Starlight Shores

About

Starlight Shores is a single player casual role playing game with a romance theme. It was developed by Delphinium Interactive and was released on May 7, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Wish on shooting stars while you enjoy a weekend getaway at the beach!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 21 reviews

story8 positive mentions

The writing is exceptional, with natural and relatable dialogue that enhances character development and emotional impact.
The branching narrative system is well-developed, offering meaningful choices that lead to diverse and engaging outcomes.
The art and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, complementing the story's themes and enhancing the overall experience.

The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth.
Some characters, like Erika, feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional compared to the others.
The text display method, which fades in rather than appearing at a consistent speed, can be distracting for some players.

story
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
75%
7%
The story of "Starlight Shores" unfolds over a single night, centered around a beach party that belies its deeper themes of friendship, change, and personal growth. With a focus on character development and relatable experiences, the narrative features intricate branching paths that allow players to explore various relationships and emotional depths, making it both poignant and engaging. While some may find the dialogue-heavy approach challenging, the writing is praised for its maturity and ability to evoke empathy, resulting in a bittersweet yet heartwarming experience.
- “The story is surprisingly deceiving in a good way.”
- “This is a lovely story with beautiful visuals, very dialogue-heavy but in a good way as it focuses on character development and getting to know everyone well by the time you reach the ending.”
- “The story takes place over less than a full day, with a simplistic background beach party plot deceiving its many intricate and poignant branching narratives.”
- “While the story does proceed smoothly and does bring a relaxing feeling to the experience, you will come upon a short bittersweet and nostalgic story where you will get to listen and empathize with some of the dark memories of your cherished friends.”
- “Change is something I think everyone is scared of at some point in their life, and Starlight Shores does a wonderful job of showcasing that fear and how to deal with it through Will's story of reconnecting with an old friend and getting closer to certain characters depending on the choices you make throughout the story.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising its enchanting and varied soundtrack that enhances emotional engagement and complements the game's atmosphere. The piano pieces and other tracks are described as peaceful and fitting, significantly contributing to the overall experience and character development. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features, elevating the visual novel to new heights.
- “The music in this game is probably the best I have ever heard in any visual novel.”
- “The soundtrack was absolutely incredible and it set the tone, allowing me to become far more emotionally invested into the characters and their personalities than I ever thought I could.”
- “The soundtrack, oh my lord the soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack, much like the artwork, is well-varied and very fitting for the story of Starlight Shores.”
- “The piano soundtrack and all the others are peaceful and blend in well with the game.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The graphics of "Starlight Shores" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and pristine character design, contributing significantly to the overall experience of the visual novel. The artwork is described as beautiful and well-drawn, complementing the engaging story and character development, while the user interface enhances the aesthetic with a cohesive design. Overall, the game's graphics are a standout feature that elevates its narrative and emotional impact.
- “The graphics were absolutely stunning and the character design was pristine.”
- “I went into Starlight Shores with the hopes of enjoying a graphically appealing visual novel; however, I was quite surprised at just how much I would enjoy it.”
- “It has well-drawn and varied artwork, and an overall pleasing design/aesthetic for the UI of the game.”
- “The graphics are underwhelming and lack detail, making the game feel outdated.”
- “The character models are poorly designed and don't match the overall aesthetic of the game.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Starlight Shores" is highlighted by its blend of heartwarming and bittersweet moments, encouraging players to reflect on the significance of relationships and support. The game features impactful dialogues and relatable character arcs, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that deepens emotional investment. Players appreciate the balance of lightheartedness and serious themes, making each interaction meaningful and rewarding.
- “The many choices lead to a succession of roller coasters, from heartening to harrowing, with a finale that is heartwarming.”
- “A heartwarming yet bittersweet story that will make you re-evaluate the importance of shared bonds and mutual support.”
- “I personally loved the combination of both heartwarming moments and heavily emotional dialogues shared between the friend group.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The game excels in character development, offering a rich narrative that allows players to deeply engage with well-written characters through dialogue and impactful choices, all within a single night’s timeframe. While the visuals and character design are praised for their beauty, some critiques note that the character designs may not stand out compared to major titles. Overall, the focus on character growth and player interaction enhances the storytelling experience.
- “This is a lovely story with beautiful visuals, very dialogue-heavy but in a good way as it focuses on character development and getting to know everyone well by the time you reach the ending.”
- “This immediately interested me because that means taking on the task of writing compelling characters, introducing them, and having them undergo satisfying character development in a relatively short span of time.”
- “It has a story that takes place over the course of one night that still manages to be as satisfying and impactful as any other story, with realistic and well-written characters, amazing character development, an engaging choice system that makes reaching various endings and bonding with certain characters exciting, well-drawn and varied artwork, and an equally great and varied soundtrack.”
- “The character designs, however, are mediocre and aren’t very appealing when compared to major titles.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game, leaving them feeling static and uninteresting.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere in "Starlight Shores" is characterized by a nostalgic and emotional tone, enhanced by relatable characters and heartfelt dialogues. The setting fosters a friendly and reflective ambiance as the protagonist navigates memories and anxieties about reconnecting with a friend, contributing to an immersive storytelling experience.
- “Starlight Shores by Tidalblossoms is a short visual novel offering emotional dialogues and a friendly atmosphere.”
- “The story starts off with a nostalgic atmosphere as the protagonist heads towards the cabin, reminiscing about the time spent with his friend Theo and worrying if things will be awkward between them.”
- “Along with this great atmosphere, you have wonderfully written characters who act like real people.”
- “The story starts off with a nostalgic atmosphere as the protagonist heads towards the cabin, reminiscing about all the time he has spent with his friend Theo, how long it's been since they have seen each other, and worrying if things will be awkward between them.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
The gameplay is characterized by solid mechanics that elevate the visual novel above average, providing a brief yet engaging experience that lasts around three hours.
- “The mechanics already set this visual novel above average.”
- “A very short read offering a little game within a 3-hour long gameplay.”
- “A very short read offering a little game of a game enclosed in 3 hours of gameplay.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Starlight Shores offers strong replayability due to its branching choices, enabling players to uncover more about the characters and experience various endings.
- “Starlight Shores has excellent replayability, as different choices allow players to learn more about the characters and explore various endings.”
- “The game's replayability is impressive, with multiple paths and outcomes that encourage players to dive back in and experience new stories.”
- “Each playthrough offers unique experiences, making the game highly replayable and ensuring that players will want to return for more.”