Siren's Call: Escape Velocity
- April 15, 2025
- ThePenSword
Get on SteamA surreal, coming-of-age visual novel set in early 2010s Central Florida, "Siren's Call" is the small town you swore you'd always leave. Something inside of you knows that this is your last chance. Will you reach escape velocity?
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Siren's Call features a compelling narrative that explores deep emotional themes and character development, particularly through the lens of the protagonist's neurodivergence.
- The game boasts beautiful art and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it engaging and immersive.
- Players appreciate the well-developed characters and the unique storytelling approach, which keeps them invested in the unfolding mysteries and emotional arcs.
- The pacing can be slow at times, and some players feel that the final act suffers from excessive internal monologuing and extraneous information.
- The true ending may not resonate with everyone, as it abandons some of the logical questions raised earlier in the narrative.
- There are concerns about the representation of female characters, with some players noting a lack of non-sexualized portrayals.
- story46 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Siren's Call" is a compelling coming-of-age narrative centered around a group of high-school friends grappling with their past, revealed through Oliver's conversations that gradually uncover the mystery of their shared experiences. While the pacing and internal monologuing in the final act may detract from the overall flow, the game excels in character development, emotional depth, and an immersive atmosphere, making it a recommended experience for fans of story-driven visual novels. With unexpected twists and a strong soundtrack, it captures the essence of moving on and facing change in a relatable and engaging manner.
“But, Siren's Call is a great coming-of-age story about accepting the events of the past and accepting change.”
“Most of all, the story is incredibly compelling: you will start out confused and you will grow even more confused for a while, but your interest will grow in pair until that moment where everything seems to click and your immersion is complete.”
“An amazing game that captures the reality of facing moving on and growing on top of getting out of an environment that isn't good for you anymore with very well-developed characters and dialogue, as well as engaging and tense scenes that grip your attention to keep you digging deeper.”
“The wheels threaten to come off in the final act of the story, which features just too much internal monologuing, and probably too much extraneous information.”
“All the cold, hard facts of the story have more or less already happened; the story presents itself as a mystery by allowing Oliver's conversations with his friends to slowly reveal the facts to us, bit by bit, and the events of the present are simply Oliver and company coming to terms with them.”
“Speaking of the characters, in a story contained within a small setting and time frames like this one, having a cast of fun, relatable, and deep characters feels necessary to keep our attention.”
- music36 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its professional quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with a unique rock-inspired soundtrack that sets it apart from typical visual novels. Players appreciate the immersive and relaxing nature of the music, which complements the dialogue and scenes effectively. However, there is a desire for a music gallery feature to access the soundtrack more conveniently, especially as more songs are expected to be added post-early access.
“The soundtrack is great and very much captures the relaxed nature of the game well.”
“A huge plus is that I can listen to it on repeat during gameplay and not grow tired of it; the simplicity of the music allows you to take in the dialogue a lot more and start to immerse yourself.”
“The first thing you'll notice is how professional the soundtrack is.”
“The music is well-made, and often feels like it fits the scene (which is not always the case).”
“Music: the music is a particular note of mine, as many of the visual novels I've come across like to use a classical-style piano, while Siren's Call: Escape Velocity uses rock-inspired guitar for its main soundtrack.”
“Let me preface by saying I am actually involved with the game's soundtrack, so take that information as you see fit.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are highly praised for their eye-catching backgrounds and character designs, which complement the overall aesthetic and enhance the storytelling experience. The user interface is noted for being both visually appealing and easy to navigate, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience. Overall, the visuals are described as epic, making the game enjoyable for fans of visual novels.
“Great story and the art/graphic designs were epic!”
“The backgrounds and CGs are certainly eye-catching, and the UI both fits the game's aesthetic and is easy to navigate.”
“The characters feel like a real friend group, the visuals are good, and the story wraps up in an exceptionally satisfying manner that I will not spoil.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a deeply emotional experience, effectively capturing bittersweet and heart-wrenching moments that resonate strongly with players. It focuses on the poignant story of a group of friends in Florida, emphasizing genuine emotional engagement rather than shock value, allowing players to connect intimately with the main character's journey.
“It is a genuinely emotional and enthralling experience.”
“I will say that it hit me very hard emotionally.”
“It doesn't try to hold back but it also doesn't try to shock you for the sole purpose of getting a reaction, but to simply allow you to follow along emotionally with the lead character.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this visual novel is primarily focused on clicking and reading, which may appeal differently to players based on their preferences. While it lacks heavy gameplay mechanics, it incorporates several well-executed features that enhance the storytelling experience. Additionally, the simple and repetitive music complements the gameplay, allowing for deeper immersion in the dialogue.
“A huge plus is that I can listen to it on repeat during the gameplay and not grow tired of it. The simplicity of the music allows you to take in the dialogue a lot more and start to immerse yourself much deeper.”
“Despite being a visual novel and not particularly heavy in the gameplay department, the game features a variety of mechanics that are used quite well to enhance the story.”
“That being said, it's still a visual novel, so most of the gameplay consists of clicking and reading, which may vary in enjoyment depending on the player.”
“That being said, it's still a visual novel, so most of the gameplay is still clicking and reading, so your mileage may vary.”
“Mechanics: despite being a visual novel and thus not being particularly heavy in the gameplay department, the game does feature a slew of certain mechanics that, while I don't really know how often they are featured in VNs, are used quite well for the story of the game.”
“Mechanics: despite being a visual novel and thus not being particularly heavy in the gameplay department, the game does feature a slew of certain mechanics that, while I don't really know how often they are featured in VNs, are used quite well for the story of the game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Siren's Call" is masterfully crafted, blending psychological horror with relatable narratives that foster authentic connections between players and characters. This chilling yet thought-provoking environment enhances the overall experience, paying homage to RPG storytelling while providing moments of levity.
“The psychological horror elements are expertly crafted, creating a chilling and thought-provoking atmosphere while allowing for authentic connections and moments of levity between the player and characters.”
“With relatable narratives, a captivating atmosphere, and a tribute to RPG storytelling, Siren's Call offers a unique experience.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by clever puns and high-quality comedic elements, contributing to an enjoyable experience for players.
“There are some great puns and other god-tier humor that I enjoyed.”
“There are some great puns and other god-tier humor that I enjoyed.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive art style, which features unique character designs that convey distinct personalities and traits through their silhouettes. Players appreciate how the visual representation allows for an immediate understanding of each character's essence, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
