Essence Bloom

About

"I will show you a path to happiness." Essence Bloom is a linear story-focused Visual Novel that is centered around the MC (the player) living in a peaceful world where he spends time with friends: Hikari - Aka, "The Sunshine Girl," is always smiling and happy. In fact, she seems obsessed with it and wants everyone else to be as happy as she is. Yuna - She runs the coffee sh…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

emotional4 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features good art and music, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
It has a captivating narrative with a good buildup and unexpected twists that can evoke strong emotions.
The game is playable on Steam Deck, with touchscreen support and a decent setup for controls.

The story feels incomplete and lacks a satisfying conclusion, leaving players wanting more.
As a kinetic novel, it offers no choices, which detracts from the interactive experience expected in visual novels.
Characters are poorly written and bland, making it hard for players to connect with them.

story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
64%
21%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it lacks a satisfying conclusion and only represents the first half of a larger narrative. While the innovative interactive storytelling and branching paths are praised, there is a sense of frustration regarding the lack of depth and resolution. Overall, it is seen as a commendable effort in narrative-driven gaming, but it leaves players wanting more.
- “While the brevity of gameplay may leave players yearning for a more extended exploration of its world and characters, essence bloom's innovative approach to interactive storytelling, coupled with its myriad branching paths and hidden secrets, earns it a commendable 9/10 rating, solidifying its place as a standout experience in the realm of narrative-driven gaming.”
- “It always pains me to not recommend free games that clearly have some love and time invested in them, but this story is not worth reading in my opinion.”
- “I think that is what they were going for, but it's still annoying there isn't a conclusion before the story ends.”
- “It was pretty obvious that almost everyone was a bit unhinged really early in the story and it was just a matter of waiting to see who broke first and how.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be deeply emotional, drawing comparisons to the psychological depth of ddlc+. The narrative creates a captivating journey that encourages introspection and resonates on an emotional level.
- “In Essence Bloom, players are drawn into a mesmerizing narrative realm that echoes the psychological depth of DDLC+, immersing them in a captivating journey of introspection and emotional resonance.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its effective buildup and dramatic flair, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the unexpected twists and the thoughtful pauses in the music, which contribute to the game's emotional impact, along with a satisfying ending after the credits. Overall, the combination of good art and music elevates the game's atmosphere.
- “Good buildup, lots of drama, unexpectedly has a twist, has a nice ending after the credits, and has good art and music.”
- “I like how the music stops sometimes.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's graphics are praised for their masterful blend of visual aesthetics and sound design, contributing to a captivating ambiance that leaves a lasting impression on players.
- “The game's masterful blend of visual aesthetics, sound design, and narrative complexity creates an ambiance that lingers long after the final scene fades.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Essence Bloom offers a compelling gameplay experience characterized by innovative interactive storytelling and numerous branching paths, though its brevity may leave players wanting more. This unique approach has garnered a strong 9/10 rating, highlighting its status as a notable entry in narrative-driven gaming.
- “While the brevity of gameplay may leave players yearning for a more extended exploration of its world and characters, Essence Bloom's innovative approach to interactive storytelling, coupled with its myriad branching paths and hidden secrets, earns it a commendable 9/10 rating, solidifying its place as a standout experience in the realm of narrative-driven gaming.”