Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk

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In "Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk" , a child born with a witch's mark in a clan-divided town discovers a stolen relic, leading to shocking revelations. As you navigate the main scenario, unlock side stories and interact with characters, shaping events through conversation choices and determining your own ending in this visual novel adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 252 reviews

story158 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

The game features a strong-willed and well-developed heroine, Jed, who actively participates in the story.
The story is rich with plot twists and emotional depth, making it engaging and memorable.
The art and voice acting are beautiful, enhancing the overall experience of the game.

The pacing can be slow, especially in the early chapters, which may feel tedious to some players.
There is minimal romance compared to typical otome games, which may disappoint players looking for a more romantic experience.
The game has some technical issues, including bugs that affect achievements and occasional crashes.

story
500 mentions
32 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk" is praised for its depth, engaging plot twists, and well-developed characters, making it a standout visual novel. While the narrative is rich and complex, some players noted that the pacing can be slow, and the romance elements may feel underwhelming or disconnected from the main storyline. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate intricate storytelling and character-driven plots, despite some criticisms regarding the integration of romantic arcs.
- “The characters are so nicely written and it's a genuinely interesting story.”
- “This is beyond a doubt the best written story for an otome game I have had the experience of playing.”
- “The story is beautiful and the character development is really well written.”
- “The characters didn't have a lot of impact even with the backstory or a very long, dragging chapter for introduction.”
- “It was so mind numbing clicking onto short stories (many of which dragged on), then onto townspeople for one line of dialogue, then back again to the map where the music restarts, then back again to another short story or townspeople dialogue, rinse repeat, rinse repeat.”
- “When there are important, impactful events, the story is on rails and the protagonist is going to do whatever the game devs decided she should do, and that really takes you out of the experience.”
music
64 mentions
66 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its emotional depth and beautiful compositions, particularly the opening and ending themes, as well as the folklore-inspired tracks. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive, with a limited number of music tracks. Overall, the art and music are frequently highlighted as standout features that enhance the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
- “It's a pleasant surprise and an emotional roller-coaster ride accompanied by beautiful graphics and music.”
- “I loved the folklore sounding music; I would find myself humming the different tunes in my sleep.”
- “Oh, and this is one of the best soundtracks that I have ever heard for a visual novel, and the art is just gorgeous.”
- “The music is banal and repetitive.”
- “It was so mind numbing clicking onto short stories (many of which dragged on), then onto townspeople for one line of dialogue, then back again to the map where the music restarts, then back again to another short story or townspeople dialogue, rinse and repeat.”
- “Good amount of CGs which aren't too shabby, not a lot of different music tracks though.”
emotional
36 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players describing it as a bittersweet journey that evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears. The characters are noted for their depth and relatability, contributing to a compelling narrative filled with unexpected twists and heartfelt moments. While some found the gameplay mechanics less immersive, the overall storytelling and emotional resonance left a lasting impact, making it a memorable experience.
- “Quite a bittersweet visual novel otome game; it was hilarious, beautiful, and heartbreaking.”
- “It's a pleasant surprise and an emotional roller-coaster ride accompanied by beautiful graphics and music.”
- “It is heartwarming at times and can also be very sad, but it is incredibly well written; it gets you hooked and you just can't stop.”
gameplay
26 mentions
23 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Gameplay is primarily focused on worldbuilding, with mechanics that involve collecting 'memories' and navigating through nodes on a map, which some players found disconnected from the main story. While the ability to switch between male and female outfits is a unique feature, its implementation felt lacking to some. Overall, the game is engaging enough to keep players invested in the narrative, despite initial criticisms regarding choice and immersion.
- “It's the kind of game where you just keep playing because you can't wait to see what happens next and you're genuinely enjoying every minute of gameplay.”
- “I really like the art style, story, characters, and the interesting mechanic of switching between acting as a boy or girl.”
- “The mechanics of gathering the townspeople's thoughts and the short episodes is the real heart of the visual novel.”
- “Now to the stuff that's a bit of a con: the 'mechanics' this time around (compared to the black butterfly one) is collecting 'memories' which is just a bunch of menu clicking.”
- “- The first 5 hours of gameplay have 0 choices and it's more like a novel you get through.”
- “On the gameplay side, I personally didn't enjoy having to go through every node on the map; it made me feel like I was disconnected and less immersed in the main story.”
grinding
20 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is characterized by a slow and tedious start, particularly in the first three chapters, where players must navigate through repetitive dialogue and map interactions for an extended period. While some find this initial grind frustrating, many agree that it becomes worthwhile as the story picks up pace and offers a more engaging experience later on. Players have noted that the grind can be bypassed if they are not focused on completing all achievements, making it a mixed experience overall.
- “They stretch the first three chapters into a 12 hours tedious reading time without any major event or any choice that matters.”
- “The grindiness I mentioned earlier is really annoying at first, but once you've done it, you've done it and won't have to ever again.”
- “And the sound effects seem to be ear-splittingly loud no matter how low you turn them down, making the tedious act of speaking to every single villager even worse.”
graphics
16 mentions
88 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning and high-quality artwork, particularly highlighting the contributions of artist Satoru Yuiga. Reviewers appreciate the emotional depth conveyed through the visuals, as well as the engaging art style that complements the story and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the graphics are described as beautiful and immersive, enhancing the overall experience.
- “It's a pleasant surprise and an emotional roller-coaster ride accompanied by beautiful graphics and music.”
- “Gorgeous, high-quality artworks from Satoru Yuiga.”
- “I really like the art style, story, characters, and the interesting mechanic of switching between acting as a boy or girl.”
character development
12 mentions
50 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and well-written narrative, contributing significantly to the overall story. However, some reviewers express disappointment over numerous unexplored story points and character arcs. While the character designs and animations are generally appreciated, there are mixed feelings about the quality of the CGs, which some find rushed or poorly executed.
- “The story is beautiful and the character development is really well written.”
- “The character design is beautiful and the animations are really extensive for what you'd expect in a visual novel, with many different expressions and some interesting use of camera and sprite movement to convey action and emotion.”
- “I'm disappointed at how we have so many story points and possible character developments left unexplored.”
- “Their character designs look very similar to the ones in the first one - the two moles under Hikage's eye and Natsu's kind, droopy eyes and wavy hair.”
atmosphere
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its depth and evolution, starting with a melodramatic and light tone before shifting to a more complex and engaging experience. The town setting significantly enhances the overall ambiance, complemented by well-executed story, art, and music that contribute to a compelling emotional landscape. Reviewers note that the characters feel more human and relatable, adding to the richness of the atmosphere.
- “The town itself is a great part of this game and the atmosphere.”
- “It stays within the confines of its genre while also managing to create a compelling atmosphere around its characters that, this time around, are also more human, and present a better variety of emotional responses.”
- “That was a heavy journey to say the least; it started like I expected with the melodrama and fluffy atmosphere, and then I just got bored as the genre shifts.”
- “First off, the atmosphere at first seems very, very different from POBB's.”
- “The story, art, atmosphere, music, characters, and everything were done very well, which you wouldn't often see in otome.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of humor that is both lighthearted and bittersweet, with entertaining banter between characters like Ashen Hawk and Levi serving as standout moments. The comedic elements are woven into the narrative, enhancing the daily life and relationships depicted in the story, making it a delightful experience amidst its more serious themes.
- “It starts lighthearted, with people preparing for a big festival. It showcases a bit of daily life, relationships between characters, and includes some funny and cute moments.”
- “Ashen Hawk is a father figure, and their banter is the most entertaining and funny aspect of the game.”
- “Her hilarious back-and-forth with Levi is another highlight.”