Echoes of the Fey: The Last Sacrament
- July 10, 2018
- Woodsy Studio
Get on SteamMagic meets mystery in Echoes of the Fey, a series of detective stories in a world of high fantasy. Play as Sofya Rykov, a private investigator with a secret of her own: she’s the only Human who can wield magic. Each episode is a narrative-heavy adventure game with branching story-lines and a standalone plot. Sofya’s loyalty grows divided when she is hired for one job and blackmailed into anoth…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a well-developed and intriguing story with complex characters, particularly the protagonist Sofya, who is both flawed and relatable.
- The addition of a mini-game that resembles a tabletop RPG adds a unique gameplay element, enhancing the overall experience and providing variety beyond standard visual novel mechanics.
- The art and music have improved, creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the rich lore and engaging plotlines.
- Many players felt that the story left too many unanswered questions and that important narrative elements were locked behind a mini-game that could feel tedious.
- The continuity and impact of player choices across episodes were criticized, with some romantic routes feeling forced or lacking depth.
- Some technical issues, such as graphical errors and slow movement in mini-games, detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story is described as engaging and well-written, featuring complex characters and intertwining plotlines that blend mystery and espionage. However, some players feel that significant portions of the narrative are locked behind mini-games, which detracts from the overall experience and continuity. Despite these issues, the immersive world and rich lore contribute to a captivating storytelling experience that rewards thorough exploration.
“The story and characters are well written as usual.”
“+characters and plotlines: the characters are all interesting, believable individuals and the plotlines are intertwining, mysterious, magical, and exciting. The plot is clearly well thought out and the lore is interesting.”
“This latest release has an imaginative world, immersive storytelling, good music that sometimes sticks in your head, a metric ton of information and backstory, and a surprisingly amusing in-game game which showcases Unreal Engine skills.”
“I wish so much of the story wasn't locked behind the mini-game.”
“A huge flaw of this episodic game is that the continuity is terrible, despite the implication that you carve your story out slowly.”
“While it did have a mystery to be solved, the story was much more focused on espionage.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed feedback, with some users noting inconsistencies in the art style and occasional graphical errors, such as character blurriness, which could be resolved by adjusting settings. However, many found the art style to be unique and ultimately appealing, highlighting improvements from previous works by the studio.
“While I never understood the complaints about the art style of Woodsy Studios, they have definitely improved and surpassed my expectations.”
“When I finished it the first time, I said that I liked its mini game, hated the voice acting of the protagonist, and felt that the art was inconsistent in its aesthetic.”
“I did come across a graphical error where the characters were blurry, but changing the texture setting to medium fixed that.”
“The art style may not be everyone's cup of tea at first, but it grows on you.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its variety and depth, with unique character abilities and distinct elements in each game enhancing the experience. Players appreciate the balance between slower exploration and faster-paced gameplay, allowing for different playstyles and engagement with the story. Overall, the game offers a clever mix of mechanics that cater to diverse player preferences.
“I enjoyed the extra gameplay factor; I like seeing how different characters played the dungeon master.”
“Sofya's differing magic allows for varied gameplay elements, and I think it's a very clever move that each game has distinct gameplay elements (like turning into a cat in the previous game).”
“'The Last Sacrament' pays off with depth of content if you are a slow player that pokes at everything like I do, but could also be enjoyed with quicker gameplay if you were more curious to explore the different storylines/outcomes.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find grinding to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious, the satisfaction of defeating the final boss after extensive effort is highly rewarding. Additionally, some enjoy the in-game board game as a fun diversion, despite its potential to become repetitive.
“Grinding feels like an endless chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“I found myself spending more time grinding than actually enjoying the gameplay.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by strong voice acting and a particularly entertaining gag reel unlocked after completing an ending, which features comedic moments that many players found laugh-out-loud funny.
“The voice acting in the game is pretty good, but the gag reel you unlock after completing an ending is laugh-out-loud hilarious!”
“I just about died laughing while listening to 'Sofya and Friends Eff Up' (yes, that's the name).”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its quality and memorability, contributing to the immersive storytelling and imaginative world. Additionally, the voice acting complements the overall experience, leaving players with no complaints about the audio aspects.
“The music and voice acting were great; I don't have any complaints.”
“This latest release has an imaginative world, immersive storytelling, and good music that sometimes sticks in your head.”
