Demonheart
- April 29, 2021
- Rolling Crown
- 6h median play time
"Demonheart" is a single-player Role Playing Game with an intriguing story and perfect visuals, accompanied by phenomenal music and humor. As the female protagonist Bright, players will encounter over 100,000 words of conversations, hundreds of dialog choices, and form relationships with various characters, all while dealing with a demon talking in their head. The game features a custom alignment system, a lore-filled journal, and the challenge of navigating a world filled with treachery and darkness.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating and dark storyline that keeps players engaged.
- The art style is unique and beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience.
- The character development is rich, with complex personalities and moral ambiguity.
- Some characters exhibit problematic behaviors, including misogyny and sexual assault, which may be triggering for some players.
- The romance options can feel rushed and lack depth, with some endings being unsatisfying.
- The skip feature is slow and can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- story512 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Demonheart" is characterized by its dark themes, complex characters, and intricate plot twists that keep players engaged. While many appreciate the depth and moral ambiguity of the narrative, some critiques highlight its linearity and the limited impact of player choices on the overall storyline. Overall, the game offers a compelling and immersive experience, though it may not appeal to those sensitive to its darker content.
“The story is captivating, as are the graphics and voice acting.”
“The plot is intriguing, the characters are deep and emotional, the ending is heartbreaking.”
“The story was surprisingly good and the characters really quickly grew on me.”
“The story is very linear with the ending having very little differences.”
“I have no problems with dark romance in general, but I felt like it was getting in the way of the story instead of enhancing it.”
“The weave of the story didn't leave any outcome for me to be even partially satisfied with, and after finishing the game I was left feeling drained and numb.”
- graphics90 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning artwork and unique style, which diverges from typical anime aesthetics to create a more mature and immersive visual experience. Many players appreciate the attention to detail in character design and backgrounds, noting that the visuals complement the dark and engaging storyline. While some initial reservations about the art style were expressed, most reviewers found it to be a standout feature that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
“The artwork is stunningly gorgeous.”
“The visuals are absolutely gorgeous and have been lovingly rendered, the gameplay is smooth and I personally experienced nothing in the way of bugs, and the storytelling is absolutely superb -- wonderfully immersive, totally engaging.”
“The artwork for the characters and the fictional world they inhabit is both distinct and beautiful.”
“I didn't like the artwork at first.”
“The only downfall is that if you have a bad setup (like myself), you should expect the visuals to not run as smoothly (i.e. text will not appear in a smooth transition due to lower frame-rate and etc).”
“The art style is at a weird spot.”
- music42 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, fitting seamlessly with the narrative and visuals. While some tracks are noted as being familiar from other games, the overall soundtrack is described as beautiful, evocative, and well-integrated, contributing significantly to the immersive experience. Voice acting and sound design also receive commendations, making the audio experience a standout aspect of the game.
“The music is great and matches the situation.”
“Excellent visual novel with a dramatic and dark story, beautiful visuals, and an evocative soundtrack.”
“The voice actors, sound effects, and music picked are all really well placed, be it to immerse you or to deceive you.”
“The soundtrack is sufficiently low profile that you don't notice it's there unless you crank it.”
“I only wish they had more of a budget and perhaps another Indiegogo, so they can commission more detailed art and get customized music.”
“I heard some music tracks in other games (for example, the one used in the woods in the second chapter can also be found in a mobile game Everlove: Rose).”
- replayability17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its diverse character choices and branching storylines, allowing players to explore different moral alignments and outcomes. Many reviewers appreciate the depth of character agency and the numerous decision points that enhance replay value. However, some feel that once the main story is completed, the repetitive nature of certain elements may diminish the incentive for multiple playthroughs.
“I've replayed it at least three times now, and it definitely has replayability value.”
“The characters aren't stereotypical and there are lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. I like that your character can be good, evil, or anything in between depending on your choices - it gives it some good replayability because you never know the outcome of the choices you make.”
“There are several different ways that you can play your character along the two axes of good-evil and tactful-defiant, so there is some replayability, but, frankly, once I had finished the story, I felt little need to explore alternative playthroughs.”
“I think because of that it also means it doesn't have much replay value as once you've done the main story, even if you are going back to end up with someone different, it's so repetitive; most of it is just word for word the same but with a different blurb at the end.”
“But the ability to play Bright in several different ways adds a lot of replay value to the game, even if the story itself changes very little.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players noting its ability to elicit genuine laughter through well-written dialogues and engaging interactions. The blend of hilarious moments, emotional depth, and the freedom to choose character reactions enhances the comedic experience, making it a standout feature. Additionally, the voice acting adds to the humor, delivering memorable lines that resonate with players.
