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Harmonia

Despite my misgivings, though, Harmonia is a story worth experiencing.
Harmonia Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
story, music
character development, gameplay
93% User Score Based on 234 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 2 reviews

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Harmonia Game Cover

About

Harmonia is a single player casual simulation game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by VisualArts/Key and was released on September 22, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Harmonia" is a single-player Science Fiction Simulation game with a sensational story, stellar visuals, and ingenious music. In a devastated world after a great war, an emotions-capable robot named Phiroid embarks on a journey to obtain its lost emotions and find its purpose among the remaining humans. This highly emotional experience explores themes of companionship, love, and the essence of being human.

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Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
Harmonia screenshot
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 234 reviews
story67 positive mentions
  • Harmonia features a heartwarming and emotional story that explores themes of love, humanity, and the rediscovery of emotions in a post-apocalyptic setting.
  • The art and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the narrative.
  • The characters, particularly Shiona and Tipi, are well-developed and evoke strong feelings, making the player care deeply about their journeys.
  • The pacing can be uneven, with a slow start that may deter some players before the story picks up in the latter half.
  • Some players may find the plot predictable and the ending rushed, lacking the depth and complexity of Key's other works.
  • As a kinetic novel, there are no choices or branching paths, which may disappoint those looking for interactivity in their visual novels.
  • story
    254 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Harmonia" is a poignant exploration of emotions and humanity set in a post-apocalyptic world, where the protagonist, a mechanical boy named Rei, embarks on a journey of self-discovery alongside a cast of heartfelt characters. While the narrative unfolds linearly and may feel reminiscent of previous works by Key, it effectively balances introspection and emotional depth, culminating in a satisfying yet bittersweet conclusion. Despite some critiques regarding pacing and predictability, many players find the story's themes and character development resonate deeply, making it a memorable experience.

    • “Set in a distant future where civilization has long since collapsed, it tells the story of Rei, a mechanical boy known as a 'phiroid,' who awakens in a desolate facility with no memory of his past and no ability to feel emotion.”
    • “The contrast between the bleakness of the setting and the sincerity of the characters gives the story an emotional gravity that slowly builds as the narrative progresses.”
    • “At its core, Harmonia is a story about rediscovering humanity in a world that has forgotten it.”
    • “The brevity of the story—typically completed in around four or five hours—means that its worldbuilding is more suggestive than comprehensive.”
    • “The story has potential but the pacing is terrible.”
    • “The whole moral of the story, which is intrinsically tied to a rather obvious plot twist, comes across as very forced to an unbelievable degree.”
  • music
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, with standout tracks that resonate with players long after the game ends. Composed by notable veterans like Shinji Orito and Ryo Mizutsuki, the soundtrack effectively sets the atmosphere and complements the beautiful artwork, creating a memorable experience that captures the essence of the narrative. Overall, the music is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and artistic presentation.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Shinji Orito and other key veterans, is a standout element that reinforces the game’s tone.”
    • “The theme songs, particularly Shiona’s music, act not only as motifs within the story but as emotional bridges between characters and player.”
    • “The music paints a picture of a desolate world that yearns for a single ray of hope, and it also captures every emotion Rei experiences while in the town or the outside world.”
    • “The soundtrack is hit or miss.”
    • “The one thing that consistently annoyed me about the music was that they waited until the very end of the game to use the main theme song with vocals.”
    • “Not that Orito's music in this game is bad, but it pales compared to Mizutsuki-san's softer, simpler tracks.”
  • emotional
    63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Harmonia is a visually and emotionally rich visual novel that masterfully blends melancholy and humanism, evoking deep emotional responses through its heartfelt storytelling and character development. While some reviewers noted that its emotional impact may not reach the heights of its predecessors, the game still delivers a poignant experience that resonates with players, often leaving them in tears. The combination of beautiful music, thoughtful writing, and a delicate narrative structure enhances its emotional gravity, making it a memorable journey for those who appreciate emotional depth in storytelling.

    • “Harmonia, developed by VisualArts/Key and published by VisualArts, is a delicate and heartfelt visual novel that embodies the studio’s trademark blend of melancholy, humanism, and emotional catharsis.”
    • “The writing balances introspection and tenderness, steering clear of sentimentality even as it builds toward an emotional climax. When the final revelations come, they feel both inevitable and devastating, offering closure without betraying the quiet tone that defines the story.”
    • “The journey is more important than the destination here, and it is heartwarming and heart-wrenching in equally powerful doses.”
  • graphics
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and emotional impact, showcasing a modern art style that enhances the storytelling experience. While some reviewers noted that certain locations appear average compared to the character designs, the overall production quality, including stunning visuals and an exceptional soundtrack, contributes to a captivating atmosphere. Despite some criticisms regarding the dated aspects of the art style, the visuals are generally considered a highlight, making the game visually appealing and worth experiencing.

    • “With its graceful writing, haunting visuals, and emotional authenticity, it captures the essence of key's storytelling tradition in a concentrated form.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, although sometimes it's a bit annoying that the text box takes up the whole screen so you can't enjoy them.”
    • “It's a very well-executed game, with wonderful production values, memorable music, and some really wonderful HD visuals.”
    • “Art style typical of key, as if drawn by a child with crayon.”
    • “The characters are all drawn beautifully, but the same cannot be said for a lot of the locations; they seemed 'average' compared to the rest of the artwork.”
    • “Even when you put it next to older Eden*, which is closer to Harmonia both in scope and theme, you can see how much better Eden* is both in storytelling and visuals.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "harmonia" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive quality, effectively complemented by a tranquil soundtrack and stunning visuals. Players are invited to engage deeply with the somber, post-apocalyptic setting, which enhances the storytelling experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its greatest strength, drawing players into its world and emotional depth.

