Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain
- December 7, 2023
- Liar-soft
Get on SteamIn "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.
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Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere.
- The narrative is rich and thought-provoking, offering a unique blend of fantasy and psychological depth.
- Character development, particularly of the protagonists, 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, potentially alienating those who prefer straightforward storytelling.
- Some players may find the episodic structure and heavy reliance on internal monologues detract from the overall experience.
- story19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as a beautifully crafted, episodic narrative that evolves significantly from the fourth chapter, drawing players into its emotional depth and character arcs, particularly that of the charming protagonist, Lily. While the writing is praised for its intricate, female-centric storytelling and atmospheric elements, some players may find the slow pace and reliance on internal monologues challenging. Overall, the combination of a rich, immersive world and a powerful soundtrack enhances the storytelling experience, making it appealing to those who appreciate detailed narratives.
“But starting from the 4th chapter, things changed, and I found myself hooked on the story: the text, while remaining the same, started to get exciting, the setting became appealing, and even the romance was enjoyable to read.”
“The story is very episodic, with some episodes better than others, but the central character Lily is charming to follow, and it's 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.”
“The story is very episodic; some episodes are better than others, but the central character Lily is charming to follow, and it's great to see her arc play out.”
“However, the cyberpunk elements, while visually striking, sometimes overshadow the narrative, creating a disconnect between the story and its presentation.”
“Its slow pace, complex narrative, and unique visual style make it a game more suited for players who appreciate detailed storytelling and are willing to immerse themselves in a world where fantasy and reality blur.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, unique character designs, and vibrant, colorful backgrounds that enhance the overall atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the exceptional quality of the artwork, describing it as a masterpiece that significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience. Overall, the visuals are consistently rated as top-tier, with many considering them a standout feature of the game.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
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, contributing to a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. Overall, the combination of stunning art and solid music elevates the game's appeal significantly.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“The music is forgettable and fails to leave a lasting impression.”
“While the visuals are stunning, the soundtrack feels repetitive and uninspired.”
“The game's music does not match the emotional depth of the story, making it feel disconnected.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Sona-nyl" is highly praised for its stunning art style, evocative prose, and a jazzy soundtrack that creates a deeply immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a breathtakingly melancholic mood, enhanced by its vivid color palette and strong voice acting, making it a standout in the visual novel genre. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a unique blend of fantasy, steampunk, and psychological depth, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“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.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as both impactful and polarizing; while some players found certain chapters overly sentimental and not aligned with their preferences, others appreciated the deep emotional connections and thought-provoking themes, particularly towards the end. The narrative resonates strongly with those who seek a meaningful experience, despite its potential to alienate fans of different genres. Overall, it evokes a range of feelings, making it a memorable journey for many.
“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 development4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted through the engaging dynamics between characters, particularly Lily and her stoic conductor, which creates an interesting synergy. The unique and colorful visuals, along with striking character designs, enhance the overall mood and immersion of the story, making the character arcs more impactful.
“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.”
