Lily of the Valley
- May 5, 2017
- ebi-hime
Get on Steam"Lily of the Valley" is a visual novel about a man who returns to Wales for his mother's funeral and meets a mysterious girl named Lily. As he forms a friendship with her, he is left with questions about her connection to his past and her fascination with death. The game, originally released in 2014 and recently revamped, features two art styles and around 25,000 words of writing by ebi-hime, with an original soundtrack by yuzuki and art by SillySelly. A hidden extra scene and author commentary can be unlocked through exploration.
Reviews
- The writing is exceptionally creative and thought-provoking, exploring deep themes of grief and introspection.
- The artwork and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
- The game effectively combines a simple narrative with profound philosophical questions, making it a memorable experience.
- The game is very short, with a playtime of around 1.5 to 2 hours, which may leave some players wanting more.
- There is only one meaningful choice in the game, making it feel more like a kinetic novel than a traditional visual novel.
- Some players found the ending and themes to be quite heavy and potentially triggering, especially for those recently dealing with loss.
- story78 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Lily of the Valley" is a poignant exploration of grief and loss, centered around a man returning to his hometown in Wales after his mother's funeral, where he encounters a teenage girl that leads to a significant twist. While the narrative is linear with minimal choices, it is well-crafted and thought-provoking, evoking deep emotions and reflections on life and death. The combination of a fitting soundtrack and evocative visuals enhances the storytelling, making it a memorable experience despite its brevity.
“The commentary regarding grief and death was rather intriguing and interesting, and with the drama and setting that the story took place, made for an experience that I will never forget.”
“A short but poignant story about grief.”
“It's a pretty well-written and thought-provoking short story.”
“Honestly, the only real downside of this game is that there really needed to be more of a buildup for the plot twist, as it felt like it came out of nowhere.”
“It's a very linear story with a single choice at the end, not that you really had a choice to make anyway.”
“Be warned, those who cannot handle the topic of death may not want to consider 'Lily of the Valley', as death revolves around the entire story.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their beautiful artwork and unique art styles, with options that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers noted the soft and gentle visuals that complement the narrative, as well as the impressive musical score that adds to the atmosphere. While some felt the design could be more cohesive, the overall aesthetic is considered top-tier, making it a standout feature of the visual novel.
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing. I don't usually play this kind of game, but the ebi-hime games are really great!”
“I have to mention the grand musical score and artwork within this visual novel, as it's pretty top tier.”
“The updated artwork by sillyselly is absolutely gorgeous, giving the game, along with the writing and the OST, a very strong atmosphere.”
“The art style is very similar to 'empty horizons'.”
“Honestly, the only real downside of this game is that there really needed to be more of a buildup for the plot twist, as it felt like it came out of nowhere. Although I do really like the art style, I think that when it comes to the overall cohesion of design, this game is like 95% there instead of 100%.”
“Graphically, nothing in particular.”
- music13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its fitting and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a warm and inviting atmosphere. While many appreciate the grand musical score and its alignment with the narrative, some users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of high-quality music and beautiful artwork contributes significantly to the game's appeal, though there are suggestions for offering soundtrack DLC for free.
“What helped it is definitely the music that the creator chose for this story.”
“The soundtrack fits the plot like a glove.”
“The music is warm and inviting while the art style is soft and gentle, even for such a dark and heart-wrenching tale of despair.”
“Furthermore, the soundtrack DLC should be free.”
“I usually consider soundtrack DLCs for games just garbage to pad a bundle offer, but as short as this game is, they should offer the DLC free as a bonus.”
“Music gets old fast.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke deep feelings, with players noting its thought-provoking narrative and moments that can bring them to tears. The juxtaposition of cute art and dark themes creates a poignant experience, exploring heavy topics like loss and despair while maintaining a lyrical and touching atmosphere. Overall, the game resonates with players on a personal level, making them reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
“The story made me cry a little, and I wish there could have been a happy ending!”
“The music is warm and inviting while the art style is soft and gentle, even for such a dark and heart-wrenching tale of despair.”
“Without spoiling the story, I found it very emotional, the main topic focusing on the death of a loved one and how others cope around you.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is initially praised for its realistic UK setting, but it takes a sharp turn with an unexpected anime twist that some players found jarring. In contrast, "Lily in the Valley" offers a distinct atmosphere that sets it apart from typical visual novels on Steam.
“The game's immersive environment draws you in, making you feel like you're part of the story.”
“The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals, creating a captivating and emotional atmosphere.”
“The game starts off well enough, has that same realistic UK atmosphere, but ends in a stupid anime twist (shinigami, seriously?).”
“Lily in the Valley has a much different atmosphere than most visual novels found on Steam.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has minimal replayability, as players cannot replay it without reinstalling or deleting their save files, which significantly limits the opportunity for multiple playthroughs.
“No replay value; in fact, you can't replay it unless you reinstall or delete save games.”
“The game lacks any incentive to play again after finishing it once.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little reason to return for a second playthrough.”