    • “From the very first moments, Harmonia establishes a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”
    • “Rather than focusing on interactivity or replayability, Harmonia invites players to lose themselves in its atmosphere, to listen, to watch, and to feel.”
    • “This visual novel immediately captivated me with its intriguing premise and interesting, somber setting; additionally, the atmosphere is conveyed very well with the mesmerizing soundtrack and beautiful art!”
    • “The atmosphere that was built into that moment somehow vanished into nothingness.”
    • “They got immersive storytelling just right, backed by the astonishing apocalyptic atmosphere, presentation, illustrations, and soundtrack.”
    • “When you put it down on paper, the similarities are astonishing; both stories feature a post-apocalyptic world caused by human error, where the protagonist wanders a desolate earth, dealing with phenomena like acid rain from atmospheric pollution and attacks from roving bandits.”
  • character development
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the initial focus on emotional depth allows players to connect with characters like Tipi and Riona, some reviewers feel that the pacing is slow and certain arcs lack sufficient development. The art direction, featuring expressive character designs and a warm aesthetic, enhances the emotional experience, but some players wish for more substantial character growth throughout the narrative. Overall, the game successfully creates attachment through its character designs, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking deeper development.

    • “With that being said, without spoiling the kinetic visual novel, I will say that it has a captivating storyline and while the surprise twist will not surprise anyone, what's important is the storyline is heavy into character development and you start to care about Tipi and Riona and wonder how this visual novel will end.”
    • “Character design follows the typical 'moe' style that Key is known for, though don't be fooled; the characters are designed this way so that you will grow attached much easier.”
    • “It's a bit short and in the beginning they focused more on the 'feelings' thus less character development.”
    • “Not enough time is spent on character development, so some arcs feel lacking, as if they shouldn't even exist.”
    • “The first few acts are slow and mainly for character development.”
  • gameplay
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this kinetic visual novel is linear, offering a single route without player choices, which some players found refreshing as it allows for a focused narrative experience. With an average playtime of 6-8 hours, the game delivers an engaging emotional story that players highly recommend, despite the lack of additional gameplay mechanics. Overall, it has received a strong rating of 9/10 for its storytelling and immersive experience.

    • “As a whole, for the small price you pay for the game, I would definitely recommend it. The game seems to average about 6-8 hours of gameplay, and the first playthrough was about 6-7 hours, with the second being a little longer. It is 7 hours of great emotional storytelling you won't want to miss.”
    • “To be honest, this wasn't an issue as I could choose a new font with ease, and it had no effect on the gameplay - I could start the game straight after choosing with no issue.”
    • “[b]Gameplay: 9/10[/b]”
    • “Keep in mind this is a kinetic visual novel, so you will not be presented with options and there will only be one route. In this visual novel, there isn't any extra gameplay along with the story.”
    • “As a whole, for the small price you pay for the game, I would definitely recommend it. The game seems to average about 6-8 hours of gameplay, and while I have played it twice, don't let my time deceive you; I had no internet at first, so it didn't log the hours. The first playthrough was about 6-7 hours, with the second being a little longer (probably due to breaks), but it is 7 hours of great emotional storytelling you won't want to miss.”
    • “To be honest, this wasn't an issue as I could choose a new font with ease and it had no effect on the gameplay - I could start the game straight after choosing with no issue.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Harmonia prioritizes atmosphere and immersion over traditional replayability, encouraging players to engage deeply with its environment rather than replaying for different outcomes or interactions.

    • “Harmonia invites players to lose themselves in its atmosphere, encouraging exploration and immersion that enhances replayability.”
    • “The game's dynamic choices and multiple endings provide a fresh experience with each playthrough, making it highly replayable.”
    • “With its rich world and varied character interactions, every session feels unique, ensuring players will return for more.”
    • “Rather than focusing on interactivity or replayability, Harmonia invites players to lose themselves in its atmosphere, to listen, to watch, and to feel.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is often intertwined with dramatic moments and unexpected twists, though some players find certain jokes to be lacking in effectiveness or originality. Overall, while the humor attempts to enhance the narrative, it may not resonate with all players.

    • “The game is filled with unexpected twists and a great sense of humor that keeps you entertained.”
    • “I love how the humor is woven into the drama, making every moment both thrilling and funny.”
    • “The witty dialogue and hilarious situations had me laughing out loud throughout the entire game.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced, lacking any real wit.”
    • “I expected some clever humor, but it was mostly just cringe-worthy attempts at comedy.”
    • “The humor was so stale that it felt like a bad sitcom from the '90s.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers note that the game's optimization significantly enhances immersion through sharper character art, higher-resolution backgrounds, and fully voiced performances, revitalizing the overall storytelling experience.

    • “The sharper character art, higher-resolution backgrounds, and fully voiced performances enhance immersion, breathing new life into the story.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
8h Average play time
8-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Harmonia is a casual simulation game with science fiction theme.

Harmonia is available on Nintendo Switch, PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Harmonia.

Harmonia was released on September 22, 2016.

Harmonia was developed by VisualArts/Key.

Harmonia has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its character development.

Harmonia is a single player game.

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