plot if its very building blocks are lacking in sense?”
“The story itself is complex, layered, and laden with emotion.”
“The story is somewhat slowly paced, but not overly so; it's paced to a point where it keeps you hooked without getting frustrated.”
- graphics37 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their stunning and unique artwork, which captivates players and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and atmospheric soundtrack as standout features, contributing to an immersive narrative that draws players into its world. Overall, the art style is described as one of the game's main attractions, making it a memorable visual novel.
“The artwork, the music, the story — to say every aspect of this game was stunning would be an understatement, and I hope many more people will experience it because… wow.”
“Visually stunning, the artwork is really top notch.”
“The art style is absolutely stunning; in fact, it's one of the reasons I bought it in the first place.”
“But it's not only the artwork.”
“The atmosphere is extremely well done; I was caught up in the visuals, the music, and the sounds.”
“The artwork, atmosphere, writing, and everything in general is so good.”
- music34 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and emotional depth, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of haunting and soothing melodies. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack complements the stunning visuals and poignant storytelling, creating an immersive environment that draws players into its melancholic world. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and ambiance.
“The gorgeous art and atmospheric soundtrack perfectly lured me into the chilling world this game creates.”
“This game is such a gem... the art - masterfully illustrated, the music - soulfully composed, the story - ingeniously written.”
“This game made me feel so many emotions that at one point I was scared to open it and hear the title screen music and get sucked into the melancholy of it all.”
“I definitely felt spooked and unnerved in some parts and the music added to it.”
“The music is soothing, then haunting, then back to soothing - pure indulgence for my autistic ears.”
- emotional27 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke a deep and varied range of feelings, from melancholy to heart-wrenching joy. Many players report being profoundly affected, often crying during pivotal moments and feeling a strong connection to the characters and their relationships. The combination of impactful choices, haunting music, and a dark, mysterious narrative creates an immersive experience that leaves players emotionally exhausted yet satisfied.
“This game made me feel so many emotions that at one point I was scared to open it and hear the title screen music and get sucked into the melancholy of it all.”
“It was an emotional rollercoaster that struck a deep chord with me and had me hooked at every turn; even when it felt like I was endlessly running into walls trying to figure out what I was missing, it only added to the immersion and made me more determined to unravel the mystery.”
“I've just completed the 'true end' and I must say this was one of the most enjoyable and heart-wrenching visual novels I've ever come across.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals and immersive soundtrack, which together create a captivating and mystical world. Reviewers highlight how the art and music enhance the storytelling, drawing players into a rich narrative filled with mystery and emotional depth. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enthralling and a standout feature of the game.
“The gorgeous art and atmospheric soundtrack perfectly lured me into the chilling world this game creates.”
“Paired with an atmospheric soundtrack, the melancholy setting really pulls you into the story and keeps you hunting for more information.”
“The atmosphere is extremely well done; I was caught up in the visuals, the music, and the sounds.”
“The whole atmosphere is enthralling.”
“I played the first act for free, got hooked by the atmosphere and the mystery, and was looking forward to a nice story to distract me from everyday life for a few hours.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Tal'dun is praised for its engaging mechanics that enhance the narrative, creating a deep connection between story and gameplay. Players appreciate the unique gameplay loop that encourages exploration and discovery, making the experience feel like a rewarding treasure hunt. Additionally, the inclusion of a hint system is seen as a thoughtful touch that aids players without detracting from the challenge.
“The true value of any game, of every game's genre, is and forever will be the soft embrace of two lovers: soul-touching story and enriching mechanics.”
“Once you come into the world of Tal'dun, you will understand that not only the story, but also the mechanics teach you, telling their own story and changing your perspective and possibilities laid before your eyes.”
“It took me a while to realize the gameplay loop mechanic, but once I understood that searching down all paths was necessary to bring light to the situation, it became an engrossing treasure hunt for just another piece of the puzzle without it becoming too repetitive.”
“It took me a while to realize the gameplay loop mechanic, but once I understood that exploring all paths was necessary to illuminate the situation, it became an engrossing treasure hunt for just another piece of the puzzle without it becoming too repetitive.”
“There's even a little 'hint' mechanic should you be absolutely stuck, and it's not something that can be easily abused.”
“It's a huge gut punch when you figure out what's actually happened, and the way the death/bad-end mechanic is handled supports the plot beautifully.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect in this visual novel to be tedious, particularly when it comes to death-hunting, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“I love death-hunting in visual novel games, but here it was quite tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which became incredibly boring.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight that the game's replayability is significantly influenced by their knowledge and approach to the plot, offering depth and complexity that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“It really gravitates around the player's knowledge and approach towards the plot; there is depth, complexity, and some insane replayability.”
“Every playthrough feels unique due to the branching storylines and character choices, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
“The game offers multiple endings and diverse paths, ensuring that each replay reveals something new and exciting.”
