The Mermaid of Zennor

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"The Mermaid of Zennor" is a visual novel game by Ebi Hime, set in the coastal village of Zennor in Cornwall. The protagonist, a young man named John, becomes entangled in an otherworldly romance with a mermaid, risking his life and the village's peace. The game features beautiful illustrations and a haunting soundtrack, immersing players in a tale of love, mystery, and the unknown.

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Single-Player

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews

story30 positive mentions

The writing is immersive and effectively captures the protagonist's perspective, making Lilac feel relatable and realistic.
The art and music create a haunting atmosphere that enhances the emotional weight of the story.
The game offers two endings, providing a contrast between a heartbreaking conclusion and a more hopeful resolution, which adds depth to the narrative.

Some characters, particularly the non-main ones, feel one-dimensional and underdeveloped.
The pacing can be slow and repetitive, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.
The bad ending feels rushed and lacks a satisfying conclusion, leaving some players wanting more closure.

story
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The story is a deeply emotional and realistic exploration of loneliness, unrequited love, and personal struggles, centered around the protagonist Lilac and her complex relationship with her half-brother. While the narrative is somber and at times depressing, it is well-crafted, with strong character development and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Despite its short length, the story effectively conveys profound themes and offers a mix of hope and realism, making it a compelling read for fans of emotionally driven narratives.
- “Altogether, despite the short length, I believe that the story is quite well done, especially when presenting conflicts and characters in a realistic way.”
- “A wonderfully written and well-paced story that I enjoyed the whole way through.”
- “The mermaid of Zennor paints an emotionally driven story that shows the struggles of a protagonist in a realistic world.”
- “The entire story can be quite depressing, though it was impressively well-written.”
- “A truly disturbing and yet moving story about loneliness and how far it'll drive somebody.”
- “It's not an experience for those faint of heart or for moments when you don't feel like going through some deeply depressing storytelling.”
music
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
45%
7%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the emotional weight of the story. While some found certain tracks difficult to listen to, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack beautifully complements the visuals and narrative, creating a haunting and somber ambiance that draws players into the experience. The combination of ambient sounds and impactful music is noted as a key element that elevates the storytelling, making it a significant aspect of the game.
- “Undoubtedly it's easily recommended: gorgeous visuals, immersive music, wonderful writing, low price, powerful contrast endings for any taste.”
- “Without the music, it would've been a missed opportunity, but gladly to say that it just extensively enhances not only the mood but the gravity of a situation.”
- “The writing, music, and art all work together to create a somber, slightly eerie atmosphere that drew me in from the beginning.”
- “The music continues this tone all throughout the story, with disharmonic electronic sounds that I honestly had to mute at some point to not drown in the feeling of depression.”
- “The intro screen with black ocean waves and unsettling ambient music is both monumental and suffocating.”
- “The music was a bit hard to listen to.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply impactful, with a blend of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that resonate with players. Reviewers highlight the unique storytelling that avoids clichés, effectively portraying complex emotions and character struggles, particularly through the use of evocative visuals. Overall, the narrative is praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable and touching experience.
- “One is totally heartbreaking (I was afraid it was coming to that T_T) and another is heartwarming, full of hope I needed so much!”
- “The somewhat morbid story turned into something touching and unique without ever being cheesy or unnatural.”
- “The mermaid of Zennor paints an emotionally driven story that shows the struggles of a protagonist in a realistic world.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, enhanced by stunning art and an exceptional soundtrack that complements the narrative. Reviewers highlight the effective use of ambient music and cold tones to create a somber, eerie environment that draws players in, making it a standout feature of the experience. Overall, the combination of writing, music, and visuals successfully establishes a unique and compelling atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “It's very atmospheric; I'm in love with the setting and ambient music. The soundtracks are seriously awesome.”
- “The writing, music, and art all work together to create a somber, slightly eerie atmosphere that drew me in from the beginning.”
- “The pressuring atmosphere created by the background music and art, characterized by the usage of cold tones, is also a very refined touch to the offered experience.”
- “This game does display a different thematic and quite unusual atmosphere compared to other works created by ebi-hime.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their gorgeous visuals and expressive art style, which effectively complement the immersive music and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the artwork as not overly anime, with a haunting soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. Overall, the game's visual and auditory elements are considered a significant strength, contributing to a highly recommended experience.
- “Undoubtedly it's easily recommended: gorgeous visuals, immersive music, wonderful writing, low price, powerful contrast endings for any taste.”
- “The art style is awesome, and the soundtrack is so haunting and in tune to Lilac’s dysfunctional personality that it’s hard to remain unconsumed by the story.”
- “I also love the art style and the art in general in this one.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with the protagonist and other characters being portrayed realistically, which can lead to moments of frustration. However, players appreciate the satisfying growth and resolution of the protagonist's character by the good ending.
- “I found the protagonist to be quite infuriating at times, but I love how realistically she is portrayed, as well as most other characters. I was satisfied to see her character development in the good ending.”

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