Empty Horizons

About

"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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 70 reviews

story31 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

The story features a well-written and engaging narrative with a surprising twist that keeps players invested.
The art style and soundtrack are beautiful, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
The character interactions, particularly between Mireille and Lyon, are entertaining and add depth to their relationship.

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 experience.
The pacing can feel slow at times, with lengthy dialogue that may lead to boredom before reaching the impactful ending.

story
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
3%
The story in "Empty Horizons" is a well-crafted, melodramatic narrative that explores complex relationships and emotional depth, particularly through the interactions between the main characters, Mireille and Lyon. While it initially presents as a light romance, it gradually reveals darker themes and unexpected plot twists, making it a thought-provoking experience that encourages multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate its nuances. The writing is complemented by beautiful art and a fitting soundtrack, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the 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 is simply an entertaining couple of characters to follow their interactions through the journey.”
- “The story is so well written and the build-up was amazing.”
- “This story was amazing.”
- “The story is a little bit slow and meh for the first read-through until the very end.”
- “I didn't feel intrigued by the ending, or captivated by the story.”
- “Disappointing, virtually no development, weak nonsensical story.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
29%
14%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and fittingness, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the relaxing and varied soundtrack, which complements the game's scenes and settings, making it a standout feature. Many appreciate 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.”
- “The music and sounds were well done.”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
17%
18%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning art style and emotional depth, effectively enhancing the storytelling experience. While the artwork, particularly of the characters, captivates players, some reviews note a lack of variety in backgrounds and overall artwork. Despite this, the visuals are generally considered a strong point, with many players appreciating how they complement the narrative.
- “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.”
- “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.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
91%
27%
Players have found the game to be a deeply emotional experience, often describing it as an unexpected journey filled with genuine impact and heart-wrenching moments. The combination of relatable characters, realistic dialogue, and well-supported visuals enhances the emotional weight of the story, making it resonate strongly with players. Despite its simplicity, the narrative's ability to evoke strong feelings, including heartbreak and joy, has left a lasting impression on many.
- “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 that 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.”
- “This game gave me an emotional rollercoaster I was not expecting for a $3.00 game.”
- “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, the narrative often falls flat and fails to evoke any real feelings.”
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 effectively balances lightheartedness with the emotional weight of the story, resulting in a playful and engaging experience. Overall, players find the interactions between the characters to be consistently funny and entertaining.
- “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.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Character development in the game is subtle, relying on small hints rather than deep interactions, which can hinder the sense of fulfillment in relationships. While the character designs are visually appealing, the overall development may feel lacking, especially in a short format that encourages single-session play.
- “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.”
- “Bad character design for a short game; it most likely needs to be completed in one sitting or players probably won't finish. It gives very little reason to want to return.”
- “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.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
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-through, 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—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 unengaging.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is described as warm and inviting, evoking strong emotional responses that leave players feeling cozy and nostalgic.
- “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.”
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 to progress through a basic storyline.
- “A lot of times, dating sims and visual novels don't really have any themes, just a lot of mind-numbing grinding and a basic story.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
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 to uncover 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's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel redundant.”

Buy Empty Horizons

Empty Horizons
$2.99
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1h Median play time

1h Average play time

1-1h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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