The Crown of Leaves

About

The Crown of Leaves is a single player action game. It was developed by Lingrimm and was released on November 26, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

"The Crown of Leaves" is a visually striking hybrid of non-kinetic visual novel and point-n-click adventure. Players follow the story of Roui, a resilient city dandy who returns to his rural homeland, Latori, after a failure. Struggling with local mystical beliefs and seeking a way back to his old life, Roui's fate becomes intertwined with a prosperous order, leading to mystical riddles, ghosts, and beasts. Handcrafted illustrations and original music enhance the immersive atmosphere in this intriguing debut game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 608 reviews

story221 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The art style is stunning and beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
The story is intriguing with rich lore and well-developed characters that keep players engaged.
The music complements the atmosphere perfectly, adding depth to the emotional experience.

The game is currently short, with only the first chapter available, leaving players wanting more.
Some puzzles can be vague or difficult to solve, leading to frustration during gameplay.
The pacing can feel uneven at times, especially with the heavy exposition in the beginning.

story
465 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The story of "Crown of Leaves" is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and intricate world-building, set in the fictional land of Shang-La. Players appreciate the blend of mystery, personal themes of redemption, and emotional weight, although some find the pacing and complexity occasionally confusing. While the game currently consists of only two chapters, leaving players eager for more, it offers a rich narrative experience that captivates those who enjoy atmospheric, story-driven adventures.
- “The game's story quickly reveals itself to be far more than a simple fantasy mystery—Roui's journey is a personal one, filled with themes of redemption, guilt, social alienation, and the cost of digging into forbidden knowledge.”
- “The way the narrative gradually peels back its layers creates a palpable sense of suspense and emotional weight that deepens as the story unfolds.”
- “The story is so cool and the universe is very unique, and I love it so much!”
- “The story isn't finished yet, so that's the only thing holding it back from a perfect score.”
- “The story is confusing and fluffed.”
- “The art is gorgeous and the sound design is very well done -- and I'm sure I'd get even more out of it if I had any active interest in furry stuff -- but the story and lore are either dumped at you or revealed in confusing dribs and drabs.”
graphics
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning hand-drawn artwork, unique aesthetic, and vibrant character designs. Reviewers highlight the cohesive and original art style that enhances the storytelling and world-building, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful, detailed, and integral to the game's charm, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
- “From the moment it begins, the game invites players into a world that feels both alien and familiar—a realm of ancient magic, mystical beasts, folklore, and interpersonal drama—all conveyed through painterly 2D visuals and expressive writing.”
- “The aesthetic is cohesive and original—an artistic identity that feels distinctly its own, rather than borrowing from genre conventions.”
- “The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, the characters are endearing in their own right and have wonderful designs, and the story keeps me hooked and anticipating each new act.”
- “I'm playing on a desktop with a newer graphics card, so I thought that was a bit frustrating.”
- “Edit: I had major issues with bugs, game crashes, and save-file problems, but the very active and devoted devs have actually changed the game engine (update to come) as well as adding some animation to the sprites, which will fix most issues and add to the visuals.”
- “Despite my review ending on a negative note, I'm really quite conflicted; the art style, music, characters, and setting all have an enthralling and uniquely charming quality to them.”
music
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its captivating and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience and complementing the story and visuals beautifully. Composed by anna “roya” plavinskaya, the soundtrack is described as ethereal and haunting, effectively setting the tone for various scenes and immersing players in the game's world. Many reviewers noted that the music is not only enjoyable on its own but also integral to the game's emotional impact, making it a standout feature.
- “The soundtrack, composed by multi-genre artist Anna 'Roya' Plavinskaya, is ethereal, haunting, and deeply fitting for the game’s otherworldly tone.”
- “The music contributes to the atmosphere really well, and music is something I usually only notice because it's either really good or really annoying/bad, so that's high praise.”
- “A gorgeous game that you immerse yourself in, an addictive plot, unexpected moments, and the music is just gorgeous!”
- “The music was decent, and the images were extremely nice and distinctive, but that was about all there was to it.”
