Elisa: the Innkeeper
- March 28, 2017
- Neoclassic Games
Get on Steam"Elisa: the Innkeeper" is a visual novel following Elisa, an innkeeper who charms all her male guests. Players won't assume Elisa's role, but will influence her fate and the actions of other characters through numerous choices, affecting story outcomes and characters' karma. Additional features include controlling character dialogues and multiple endings.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The artwork and music are beautifully done, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- The game features a unique karma system that allows for different character interactions and outcomes, adding replayability.
- The setting in a fantasy Italian inn provides an interesting backdrop for the story and character dynamics.
- The main character and supporting cast are largely unlikable, with flat personalities and predictable behaviors.
- The writing is subpar, with awkward dialogue and a lack of character development, making it hard to engage with the story.
- The story feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction, leading to a tedious experience for players.
- story45 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of this visual novel receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it interesting and engaging, while others criticize it for being messy, lacking depth, and featuring unlikable characters. Many appreciate the art style and the potential for multiple endings, but feel that the narrative is often disjointed and fails to create a strong emotional connection. Overall, the story's execution leaves much to be desired, leading to a lack of player investment and enjoyment.
“This is kind of a messy love story told in a rather soap opera way, that keeps you wondering where the writer is going to take you next.”
“A very interesting and twisted story about a group of various people in one inn that leads to various and enticing endings... but which ending is the true one?”
“I loved the story, though I wish I had a walkthrough to unlock all endings; it's hard to retrace one's steps when there are so many choices to make.”
“I came looking for a love-filled story, but left with annoying characters, long unnecessary narratives, and all but one good ending, which is the waiter. After reading this visual novel, she does not deserve any of the guys.”
“The story in this game is severely lacking and almost non-existent.”
“The story has no passion in it whatsoever, and I am just... bored to sleep and tears!”
- music23 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players describing it as immersive, cozy, and a perfect fit for the game's atmosphere. Reviewers have noted the soundtrack's quality, with some even expressing a desire to keep it as a personal ringtone. However, a few players felt indifferent towards the music, suggesting it may not appeal to everyone.
“The music in this game is extremely cozy, get the soundtrack.”
“Soundtrack is nice, and gives a solid ambience to the game.”
“The artwork and music truly is beautiful.”
“Could not care less about the art and music, so for me this is a no go, but perhaps for someone interested in art and music this could be a nice change of pace.”
“The music in this game is extremely cozy; get the soundtrack.”
“The music, when lowered to the first quarter of the volume slider, makes a perfect background addition to the events taking place.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful artwork and engaging art style, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive visuals as a standout feature. While the music complements the visuals nicely, some players feel that the character development is lacking. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its appeal, especially for fans of visual novels.
“The art style is great and the story is okay, just not my kind of thing.”
“Only a few of the artworks deviated from the style, and all look fantastic in their own way.”
“I recommend this game to anyone who likes multiple endings with the most amazing artwork you could see on a visual novel, while bringing both excitement and cheer into a light-hearted game; the only way to play this game is to explore.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its creativity and interesting mechanics, such as character attitude shaping and karma systems. However, while it appears impressive on the store page, some users feel it doesn't fully deliver on that promise.
“Good points for art, music, and gameplay creativity.”
“Frequent choices and the fact that you can shape each character's attitude is quite a nice mechanic.”
“Lots of interesting game mechanics like the karma system.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many users noting a lack of depth and growth in the characters, often describing them as annoying. However, some reviewers acknowledge that there are moments of transformation, albeit inconsistently, suggesting that while the development may be flawed, it does exist to some degree. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some finding it lacking yet still enjoying the game.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
“The way the game handles character arcs is impressive, providing meaningful choices that impact their growth.”
“There is next to no character development, and the characters never stop being the most annoying I've ever seen in a visual novel.”
“There was no character development, and yet he has become a totally different person just in the time it took her to change his bed sheets.”
“I may have my gripes about some of the 'character development' in the initial scenes, but it's still an excellent game.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its cleverness and unexpected moments, particularly through the character Eliza, who is described as both cunning and hilarious. While some players found the humor enjoyable, others felt it didn't fully justify the game's value. Overall, the comedic elements provide a mix of genuine laughs and unintentional amusement.
“Eliza is a very cunning girl, and even I was slipped up by her words at times. She is one strange but hilarious person, I tell you!”
“Thank you for the laughs! Again, not the ones you think I was laughing at, and let's move on.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect to be quite tedious, although it is noted that the game incorporates some great ideas amidst the repetitive tasks.
“Very tedious.”
“Very tedious, but has some great ideas.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users have noted that the game's optimization may require improvement, with some experiencing issues that detracted from their overall experience.
“Finally, and this may just be my own fault since I did not seem to have any issues beforehand, but it seems like optimization could use some work.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game attempts to break new ground emotionally, it falls short due to a lack of relatable or likable characters, which hinders players' emotional investment and response.
“The game masterfully evokes a range of emotions, making players truly connect with the characters and their journeys.”
“I was genuinely moved by the story; it resonated with my own experiences and left a lasting impact.”
“The emotional depth of the characters is remarkable, allowing players to feel their struggles and triumphs on a personal level.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Replayability is enhanced by the player's ability to influence the actions of both the main character and supporting characters, allowing for varied gameplay experiences and outcomes.
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, thanks to the diverse choices and branching storylines.”
“The game encourages multiple runs with its varied character builds and different endings to explore.”
“The replayability is boosted by the ability to control the behaviors of not just the main character, but all the supporting characters as well.”
