Over The Hills And Far Away

About

"Over The Hills And Far Away" is a visual novel set during the War of 1812, where a wounded British soldier, William Aubrey, finds himself sheltering in a barn with a Shawnee girl named Mai. The game features a full-length story, beautiful artwork, and an original orchestral soundtrack, allowing players to experience the colonial-era world of the Northwest Territory.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 167 reviews

story87 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features a unique setting during the War of 1812, providing an interesting perspective on North American history and Native American culture.
The story is emotionally engaging, with well-defined characters that evoke strong feelings, leading to a bittersweet and impactful ending.
The visuals and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the narrative.

The game is quite short, typically taking only 2-3 hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more content.
There are no choices or branching paths, making it a linear experience that some players may find limiting or less interactive.
Character development feels rushed at times, which can detract from the emotional depth of the story.

story
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
1%
The story is a poignant and emotional journey set against the backdrop of the War of 1812, focusing on the relationship between a British deserter and a young Shawnee girl. While some find the narrative predictable and the pacing slow, many praise its depth, character development, and the way it tackles themes of love, trust, and survival in a harsh world. Despite its short length and lack of interactivity, the beautifully crafted story, accompanied by fitting visuals and music, leaves a lasting impact on players.
- “A subtle, slowly advancing story about two seemingly very different people trying to forge a worthwhile future for themselves, and find a way through scorched, pillaged and blood-soaked lands and predicaments that care for no souls, living or dead.”
- “The story was beautifully well crafted; I was initially disappointed that there were no options to choose from, however, I believe that would have ruined the story.”
- “What this game (or rather 'experience') does offer is a nice story that will distract from whatever thoughts or worries you may be preoccupied with in the present, and transport you to another world, in the backdrop of the war of 1812.”
- “Sometimes you get to the end of a story and think - what was the point?”
- “The story is not only short (under 5 hours) but incredibly stereotyped and telegraphed in its ending.”
- “The half-baked and poorly delivered plot buildup, to the main character's friend's psychotic break and unrealistic development only destroyed whatever feeling I was meant to feel when the forced death scene came around.”
music
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
31%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its stunning orchestral compositions that enhance the emotional depth of the story. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack is beautifully crafted, fitting seamlessly with the visuals and narrative, creating an immersive experience. While some found certain musical styles less appealing, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making it worth purchasing separately.
- “The music fits perfectly well to give the appropriate mood for each scene.”
- “The music is a beautiful orchestral masterpiece.”
- “Another particularly strong point is the music which is well composed and blends well with the intentions of the scenes and artworks.”
- “Not my type of music in there, but somehow I've been surviving through it so far, and I've got all the metalcore I want to stuff my ears with when I'm not sitting here reading visual novels.”
- “I missed the music... as most of what I have is bleak and depressing, I didn't feel the experience was impacted by its lack.”
- “Buy the soundtrack instead, which I believe has better value.”
graphics
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
40%
6%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, which features rich, hand-drawn visuals that effectively convey character emotions and settings. While the artwork is consistently high-quality, some players noted the limited number of scenes and backgrounds, which can be disappointing given the game's short length. Overall, the visuals are described as vibrant and immersive, complementing the narrative and enhancing the overall experience.
- “The graphic is beautiful - the backgrounds are truly well-made and a lot of detail was put into every scene.”
- “Fantastic artwork that portrays the characters well, and the characters are developed to be really realistic.”
- “The artwork is simply beautiful and the story proceeds slowly, unraveling the motivations behind the characters.”
- “The visuals of the game consist of a handful (probably less than ten altogether) background images that accompany the text, with characters superimposed on them when the story calls for it - there isn't much more to it than what you can see in the preview.”
- “Not a lot of scenes and artwork.”
- “Short story with minor character development and repeated graphics.”
emotional
