The Remainder: Act 1

About

The Remainder: Act 1 is a single player action game. It was developed by Square Weasel Studio and was released on June 9, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

The Remainder is a dark fantasy mystery where you will try to save The High Magus Vyn from certain death. Will you find your way alone or will you reignite a lost love? Is it worth the sacrifice? Do you deserve to be saved?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

story11 positive mentions

monetization11 negative mentions

The game features rich world-building and deep, layered storytelling that captivates players with its political intrigue and emotional depth.
The art style and music create a haunting atmosphere that perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
Characters are well-developed with their own motivations and secrets, making the dialogue engaging and thought-provoking.

The pacing can feel slow at times, especially since this is only Act 1, which may leave players wanting more as the story builds up.
Some players found the writing to be overly descriptive and poorly executed, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the narrative.
There are concerns about the game's classification as a demo or advertisement rather than a complete game, leading to confusion and disappointment among players.

story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
46%
12%
The story of this visual novel is praised for its rich world-building, deep character development, and atmospheric presentation, enhanced by beautiful artwork and haunting music. While the pacing can feel slow at times, particularly since this is only the first act, the complex narrative and intriguing choices keep players engaged and eager for future chapters. Overall, it offers a captivating blend of gothic fiction and mysticism, appealing to fans of layered storytelling and political drama.
- “An ambitious and atmospheric visual novel that immediately draws you in with its rich world-building and deep, layered storytelling.”
- “A visual novel that blends gothic fiction and mysticism through a sensual story filled with absolutely beautiful artwork.”
- “With a gripping story and an addictive ambient - a combo of stellar art and the moodiest of soundtracks (and there's a lot of those), this game pulls you in and doesn't let go.”
- “However, since this is only Act 1, the pacing can sometimes feel too slow, and the story ends just as things are getting truly interesting, which might leave some players wanting more.”
- “The story moves an iota too slow at times, but I did appreciate the choices given to change the direction conversations and the subplot went.”
- “Thegrandobserver is here with a review for all of you that like visual novel games... this story is mysterious and has a slow build-up, so it's not for the faint of heart.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
46%
18%
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful artwork and atmospheric design, effectively complementing the story's moody and gothic themes. While many users appreciate the overall visual style and its ability to create an immersive experience, some note inconsistencies in quality, particularly with certain character sprites. Overall, the combination of art and music enhances the game's haunting ambiance, making it a visually engaging experience.
- “The art style and music help set a moody, almost haunting atmosphere that fits the story perfectly.”
- “A visual novel that blends gothic fiction and mysticism through a sensual story filled with absolutely beautiful artwork.”
- “The artwork, music, and atmosphere in general is phenomenal!”
- “Ilar's sprites all look smooth and skillfully drawn and shaded... save for the 3/4 view; it's jarring when next to their other artwork and looks of noticeably lesser quality (particularly referring to their head).”
- “The visuals looking akin to a storybook feeds well into the atmosphere and world being built.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive quality, perfectly complementing the stunning art style and atmospheric storytelling. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create a moody and mystical ambiance, although some note that transitions can be somewhat rigid. Overall, the combination of exceptional music and art significantly enhances the game's emotional depth and engagement.
- “The art style and music help set a moody, almost haunting atmosphere that fits the story perfectly.”
- “The music is also extremely well done, haunting and ambient.”
- “With a gripping story and an addictive ambient - a combo of stellar art and the moodiest of soundtracks (and there's a lot of those), this game pulls you in and doesn't let go.”
- “The music and sound design was atmospheric and mystical, yet sinister and lightly oppressive, although transitions and loops were rigid.”
monetization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of "Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder" has been criticized for being misleading, as it presents itself as a game while primarily functioning as an advertisement for a paid e-book. Users express frustration over the high price point and the deceptive nature of publishing demos or ads as full games, arguing that this practice detracts from genuine developers and harms the gaming community. Overall, the monetization strategy is viewed as exploitative and unworthy of gamers' time and money.
- “The objective of this advertisement is to get you to pay an eye-watering twenty-eight United States dollars for the rest of the garbage e-book... the pricing for the Ren'Py fanfiction this is advertising is pure delusion.”
- “While it might seem like an innocuous mistake, publishing demos and advertisements as if they are full games is misleading and in some ways harmful.”
- “It's impossible for me to recommend this incorrectly published advertising spam to gamers; you deserve better than adverts.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The atmosphere of the visual novel is highly praised for its rich world-building, moody art style, and haunting music, which together create a deeply immersive experience. Reviewers note the blend of mystical and sinister elements, contributing to a somber, brooding ambiance that enhances the storytelling. Overall, the combination of visuals and sound design effectively evokes a sense of darkness and danger, reminiscent of light horror.
- “An ambitious and atmospheric visual novel that immediately draws you in with its rich world-building and deep, layered storytelling.”
- “The art style and music help set a moody, almost haunting atmosphere that fits the story perfectly.”
- “The music and sound design was atmospheric and mystical, yet sinister and lightly oppressive, although transitions and loops were rigid.”
- “The visuals looking akin to a storybook feed well into the atmosphere and world being built.”
- “It has the darkness, occult, and danger of something bordering on light horror, but with a somber, brooding atmosphere.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its vibrant and mysterious setting, which effectively blends political intrigue with personal conflict, creating a rich tapestry of emotional depth that resonates with players.
- “The setting feels alive and mysterious, with a tone that mixes political intrigue, personal conflict, and emotional depth.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development is praised for its hand-drawn artistry, showcasing both unique character designs and immersive environments that enhance the overall aesthetic experience.
- “The hand-drawn art style enhances the character design, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
- “The depth of character development is impressive, allowing players to form genuine connections with the characters.”
- “Each character's journey is beautifully crafted, showcasing their growth and evolution throughout the game.”