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.
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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, allowing players to explore different relationships.
- The main character is relatable and funny, with some routes providing heartwarming moments that resonate with players.
- The game is quite short and feels rushed, with many routes lacking depth and meaningful interactions.
- The stat-raising mechanics can be frustrating, as players must get answers 'right' to achieve desired endings, leading to a reliance on guides.
- The main character's personality can be off-putting, as she is often rude and unlikable, which detracts from the overall experience.
- story24 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "Corona Borealis" is described as a light, slice-of-life narrative with some interesting themes, particularly around family reconnection and the protagonist's adjustment to a small-town life after living in New York. However, many reviewers found the plot to be shallow and rushed, lacking depth and cohesion, with a preference for more substantial storytelling over the stat-building mechanics. Overall, while it offers a cute romance and pleasant distraction, it may not satisfy those seeking a deeper narrative experience.
“But the storyline to Lacey's romance was cute.”
“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 reuses C14 dating characters and backgrounds, is a lot shorter than expected for the price, and the story is mediocre with no depth to anyone. It 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.”
“It felt like a clicking sim, and the story (if you could even call it that) left me unsure of the overall plot, which seemed almost magical or high-fantasy.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its wholesome and heartwarming romance, particularly in the routes of June and Basil, which evoke strong emotional responses, including tears of joy. While it is relatively short and light on depth compared to more serious visual novels, it offers a refreshing and uplifting experience that leaves players feeling good about life.
“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.”
- music6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as chill and pleasant, 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 to excellence. Despite its shortcomings, the music remains enjoyable throughout 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...pleasant music...”
“Music is chill, graphics are pretty good.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % 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 overall aesthetic contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The artwork is stunning and adds a unique charm to the game.”
“The graphics are visually impressive and enhance the overall experience.”
“The combination of chill music and beautiful graphics creates an immersive atmosphere.”
- humor4 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, which resonates well with players. Engaging interactions with various characters often lead to humorous responses, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the narrative.
“I loved the main character - she's funny, strong, and quite 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.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay is characterized by cryptic relationship flags and counter-intuitive choices, making it challenging for players to achieve optimal endings without relying on a walkthrough. This can lead to frustration, as players may find themselves alone or stuck in less desirable outcomes.
“The relationship flags connected to dating sim mechanics are a bit cryptic and choices sometimes counter-intuitive, so it's way too easy to end up alone or stuck with suboptimal endings if you don't follow a walkthrough.”
