The End of an Actress
- February 21, 2020
- ebi-hime
Get on SteamIn "The End of an Actress," play as Liliane, a young actress resembling Marie Antoinette, who becomes queen in a fantasy world akin to 18th-century France. Seeking to restore Artoire's prosperity, Liliane faces challenges and opportunities that will determine her fate and that of the kingdom. As unrest grows, Liliane's story unfolds in a tragic romance, where tough choices and unexpected events will decide her people's future.
Reviews
- The story is beautifully written, featuring engaging characters and a compelling narrative that explores themes of love and social class.
- The art and CGs are visually appealing, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- Each of the five endings is well-crafted and provides a unique perspective on the characters' journeys, avoiding typical 'game over' scenarios.
- The character development is inconsistent, with some characters lacking depth and chemistry, particularly Marius and Liliane's relationship.
- The pacing can be slow, with some scenes feeling artificially prolonged due to repetitive thoughts from the main character.
- There are inconsistencies in the character designs, particularly with Liliane's sprite, which detracts from the overall visual experience.
- story22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story is a beautifully written historical fiction that follows the complex relationship between Marius, an embittered revolutionary, and Liliane, a queen reminiscent of Marie Antoinette. Players navigate through five branching choices that reveal the characters' emotional depths and moral dilemmas, leading to various tragic or bittersweet endings. While the narrative is praised for its depth and character development, some inconsistencies in presentation and music preferences were noted.
“For anyone else, the biggest draw is probably the story’s novelty: beautiful young queen Liliane partied while the people starved; Marius, who once admired her from afar, is now an embittered revolutionary and the deposed queen’s chief jailor.”
“Beautifully written story.”
“This is a very well written game that made me love both characters; it's definitely not a happy story, and all endings range from tragic to bittersweet, but it still tells a wonderful tale.”
“Inconsistent CG and story.”
“This is not the kind of story with a happy ending.”
“The story does not ask for forgiveness of Liliane, but a smidge of sympathy, given how unfair things were for her as well.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a strong emphasis on strings and harpsichord that aligns with the historical setting, though some players may not enjoy the specific style. The original soundtrack is praised for its quality, including a variety of pieces and a vocal theme, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, players appreciate the integration of music with the game's art and story, contributing to a rich audiovisual presentation.
“The music, heavy on strings and harpsichord, is quite good.”
“The visual novel is developed in Ren'Py with exceptional attention to graphics and CG art, including moments of nudity, while the OST is glorious in its concerto sounds that feature 8 pieces, including 1 vocal theme for the title 'End of an Actress'.”
“I really loved the music, story, artwork, and graphics.”
“I also did not like the music, but this is not the game's fault.”
“The music is stylized to the era the story takes place in, and I just happen to dislike the music of this period.”
“The music is stylized to the era the story takes place in, and I just happen to dislike the music of this period.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the visual novel are highly praised for their beautiful and aesthetically pleasing art style, showcasing exceptional attention to detail, particularly in character designs and CG art. While some users noted the presence of nudity, the overall visual presentation is complemented by a glorious soundtrack, enhancing the immersive experience.
“The visual novel is developed in Ren'Py with exceptional attention to graphics and CG art, including moments of nudity, while the OST is glorious in its concerto sounds that feature 8 pieces, including 1 vocal theme for the title 'End of an Actress'.”
“I really loved the music, story, artwork, and graphics.”
“The CGs are otherwise aesthetically pleasing.”
“The graphics are otherwise aesthetically pleasing if you can overlook the excessive focus on certain character designs.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by the protagonist Liliane's antiheroine persona, reminiscent of Carmen, as she navigates her life story with a defiant and comedic attitude, particularly in her interactions with male adversaries.
“Liliane’s life story maps closely to that of Marie Antoinette, but in personality, she’s an antiheroine à la Carmen, laughing in the face of men who want to kill her.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers emphasize the importance of maintaining a cohesive atmosphere in the game, suggesting that it is essential for enhancing the overall experience.
“The atmosphere of the game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you play.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and evocative, making every moment feel significant.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere fails to evoke any real emotion or tension.”
“The world feels lifeless, with minimal environmental details that detract from the overall experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through the gradual unveiling of Lilianne's vulnerability as she grapples with loss and remorse, breaking down her facade of nobility. This deepening emotional journey resonates with players, showcasing the impact of trust and personal tragedy on her character.
“As the story progresses, the barriers of trust very slowly start to fall. As letters bearing bad news about her loved ones appear, Lilianne's sadness, upset, and remorse become visible as her 'mask of nobility' cracks, revealing the emotional side to her.”
“The game masterfully captures the complexity of human emotions, making players feel deeply connected to the characters and their struggles.”
“Every choice I made felt heavy with consequence, and the emotional weight of the story lingered long after I finished playing.”
