Mystic Destinies: Serendipity of Aeons
- February 11, 2016
- Aeon Dream Studios
- 34h median play time
"Mystic Destinies: Serendipity of Aeons" is a visual novel with an urban fantasy setting, where you play as Tsubasa Fujimoto, a university student who gains magical powers and must navigate new threats and challenges. The game features romance and a blend of dark and light themes, with a focus on fantasy elements. The full story of the character of your choice is available in their DLC, with the prologue and first three chapters of each character available for free.
Reviews
- The art style is beautiful and unique, setting it apart from typical visual novels.
- The storylines are engaging and well-written, with each character route offering a distinct narrative experience.
- The music enhances the atmosphere of the game, making it immersive and enjoyable.
- The game is misleadingly advertised as free to play, as most content is locked behind paid DLC.
- Some players find the main character's decisions and personality inconsistent or frustrating.
- There are complaints about grammatical errors and typos throughout the game, which can detract from the experience.
- story455 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as intriguing and well-developed, featuring multiple unique character routes that enhance the overall narrative experience. While many players appreciate the depth and emotional engagement of the storylines, some criticize the writing quality and pacing, particularly in how romance elements are integrated. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy rich storytelling and character development, despite the need for additional purchases to access all content.
“The storylines are amazing.”
“The story is very interesting and well written, the characters are very realistically complex, just loved every second of it!”
“The story is complex but well-structured; there are moments of confusion, which I believe is well intended because like Tsubasa, we are experiencing this world for the first time.”
“The story is okay and nothing special.”
“There are better visual novels out there both free to play and paid for which have a better written story.”
“It feels like if she were intelligent (like the way we're supposed to assume she is for being in college and heir to a company) then whoever wrote this game would have had to put more thought into the story than they clearly wanted to.”
- music151 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players expressing a strong desire for a soundtrack release. While most reviews highlight the music as a standout feature that complements the story and characters, a few critiques mention that some tracks can become repetitive or may not fit the mood perfectly in certain scenes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game's immersive experience.
“The soundtrack is amazing.”
“The music is excellent, and the art is pretty good - the normal game graphics and character designs are nice, the stand-alone CGs could use work, as some make character faces look weirdly proportioned.”
“The music fits the plot, characters, and is so darn cool~ of course that's Takumi approved.”
“My only critique is the music, which becomes boring after some loops.”
“The same music is just constantly in the background.”
“I see so many people complimenting the OST that I have to wonder if they were actually listening to the same music I was.”
- graphics80 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and unique art style, which stands out from typical visual novels. Many players appreciate the immersive atmosphere created by the beautiful artwork and music, although some note inconsistencies in character designs and background aesthetics. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its engaging storytelling and emotional depth.
“First of all, I commend the developers for its absolutely stunning artwork.”
“The graphics/artwork are gorgeous, and the storyline is creative, intriguing, and really well written!”
“It is very obvious that a lot of love and attention to detail was put into the visuals of this game, and the style is something new and refreshing.”
“The backgrounds were obviously stock and clashed horribly with the art style of the sprites.”
“While it’s not the traditional ‘anime’ art style that comes with many otome games, the artist should be congratulated highly for such a beautiful style that highlights and captures the story in amazing ways.”
“Tbh the artstyle threw me off at first because it was so different from what I'm used to seeing (really anime stuff, you know what I'm talking about) but it is so beautiful, the artwork.”
- emotional26 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unique and engaging character routes, which evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak. Players appreciate the depth of the characters and the story's ability to create genuine emotional connections, though some critique the writing as occasionally childish. Overall, the game is praised for its heartwarming and intense narrative, making it a compelling choice for those seeking an emotionally rich visual novel experience.
“Sweet, intense, and emotional...”
“The plot is amazing; it's all so heartwarming, heartbreaking, and full of swirling emotions to keep you on your toes.”
“It has a wonderful and emotional story along with beautiful artwork.”
“I was skeptical of this story at first as the art style was a bit strange to me, but after buying all routes and epilogues for each character, except for Takumi's epilogue, which I found the most dreary and boring, I fell in love with the game. However, the writing comes across as a bit childish, and the main character is annoyingly a damsel in distress on some routes, though thankfully she fights back on others.”
- character development16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and realism, with players appreciating the distinct growth of characters across different routes. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies, particularly in the heroine's abilities and certain character arcs that feel underdeveloped. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging storytelling and character design, appealing to those who enjoy rich narrative experiences.
“You can tell that a lot of thought and effort went into their character design.”
“Plot: I loved how each route you took was completely different in regards to pacing and character development, yet they all occurred within the same functioning universe.”
“The character development is deep and realistic.”
“Her character development is somewhere between nonexistent and shoddy at best.”
“(unless you are going for bad endings, then prepare to see some unhealthy character development, haha!)”
