Fields of Asphodel
- September 5, 2024
- Hosted Games
- 11h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Fields of Asphodel," become the deity of spring and navigate life in the Underworld. With 1.3 million words of text and no graphics, this interactive novel lets you decide your path, from answering prayers to finding love among the ancient Greek gods. Play as male, female, or nonbinary, with diverse sexual orientations and neurotype options. Use your powers to protect the river goddess and shape your own destiny.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
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Reviews
- The game offers extensive character customization, allowing players to create diverse characters with various identities and backgrounds.
- It provides a cozy, slice-of-life experience with a focus on found family and emotional connections, making it a comforting and enjoyable replay.
- The writing is well-crafted, with engaging worldbuilding and character development that resonates with players, particularly those seeking representation for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ identities.
- The lack of conflict and tension in the story can make the gameplay feel monotonous and unengaging, as characters are overly polite and accommodating.
- Some players may find the forced marriage to Hades limiting, as it can feel like a misrepresentation of gender and sexual orientation options.
- The absence of a save feature and the invisible stat meters can lead to frustration, as players may struggle to track their choices and progress throughout the game.
- story21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, particularly in its unique take on the myth of Hades and Persephone. While some reviewers noted a lack of conflict and character arcs among non-player characters, the overall experience is described as refreshing and filled with surprising twists. The game effectively combines relationship-building and roleplay elements, making it a compelling introduction to interactive fiction, though it may not cater to all sexual orientations.
“The story is engaging, the manifestations of tics and habits are intuitive and sensible, the characters are well fleshed-out and endearing, which all culminates in a wonderful, comfortable read.”
“It has incredible characters you can't help but love, interesting worldbuilding, and a captivating story.”
“The storyline was refreshing, and just when I thought I knew how a situation was going to play out, I was pleasantly surprised or shockingly wrong.”
“Despite the significant length of game time (one playthrough took me about 8 hours, and the story takes place over several months in-game), only one non-player character has a character arc—nobody else changes at all.”
“Doesn't seem to actually let you play a straight male; the story seems written to be female and treats you as such, not my thing personally.”
“The story is generally relationships and roleplay oriented, and as far as stats go, you basically decide two things your character is good at, one thing they're bad at, and two stats that will remain average.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the game's strong replayability, noting its value for money due to the variety of choices and outcomes available. Fans of choose-your-own-adventure games will particularly appreciate the multiple paths and skills that enhance the experience, making it worth revisiting.
“Worth every penny, particularly for how long it is and the replayability factor, with the different PC skills and reactions.”
“If you enjoy choose-your-own-adventure games, this represents good value for money as there is a lot of replayability in these games, and this is no exception.”
“If you enjoy choose-your-own-adventure games, this represents good value for money as there is a lot of replayability in these games, and this is no exception.”
“Worth every penny, particularly for how long it is and the replayability factor, with the different PC skills and reactions.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Fields of Asphodel" is characterized by its cozy, slice-of-life atmosphere, where characters are mindful of the protagonist's boundaries, fostering a sense of comfort. Despite its lighthearted tone, the game culminates in a highly emotional climax, blending moments of adventure and tension with deep emotional resonance.
“Every character asks permission before touching the protagonist, often reassuring them that it's totally fine if they don't want to be touched.”
“Fields of Asphodel is a very cozy game overall, with a slice-of-life orientation, but it still features some adventures and moments of tension, culminating in a highly emotional climax at the end.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the gameplay for its engaging mechanics, particularly the diverse skill options available at the start, which allow for strategic choices that come with both benefits and drawbacks. The desire to replay the game to explore missed mechanics highlights its depth and replayability.
“I'm going to replay it now to see if I can trigger some of the game mechanics I missed.”
“Mechanically, I really like the skill options available to pick at the start, and how the drawback that you choose still provides a benefit somehow.”
“I'm going to replay it now to see if I can trigger some of the game mechanics I missed.”
“Mechanically, I really like the skill options available to pick at the start, and how the drawback that you choose still provides a benefit somehow.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game remains largely intact despite the presence of minor typos, which do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making you feel like you're part of the story.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you've put the game down.”
“The sound design and visuals work in perfect harmony to create an atmosphere that is both captivating and unsettling.”
“The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite some interesting concepts, the overall atmosphere was dull and failed to evoke any real emotion.”
“The game struggled to create a cohesive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the environment.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a compelling narrative enriched with mythology, complemented by strong character development that enhances the overall experience.
“The game was definitely a good read, with a very interesting story, lots of mythology, and solid character development.”
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character's journey.”
“I was impressed by how the characters evolved throughout the game, making their arcs feel authentic and engaging.”
