Made Marion
- November 16, 2023
- Velvet Cupcake Games
"Made Marion" is an otome visual novel set in the world of Robin Hood, where players assume the role of Lady Marion of Glastonbury. After being removed from her position of power and forced into an arranged marriage, Marion finds herself in Sherwood Forest, navigating political tensions and uncovering her true identity. With multiple routes and potential romances, players will help Marion determine her path as a freedom fighter, knight-at-arms, or reluctant spy, and perhaps even discover love along the way.
Reviews
- The art style is stunning, with beautiful character sprites and detailed backgrounds that enhance the immersive experience.
- The writing is engaging and well-crafted, with meaningful choices that affect the story and character relationships, making each playthrough feel unique.
- The game features a rich world with excellent lore and character development, particularly highlighting Marion as a strong and relatable protagonist.
- Currently, only a limited number of routes are available, which some players feel does not justify the price at this stage of early access.
- There are instances of info-dumping at the beginning, which can slow down the pacing and make it difficult to get into the main story.
- Some players desire more customization options for the main character and feel that the choices available do not significantly impact the narrative.
- story35 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received high praise for its engaging writing, character development, and emotional depth, particularly highlighting the interactions between Marion and other characters. Players appreciate the variety of story paths and endings, which enhance replayability, while the medieval fantasy setting and beautiful art style further immerse them in the narrative. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy romance and strong storytelling in visual novels.
“The story paths currently released so far (Robin and Will) are written so well, and I love the banter and heartfelt moments between Marion and all of the characters in this game.”
“The writing is wonderfully consistent, and I find the story familiar in all the best ways as well as new in enticingly interesting ways.”
“Her growth and development is truly the central heart of this story, and I enjoyed seeing her grow into being a stronger and more self-assured person, even though she had real doubts about herself at the start of the story.”
“There’s a lot of info-dumping at the beginning that makes it difficult to get to the actual story, and there’s no customization of the main character.”
“There’s just so few options we get to make that really matter, in my opinion, that it reads more like a story than a game with any branching.”
“Although this game is based around the tales of Robin Hood, and at the time of writing, only Robin's route is currently available; have no doubts that this is Marion's story and as such feels very original, with nothing lost to the reader who is familiar with the legend.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style and exceptional world-building, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful illustrations and polished user interface. The combination of captivating visuals and engaging storytelling enhances the overall experience, making it a standout in its genre. Some users noted a preference for less polished artwork, but the general consensus is that the graphics are a major highlight of the game.
“The writing is engaging, the graphics are incredible, and the background music is a cut above most games.”
“This game has a gorgeous art style and a phenomenal way of telling the story.”
“Beautifully illustrated artwork that is just a feast for the eyes.”
“At first I was a bit skeptical, as some of the artwork is a bit too clean for me personally.”
“Ok, the artwork for this game???”
“It's so rare for me to both like the CGs as well as the sprite artwork and design of games, but this really just???”
- music14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful and immersive soundtrack, which perfectly complements the medieval and Celtic themes. Players appreciate the engaging sound design and the option to listen to the music while playing, with many expressing a desire for a soundtrack DLC. Overall, the combination of delightful melodies and stunning sound effects enhances the gaming experience significantly.
“I would buy a soundtrack DLC for it if there was one, just so that I could have all of it there, without needing to unlock all of the tracks in the game myself. Though I truly appreciate the option of listening to them while being in the game itself; man, they're so lovely.”
“The art and design of the game is top-notch - this is absolutely one of the prettiest otomes I've ever played, indie or otherwise - and the music of the game was so delightful, I sometimes stopped reading to close my eyes and concentrate on the beautiful soundtrack.”
“Amazing sound effects with stunning classical instrumental background music like flutes, harps, and lutes setting the medieval atmosphere and making you feel totally immersed in Arion's world.”
“The soundtrack and overall sound design are lacking.”
“I would buy a soundtrack DLC for it if there was one, just so that I could have all of it there, without needing to unlock all of the tracks in the game myself.”
“The music is fitting to a medieval, Celtic story, but it doesn't stand out.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its well-crafted story paths, particularly the interactions and heartfelt moments between Marion and other characters, which are filled with engaging banter and depth.
“The story paths currently released so far (Robin and Will) are written so well, and I love the banter and heartfelt moments between Marion and all of the characters in this game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by memorable scenes, such as the "boooooks" moment, which resonates with players and elicits genuine laughter, showcasing clever writing and relatable situations.
“I loved the 'boooooks' scene; it was one of the moments that made me laugh because I knew I would have fallen for Will's bribe.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch! I found myself chuckling at the clever dialogue and unexpected situations.”
“Every character has a unique sense of humor that keeps the game light-hearted and entertaining throughout.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a minimalist interface with only three buttons: one for accessing the log and menu options, a help button for controls, and a skip button that indicates when players can fast-forward through previously seen text. This design promotes a streamlined experience while allowing players to navigate the narrative efficiently.
“The main gameplay screen is streamlined with just three buttons: one for the log and title menu options, a help button that lists all the game controls, and a skip button that indicates when you can fast-forward through previously seen text.”
“The controls are intuitive and easy to learn, making it accessible for both new players and veterans alike.”
“The gameplay mechanics are engaging and keep you invested in the story, with a seamless flow that enhances the overall experience.”
“The main gameplay screen is overly simplistic, featuring only three buttons: one for the log and title menu options, a help button for controls, and a skip button that indicates when you can fast-forward through previously seen text.”
“The limited interaction in the gameplay makes it feel more like reading a book than playing a game, as the options are minimal and the narrative often feels forced.”
“The gameplay lacks depth and variety, leading to a monotonous experience where players are left waiting for the next piece of text to appear.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts strong replayability, which is expected to improve further with the addition of new storylines.
“The game has great replayability, which will only increase with the addition of new storylines.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, making you want to dive back in for more.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that no two runs are the same, enhancing its replay value.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is highly praised for its amazing sound effects and stunning classical instrumental music, featuring flutes, harps, and lutes, which effectively create an immersive medieval experience in Arion's world.
“Amazing sound effects with stunning classical instrumental background music like flutes, harps, and lutes, setting the medieval atmosphere and making you feel totally immersed in Arion's world.”