Maelstrom: A Yaoi Visual Novel
- April 7, 2021
- Y Press Games
"Maelstrom: A Yaoi Visual Novel" follows Demetri, a disgraced soldier exiled to the womanless planet Secren. Here, he must find a strong mate for protection against the larger, aggressive inhabitants. As a heterosexual Italian-American, Demetri struggles with this arranged bond, forming the basis of this yaoi visual novel.
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Reviews
- The artwork is beautiful and well-done, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- The story features engaging world-building and character development, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- The game respects consent and provides options to opt out of graphic content, which is a thoughtful approach for players.
- The treatment of the protagonist's sexuality is often manipulative and uncomfortable, with characters pressuring him into relationships.
- Many choices in the game feel inconsequential, leading to a lack of meaningful player agency.
- The game is misleadingly marketed as a yaoi title, with minimal explicit content and a focus on implied rather than explicit romantic interactions.
- story43 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its world-building, character depth, and engaging narrative, while others criticize it for lacking coherence, having plot holes, and underdeveloped romance. Many reviewers feel that the story had potential but ultimately fell short due to rushed pacing and manipulative themes. Overall, while the artwork and voice acting are highlighted as strong points, the storytelling itself is seen as inconsistent and in need of refinement.
“Bought this for the art and romance and was surprised by how good the world-building is in this story.”
“The artwork's beautiful and I enjoyed the story and characters.”
“Few other visual novels compare to the kind of storytelling we got here, not to mention this is a visual retelling of a book series which got me interested in reading the actual stories themselves.”
“This story had potential, but it sort of just flops.”
“The story/choices are lackluster, and the romance/intimacy moments are disappointing and even a bit boring.”
“There are a lot of plot holes and inconsistencies that make no sense in the context of the setting.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and quality, enhancing the storytelling and character experience. While players can opt out of certain graphic content without losing gameplay, the overall visual presentation is considered important, though some users feel it may not be essential to the game's enjoyment. The artwork is described as stunning, contributing positively to the game's appeal, despite some reservations about recommending it due to mild adult themes.
“The artwork is beautiful, and I enjoyed the story and characters.”
“They have great artwork, amazing voice actors, and some of the best storytelling you can hope for in romance games with an adult focus.”
“I really liked the characters, and the artwork is beautiful.”
“I would have rated the story 16 and up and the visuals 12 and up.”
“It has some really pretty artwork, but I am not comfortable recommending this game to others.”
“Graphics don't matter in this game.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing, with some players identifying with the protagonist's discomfort in sexual situations and the manipulation they face. While the narrative attempts to explore themes of consent and emotional coercion, many feel it falls short, lacking the depth and heartwarming potential that could have made the story more impactful. The use of gaslighting and emotional ultimatums in relationships raises concerns about the portrayal of consent and healthy dynamics.
“There was real potential here to do this a better way and make a so-so story really stand out, and also maybe even make it heartwarming and meaningful.”
“While I get that the pairings need some external motivational stimulus as the protagonist is very opposed to same-sex relationships, I am not comfortable with how the AI inside his brain and your chosen love interest just gaslights and emotionally manipulates you with ultimatums to 'convince' you to enter the relationships.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for being reused from a previous title by the same team, which detracts from its originality. Additionally, many tracks are described as being out of tune, leading some players to recommend turning off the music for a more enjoyable experience.
“The music in this game is a captivating blend that enhances the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, making every moment feel more immersive.”
“I appreciate how the music evolves throughout the game, adding depth to the storytelling.”
“First, I've played Gods of Love, you know, the first game done by this same team. Even some completely free, lazy indie game teams won't reuse illustrations and music from their other games, so obviously!”
“Second, most of the music is completely out of tune (probably because they weren't meant for this game at first). I recommend shutting them off for a better experience.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable, others feel that once all routes are completed, there is little incentive to play again.
“🔲 infinitely replayable”
“There's no particular replay value to me; I played all the routes and I'm done.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its uniqueness across different routes, with the main character's struggles in relationships being relatable and well-executed. However, some reviewers express discomfort with the portrayal of forced relationships, suggesting that it detracts from the authenticity of the character's journey of self-discovery regarding sexuality.
“However, each route is unique and the character development is spot on.”
“Yes, the main character struggles with being in a relationship with guys, but his character development makes sense.”
“I would have been okay with the character development of dealing with internalized homophobia or coming to terms with bisexuality, or any other form of self-discovery of sexuality, but the whole prodding and shoving someone into a relationship that they are clearly uncomfortable with made, and still makes me really uncomfortable.”
“I would've been okay with the character development of dealing with internalized homophobia or coming to terms with bisexuality, or any other form of self-discovery of sexuality or the lack thereof, but the whole prodding and shoving someone into a relationship that they are clearly uncomfortable with made, and still makes me really uncomfortable.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively balances humor with darker themes, featuring amusing interactions with love interests and a comedic AI character that lightens the mood amidst serious dialogue. Players appreciate the funny moments that provide relief from the more somber aspects of the narrative.
“I also love how he interacts with each love interest; it adds nice humor to the game.”
“I highly recommend this game; there are lots of funny moments to balance out the really bad ones.”
“The game balances its rather depressing dialogue about the miners being treated as expendable slaves with its humorous version of Navi in the form of Brainbox, the AI who basically represents every BL shipper in existence.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game's art is praised for its beauty, players have reported encountering several glitches that affect the overall stability of the experience.
“The art is beautiful; however, there are a few glitches with the art in the game.”
