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.
Reviews
- The game is exceptionally well-written and engaging, with a cozy atmosphere and compelling characters that make it a joy to replay.
- It offers a high level of customization for the player character, allowing for diverse representations of gender and sexuality, which is appreciated by many players.
- The story provides a unique and comforting take on the Persephone myth, focusing on relationships and personal growth rather than conflict.
- Some players feel that the lack of conflict and overly polite interactions make the story feel boring and lacking in tension.
- The romance elements are described as slow burns, which may frustrate players looking for more immediate romantic developments.
- There are concerns about the representation of gender and sexuality, with some players feeling misled about the options available for straight male characters.
- story22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % 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 enjoyable, with a focus on relationships and emotional depth. The game is self-contained, avoiding cliffhangers, and sets the stage for a sequel that promises to explore romantic developments further.
“This story is just absolutely terrific.”
“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 has incredible characters you can't help but love, interesting worldbuilding, and a captivating story.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 experiences, the most emotionally impactful and artistically significant narratives 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 emphasis on consent in character interactions adds to the emotional resonance of the gameplay.
“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, 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 highly emotional climax at the end.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players 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.
“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.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the gameplay for its engaging mechanics and the variety of 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.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted the gameplay experience.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which makes it frustrating to play.”
- 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 the 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 sound and visual detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you finish playing.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and evocative, creating a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you engaged throughout.”
“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 were lifeless, making it hard to feel connected to the story or the characters.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's engaging narrative and rich mythology, highlighting that the character development is well-executed and adds depth to the overall experience.
“The game was definitely a good read, with a very interesting story, lots of mythology, and solid character development.”