- “It loops oddly on some soundtracks, like overlapping or hiccup when it loops; it's hard to explain in words.”
- “There isn't a whole lot of different music in the game, but the sounds fit the visual novel well.”
gameplay
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
74%
7%
The gameplay in "The Crown of Leaves" combines traditional point-and-click mechanics with narrative-driven elements, including dialogue trees and environmental puzzles, creating an immersive experience for fans of story-rich games. While some players find the puzzles vague and the gameplay minimal, the unique cultural backdrop and character interactions are praised, making it appealing for those who enjoy atmospheric narratives. However, the game's slow progression and lack of challenge may deter players seeking more dynamic gameplay.
- “Gameplay in The Crown of Leaves mixes traditional point-and-click exploration with dialogue trees, environmental puzzles, and journal-based deduction mechanics.”
- “Much of the gameplay is narrative-driven, meaning choices matter—at least in terms of character relationships and information gathering.”
- “The gameplay is simple; it's a point-and-click visual novel with a few puzzles every so often.”
- “Some of the puzzle mechanics might feel vague without careful note-taking or revisiting prior dialogue.”
- “I adore the characters, the art, and the story, but with a heavy heart, I have to leave a negative review because the game has been out for 5 years and we're just on chapter 2 (like 4 hours worth of gameplay).”
- “As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay, aside from a few simple choices; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'.”
character development
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
37%
10%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the unique and culturally reflective character designs that enhance the storytelling. The art style is described as exquisite, with expressive animations and backgrounds that complement the characters' emotional depth. Overall, players appreciate the well-crafted characters and the engaging plot twists that contribute to a rich narrative experience.
- “Characters are anthropomorphic, but the game avoids common fantasy or furry tropes; instead, it uses its character designs to reflect cultural identities and emotional states.”
- “I awaited it for a while, and I was so pleased with the amount of plot twists and character development we got, as well as the actors of this story; they are great.”
- “The characters are all interesting and well written, the character design shows not only a high amount of effort, but a labor of love being put into them.”
- “The character design might not be very unique because I've seen similar concepts before, but the way they and the backgrounds were drawn here - fabulous.”
- “So far as visual novels with anthropomorphic characters making up the entire cast, this is pretty much the only one that is professionally made with interesting writing and worldbuilding that pushes it well beyond the rest of them, and character design that isn't just like somebody vomited all the colors of the rainbow on the most painfully regular looking furry OC and called it a day.”
- “Okay, what can I say, amazing, purely amazing, fantastic story and characters, the world is fascinating as well. I really was left shocked at the end and eagerly awaiting chapter 2 now that I completed the first chapter, plus I really love the character design and from the short time I got to interact, I really liked Bo.”
atmosphere
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
38%
10%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and enchanting qualities, enhanced by exceptional sound design and music that complement the rich worldbuilding and narrative depth. Players appreciate the unique characters and stunning visuals that create a captivating environment, making exploration and lore discovery a rewarding experience. While the slower pace may not suit everyone, those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling find it to be a beautifully crafted gem.
- “The entire atmosphere of this mysterious and mystical world makes you want to dive into the depths of the game and spend 10+ hours exploring all possible lore and character materials.”
- “I couldn't help but sit there and enjoy the magical atmosphere it had, making me feel like a child again, a child that actually believes in the created worlds, as if they are part of these worlds.”
- “The atmosphere that is coming from the environment and characters is immersive, especially in chapter 2 act 1 where it's all bleak, unknown, and scary.”
- “There's no looping/cycles to keep up the audible atmosphere continuously.”
- “The atmosphere is exotic with a mix of the quaint, the art is simply elegant and sharp, and the lore... well, the lore could already write a few good books.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its dark, charming, and relatable elements, particularly through well-written characters like Roui, who is both funny and tragic. Players appreciate the comedic interactions and cutscenes, with many noting the game's ability to evoke laughter through clever dialogue and character expressions. Overall, the humor enhances the engaging storyline, making it a standout feature that adds to the game's appeal.
- “The interactions are funny and charming!”
