Corona Borealis
- June 3, 2019
- Winter Wolves
Get on SteamCorona Borealis is a visual novel set in a fantasy world during the winter solstice. The protagonist, a member of a nomadic tribe, must navigate political intrigue, forge alliances, and uncover the truth behind a mysterious celestial event. With multiple endings and a diverse cast of characters, players will experience a rich, engaging story in a beautifully realized setting.
Reviews
- The game features nice artwork and charming character designs, making it visually appealing.
- The story is lighthearted and offers a variety of character routes, providing a casual and enjoyable experience.
- The main character, June, is relatable and her interactions with other characters are entertaining, with some routes being particularly heartwarming.
- The game is very short and feels rushed, with many routes lacking depth and meaningful development.
- The stat-raising mechanics can be frustrating and may detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
- The main character's personality can be off-putting, and the dialogue often feels shallow and repetitive.
- story12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story in "Corona Borealis" is described as a light, slice-of-life narrative with some charming elements, particularly in the protagonist's journey of reconnecting with her father and adjusting to small-town life after living in New York. However, many reviewers find the plot lacking depth and cohesion, feeling rushed and overly simplistic, with some preferring a more traditional visual novel format without stat-building mechanics. Overall, while it offers a pleasant distraction for a short playtime, it may not satisfy those seeking a more substantial or engaging story.
“The story features interesting themes, particularly with the route centered around the protagonist reconnecting with her father.”
“Also, the idea of setting the story in a small town, where June feels like a fish out of water after living in New York for most of her life, gives the whole package a somewhat unique feeling.”
“The story isn't the most cohesive but it's kind of slice-of-life and works better than some of Winter Wolves' stat-raising visual novels.”
“It just feels like a reused C14 dating game with characters and backgrounds, a lot shorter than expected for the price. The story is mediocre, lacking depth, and feels very rushed. I would have preferred two routes with a greater story. The character graphics look really good, but there are only a couple per route; overall, it's fine but not great.”
“Even with being cheap, there is hardly a story.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its wholesome and heartwarming romantic moments, particularly in June and Basil's route, which evokes strong emotional responses from players. While it is relatively short and light on depth compared to other visual novels, it offers a refreshing and feel-good experience that emphasizes positivity and friendship.
“June and Basil's route was very heartwarming; my eyes watered a little bit at the end, haha!”
“Romantic moments are very wholesome, and the game lets you stop at the friendship level with Logan and Lacey, which is always a nice touch.”
“Sure, the game was pretty short and mostly fluff, but between all the dark and often emotionally deep visual novels I usually play (looking at you, Psychedelica series), there's nothing wrong with a sweet little game made specifically to make you feel good about life.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as pleasant and chill, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, reviewers feel that a more memorable soundtrack and additional content could have elevated the game's musical aspect further. Despite its shortcomings, the music remains an enjoyable part of the gameplay.
“With a bit more content, better polish, and a more memorable soundtrack, it could've been excellent, but even with all its faults, I couldn't help but enjoy it all the way through.”
“A simple stat-raising system, great art, good voice acting, and pleasant music.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, with users noting that they are pretty good and complemented by nice artwork.
“The artwork is stunning and beautifully crafted.”
“The graphics are impressive and enhance the overall experience.”
“The visuals are vibrant and truly bring the game world to life.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the main character's relatable and amusing personality, as well as the entertaining interactions with other characters, which often lead to funny and unexpected responses. Players appreciate the depth of character development that enhances the comedic elements throughout the game.
“I loved the main character - she's funny, strong, and pretty believable.”
“I had fun getting to know each character's likes and dislikes, relationships, future plans, etc. Some of the questions led to really funny answers.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Gameplay in the dating sim features cryptic relationship flags and occasionally counter-intuitive choices, making it challenging for players to achieve optimal endings without relying on a walkthrough.
“The gameplay offers a unique blend of strategy and storytelling, making each decision feel impactful and engaging.”
“The mechanics are intuitive and allow for a smooth learning curve, which keeps the player immersed in the experience.”
“The variety of gameplay options ensures that every playthrough feels fresh and exciting, encouraging exploration and experimentation.”
“The relationship flags connected to dating sim mechanics are a bit cryptic, and choices are sometimes counter-intuitive, making it too easy to end up alone or stuck with suboptimal endings if you don't follow a walkthrough.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience and makes it frustrating to play.”
