Herald: An Interactive Period Drama - Book I & II
- February 22, 2017
- Wispfire
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Herald: An Interactive Period Drama - Book I & II" is a choice-driven adventure game set in an alternate 19th century where the West is a colonial superpower. As Devan Rensburg, you serve as steward on the HLV Herald, resolving disputes among crew and passengers while uncovering a mystery surrounding the ship's journey. The game features around 4 hours of gameplay, with each book containing its own story within a larger narrative. Books III & IV are currently in development.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a captivating and well-written story that explores complex themes such as colonialism, race, and identity, keeping players engaged throughout.
- The art style is beautiful, with stunning character portraits and a charming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Voice acting is top-notch, bringing the characters to life and adding depth to the narrative.
- The game lacks a manual save option, which can be frustrating for players who want to play in shorter sessions without losing progress.
- While the story is intriguing, the game feels incomplete, with only two of four planned books released, leaving players wanting more without a clear resolution.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the movement and interaction controls, can feel clunky and outdated, detracting from the overall experience.
- story126 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and compelling narrative, set against a backdrop of historical themes such as racism and colonialism. Players appreciate the twists and turns that keep them invested, although some express concerns about the pacing and the impact of player choices on the overall plot. Overall, the narrative is described as heartfelt and immersive, with many eager for the continuation of the story in future installments.
“The story is filled with twists and turns that feel earned and kept me wanting more.”
“This is a heartfelt and meaningful story.”
“The story is, in fact, very involving once the plot gets rolling, you bond with the cast and suddenly, the 2nd half will be over.”
“The beginning of the story was rather confusing, especially without much context.”
“The 'choices' never seem very organic, often feel counterproductive, and don't have much clear impact on the story.”
“After finishing it, it felt like I just finished the prologue and the real story is only beginning.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful art style and atmospheric visuals, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning hand-drawn elements and overall aesthetic appeal. However, some criticism is directed at the outdated 3D graphics and stilted animations, which detract from the experience. Overall, while the visuals are captivating, there is a consensus that they could benefit from further polish and refinement.
“The art style is sincerely one of the most beautiful ones I've seen.”
“This game has a gorgeous aesthetic and wonderful atmosphere.”
“The artwork is stunning, the plot engaging, and the gameplay brisk and (mostly) unobtrusive to the story.”
“Although the art is very stylistic, the graphics can be polished more and some movements feel slow and sluggish, especially when inspecting items.”
“The only elements of the game which I weren't fond of were the slightly wooden 3D graphics and the mediocre voice acting.”
“Whilst the talking heads are beautiful and this cast of relative unknowns do an absolutely excellent job of breathing life into a well-written script, there is no physical acting to complement the conversations and the graphics are extremely antiquated.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily driven by simple point-and-click mechanics, which some players find outdated and lacking in depth. While the puzzles are generally easy and serve mainly to advance the narrative, the immersive story and strong worldbuilding compensate for the gameplay's shortcomings. Overall, fans of the genre may appreciate the brisk pace and engaging plot, but those seeking more interactive gameplay might be disappointed.
“The artwork is stunning, the plot engaging, and the gameplay brisk and (mostly) unobtrusive to the story.”
“Really gripping story, amazing art, and great gameplay.”
“The gameplay is pretty standard for a point and click game; any fan of the genre will feel comfortable playing this, I think.”
“The gameplay mechanics themselves may seem a bit stiff and outdated, but it's the narrative and worldbuilding that is more the focus here.”
“There is not a whole lot of gameplay here; however, so gamers who like entertaining gameplay woven into the story may not enjoy this one quite as much.”
“The gameplay, I think, is this game's biggest letdown.”
- music18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its ability to enhance the narrative and nautical themes while remaining unobtrusive. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as lovely and well-composed, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the game. Additionally, there are suggestions for including a musical library in the menu to further appreciate the score.
“Top marks as well for the soundtrack which complements the story and nautical themes, yet blends pleasantly into the background so as not to become grating or repetitive.”
“A beautiful game with a rich narrative, heavenly music, endearing characters.”
“Very well written, visuals are stunning, music is great.”
“The game really shines in matters of soundtrack, character, and overall feel, but more than that it feels (and obviously is) unfinished.”
“I was expecting something more along a standard indie level of quality when I purchased Book 1 & 2, but I found myself blown away by the art, the voice acting, and the music.”
“Having musical options and even a musical library in the menu, as with the letter archive, would be even better.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its gorgeous aesthetics and engaging world, creating an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. While many players appreciate the beautiful visuals and interactive elements, some express disappointment in other aspects of the game. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“This game has a gorgeous aesthetic and wonderful atmosphere.”
“A lovely interactive game with nice atmosphere and characters.”
“An interesting and engaging story, displayed in an atmospheric and enthralling world.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its heartfelt and meaningful story, featuring a smaller cast that enhances emotional engagement through impactful plots and twists. Players report experiencing significant emotional responses, particularly after key moments in the narrative, although some decisions may only influence immediate emotional tones rather than broader outcomes.
“This is a heartfelt and meaningful story.”
“After all, the story takes place on a relatively medium-staffed ship, so with a smaller cast of characters and flows well with its plots and twists, actually delivering some solid emotional punches and motivating me to play on.”
“I just finished book II and it delivered such an emotional punch that I am left incoherent; I don't know if I can write anything that makes sense.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has been praised for its impressive performance, with players reporting no bugs or performance issues during gameplay. The charming aesthetic and minimal jank contribute to a smooth experience, although some feel that the physicality of the actors' performances could enhance the overall impact.
“The first game in years that had zero bugs, performance issues, or a moment where I watched the clock waiting for it to end.”
“The optimization is so well done that it enhances the overall experience, making every moment feel seamless and engaging.”
“I was impressed by how smoothly the game runs, with no noticeable lag or frame drops, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay.”
“Put together, it feels like the physical part of the actors' performances is missing, which undercuts their impact.”
“The team has done wonders to make a beautiful game with minimal jank, but I did not encounter any bugs or poor performance in my playthrough.”
“The first game in years that had zero bugs or performance issues, but I still found myself watching the clock waiting for it to end.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to the prevalence of fetch quests and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall experience.
“This was a pretty interesting game, although the 'let's make this interactive' bits involve a lot of fetch quests and tedious tasks.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highly praised for its intricate detail in design, writing, and worldbuilding, creating a rich and immersive experience for players.
“The amount of detail in both character design, writing, and worldbuilding blew me away.”
“The character arcs are incredibly well-crafted, making each journey feel personal and impactful.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, with their choices and experiences shaping who they become.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic environments that encourage different playthroughs. Many appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and challenges that provide fresh experiences with each session. However, some note that certain gameplay elements may become repetitive over time, potentially diminishing long-term engagement.
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying feel pointless.”
“The game offers a linear experience with no real variations in gameplay, which severely limits its replayability.”
“After finishing the main story, I found that there were no new challenges or different paths to explore, making it hard to justify a second playthrough.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is largely absent, with users advising potential players to avoid it if they are seeking comedic elements.
