The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence
- May 17, 2018
- NOVECT
Get on Steam"The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence" is a visual novel that tells the story of a young girl with miraculous healing powers who escapes death, only to become entangled in a tragedy spanning nearly a millennium. The game features a non-linear narrative with multiple branching paths and a gothic horror atmosphere. Players will uncover the dark secrets and intertwining fates of the mansion's inhabitants as they experience the "happy" chapters of the girl's life, leading to a tragic end.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- A Requiem for Innocence serves as a deeply emotional and insightful prequel to The House in Fata Morgana, expanding on the backstories of beloved characters like Jacopo and Morgana.
- The game features stunning artwork and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it a joy to immerse oneself in the story.
- The side stories add significant depth to the narrative, providing closure and additional context to the events of the original game, making it a must-play for fans.
- Some players found the writing to be less impactful than the original, with instances of modern slang and dialogue that felt out of place in the medieval setting.
- The pacing can feel uneven at times, with certain sections dragging on and moments of exposition that may disrupt the flow of the story.
- While the game is a valuable addition, some critics argue that it doesn't reach the same heights as the original, feeling more like a supplementary piece rather than a standalone masterpiece.
- story300 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story in "A Requiem for Innocence" serves as a poignant prequel to "The House in Fata Morgana," expanding on the tragic backstory of key characters like Jacopo and Morgana while enhancing the emotional depth of the original narrative. Although the main plot is somewhat predictable for those familiar with the first game, it offers new insights and character development that enrich the overall experience. The accompanying side stories further explore the lore and relationships, making it a valuable addition for fans, despite some critiques regarding pacing and thematic choices.
“A poignantly tragic prequel that sheds much needed light on the backstory of the two main 'villains' of the original game, House in Fata Morgana.”
“Despite knowing how the tragic story concludes, it doesn’t prepare you for the emotional gut punch you'll experience as you play through it.”
“The main story serves as an extension of Morgana's tragic narrative and adds depth to familiar characters such as Maria and especially Jacopo, whose character benefits the most as we gain insight into his motivations and choices from the first game.”
“The main character's story of a downfall did not for even one second need to entertain these ideas of having romantic feelings for a child only to then end up being her abuser at the end in order to be tragic.”
“This story exists plainly because someone wanted to write a story about being in love with a child, and honestly, after how well the original game pulled off touching on hard subject matter, for this story to be what it is is just hugely insulting and tarnishing to that game's legacy.”
“The last bonus story pushing Morgana into the arms of her abuser as a would-be 'happy ending' was the final nail in the coffin of an awful addition to what was a beautiful game that handled so many topics so kindly.”
- music74 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some feel that the soundtrack does not quite reach the heights of the original game, it remains a significant and enjoyable aspect, with haunting melodies and a variety of tracks that resonate emotionally. Overall, the music is described as a masterpiece that complements the stunning art and compelling storytelling, making it a key element of the game's charm.
“A great story, gorgeous art, and the music is an absolute masterpiece.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic with its variety of songs.”
“A requiem for innocence is a beautiful visual novel which will absorb you totally in its charm just as its predecessor, with its good story, stunning visuals, and just beautiful music that will always fit the situation perfectly.”
“The musical accompaniment, while quality, falls short of the original.”
“I gave a more expansive explanation in that review, but basically what it means is that the background music included in the game is compressed to the quality you’d expect from a YouTube video, rather than being fully lossless like other games.”
“The first game's soundtrack was really something special, mostly vocalized and full of haunting tracks that seemed to play out at a rate that matched the words in the text boxes themselves, but this time it was simply serviceable.”
- emotional49 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game is profound, with players reporting intense feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak, often leading to tears. The side stories, particularly "assento dele," enhance the experience, providing compelling narratives that resonate deeply. Despite knowing the tragic outcomes, the storytelling evokes a powerful emotional response, making it an unforgettable journey that many describe as both heart-wrenching and beautifully tragic.
“Despite knowing how the tragic story concludes, it doesn’t prepare you for the emotional gut punch you'll experience as you play through it.”
“This game made me feel a wave of emotions that I would never be able to experience in any other media.”
“Just like with the first game, it's a heart-wrenchingly tragic story to experience that hits harder the second time, and you will be feeling a storm of emotions once again.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its relatability and clever writing, with side stories and backstage segments providing a mix of heartwarming and hilarious moments. Reviewers highlight the engaging characters and witty commentary that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout feature despite any shortcomings in the main narrative. Overall, the humor is described as both entertaining and integral to the emotional depth of the story.
“It is written so the characters are relatable and often humorous.”
“The real reason I would recommend this to any readers of the original game is because the backstage extra is funny as hell and is one of the best I've seen in any medium.”
“Lastly, this visual novel also comes with a 'backstage' segment just like the main story, which is a humorous commentary provided by the characters.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of "A Requiem for Innocence" are praised for their unique and stunning art style, which enhances the dark gothic atmosphere of the story. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and excellent soundtrack, noting that they contribute significantly to the immersive experience and emotional depth of the visual novel. However, it's also mentioned that the artwork includes more graphic and mature content compared to its predecessor.
“The House of Fata Morgana is by all means a brutal tragedy that is beautifully told with the aid of a gorgeous OST and a unique art style.”
“A Requiem for Innocence is a beautiful visual novel which will absorb you totally in its charm just as its predecessor, with its good story, stunning visuals, and beautiful music that will always fit the situation perfectly.”
“Even the artwork is a little different, overall more like 'romance novel cover' than what you're used to from the first story.”
“The overall dark gothic art style really sets the tone for the type of story told here, making for a more immersive visual novel experience.”
“The descriptions are more graphic, and gore and sexual content are frequent compared to the first game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is described as both impactful and beautiful, reminiscent of the original, with a captivating soundtrack that enhances the experience. However, some users feel that the new characters and story elements detract from the overall atmosphere, leading to a mixed reception. Overall, while some players appreciate the return to a beloved setting, others believe it fails to capture the essence of the original.
“Just like the first game, there is a great atmosphere, as well as an impactful and tragic story.”
“The OST is just as beautiful and atmospheric as ever.”
“First of all, it felt so nice to dive into that atmosphere again, to meet characters I fell in love with.”
“This just has no purpose being; the new characters suck, the recap sucks, the atmosphere sucks, and everything that's good about the original is lost in this one. If you want to keep your memory of the original intact, don't buy this.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The character development in this fandisc is praised for effectively expanding the original story by providing in-depth exploration of existing characters and introducing new ones, enhancing the narrative's depth and complexity. It successfully addresses unanswered questions while maintaining the original's structure and themes.
“This is what a fandisc should be: expanding the story, solving unanswered questions, building world and character development, and maintaining the structure and theme of its original story.”
“As this is a prequel, an overview of 'Requiem for Innocence's' story was already in the main game, but this does a wonderful job of expanding on it through more in-depth character development, new characters (usually briefly referenced in the main game but not actually named or characterized there), and a more neutral viewpoint.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, providing players with a satisfying and immersive interaction. Many users highlight the balance between challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a strong point that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
