Hello Charlotte EP2: Requiem Aeternam Deo
- November 21, 2016
- etherane
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Hello Charlotte EP2: Requiem Aeternam Deo" is a visual novel adventure game that continues the story of the first game. The player assumes the role of a journalist investigating a series of supernatural events in a small town. The game features branching narrative paths, multiple endings, and a cast of intriguing characters. The player's choices and actions will determine the outcome of the story and the fate of the town's inhabitants.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and beautiful art style that enhances the overall experience.
- The story is deeply engaging and thought-provoking, exploring heavy themes such as mental illness and existential crises.
- Characters are well-developed and relatable, making players emotionally invested in their journeys.
- The gameplay can feel tedious at times, with repetitive backtracking and puzzles that may frustrate some players.
- The narrative can be confusing and abstract, making it difficult for some players to fully grasp the story.
- The game deals with heavy and potentially triggering themes, which may not be suitable for all audiences.
- story105 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of the "Hello Charlotte" series is described as surreal, complex, and emotionally impactful, often blending whimsical charm with darker themes such as mental health and societal struggles. While some players find the narrative confusing or disjointed, many appreciate its depth, character development, and unique storytelling style, making it a standout experience in the indie game landscape. Overall, the series is praised for its beautiful art and music that complement the engaging and thought-provoking plot.
“It's very aesthetically unique and interesting, the art is great, and the story is surreal but well-told in a way which I found interesting.”
“The story is wonderful and interesting the entire way through, it hooks you and just refuses to let go.”
“The world, the characters, the story, the art, everything is of an amazing quality.”
“The end result is the same; I wasn't motivated to get through the story, wasn't hooked, and wasn't hoping to find out more.”
“Very confusing story.”
“The plot of hc1, which I consider to be a demo, was shaky and a bit confusing.”
- graphics40 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the Hello Charlotte trilogy are widely praised for their unique and aesthetically captivating art style, blending pixel art with surreal and sometimes graphic elements. Reviewers highlight the emotional depth conveyed through the visuals, which effectively complement the game's storytelling and themes of mental health. While some note that the art can be gory and unsettling, it is generally regarded as beautiful and integral to the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the series.
“It's very aesthetically unique and interesting, the art is great, and the story is surreal but well-told in a way which I found interesting.”
“The art style is gorgeous and you can see it's developed from episode 1.”
“The graphics are fantastic, albeit some have a tendency to fall on the gore side of things, right before it switches to something insanely adorable or funny.”
“The art style is a bit less coherent and original than Lisa and relies more on that surrealistic blend of sketches and photorealism you might know from other (great!) RPG Maker games.”
“It is pretty gory, full of body horror, and can be hard on the eyes sometimes, but that's just the aesthetic.”
“This series is among the most disturbing things I have ever played, and it's not because of the omnipresent gore (most of it being used for aesthetics or comedy instead of shock value).”
- emotional29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of "Hello Charlotte" is profound, with many players reporting intense feelings of sadness, heartbreak, and even trauma throughout their experience. The game's storytelling, character development, and exploration of heavy themes resonate deeply, often leaving players feeling emotionally drained yet fulfilled. While it offers beautiful aesthetics and moments of warmth, the overall journey is described as a harrowing and transformative experience that can be overwhelming for those in vulnerable mental states.
“This game made me an emotional wreck, I cried like three times and left my right eye in pain for like a few days after I played it.”
“On a serious note, words cannot describe how heart-wrenching, painful, traumatic, but beautiful the Hello Charlotte games are. You all have to play it (if your mental state is good, please take breaks when playing it; it really gets heavy).”
“This series will emotionally destroy you with the amazing storytelling and beautiful art style, and then destroy the tiny remaining pieces that you have left.”
- music22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its quality, cohesiveness, and ability to enhance the atmosphere and storytelling. While some noted that it primarily consists of free-to-use tracks, it is well-integrated and contributes significantly to the overall experience. Improvements in both music and art have been highlighted as key factors in elevating the game's appeal compared to previous installments.
