Pale Spectrum - Part Two of the Book of Gray Magic
- September 28, 2017
- Ithaqua Labs
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Pale Spectrum" is the second part of the "Book of Gray Magic," serving as a standalone sequel to "Brilliant Shadows." The game follows the misfit mages of the Ryuusian Royal Cabal as they navigate political intrigue, magical challenges, and personal relationships. With a mad demigod threatening Celeste and an arcane foe from fabled lands, the cabal prepares for a climactic battle. This narrative-driven RPG offers a rich, magical world filled with necromancers, paladins, witches, and changelings.
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Reviews
- The game features excellent writing and character development, expanding on the unique lore established in the first installment.
- The artwork and voice acting are beautiful, enhancing the overall experience and immersion in the story.
- There are multiple endings and choices that significantly impact the narrative, providing a rich replay value.
- The pacing is inconsistent, with frequent jumps between characters and plot points that can leave players feeling disoriented.
- There are too many characters introduced, some of whom feel underdeveloped or unnecessary, detracting from the main story.
- The plot lacks focus, with several ideas and conflicts that are not adequately explored, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion.
- story77 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its lack of focus and coherence, as it juggles too many characters and plotlines, leading to a disjointed experience. While some appreciated the unique world-building and character development, others found the pacing erratic and the conflicts underwhelming, resulting in an unsatisfying conclusion. Overall, while the narrative offers potential with branching paths and engaging elements, it struggles to deliver a cohesive and impactful story.
“I had so much fun with the story and making decisions for the different characters.”
“A truly unique visual story that continues on the story elements that were built up from the previous installment.”
“Lots of twists and turns, plenty of surprises, and frankly the story went in directions I never would have guessed, but that just made it all the more enjoyable to experience.”
“Plotlines go seemingly nowhere, characters are brought back to do essentially nothing, there's an unjustifiable surplus of new characters who do not add anything to the story, and the pacing is jumpier than an anxiety-riddled frog during an earthquake.”
“The story has no focus and no true driving conflict - any antagonist is quickly dealt with and seems to be an afterthought.”
“There were too many characters that needed to be spotlighted, plot points, and attempts to intrigue and create mystery that the game was left feeling very unfocused.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its well-written jokes that effectively lighten the mood during heavier plot moments, contributing to character development and overall enjoyment. While the game maintains a serious tone, it successfully incorporates humor that appeals to many players, though some may prefer a more serious experience. Overall, the humor enhances the game's charm and entertainment value.
“And, of course, the humor is still great and made me laugh a lot.”
“The game has a lot of well-written jokes that help break up the periods of heavier plot.”
“While this game is serious, there is still a lot of humor thrown in.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, with many reviewers noting its improvement over the first installment, particularly enjoying the folk-like tunes and recurring themes. The combination of music, voice acting, and writing creates a beautiful experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the visual novel. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, successfully building on the foundation laid by the previous game.
“The music, voice acting, and writing are beautiful and come together to make a great visual novel.”
“I really liked the recurring music themes from the first game.”
“Music is as good as in the first part and even better – I always enjoy folk-like tunes, so in my humble opinion, the one in the main menu is superb!”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their lovely artwork and great voice acting, contributing to an enjoyable visual experience. However, some users noted inconsistencies, with a few graphics appearing sketch-like, which may confuse players regarding the creative direction. Overall, the visuals are considered excellent, despite minor oddities.
“Lovely artwork.”
“Great voice acting, great artwork.”
“Graphics in general are very nice, although there are one or two odd ones.”
“Some graphics look like sketches, and while this makes sense in most cases (quick-paced scenes, inserts, etc.), in some instances it doesn't make any sense to me.”
“I'm not sure if it's a creative direction I don't quite understand or if some prerelease graphics were left in by accident.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, with many reviewers noting that it enhances the overall storytelling experience. While some feel the first installment in the series offers stronger character arcs, the sequel, "Pale Spectrum," still delivers engaging and emotionally resonant character growth, complemented by impressive art.
“Great writing and character development.”
“While I do think the first in the series is much stronger in terms of storytelling and overall character development, Pale Spectrum is still a fantastic addition that I had incredible fun with and feelings for.”
“I was not expecting such depth or breadth of plot and character developments.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game offers extensive gameplay, with many enjoying well over the average playtime of 3.8 hours, indicating a rich and engaging experience.
“This game offers hours of engaging gameplay; I've logged well over 3.8 hours, primarily on another account.”
“The gameplay is incredibly immersive and keeps you coming back for more.”
“I love how the gameplay mechanics are intuitive yet challenging, making every session enjoyable.”
