Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain

About

In "Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain," a mysterious fairytale unfolds in a steampunk world filled with intricate Engines and polluted skies. The story follows Elysia, who enters the abandoned, post-disaster city of New York searching for a lost song. As fantasy and reality intertwine, Elysia must navigate the eerie, crumbling ruins to uncover the truth behind the "Great Disappearance." This PC port of the Xbox360/PSP game features upscaled visuals for an immersive experience in this unique, steam-powered universe.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain screenshot

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews

story8 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals and a fantastic soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The narrative is unique and thought-provoking, offering a deep exploration of themes like memory and existence.
Character development, particularly of the protagonists Elysia and Lily, is engaging and emotionally resonant.

The pacing is slow, especially in the early chapters, which may test the patience of some players.
The writing style can be overly complex and confusing, making it difficult for some players to follow the story.
There are moments where the narrative feels disconnected from the striking visual presentation.

story
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The story of "sona-nyl" is characterized by its episodic structure, which allows for a charming exploration of the central character, Lily, and her emotional journey, though some episodes resonate more than others. The narrative blends elements of mystery and romance, enhanced by evocative writing and a rich visual style that combines cyberpunk and fantasy, creating a deeply immersive atmosphere. While the slow pace and reliance on internal monologues may challenge some players, the storytelling's emotional depth and the game's artistic presentation are praised as standout features.
- “The story is very episodic, some episodes better than others, but the central character Lily is charming to follow and great to see her arc play out.”
- “Hikaru Sakurai's gentle storytelling was one of the key aspects of why I think Sona-Nyl was an amazing experience.”
- “Elysia's perspective reads like a Lovecraftian story in the middle of early 20th-century New York that encountered an unknown disaster, turning the city into a crumble of bleak, lifeless ruin.”
- “However, the cyberpunk elements, while visually striking, sometimes overshadow the narrative, creating a disconnect between the story and its presentation.”
- “The structure of the story being episodic makes it hard to rank the characters who appeared only once every chapter, and while the main star of this game was definitely Lily, the other side characters were also memorable and had their chance to shine; some would even break your heart even if others were tamer in comparison.”
- “Although a mystery story at its core, Sona-Nyl's strength doesn't rely too strongly on its plot.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals, unique character designs, and vibrant backgrounds that enhance the overall atmosphere. Liar-soft's art style is highlighted as a standout feature, often described as a 10/10, and the combination of beautiful artwork and a jazzy soundtrack effectively immerses players in the narrative. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its emotional depth and aesthetic appeal.
- “The visuals are amazing with Liar-Soft's willingness to have unique and colorful unreal backgrounds and shading being utilized better than ever, capped off with some 10/10 character design.”
- “Visuals are simply a 10/10, simply stunning.”
- “The character designs and environments are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute significantly to the overall mood of the game.”
- “On another note, its visuals are striking thanks to its eye-catching character designs and the quality of its art, plus its jazzy soundtrack helps players get immersed in the story.”
- “Previous two were Sekien no Inganock and Hikari no Valusia, and in both of them I was attracted by visuals (and Liar-Soft visuals are probably my favorite in the VN industry) but just couldn't stand the style of the text, and here I actually had the same experience.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The music in the game is highly praised for its jazzy soundtrack, which beautifully complements the visuals and enhances the immersive experience of the story. Reviewers highlight the exceptional production quality and the synchronization of the music with the game's atmosphere, particularly noting the contributions of voice actress Kawashima Rino. Overall, the combination of stunning art and solid music significantly elevates the game's emotional impact.
- “The jazzy soundtrack of the game, its beautiful shade of colors (violet/purple mostly), and the voice of one of my favorite voice actresses, Kawashima Rino, were in constant synchrony to build up Sona-Nyl's greatest strength in the early part of the story and consistently till the end, the breathtakingly depressed atmosphere of its world.”
- “On another note, its visuals are striking thanks to its eye-catching character designs and the quality of its art, plus its jazzy soundtrack helps players get immersed in the story.”
- “As a visual novel, the game excels in immersing players in its meticulously crafted world, thanks to its vivid CGs and a jazzy soundtrack that complements the atmosphere.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The atmosphere of "Sona-nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain" is highly praised for its stunning art style, evocative prose, and a jazzy soundtrack that creates a deeply immersive experience. The game's use of color, particularly violet and purple hues, alongside the voice acting, enhances its melancholic and fantastical ambiance, making it a standout in the visual novel genre. Overall, players find the atmosphere to be a perfect blend of fantasy, steampunk, and psychological depth, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact.
- “The jazzy soundtrack of the game, its beautiful shade of colors (violet/purple mostly), and the voice of one of my favorite voice actresses, Kawashima Rino, were in constant synchrony to build up Sona-nyl's greatest strength in the early part of the story and consistently till the end, the breathtakingly depressed atmosphere of its world.”
- “Sona-nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain is undoubtedly a unique gem in the realm of visual novels, offering a rich, atmospheric experience that blends fantasy, steampunk, and psychological depth.”
- “The strange atmosphere that Sona Nyl competently presented was an almost perfect experience.”
- “As a visual novel, the game excels in immersing players in its meticulously crafted world, thanks to its vivid CGs and a jazzy soundtrack that complements the atmosphere.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as both impactful and polarizing; while some players found the hyperemotional text and romance themes challenging, others appreciated the deep emotional connection and thought-provoking themes, particularly towards the end. The game resonates on a personal level for many, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking an emotionally engaging narrative, despite its potential to alienate certain players.
- “Also it holds a very special place in my heart now - for personal reasons - but it's a very emotionally devastating game, especially towards the end when you figure everything out and it touches on some themes very well.”
- “The scene hits as it should, and I genuinely feel an emotional connection between the storyteller and her text.”
- “While it may not cater to the tastes of every visual novel enthusiast, for those seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging experience, Sona-Nyl is definitely worth exploring.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
Character development is highlighted through the engaging dynamics between Lily and her stoic conductor, whose contrasting traits create a compelling synergy. The game's striking visuals and character designs not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also play a crucial role in immersing players in the narrative, contributing to a rich overall experience.
- “Lily's character development, along with her stoic conductor, who is a complete airhead to a fault, never fails to make an interesting synergy.”
- “The character designs and environments are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute significantly to the overall mood of the game.”
- “On another note, its visuals are striking thanks to its eye-catching character designs and the quality of its art, plus its jazzy soundtrack helps players get immersed in the story.”