Harmonia
- September 22, 2016
- VisualArts/Key
- 8h median play time
Harmonia is a mess of a visual novel that fails to make the reader feel for its characters or plot and likely should have been put back in the oven for a few months before releasing it on the world.
Get on Steam"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.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Harmonia features beautiful art and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience.
- The story, while short, is engaging and explores deep themes of emotions and human connections.
- The characters are relatable and their development throughout the story resonates with players, making it a memorable experience.
- The plot can feel predictable and lacks the depth found in other Key titles, particularly Planetarian.
- Some players found the pacing rushed, especially towards the end, which detracted from the overall impact of the story.
- The lack of choices in this kinetic novel may disappoint those looking for more interactive storytelling.
- story221 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Harmonia" is a poignant exploration of emotions set in a post-apocalyptic world, featuring a linear narrative that some find predictable yet emotionally resonant. While it draws comparisons to previous works by Key, particularly "Planetarian," many reviewers appreciate its character development and emotional depth, despite some criticism regarding pacing and character depth. Overall, it is regarded as a touching, albeit short, kinetic novel that effectively captures the essence of human experience and connection.
“Harmonia's story is one that, like key's other works, will have you feel numerous emotions and make you think.”
“The story starts slow but it all comes together in the end, while being accompanied by a surprisingly amazing soundtrack throughout.”
“With amazing storytelling and music, Harmonia really sets out to capture the reader's heart in a shorter-than-normal story length for a visual novel but, like Planetarian, key succeeds to impress regardless.”
“The story is well planned, but as some have said, the characters at times feel one-dimensional, like they've just been rolled in without giving them a great sense of depth. Despite spending time exploring the characters' backgrounds and interacting with them throughout, it doesn't provide a lot of memorable drama or tension between them.”
“The fact that only 30% of players have completed the story is sad and disheartening, as Harmonia's story, like Key's other stories, is something special.”
“The music is beautiful, and the artwork is gorgeous, but the story was rather disappointing.”
- music88 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in this visual novel is widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric quality, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive soundtracks composed by notable artists like Ryo Mizutsuki and Shinji Orito. The tracks effectively enhance the storytelling experience, setting the mood for various scenes and leaving a lasting impression on players. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and overall enjoyment.
“The music is beautiful, and the artwork is gorgeous, but the story was rather disappointing.”
“The music is quite amazing, as expected of Key; there are some extremely strong tracks here that are very memorable and really good at setting the mood.”
“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.”
- emotional44 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a significant focus, with many players reporting deep emotional responses, including tears and heartfelt connections to the story. While some reviews note that it may not reach the same emotional heights as its predecessor, "planetarian," the narrative is still described as touching and thought-provoking, with moments that resonate strongly. However, a few critiques mention that certain emotional moments feel forced or lack substance, impacting the overall experience.
“As is typical for key visual novels, this has great art and music, an interesting setting, and a story that will resonate with you emotionally.”
“The journey is more important than the destination here, and it is heartwarming and heart-wrenching in equally powerful doses.”
“A very emotionally engaging story, and I loved it.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and modern art style, with many reviewers noting the high production values and stunning character designs. While some find the visuals occasionally dated or average in certain locations, the overall aesthetic is considered impressive, complemented by an exceptional soundtrack and voice acting. Despite minor criticisms regarding text box size and some recycled visuals, the artwork is described as captivating and a significant highlight of the experience.
“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 also, like you would expect from this studio, very well-produced – it looks very good and sounds even better, with music being very climatic and voice acting impeccable.”
“As usual from key/visual arts, a good trio of story/sound/graphics.”
“Art style typical of Key, as if drawn by a toddler 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.”
- character development11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and emotional investment in characters like Tipi and Riona, others feel that the initial focus on feelings detracts from substantial development. The pacing is slow in the early acts, allowing for character growth, but some arcs are criticized for feeling underdeveloped. Overall, the character designs are praised for their appeal, contributing to players' attachment to the characters.
“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.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is characterized by tranquil soundtracks and immersive world-building, effectively conveying a post-apocalyptic setting filled with themes of human error and desolation. Reviewers highlight the memorable music and sound effects that enhance the emotional depth of the scenes, although some note that certain moments may lack the intended impact. Overall, the game's atmosphere is praised for its introspective qualities and strong thematic elements.
“Imo, Harmonia's greatest strength was its world and atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack features memorable tracks that set the atmosphere for each scene.”
“It has everything that Key is renowned for: introspective characters, an atmospheric soundtrack, and writing.”
“The atmosphere that was built into that moment somehow vanished into nothingness.”
“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.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
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 traditional gameplay mechanics. Overall, it has received a strong rating of 9/10 for its storytelling and immersive experience.
“[b]Gameplay: 9/10[/b]”
“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 (I have played it twice, but 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.”
“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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be a mix of drama and unexpected twists, though some players feel that certain jokes fall flat or lack effectiveness. Overall, while the comedic elements are present, they may not resonate with everyone.
“The game is filled with unexpected twists and hilarious moments that keep you laughing.”
“I love how the humor is woven into the drama, making every scene entertaining.”
“The witty dialogue and comedic situations add a delightful layer to the gameplay.”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced, lacking any real wit.”
“I expected a lot more humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
“The attempts at comedy were so awkward that I found myself rolling my eyes instead of laughing.”