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears, through its heartfelt storytelling and character development. Reviewers describe the narrative as both beautiful and heartbreaking, often highlighting its exploration of themes like love, loss, and the impact of war, particularly on marginalized groups. Despite its short length, the game delivers a powerful emotional experience that resonates deeply with players.
- “This game made me cry so bad when I finished it.”
- “It's short but it's also hauntingly beautiful and incredibly heartbreaking.”
- “It's an emotionally intense story that asks some serious questions of the reader.”
character development
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
27%
Character development in the game received mixed reviews, with some players noting it felt rushed and limited due to the brief narrative and lack of player choices. However, others appreciated the depth of relationships, particularly between key characters, and praised the art and design that complemented the character concepts. Overall, while the character development was engaging for some, many felt it was insufficient given the game's length and price.
- “The detailed backgrounds were beautiful, and I liked the character designs and concepts.”
- “A good visual novel with a decent plot, great art, and engaging character development, although shorter than I would like for the price.”
- “Character development was key in building the relationship between Aubrey and Mai as two opposites knowing they need to work together in order to survive.”
- “The narrative was brief, which limited character development, and there were no choices to make throughout the game.”
- “Character development felt somewhat rushed, but it conveys what it needs to by the end of the novel.”
- “For $13, it is a bit on the short side of a story with no real character development.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The gameplay aspect of the game is primarily characterized as a visual novel with minimal interactivity, leading to disappointment for those expecting traditional gameplay elements or choices. While some users appreciate the storytelling, the lack of innovative mechanics and actual gameplay has resulted in lower ratings and comparisons to more engaging titles in the genre. Overall, it is recommended for fans of narrative-driven experiences rather than those seeking interactive gameplay.
- “Gameplay: 7/10”
- “But this is a game, so I have to weigh this review by its gameplay qualities.”
- “The gameplay, however, only uses the War of 1812 as a backdrop and instead focuses on a story of human interaction.”
- “This is a kinetic novel, so if you're expecting any gameplay or choice, look elsewhere.”
- “The game is a visual novel and being as there are no choices to be made, there is little in terms of gameplay here.”
- “I kept waiting for gameplay to start, but there isn't gameplay, it's just a true visual novel -- which I could be totally okay with if not for the issues I mentioned above.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as both charming and effective, with many players appreciating the clever details and character interactions that evoke genuine laughter. While some found the story predictable, it still managed to deliver a mix of funny and touching moments, particularly through the protagonist's endearing quirks. Overall, the humor is seen as a strong point that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.
- “Still, I recommend this for those willing to read a little tale that is funny, yet tragic.”
- “Very touching, funny, and emotional story.”
- “Though I felt the story was somewhat predictable, it was immensely enjoyable, and I found myself smiling, admiring, and laughing very often at the little details and foibles that were lovingly woven into it.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its powerful and immersive quality throughout the story. The atmospheric soundtrack and sound effects significantly enhance the experience, creating a captivating environment that complements the narrative effectively. Overall, the combination of music and sound design contributes to a rich and engaging atmosphere, setting it apart from other kinetic novels.
- “The atmosphere totally grabbed me all through the story.”
- “The atmospheric soundtrack and sound effects properly accompany each scene.”
- “No narrative, but amazing music and sound effects that add to the gorgeous atmosphere.”
- “The music and sound effects really add to the atmosphere, and the writing is reasonably solid.”
- “The sound effects are also pretty well done; they create a continuous atmosphere more than many other kinetic novels.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game's voice performance has been criticized for its poor execution, with users noting that the female voice actor seems to lack a clear understanding of English pronunciation, resulting in a confusing and disjointed experience.
- “The optimization in this game is a complete disaster, with frequent frame drops and stuttering that ruin the experience.”
- “I can't believe how poorly optimized this game is; it crashes constantly and takes forever to load.”
- “The game feels sluggish and unresponsive, making it clear that optimization was not a priority during development.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is perceived as having low replayability due to its linear structure, which offers a one-time experience without incentives for revisiting.
- “It's a linear, one-time experience, so there's no replay value.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of branching paths and choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”