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.
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Reviews
- The game features well-written, immersive storytelling with engaging characters and a unique take on Greek mythology.
- Players appreciate the depth of choices and the way their decisions impact the narrative, allowing for a personalized experience.
- The game is praised for its cozy atmosphere and representation of diverse identities, making it a comforting and inclusive experience.
- Many players found the romance elements to be too slow-burn, with limited progression and lack of satisfying romantic interactions.
- Some reviewers noted issues with clarity in choice wording and the absence of a save feature, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- The game may not satisfy those looking for a more action-oriented or conflict-driven narrative, as it leans heavily into slice-of-life storytelling.
- story34 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and refreshing take on Greek mythology, while others criticize its slow romance progression and lack of conflict. Players appreciate the interactive elements and character choices, though some feel the story may not satisfy those seeking a serious interpretation of the mythological themes. Overall, it is seen as a captivating and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of character-driven storytelling.
“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.”
“It's okay, but I don't suggest it to people who take Greek mythology seriously because if you do, the lore in the story may confuse you, create conflict, and not be fun.”
“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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that while many games offer high-quality narratives, the most emotionally impactful and artistically significant stories are often found in hosted games. Titles like "Fields of Asphodel" exemplify this with their cozy, slice-of-life approach that balances lighthearted moments with emotional depth, culminating in a powerful climax. Additionally, the respectful interactions between characters enhance the emotional experience, emphasizing consent and personal boundaries.
“I think a common sentiment is that while the average level of quality in choice of game titles is higher than the aggregate hosted games average, that the most emotionally resonant and artistically meaningful stories are found in hosted game titles.”
“And of course, every character asks permission before touching the protagonist casually, often at the same time saying how it’s totally fine if the protagonist doesn’t care to be touched.”
“Fields of Asphodel is a very cozy game overall, quite slice of life oriented, but still featuring some adventures and moments of tension, with a quite highly emotional climax at the end.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the strong replayability of the game, noting its value for money due to the variety of choices and outcomes available, particularly for fans of choose-your-own-adventure styles. The different skills and reactions enhance the experience, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
“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.”
“The game offers a decent amount of replayability, but after a few playthroughs, it starts to feel repetitive.”
“While there are multiple paths to explore, the lack of significant changes in outcomes diminishes the replayability.”
“I found the replayability to be lacking; once you've seen the main storylines, there's not much incentive to go back.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % 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 drawbacks and benefits. 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.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted the flow of the game, making it frustrating to play.”
“The controls are unresponsive at times, which leads to a frustrating experience during critical moments.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Fields of Asphodel" is noted for its unexpected charm, with players finding it amusing that the game flew under their radar until its Steam release.
“It's funny that until its release on Steam, I hadn't heard about Fields of Asphodel at all.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % 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 together seamlessly to create an atmosphere that is both captivating and eerie.”
“The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere was dull and failed to evoke any real emotion or tension.”
“The environments felt lifeless and generic, making it hard to feel connected to the game's setting.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that 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 arcs are incredibly well-crafted, making each journey feel personal and impactful.”
“I was genuinely invested in the characters' growth, and their development throughout the game added depth to the overall experience.”
