Empty Horizons
- July 19, 2016
- ebi-hime
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
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Reviews
- The story is well-written with a powerful climax and emotional depth, making it a captivating experience.
- The art style and soundtrack are beautiful, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The innovative mechanic of unlocking new content after the first playthrough adds replay value and depth to the narrative.
- The game is primarily a kinetic novel with very few choices, which may disappoint players looking for more interactivity.
- Some characters are perceived as annoying or irrational, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the story.
- The pacing can be slow, with long stretches of dialogue that may feel drawn out and unengaging at times.
- story81 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Empty Horizons" is a well-crafted, melodramatic narrative that explores the complex relationship between the main characters, Mireille and Lyon, against a backdrop of emotional depth and unexpected plot twists. While it initially presents itself as a light-hearted romance, the narrative reveals darker themes and avoids typical romance tropes, offering a thought-provoking experience that resonates long after completion. The writing is complemented by beautiful art and music, enhancing the overall storytelling, though some players may find the pacing slow and the lack of choices limiting.
“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 is simply an entertaining couple of characters to follow through their interactions on the journey.”
“The story is so well written and the build-up was amazing.”
“What I have stated may be a bit of a deterrent to those that want a choice-laden or lengthy game, but I counter by saying that the game has a story that I found to be masterfully crafted and despite reading everything in nearly four hours, the story has had a lasting effect on me and is one that I will likely remember for the rest of my (hopefully) long life.”
“I didn't feel intrigued by the ending, or captivated by the story.”
“This VN forces you to get through the whole story as a kinetic novel--that's right, no choices--before it unlocks the one and only choice you can make in the game.”
“The story seemed really unbelievable in general, but I get that is the point of novels, games, etc. but maybe it was part of me going 'no way!! This can't happen!' because the story is so cute and I had strong feelings about how it branched off.”
- music19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beauty and fittingness, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack, which includes a variety of styles such as jazz, complements the game's modern setting and emotional tone, making it a standout feature. Many players appreciated the inclusion of extras like a music box and notes from the developer, further enriching the experience.
“The jazz soundtrack complements the modern setting and climate of the story, while the art is just lovely.”
“The music sets the tone perfectly, all the way to the end.”
“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.”
“[*] soothing music.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beautiful art style and emotional resonance, effectively enhancing the storytelling experience. While many users find the character designs and backgrounds stunning, some note a lack of variety in artwork, which could limit the visual impact. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and emotional depth.
“As it should be for an amazing visual novel, the artwork and visuals are paired perfectly with the story and give a deeper sense of emotion and storytelling.”
“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.”
“Especially for empty horizons, multiple scenes and especially the ending would have much less of an emotional impact if the visuals didn't support it well.”
“I do think though, that there simply isn’t enough artwork in empty horizons to go the full mile.”
“It's a short little vn with mediocre visuals, and dialogue that is borderline cringe-worthy at moments.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 89 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful storytelling and genuine character interactions, which evoke a strong sense of connection and heartbreak. Players describe it as an unexpected emotional journey, marked by a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, with significant plot twists that enhance the overall experience. The visuals and presentation further amplify the emotional weight of the narrative, making it a touching experience despite its simplicity.
“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.”
“Insults and profanities fly in both directions in a way you’ll rarely see in a visual novel, but it’s not really overplayed for comedy – it all feels very real and gives the story genuine emotional impact.”
“Watching their relationship unfold in a very natural and human way was beautiful and emotional.”
“Each subsequent choice unlocks new plot, so you have to suffer through more boring story again and again.”
“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.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is subtle, relying on small hints rather than deep interactions, which can leave players feeling unsatisfied with the relationships between the main character and others. While some reviews praise the quality of character graphics and the surprising twists, many feel that the lack of meaningful development and explanations for character motives detracts from the overall experience.
“Even if it may not seem like it at first, there's plenty of character development that takes a less obvious approach, preferring small hints over deep interaction.”
“The character development is great, and the character graphics are often beautiful.”
“This makes it difficult to get a really fulfilling character development between the main character and the other characters.”
“The 'twist' is surprising, but seems meaningless because there is little to no character development, and absolutely no satisfying explanation of motives.”
“Even if it may not seem like it at first read, there's plenty of character development that takes the less obvious approach, preferring small hints over deep interaction.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and amusing banter between the characters Lyon and Mireille, showcasing their contrasting personalities. Their interactions are both funny and touching, blending adult humor with emotional depth, making for an engaging experience that resonates with players.
“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.”
“If you don't mind a bit of cursing and some adult humor along with a touching story, this is for you.”
“I can't stop laughing at Mireille and Lyon's banter.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on narrative, with players experiencing a story that lacks interactive elements such as puzzles or choices. While some players appreciate the mechanics unlocked after the initial read-through, the absence of voice acting and traditional gameplay features may leave others wanting more engagement.
“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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
“The immersive environment truly captures the essence of the story, enveloping you in its unique atmosphere.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, as it encourages them to start new playthroughs to explore various outcomes and collect achievements, enhancing the overall experience.
“Replayability is fantastic; you'll want to start a new game each time to explore different outcomes and collect achievements.”
“The game offers incredible replay value, 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 is lacking; once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to start over.”
“The game offers minimal variation in outcomes, making multiple playthroughs feel redundant.”
“While there are achievements to collect, they don't significantly enhance the experience or encourage replaying.”
