Empty Horizons

About

Empty Horizons is a single player simulation game. It was developed by ebi-hime and was released on July 19, 2016. It received positive reviews from players.

"Empty Horizons" is a visual novel game that follows the story of a young woman stranded on a deserted island. With only her thoughts and memories to keep her company, she must find a way to survive and escape her lonely fate. The game features a unique blend of adventure, puzzle-solving, and resource management as the player helps the protagonist navigate her challenging new environment.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

story31 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The story is beautifully written, with a surprising twist that keeps players engaged and emotionally invested.
The art and music are stunning, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game.
The character interactions are well-crafted, providing a mix of humor and depth that makes the relationship between Mireille and Lyon feel genuine.

The game is primarily a kinetic novel with very few choices, which may disappoint players looking for more interactivity.
Some characters can come off as annoying or irrational, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the story.
The pacing can feel slow at times, with lengthy dialogue that may lead to boredom before reaching the impactful ending.

story
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The story of "Empty Horizons" is a poignant and engaging narrative that explores themes of grief and complex relationships, particularly through the interactions between the main characters, Mireille and Lyon. With multiple endings and a well-crafted plot that defies typical romance tropes, players are encouraged to replay the game to fully appreciate its depth and emotional impact. The writing is praised for its character development and the ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable experience for visual novel enthusiasts.
- “The story starts off a bit sad about Mireille, but as it unfolds, it turns really sweet and engaging.”
- “With several endings to discover, you get to choose how things turn out, making it a great pick for anyone who loves a good story.”
- “I'm somewhat biased since it's the one that made me follow Ebi-Hime years ago, but it really is a strong story with a powerful climax, and Mireille & Lyon are simply an entertaining couple of characters to follow through their interactions on the journey.”
- “I didn't feel intrigued by the ending, or captivated by the story.”
- “Disappointing, virtually no development, weak nonsensical story.”
- “No actual gameplay elements at all, no puzzles, no choices... just a story you'll need to read because there also is no voice acting.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
30%
15%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and fittingness, enhancing the overall experience with a chill and relaxing soundtrack that complements the narrative and art style. Reviewers noted the varied compositions, including a jazz soundtrack that aligns well with the modern setting, and many expressed a desire to seek out the music for personal enjoyment. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the storytelling and emotional impact of the game.
- “The jazz soundtrack complements the modern setting and climate of the story, while the art is just lovely.”
- “Music is beautiful and very fitting throughout, and of course in typical ebi-hime style the package has both CG gallery, bonus sketches, music box, notes, and character backgrounds and more.”
- “I can’t give it more than 2/10 and that is only because of the first ending and music.”
- “The music is varied, fits every scene, and is almost good enough that I'd want to search it up just to put it on for background noise.”
- “The music and sounds were well done.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
13%
20%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, particularly the character designs, which captivate players. While some reviewers note a lack of variety in backgrounds and artwork, the overall visual presentation is considered beautiful and effectively complements the narrative. The combination of appealing visuals and a fitting soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing... I don't usually play this kind of game, but the ebi-hime games are really great!”
- “The artwork is stunning, especially the female characters--I just couldn't stop staring in awe.”
- “Another visual novel from impressively prolific author ebi-hime, teamed once again with artist selly who creates some truly gorgeous visuals to complement the writing.”
- “I do think though, that there simply isn’t enough artwork in empty horizons to go the full mile.”
- “There also isn't an extensive variety of backgrounds (or other artwork for that matter), but the story carries itself enough that it still manages to mesh together masterfully with what few assets are presented.”
- “I wasn't a fan of the artwork in the beginning, but it quickly grew on me, so if you aren't wild about the look, maybe it'll grow on you over time?”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
30%
Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a profound journey, marked by unexpected plot twists and genuine moments of heartbreak. The narrative's rawness, combined with relatable character interactions, evokes a strong emotional response, making it a touching experience despite its simplicity and occasional adult humor. Overall, the game delivers an impactful emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with players.
- “I haven't been that astonished in a while. What a plot twist! This novel was such an emotional journey for me; I was so heartbroken when I finished it yesterday. I even decided to sleep on it first before writing a review.”
- “I think I cried harder when I realized that the end wasn't entirely the end.”
- “Watching their relationship unfold in a very natural and human way was beautiful and emotional.”
- “Each subsequent choice unlocks new plot, forcing you to endure more tedious storylines repeatedly.”
- “The emotional moments feel forced and lack genuine impact, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “Despite the game's attempts at emotional depth, it often falls flat and feels more like a chore than an engaging experience.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and amusing banter between the characters Lyon and Mireille, showcasing their contrasting personalities. While the dialogue includes some adult humor and cursing, it remains playful and engaging, contributing to both the comedic and emotional depth of the story. Overall, players find the interactions between the characters to be a highlight, eliciting genuine laughter.
- “Before that happens, however, his and Mireille’s personalities clash in very amusing ways – their banter is both funny and clever, with Lyon trying different tactics to either rile up or cheer up Mireille, obviously distressed by losing her father and the uncertainty of her new life, with the uncle who is little more than a stranger to her.”
- “I can't stop laughing at Mireille and Lyon's banter.”
- “However, if you can ignore that, the dialogues are funny and playful.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The gameplay is primarily focused on narrative, with players engaging in a story-driven experience that lacks interactive elements such as puzzles or choices. While some players appreciate the mechanics unlocked after the initial read, the absence of voice acting and traditional gameplay features may leave others wanting more.
- “I really enjoyed the mechanic that you gain access to after finishing the first read-through.”
- “There are no actual gameplay elements at all; no puzzles, no choices. It's just a story you'll need to read because there is also no voice acting.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly linear and lacks any meaningful interaction, making it feel more like a visual novel than a game.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of variety in gameplay mechanics; it quickly became repetitive and dull.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Character development in the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the beautiful character graphics and find the development engaging, others feel that the short length and lack of depth hinder meaningful connections between the main character and others, leading to a less fulfilling experience overall.
- “The character development is great, and the character graphics are often beautiful.”
- “This makes it difficult to achieve fulfilling character development between the main character and the other characters.”
- “Bad character design for a short game; it likely needs to be completed in one sitting or players probably won't finish. It gives very little reason to want to return.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for evoking strong emotional responses, creating a warm and fuzzy feeling that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game creates an incredible atmosphere that envelops you, making you feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
- “The immersive environment truly captures the essence of the game, drawing you in with its rich atmosphere.”
- “Every detail contributes to a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players find the game highly replayable due to its multiple outcomes and the incentive to collect achievements, encouraging them to start new playthroughs to explore different scenarios.
- “Replayability is fantastic; you'll want to start a new game each time to explore different outcomes and collect achievements.”
- “The game offers incredible replayability, encouraging players to dive back in for new experiences and challenges.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making you eager to replay the game and discover all its secrets.”
- “Replayability in the sense that you will want to start a new game each time to see the different outcomes or to collect the achievements.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there isn't much incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Many users criticize dating sims and visual novels for featuring excessive grinding, often lacking engaging themes and relying on repetitive gameplay that detracts from the overall experience.
- “A lot of times, dating sims and visual novels don't really have any themes; they just involve a lot of mind-numbing grinding and a basic story.”