Gilded Shadows

About

"Gilded Shadows" is a narrative-driven detective game set in a mystical 1920s city. As private investigator Abigail Fellows, you'll uncover secrets, solve puzzles, and navigate complex relationships while dealing with supernatural elements. The game features a rich, immersive story with multiple endings, influenced by player choices throughout the investigation.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 308 reviews

story114 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game features extensive world-building and lore, creating an immersive and engaging experience.
Each character has a unique story and personality, making the routes feel distinct and enjoyable.
The writing is well-crafted, with a good balance of humor, romance, and emotional depth.

Some players found the beginning to be overly expository, which could detract from the pacing.
A few routes may feel less impactful or engaging compared to others, leading to a less satisfying experience for some players.
There are minor grammatical errors and typos that can occasionally disrupt the flow of the narrative.

story
352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
67%
1%
The story of the game is highly praised for its intricate world-building and diverse character arcs, with each of the nine routes offering unique narratives that contribute to a larger overarching plot. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the meaningful choices that impact the storyline, making each playthrough feel distinct and engaging. While some express a desire for more closure in the epilogues, the overall consensus is that the storytelling is compelling, immersive, and well-crafted, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The depth of world building and multi-threaded plot lines is enthralling and really draws you in.”
- “The story is very well written; it's easy to get attached to the characters and we can easily understand the universe in which it takes place.”
- “Each route has a unique story line, giving even more details and life to the world and characters.”
- “The only downside to this is that I don't think I can play any of the other routes because I can't imagine being more pleased with the story.”
- “I don't regret playing it, though for the price tag I do wish the story didn't feel like it just abruptly stopped.”
- “Rather than follow a fairly consistent main story, each route exists completely independently of each other.”
graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
43%
7%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their gorgeous artwork and stylish character designs, contributing significantly to the overall aesthetic experience. While some users noted minor quirks in the art style, such as uniform lip designs, these did not detract from the enjoyment of the story. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the compelling narrative and character interactions.
- “The artwork is gorgeous and the romances are very enjoyable.”
- “The scene and character artwork is beautiful.”
- “It boasts more positives than you could shake a whole bunch of sticks at, including interest of story, depth of characters, range of options and very high quality supporting graphics.”
- “Graphics (4/10) it gives you the bare basics and what it gives are nice.”
- “Omg, the graphics!”
- “The art style is a little weird at first (everybody has the same lips) but it doesn't take away from the story at all.”
music
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
26%
9%
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and emotional impact, with many players enjoying the soundtrack even outside of gameplay. While the variety of tracks is appreciated, some users noted that the limited selection can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of beautiful artwork and compelling music significantly enhances the game's immersive experience.
- “The worldbuilding and lore is impressive (and there are flowcharts!) the sprites are lovely; the background art is absolutely gorgeous; and I enjoy listening to the soundtrack even when not playing the game.”
- “If you want a story that does have the romance you are itching for, but also has amazing music, aesthetics, and an intriguing story that keeps you on the edge of your seat... then look no further.”
- “There were several times that I found myself pausing, just to take in the music or stare in awe at the background.”
- “I only wish there was an additional soundtrack or at least, somewhere in the extras section of the main menu where you can listen to individual tracks.”
- “The music.”
- “Others were hired to do music and the background art and some coding work.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted romance routes, which are filled with humor and heartfelt moments, allowing players to embark on a genuine emotional journey. Players can customize their character's personality traits, influencing dialogue and interactions, while the narrative's depth and buildup ensure that romantic developments feel authentic and not rushed. However, some users noted that excessive exposition occasionally disrupted the flow, leading to moments of frustration.
- “You wanna go on an emotional journey?”
- “The romance itself for all routes is well written, touching, and has a lot of buildup, so it never feels rushed or like it came out of nowhere.”
- “Warning to any of my fellow saps out there - the Magnus route especially (in my opinion) was emotional.”
humor
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a mix of humor that resonates well with players, highlighted by a relatable main character and a diverse cast that delivers witty dialogue and humorous banter. While some moments, like characters laughing at the protagonist during stressful situations, may not land well, the overall comedic elements, including memorable character antics and subtle humor, contribute to an enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor with heartfelt moments, making it a recommended choice for fans of science fiction romance.
- “I definitely recommend this game for anyone who loves science fiction romance mixed with a touch of fantasy, mystery, humor, and a bit of political (and historical) intrigue.”
- “She just has various moments of witty dialogue and what I thought was very adorable and humorous banter.”
- “Morgan is such a lovable MC with very funny commentary about the world around her.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game offers significant replayability with multiple endings (ranging from 3 to 5) and 7 romance options, making it worth its higher price, especially when purchased on sale. The inclusion of different personality traits that influence story paths enhances the replay value, as players can explore various outcomes and experiences. Both good and bad endings are engaging, encouraging players to revisit the game for a fresh perspective.
- “Good and bad endings alike are equally intriguing and replayable.”
- “This is such a cool feature and really helps for replayability!”
- “There is plenty of replay value; some routes have 4 or 5 endings, others 3, and with 7 romance choices already, it justifies its higher than usual price for a visual novel, though buying on sale always makes it so much better and is recommended.”
- “The selection of different personality traits opening or blocking certain story paths adds to how replayable the game is, with so many different options and paths to choose from.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers consistently praise the character development, highlighting it as a standout feature alongside the game's appealing art style and character designs. The depth and growth of the characters contribute significantly to the overall experience.
- “The characters and character development are amazing.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay of *Gilded Shadows* features multiple routes, offering players a variety of choices and paths to explore throughout the game.
- “As for the gameplay, [i]Gilded Shadows[/i] has multiple routes.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the effort put into creating diverse storylines that maintain interest, reducing the feeling of grinding through repetitive dialogue. However, some find the initial information dumping tedious, which can hinder early engagement, though persistence leads to a more enjoyable experience.
- “The one thing I found at times to be tedious was the telling instead of showing; there is a lot of information dumping, especially at the start, which made it hard to initially get into the game. But once I persisted through it, I found it a lot more enjoyable.”
- “I can see a lot of love put into making each story different enough to keep you interested rather than grinding through dialogue just because you've 'picked a side before'.”

Buy Gilded Shadows

Gilded Shadows
$29.99
See offer on Steam

49h Median play time

65h Average play time

45-162h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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