“The art, the music, the characters, the story - everything was a delight to experience.”
“The soundtrack and art direction are excellent.”
“The music all ties in to the story and setting very well and the soundtrack sounds good on its own.”
“It has interesting art, stock music, and horrendous gameplay.”
“The art is improved a lot, song choices too, world is expanded, but it's all feeling so unfocused and disjointed.”
“And the music, I don't think the music has any impact on the gameplay at all.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The gameplay in the "Hello Charlotte" series is generally considered the weakest aspect, with many reviewers noting its repetitiveness and lack of engaging mechanics. While some appreciate the immersive storytelling and character development, others find the puzzles tedious and the overall gameplay trivial, often feeling more like a vehicle for the narrative rather than a standalone gaming experience. Despite these criticisms, the series is recommended for those seeking a deep, psychological thriller rather than traditional gameplay.
“Hello Charlotte is my favorite game series/franchise of all time; the game mechanics are great and the story is so well executed.”
“Personally, I found this incredibly immersive as it makes saving and loading saves an in-universe mechanic that doesn't break immersion and also allows Charlotte her own personality without alienating the player.”
“I would recommend this for anyone looking for an abstract, deep, horrifying psychological thriller that makes you question everything from morality to the game mechanics.”
“The gameplay fragments could be improved a bit at places and you'll find yourself lost from time to time, but it's all just there to serve the subtly told story anyway.”
“Some parts are repetitive and there's not many choices to make, so the gameplay is a little boring.”
“The gameplay is the weakest part of the experience, but that isn't the focus.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its depth and immersive qualities, enhanced by a compelling art style and evocative music. Players appreciate the intricate details and intractable objects that enrich the environment, contributing to a unique and resonant experience. While the mood has shifted from the previous installment, the overall ambiance remains captivating and engaging.
“I love this game so much... it's very atmospheric and deep.”
“The music for this game is really good as well and helps with the atmosphere.”
“The art style is on point with the atmosphere and the whole experience resonates with me.”
“It's different compared to the first one: the mood, the atmosphere changed drastically – it's more of a visual novel and less of an 'adventure' than episode 1 used to be.”
“I also love the characters and the weird, a little confusing atmosphere and world that was created by the author.”
“Hard to believe this game cost the same amount as the literal oxygen in the atmosphere.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Hello Charlotte" is characterized by a blend of sardonic wit and dark comedy, with optional dialogue that enhances the experience through foreshadowing and clever quips. While the first episode leans more into fun and humor, the second episode shifts to a more serious tone, incorporating moments of "bad" humor that add a unique charm, even amidst its darker themes. Overall, the game balances humor with gripping storytelling, making for an engaging experience.
“The simple areas are very fleshed out, with a huge amount of optional dialogue drenched with foreshadowing and sardonic humor.”
“The first episode is quite a fun, humorous adventure, but still manages to be gripping and gut-wrenching in some areas.”
“It's dark but also very funny at times.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is enhanced by visually appealing, intricately drawn designs that feature a unique and creepy aesthetic, contributing to a strong overall impression of the characters.
“This, combined with the beautifully drawn visual novel-like character designs, makes this game very visually appealing.”
“The portraits excel with a unique, eerie aesthetic and some outstanding character designs.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as it often requires repetitive back-and-forth travel between the same areas. While some enjoy the occasional puzzles for added variation, the overall gameplay can feel monotonous and may benefit from more diverse mechanics.
“The gameplay can feel tedious at times, as you'll need to go back and forth between areas each day. Unfortunately, I don't think this can be changed, as it would likely require the developer to alter many aspects of the game that contribute to its current feel. There were some puzzles I liked; they weren't that hard, but at least they provided some variation in gameplay.”
“The gameplay mostly consists of going back and forth to the same locations, and can sometimes feel tedious.”
