Salome's Kiss
- April 26, 2022
- ebi-hime
Get on Steam"Salome's Kiss" is a narrative-driven otome visual novel set in a mystical Art Nouveau city. You play as the protagonist, caught between the affections of four enigmatic men, while uncovering the secrets of a sinister cult. The game features beautiful hand-drawn art and multiple endings determined by your choices.
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Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the gothic atmosphere.
- The writing is engaging and well-crafted, successfully capturing the complexities of a tragic love story.
- The characters are well-developed, and the emotional depth of the narrative leaves a lasting impact on the player.
- The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying, undermining the slow buildup of the story and leaving players feeling hollow.
- The plot twist, while shocking, is seen as contrived and lacking proper foreshadowing, leading to disappointment for some players.
- The game is linear with no choices, which may not appeal to those looking for interactive gameplay or multiple endings.
- story60 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Salome's Kiss" is a deeply engaging and emotionally charged gothic romance that explores themes of forbidden love and tragic outcomes, often leaving players feeling both captivated and traumatized. While the writing is praised for its elegance and the characters are well-developed, the ending has drawn mixed reactions, with some finding it rushed or unsatisfying, yet others appreciating its unexpected and bleak conclusion. Overall, the narrative is described as a compelling experience that challenges players to engage with its darker themes and complex character dynamics.
“Even if it left me feeling somewhat traumatized, I really do appreciate how well this captures the sensibilities of the gothic genre - the sordid power dynamics, the buried secrets, the yearning - it makes where the story ends up feel justified.”
“The writing style and the atmosphere set up via excellent soundtrack and visuals were exceptional and elevated the overall delivery of the story.”
“Suffering... that's the word which comes to mind when thinking about Salome's Kiss, but in a good way... in a way where you got hooked in by the amazing writing of this emotional experience, caused by this great and unique art, the fascinating characters combined with the fitting music and this incredible story, which lets you rethink your own relationships and your status in human society.”
“The ending felt rushed compared to the slow buildup of the rest of the story (and I mean slow, the prologue especially could be its own game).”
“A very unfortunate ending did leave a lingering disappointment though, but a tragic conclusion was expected from this style of story, but the actual end was highly unexpected, bitter, sad, and unsatisfying.”
“After yanking us around with a story of Jenny's father raping maids and floundering around with a whole bunch of very laborious text, we get to the end, in which it is set up that dear old dad may want his daughter sexually.”
- music14 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its chill, relaxing quality and its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as exceptional, fitting seamlessly with the visuals and narrative, and contributing significantly to the emotional depth of the experience. Overall, the combination of beautiful music and art is noted as a standout feature that elevates the game's impact.
“The writing style and the atmosphere setup via excellent soundtrack and visuals were exceptional and elevated the overall delivery of the story.”
“I quite enjoyed Salome's Kiss; the music is very nice (particularly the title music), the sprites and CG are all done well.”
“To put things simply, everything sticks together here: the graphics are well done, beautiful even, the music is soft and delicate, and all of this combined serves the game's settings of an old Victorian England.”
“The music is very fitting as well.”
“As for the soundtrack?”
- graphics13 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning beauty and elegance, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional artwork and character design. The visuals, combined with a relaxing soundtrack, create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience. Additionally, players recommend installing the adult patch for uncensored visuals, which further elevates the overall presentation.
“The writing style and the atmosphere setup via excellent soundtrack and visuals were exceptional and elevated the overall delivery of the story.”
“Absolutely beautiful characters and artwork.”
“The art style is simply stunning and I'm sure will be the main draw for many.”
“The graphics are underwhelming and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“The visual style feels outdated and doesn't match the quality of the gameplay.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack any real depth or personality.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, evoking a range of feelings from heartbreak to solace, as players become invested in the characters' journeys. The writing is praised for its ability to engage and resonate, prompting reflections on personal relationships and societal status, while the overall experience is described as a blend of suffering and beauty that leaves a lasting impression. Despite some dissatisfaction with the resolution, the emotional depth and connection fostered throughout the narrative are highlighted as standout features.
“I love it so much, but wow, it's so heartbreaking.”
“The progression of their relationship was touching despite its initial predictability, seemingly finding in each other solace from the isolating loneliness of a remote country estate.”
“Suffering... that's the word that comes to mind when thinking about Salome's Kiss, but in a good way... in a way where you get hooked by the amazing writing of this emotional experience, caused by this great and unique art, the fascinating characters combined with the fitting music and this incredible story, which lets you rethink your own relationships and your status in human society... suffering... there it is again... because of this masterpiece... and you want to read it again... feel it again... suffering...”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its exceptional writing, soundtrack, and visuals, which effectively immerse players in the story. The slow buildup of detailed descriptions enhances the mystery surrounding the protagonist's new environment, while the captivating character design and masterfully drawn CGs contribute to a rich and engaging experience.
“The writing style and the atmosphere set up via excellent soundtrack and visuals were exceptional and elevated the overall delivery of the story.”
“Starting off slow with detailed descriptions to set up the atmosphere, while traveling between her former working environment and the new, it eventually pulls you into the mystery with various rumors concerning what will become our protagonist's new home and the moors surrounding it.”
“The kind of atmosphere that ebi-hime brought to life this time really took me by surprise, not how it manages to captivate you and makes you feel more into it.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the character design is initially unconventional, it ultimately impresses with masterful artistry and atmospheric qualities, contributing positively to the overall character development experience.
“The character design takes a bit to get used to, but the CGs are masterfully drawn and very atmospheric.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews suggest that the monetization strategy of the game is likened to the negative impact of drug use, implying that it detracts from the overall experience and enjoyment, much like the damaging effects portrayed in anti-drug advertisements.
