Queen At Arms
- February 3, 2016
- Aqualuft Games
Queen At Arms is a good visual novel that addresses some ideas intelligently with a good story and characters.
Get on SteamWhen a young woman is forced to lead a mad king's army, can she do what it takes to survive? A genre-defying fantasy visual novel.
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Reviews
- The game features a well-told and concise story that effectively explores diverse and relevant topics.
- Character development is strong, with unique and interesting characters that feel real and grounded.
- The decision-making system is impactful, allowing players to engage meaningfully with the story and its outcomes.
- The game suffers from a lack of main character agency and grounding in its setting, leading to confusion about the world and its rules.
- The art style is criticized for being garish and caricature-like, detracting from the overall experience.
- The story is notably short, with many unresolved plot threads and a high price point that may not justify the content provided.
- story23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "Queen at Arms" is praised for its engaging writing and diverse characters, offering a rich narrative that explores significant themes without relying heavily on romance. However, it suffers from a lack of main character agency and unresolved plot threads, leading to a short overall experience, though multiple playthroughs can extend gameplay. While the storytelling is concise and impactful, some players feel the art style detracts from the overall quality.
“This is a story with a lot to say, and for the most part, it says it very well.”
“The decision system is made very well and has a good impact on the story.”
“Characters and story are the most important things to me in a visual novel, and this makes Queen at Arms one of my favorites.”
“However, despite interesting and diverse characters, relevant, important and simply good topics and overall great quality in storytelling, it is severely let down by a lack of main character agency, garish and caricature-styled art, and its price.”
“There are also multiple story ideas and threads that the game very boldly pulls up and then immediately drops completely unresolved.”
“The story is ridiculously short though I understand that there are choices.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics have been criticized for their poor art style, though some users note that the visuals, despite their shortcomings, complement the overall experience of the game. Additionally, the original soundtrack has received praise for being memorable and fitting, even if the graphics themselves are lacking.
“The art style is bad.”
“While the artwork and music aren't great, they work and help the game overall.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The original soundtrack of the game is notable for being both memorable and enjoyable, striking a balance that keeps it engaging without becoming overwhelming. While the overall art style may not be exceptional, the music contributes positively to the game's experience.
“The art style you can see from the screenshots, but particularly worth noting on a technical level is the original soundtrack - I've very rarely had game music a) get stuck in my head or b) get stuck in my head and not drive me batshit, but this manages both.”
“While the artwork and music aren't great, it works and helps the game overall.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is well-received, with no significant complaints noted, making it a recommended choice for those seeking an engaging visual novel experience.
“I don't have any complaints with the gameplay or with the story (so far), so I recommend this game to everyone who is looking for a good visual novel to read/play.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is highly praised, with players noting a compelling transformation from a shy and timid protagonist to a more confident and brave individual as the story progresses. This growth is seen as a standout feature, especially in contrast to the often static development of main characters in other games.
“The character development is amazing.”
“At first, you are this shy and timid person, but as you go deeper into the story, you slowly become more confident and brave. This is pretty cool because I feel that there is rarely any main character development, while the other characters slowly grow and become better versions of themselves.”
“The character development feels rushed and superficial. I expected a deeper exploration of their backgrounds and motivations, but it just doesn't deliver.”
“While some characters show growth, the main character remains stagnant for too long, making it hard to connect with their journey.”
