Flowers: Le Volume sur Automne
- July 30, 2020
- Innocent Grey
"Flowers: Le Volume sur Automne" is a visual novel and the third game in the Flowers series by Innocent Grey. The story follows Yuzuriha Yatsushiro, president of the school's Council of Nicaea, who challenges silver-haired student Suoh to take over her role in order to access a hidden truth. As the two navigate their new roles, they create an intricate story of love, truth, and buried secrets against the backdrop of strange incidents at the isolated Saint Angraecum Academy. The game is known for its beautiful artwork, engaging stories, and complex characters.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art and a top-notch soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience.
- Yuzuriha's character development is profound, showcasing her flaws and vulnerabilities, making her relatable and compelling.
- The story tackles complex themes of love, identity, and societal expectations, particularly regarding lesbian relationships in a conservative setting.
- Some players felt that the romance was underdeveloped and lacked the emotional payoff they were hoping for.
- There were notable translation errors and untranslated content that detracted from the overall experience.
- The true ending left some players feeling unsatisfied, as it diverged from their expectations for character resolutions.
- story48 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its emotional depth, character development, and cohesive narrative across the series, with themes of identity, love, and acceptance resonating strongly. While some found certain character attachments overly intense, the overall progression and bittersweet tone of the narrative were well-received, making it a compelling continuation for fans of the previous installments. The intertwining of various character arcs and the exploration of complex relationships contribute to a rich storytelling experience that leaves players eager for the next chapter.
“This is a powerful story about identity, love, acceptance, and forgiveness.”
“The characters are round and dynamic, the story world is really interesting, and the overarching story is compelling.”
“Yuzuriha is wonderful as the main character, and her story is heartwarming, sweet, and the most emotionally developed of the three, in my opinion.”
“The main story of 'Automne' itself is not very different from the previous two entries.”
“For the overall story, I would say the romance between the two girls was underdeveloped.”
“I felt this story's setting and other characters were developed more, while the romance's payoff was near the ending.”
- music21 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game series is consistently praised for its beauty and emotional depth, enhancing the overall experience with a relaxing and fairy-tale-like quality. Reviewers highlight standout tracks, such as "Rainbow Magic," and note that the soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, contributing to the game's charming atmosphere. Overall, the music is described as top-notch, fitting seamlessly into the narrative and elevating the emotional journey of the characters.
“The music and visuals keep the heart flowing with the scenes, from Suoh approaching the school to the end of Sur Automne, what a beautiful innocent journey of the girls who grow with the seasons.”
“As with the other games in the series, the music is beautiful and the art is some of the prettiest you'll find in a visual novel.”
“The music, while good in all seasons, sounds distinctly fairy-tale-like here, fitting the Wizard of Oz theme quite well.”
“The most somber and melancholic part in the series so far, with a somber and melancholic soundtrack to boot.”
“Musics transcended me a bit less.”
“The music, while there is nothing that stands out, there is not a track that feels out of place to the setting and feels pleasant.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep, heartfelt storytelling and character development, particularly through the protagonist Yuzuriha, whose journey evokes strong feelings of yearning and longing. Players report being profoundly moved, with many expressing that the game's conclusion brought them to tears, showcasing its ability to create a powerful emotional connection. Overall, the game is praised for its dramatic and heartwarming narrative, making it a standout entry in the series.
“Automne is a dramatic, heart-wrenching romance that took an axe to my heart.”
“Her struggles are very deep-cutting and heartfelt, and the reader can finally see beyond the mask that she had always worn in the previous two games and only let slip rarely.”
“The ending was emotional and it really touched my heart.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the series are consistently praised for their beautiful artwork and captivating art style, which effectively complement the relaxing soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of visuals and music, enhancing the emotional journey of the characters throughout the seasons. Overall, the aesthetic presentation is described as stunning and immersive.
“The music and visuals keep the heart flowing with the scenes, from Suoh approaching the school to the end of Sur Automne. What a beautiful, innocent journey of the girls who grow with the seasons.”
“Let's get the obvious out of the way first: both in visuals and sound, the series continues to be really good with a relaxing soundtrack and beautiful artwork.”
“The cake glazing (visuals, music): the flowers in the two previous episodes were beautiful to me, and the autumn episode is no different.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of comedic relief and deeper characterization, particularly through the character of Autumn, who delivers both laughter and emotional depth. Players find specific moments, like the Halloween party, to be particularly hilarious, showcasing the game's ability to balance humor with its more dramatic elements.
“She was funny, often the comic relief, yet the extra bits of characterization splashed between her more boisterous lines hinted at something deeper.”
“Despite all my mentions of the game's more dramatic side, Autumn is still very funny.”
“The Halloween party, in particular, is hilarious.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The character development in this episode is praised for its depth and intricacy, offering impressive layers that enhance the narrative and character relationships. Reviewers appreciate the detailed exploration of characters, which adds significant value to the overall experience.
“The level of detail on character development is impressive and amazing.”
“But while I dare say I almost missed a bit of weather talk, I don't mind at all, as this episode provides deeper layers of character development and entanglement.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay features detective-style segments that are now more accessible and less convoluted, enhancing the overall experience for players.
“The detective-style gameplay segments are engaging and not overly complicated.”
“The gameplay mechanics are intuitive and enhance the overall experience.”
“I love how the gameplay keeps me on my toes with unexpected twists and challenges.”
“The detective-style gameplay segments are still frustratingly obtuse.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”