“The music was great, the visuals were great, the story and writing were enthralling, but the character designs of the love interests were pretty unappealing.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful mix of unintentional hilarity and intentional comedic moments, often providing a refreshing contrast to typical narrative tropes. Players appreciate the funny interactions between characters, particularly in Shinji's path, and the clever use of sound effects that enhance the comedic experience. Overall, the humor is seen as a strong point, adding sweetness and charm to the storytelling.
“The stories are funny, lovable, and unique and mysterious all in one.”
“I also loved the relationship between Shinji and Tatsuya, which made me laugh more than once, and how choosing one storyline didn't stop the main character from developing friendships with the other characters.”
“It made me laugh and grin like an idiot, and I look forward to the next route.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its length and depth, offering a satisfying experience with multiple story routes and endings that enhance replayability. While the initial chapters are free, players must pay for additional content, which some find reasonable given the overall value and quality of the game. The visuals and music also contribute positively to the gameplay experience.
“Some of the stories have a few holes, but overall a very long and satisfying gameplay.”
“Even had I spent the full amount for each DLC—which I did not—that would have been $26 for 29 hours of gameplay, and I haven't even fully completed every route; there are 3 main endings—mystic, passionate, and dark—for each route plus some bad endings along the way, so the replayability is very good.”
“I'm very happy with the price - €5 for 7 hours of gameplay in an otome game is an extremely fair price.”
“This was awesome and had a cool in-depth story; however, it is not free to play. You only get the first three chapters (about an hour or so of story time/gameplay) before it costs $4.99 (USD) for each person's storyline.”
“It isn't completely free; only a preview of the actual gameplay.”
“So, if someone puts a video online of the 'gameplay'... it pretty much spoils everything.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the lack of engaging content and the passive role of the main character in certain sequences. The writing fails to maintain interest, making the experience feel laborious and unfulfilling.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The Hikaru routes alternate between tedious filler content where nothing happens to nonsensical, laborious action sequences where the main character is just a passive bystander.”
“It is boring, tedious, and in the free version, you only play the first chapter out of 12 and are presented with two choices.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for being misleading, as it is marketed as "free to play" while requiring additional DLC purchases to access essential content, leading many players to feel that the game functions more like a demo. While some appreciate the opportunity to try the game before committing to purchases, the overall sentiment is that the in-app purchases detract from the experience and are poorly marketed.
“Most people who have played this wonderfully detailed, amazingly scripted visual novel say, 'It's basically a demo because of the in-game purchases in order to continue the story.' To me, it's nothing like a demo; at least the game is free, and you get to play for a while to see if you're really interested in buying the DLC to continue.”
“I might watch to see if this game ever goes on sale for Steam winter or summer, but I'm not a fan of the practice of advertising a game as free to play and then requiring DLC purchases of what should essentially be base content.”
“Most people who have played this wonderfully detailed, amazingly scripted visual novel say, 'it's basically a demo because of the in-game purchases in order to continue the story.' To me, it's nothing like a demo; at least the game is free and you get to play a while to see if you're really interested in buying the DLC to continue.”
“I don't mind paying for a game, but advertising this as a 'free to play' when it's actually more like a demo and then listing the actual game as DLC is just bad marketing.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning artwork and phenomenal music, which together create an immersive and enchanting experience. Reviewers appreciate how these elements enhance the overall enjoyment of the game, particularly within the otome genre.
“I completely love the art and the atmosphere of the game; it's just overall amazing when it comes to otomes.”
“The artwork and music create a lovely immersive atmosphere.”
“The music in this game was phenomenal; it really helped set up the atmosphere of the game.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers excellent replayability due to its multiple distinct routes, with three main endings and various bad endings for each character, encouraging players to explore different storylines. Unlike typical PC otomes that feature minor variations, this game provides a unique experience for each character, enhancing the overall replay value.
“Even had I spent the full amount for each DLC—which I did not—that would have been $26 for 29 hours of gameplay, and I haven't even fully completed every route; there are 3 main endings—mystic, passionate, and dark—for each route plus some bad endings along the way, so the replayability is very good.”
“It's a little different from most PC otomes, where the story is usually the same minus small scenes with your chosen guy; it's more like tablet/phone otomes in that each guy has a completely, 100% different route, which makes for so much more replayability.”
“The game lacks significant differences in storylines, making it feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there isn't much incentive to replay, as the choices don't lead to vastly different outcomes.”
“While the characters are interesting, the overall plot doesn't change enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its smooth performance and ease of play, indicating effective optimization. Additionally, the beautiful soundtrack enhances the overall experience.
“The game runs smoothly and is easy to play, making for a seamless experience.”
“The optimization is impressive, allowing for a beautiful soundtrack without any performance issues.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it maintains high performance even during intense moments.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have reported stability issues, specifically noting that Tatsuya's epilogue dialogue experiences freezing or lagging for one chapter.
“Tatsuya's epilogue dialogue freezes or lags for one chapter.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced multiple instances of the game freezing during key moments.”