Sigh of the Abyss
- October 11, 2024
- Rascal Devworks
Get on SteamStep into the splendor of a Renaissance port city in Sigh of the Abyss, a dark fantasy visual novel with a customizable protagonist, a choice-heavy narrative and optional, inclusive romances. As the Envoy, you are the product of a bloody ritual—mortal in appearance, yet imbued with the monstrous powers of the Abyss. The men and women that sacrificed their life for yours guide you with their whi…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a captivating story with complex characters and meaningful choices that significantly impact the narrative.
- The art style is stunning, with beautifully hand-painted visuals and an immersive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- There is a high replay value due to the branching paths and multiple endings, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.
- The ending choices can feel rigid and may not reflect the player's journey or character development throughout the game.
- Some players experienced bugs and issues, although the developers were responsive in addressing them.
- The depth of friendships may not match that of the romantic relationships, leaving some players wanting more character development in non-romantic routes.
- story32 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its captivating narrative, rich character development, and beautiful artwork, creating an immersive experience for players. Many reviewers appreciate the meaningful choices that influence the plot and character relationships, although some express frustration with certain linear aspects and pacing issues. Overall, the storytelling is considered high-quality, engaging, and filled with depth, despite some critiques regarding world-building and narrative clarity.
“The story gripped me from the first moment and did not let go.”
“The story and lore are well-written and have a lot of depth.”
“Great story with lovable characters and choices that feel meaningful.”
“That's not even to mention how either buggy, or worse, poorly thought out, the ending currently seems to be, with the big revelation about the identity of the warden happening seemingly offscreen, or how a major character is just automatically written out of the story off-screen because they disagree with the protagonist's choice - like, babe, so do I, but it was literally the only choice that even resembled what should be the consequence to the way I've been playing so far!”
“Once you choose an ending it's pretty linear with basically no choices to make aside from gathering your allies, which I think might be partially based on choices throughout the game, and partially on making a series of correct choices Persona 4 style in order to avoid an instant bad ending, which I actually found kind of funny, but mostly just frustrating because it exemplified how sudden this robbing of my ability to make choices that influence the story was.”
“As for the critique, I'm not really impressed with how the world building and some of the story flow goes. The world and story are great, but sometimes I got lost in the narrative so I had to scroll down the codex many times to find what I need, even in the later chapters.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning oil painting art style and meticulous attention to detail, which enhances the storytelling experience. Players are captivated by the beautifully hand-drawn artwork and the rich, immersive visuals that reflect a renaissance-era influence, contributing significantly to the game's depth and emotional impact. Overall, the visuals are described as a standout feature, elevating the game's artistic and narrative qualities.
“I like the oil painting art style, like the story and voice acting too!”
“Good storytelling, lovely artwork with attention to detail (like things changing in the background depending on what is happening) and I felt like decisions did matter/lead to consequences.”
“The artwork, it's honestly what got me first into this game, it's beautifully made, I also love the art direction they've gone with the renaissance era, but anyway as it turns out, I wasn't ready for how much depth this game had; there is more to it than a simple artwork gallery - simply a chef's kiss.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, effectively complementing the stunning visuals and enhancing the overall atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack and excellent voice acting, which together contribute to a deep and engaging experience.
“The art is gorgeous, I love the soundtrack, and the voice acting is wonderful.”
“The background music is immersive, transporting you back to its kind of medieval ages.”
“Deep story and characters, nice music, voice acting, and art.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily presented as flavor text rather than a significant gameplay element, leading to a linear experience with limited choices. While some players find moments of humor, particularly in the context of avoiding bad endings, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration due to the lack of meaningful decision-making.
“The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the dialogue, making even the most serious moments feel lighthearted and enjoyable.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty banter between characters; it really adds a unique charm to the overall experience.”
“The comedic timing in the game is spot on, with jokes that land perfectly and keep the mood fun throughout the adventure.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers consistently praise the game's atmosphere, highlighting its compelling style, immersive sound design, and engaging story as key elements that contribute to a captivating experience.
“The style, the sound, the atmosphere, the story.”
“The game has such a good atmosphere!”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized for being buggy and poorly designed, particularly regarding key plot developments that occur offscreen, which detracts from the overall narrative experience. Players have expressed frustration with abrupt character exits that feel unearned and disconnected from their gameplay choices.
“The game is riddled with bugs that disrupt the experience, and the poorly thought out mechanics leave players frustrated and confused.”
“Major plot points happen offscreen, making it feel like the game is not only unstable but also lacking in coherent storytelling.”
“Key characters are abruptly removed from the narrative without proper explanation, which undermines the player's choices and investment in the story.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a solid story complemented by beautifully hand-drawn artwork, with a strong emphasis on passionate character development that enhances the overall narrative experience.
“Solid story, beautifully hand-drawn artwork, and passionate character development.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and well-designed, offering a mix of challenging mechanics and intuitive controls that keep players invested. Many users appreciate the variety of gameplay elements, which enhance replayability and maintain interest throughout the experience. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its balance between accessibility and depth, catering to both casual and hardcore gamers.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its numerous choices and branching routes, encouraging players to explore different outcomes.
“The replay value is very high here, since it has lots of choices and routes.”
“Every playthrough feels unique due to the diverse paths and outcomes available.”
“I keep coming back for more because there are so many different strategies to explore.”