“I don't remember ever laughing this much when reading a visual novel.”
“The dialogue is hilarious at times and you actually get to contribute to conversations rather than sitting around hoping for a chance to respond or make decisions before the game is over.”
“Kudos to the voice acting for the romance options and for the crazy archer tunes; one of his lines is the most morbidly hilarious thing that I've heard in a long time, with awesome delivery, and has me laughing each time.”
- character development12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its stunning character designs and detailed backgrounds, alongside strong writing and engaging character development. Many players appreciate the depth of the protagonist's journey and the variety of choices that enhance the storytelling experience, although some express concerns about the limited time for character development within the game's short chapters. The combination of originality, a morality system, and romance options contributes to a rich narrative experience, despite some critiques regarding the pacing of character growth.
“Great writing, good character development, lots of choices and paths to take.”
“Overall, I am very glad I got this game; it's a great take on a storytelling experience with character development and romance options while still having some fantasy elements.”
“This game has originality, wonderful character development, fantastic in-game art, and the dialogue is 100% perfection.”
“There was no time for character development, no time for any affection to emerge and strengthen.”
“Because I really don't think enough character development will happen in 5 chapters with 1 hour length each.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on dialogue choices and occasional word puzzles, characteristic of a visual novel format, which some players find engaging despite its minimalistic nature. While the ability to shape the protagonist's personality adds depth, the lack of combat options and a fast-forward feature limits replayability. Overall, the gameplay offers a unique experience but may not satisfy those seeking more interactive elements.
“I’ll forever be haunted by the last choice’s guilt, but that makes for a great gameplay experience as well.”
“Letting the player take control of the player character's personality was also an interesting mechanic I haven't seen before.”
“The gameplay itself had a lot of potential though, the word scramble puzzles were a neat idea and I did like those.”
“If you're thinking about buying this, just remember that it's a visual novel and that there won't be much in terms of 'gameplay' aside from choosing between different dialog options and, from time to time, some word puzzles.”
“The gameplay is minimal.”
“This problem is made even more noticeable with the absence of any effective form of 'fast forward' mechanic; which, effectively, limits replayability.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-written characters and an intriguing plot that evokes a range of feelings, from heartwarming moments to heartbreaking conclusions. Players experience a spectrum of emotional engagement through dialogue choices that can lead to either wholesome or dark outcomes, though some characters may detract from the overall emotional experience. While the game is praised for its depth, the lack of a universally satisfying ending leaves some players feeling underwhelmed.
“Particularly well-written are the main characters – they feel human, irrational and emotional, but most of all believable.”
“The plot is intriguing, the characters are deep and emotional, the ending is heartbreaking.”
“It's a very emotional game, and there's no 'right' ending in which everyone lives a happily ever after.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its cool background art and gritty lore, which create a believable and immersive setting reminiscent of classic literature. While player choices may not significantly alter the plot, they enhance the narrative atmosphere and influence character interactions in unpredictable ways. Overall, the vivid imagery and realistic artwork contribute to a captivating and engaging experience.
“I can appreciate the game for its atmosphere, the cool background art, the snarky choices you can easily make, the alignment system, and the gritty lore it establishes.”
“Even though the choices do not affect the plot too much, they have a direct impact on the atmosphere of narration and the characters’ attitude towards you; sometimes their reactions are even unpredictable (in a good way).”
“Even though the choices do not affect the plot too much, they have a direct impact on the atmosphere of narration and characters’ attitude towards you; sometimes their reactions are even unpredictable (in a good way).”
“Demonheart goes for a more realistic appearance in its artwork, making the atmosphere of the game in line with reading a very well illustrated classic literature novel.”
“The atmosphere that is set up by the vivid imagery is amazing as well, and the story is gripping.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the ability to explore different dialogue options, but some find it tedious when they forget to save before important decisions, leading to repetitive re-reading of story segments. This aspect can detract from the overall experience, especially for those who become deeply engrossed in the narrative.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over just to level up, which takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is frustrating and makes the game feel more like a chore than a fun experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of character performances is highlighted, with the main supporting actors, Brash and Raze, delivering standout portrayals that effectively embody their personalities.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, while the game offers engaging content, users have noted minor stability issues, including glitches where character sprites fail to display correctly in certain scenes. Additionally, some players feel that the chapters could benefit from being longer.
“On the con side, the chapters could be a little longer, and there are minor glitches when the character sprites do not show up correctly in some scenes.”