- “Roui is among my favorite characters of all time, as he's funny, tragic, and relatable.”
- “The humor as well is really well done, can't wait for chapter 2 uwu”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game boasts high replayability due to its multiple storylines and dynamic options that encourage players to explore different paths and interactions. While some reviews note that once all routes are completed, replayability may feel limited, many players appreciate the variety and depth that each playthrough offers, making the experience worthwhile. Overall, the game's design invites players to revisit and discover new elements, enhancing its replay value.
- “The replay value of this game is high and the payoff is worth the time you invest.”
- “There are dynamic options that add a hint of replayability to see what might change, as well as interactions and lines that you may miss entirely!”
- “The initial playthrough took me less than 90 minutes, but there's a lot of replayability because decisions matter and different decisions reveal different paths.”
- “It is unfortunate that games of this kind have limited replayability ('once you've done all the routes, you're done!') but that is not to say that this limitation detracts from it.”
- “The initial playthrough took me less than 90 minutes, but like I said, there's a lot of replayability because decisions matter and different decisions reveal different paths.”
- “Despite only being one chapter, there is replayability and different paths you can take.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game excels in emotional depth, with a narrative that gradually reveals layers of suspense and authenticity, making quieter moments resonate powerfully. Characters are thoughtfully designed to reflect cultural identities and emotional states, supported by strong writing and distinct voices that avoid melodrama. Overall, players find the experience both heartwarming and fulfilling, with impactful character arcs that enhance the emotional engagement throughout the story.
- “The way the narrative gradually peels back its layers creates a palpable sense of suspense and emotional weight that deepens as the story unfolds.”
- “This emotional authenticity is what makes the game’s quieter moments land with more impact than any chase scene or battle could.”
- “I enjoyed the arcs with Ingrid's family and Lazy's were... heartwarming and a little sad.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The game's optimization has received criticism for performance issues, including stuttering and jerky backgrounds, which detract from the overall experience. While the written dialogue is strong, the minimal voice acting and the game's short length contribute to a feeling of being an underdeveloped product. Many players express frustration with these technical shortcomings, impacting playability.
- “Voice acting is minimal, used more for stylistic effect than full performances, but the written dialogue is strong enough to carry emotional weight.”
- “Hopefully some ironing out of performance/stuttering issues.”
- “The game is apparently very short, being only one chapter long. I personally don't mind and was very interested in the game and its art, but the constant stuttering is annoying and makes it unplayable for me. I don't play a visual novel to be frustrated.”
- “Mild performance issues: the background jerked around a bit for me whenever I tried panning the camera.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game features an engaging story and atmosphere, but it suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, glitches, and performance stutters, particularly during interactions. Users express concern over the developers' inexperience, which contributes to these ongoing problems.
- “Fantastic story, music, and atmosphere, but there are quite a lot of bugs and glitches.”
- “The game freezes and stutters all the time. Every time I interact, or even just hover my mouse over an interactable object, the game stutters.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy has been criticized for employing aggressive tactics, such as cliffhangers and prompts to purchase full content, which some users find off-putting and reminiscent of low-quality advertising methods.
- “What a surprise that the artist uses 'click here to buy the full video' style advertising to try and goad people into breaking through the paywall after a cliffhanger.”
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, constantly pushing players to spend money instead of enjoying the game.”
- “It's frustrating that so much content is locked behind a paywall, making it hard to fully experience the game without spending extra.”

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7h Median play time

6h Average play time

2-10h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Crown of Leaves is a action game.

The Crown of Leaves is available on PC, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing The Crown of Leaves.

The Crown of Leaves was released on November 26, 2018.

The Crown of Leaves was developed by Lingrimm.

The Crown of Leaves has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

The Crown of Leaves is a single player game.

Similar games include Fault Milestone One, Backbone, Tails Noir, Scarlet Hollow, Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and others.

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