Haeven
- August 4, 2016
- Cleril Calamity Studios
Get on SteamExplore fantastical interpretations of different parts of the mind including the Hippocampus, Ego, and more! Battle against your oppressive Subconscious as you struggle for control of your mind.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and interesting concept, exploring the protagonist's psyche and inner battles.
- The hand-drawn art style and custom assets add a creative touch, making the visuals appealing despite some inconsistencies.
- The turn-based combat system is engaging, with a variety of skills and strategies available for players to explore.
- The game suffers from vague storytelling and a lack of emotional depth in character development, leaving players confused about the plot.
- Technical issues such as crashes and a lack of options menu detract from the overall experience.
- Gameplay can feel simplistic and repetitive, with some players able to win battles by merely spamming the attack button.
- story21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around a philosophical exploration of the main character, Cleril, who battles his own mind in a metaphysical war. While the premise is intriguing, many players find the execution lacking, with vague plot elements and confusing dialogue that detracts from immersion. Overall, the narrative is seen as both compelling and frustrating, leaving players wanting clearer context and better development.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Cleril’s game tells the story of a mad poet named Cleril (which seems to be a more common name than any of us ever imagined) who wages a metaphysical war against his own mind.”
“For most RPG and adventure game titles, the story is what carries the game; it gives the player a reason to continue.”
“The biggest complaint I really have here is the game is too vague in parts, especially in the story department.”
“The plot is filled with unnecessary dialogue that makes it quite difficult to perceive for someone with only basic English.”
“It lets you in on the plot well enough, but the more you delve into the story, the more confusing it becomes.”
- music13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as a mixed bag, with some tracks being enjoyable while others feel out of place, particularly when lyrics are introduced unexpectedly. While the soundtrack is generally considered better than silence and has its moments, it suffers from inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the music is seen as average, with potential for improvement.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“Overall though, the music (mostly) does what it's supposed to do, and I guess it's better than silence.”
“Good soundtrack.”
“Haven's music is a very mixed bag.”
“The lyrics in some of the songs can also be a little distracting.”
“When the game started, the sound seemed pretty good, but then it took a turn southwards around 40 minutes into the game when there were suddenly lyrics thrown into the music, which made the music seem really out of place.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a unique, artsy hand-drawn style that some players find attractive and professionally executed, while others criticize the inconsistency between character and environment designs. Overall, the visuals are described as satisfactory, though opinions vary on their appeal, particularly in relation to the game's quirky narrative and themes.
“Visuals are artsy and weird, but professionally done.”
“The hand-drawn art style is a good touch.”
“Present: drawn, but attractive graphics, good soundtrack, interesting gameplay and turn-based battles.”
“The graphics and musical accompaniment here average.”
“The graphic style seems inconsistent.”
“Now I wouldn't mind if you just kept with your primary graphic style that you were using for the characters and the environment, even though those in general look subpar; at least it would be consistent.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of clicking, puzzle-solving, exploration, and turn-based RPG combat, complemented by attractive graphics and a good soundtrack. However, some users find the gameplay simplistic and note that it falls short of expectations for a game made in RPG Maker, suggesting missed opportunities for innovation and depth.
“Present: drawn, but attractive graphics, good soundtrack, interesting gameplay, and turn-based battles.”
“I wonder and original gameplay.”
“Now usually the gameplay in RPG Maker games is quite hard to mess up, but somehow it's messed up in this particular title.”
“Gameplay in Haven is the typical sort of thing you can expect from a game made in the engine.”
“The gameplay is a variety of clicking on things, solving puzzles, exploring around, and turn-based RPG combat.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while some players find the game involves tedious card farming, others appreciate that grinding is not a necessity, making it more enjoyable for those who dislike repetitive gameplay.
“About 15 minutes of playing was all I could take; the rest is just card farming.”
“There isn't a need to grind, so for those who hate grinding, they will enjoy this.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is notably spooky and effectively creates a chilling experience, though it may be overwhelming enough to deter some players from returning.
“The spooky atmosphere chilled me to the bone.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its haunting world.”
“Every sound and visual detail contributes to an atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
“Needless to say, I won't be coming back to this, despite the spooky atmosphere that chilled me to the bone.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the characters are designed to embody various facets of the player's personality and engage in entertaining dialogue, they ultimately fall short in emotional depth, primarily serving as vehicles for intellectual exchanges rather than genuine emotional connections.
