The Mermaid of Zennor

About

The Mermaid of Zennor is a single player action game with a drama theme. It was developed by ebi-hime and was released on April 8, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews

story16 positive mentions

The Mermaid of Zennor features a beautifully written story that effectively captures the emotional struggles of its protagonist, Lilac, making her relatable and sympathetic.
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack that complements the narrative's somber themes.
The portrayal of autism and the complexities of familial relationships are handled with sensitivity, providing a nuanced exploration of bullying and mental health.

Some players found the pacing slow and the character development of non-main characters to be one-dimensional.
The endings, while impactful, felt abrupt to some, with the bad ending lacking a satisfying conclusion.
The music, although atmospheric, was described by some as distracting or hard to listen to at times.

story
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The story of "The Mermaid of Zennor" is a deeply emotional and somber visual novel that explores themes of loneliness, unrequited love, and the struggles of its protagonist, Lilac, who faces bullying and familial challenges. Told from Lilac's perspective, the narrative is immersive and realistic, effectively capturing her psychological turmoil while intertwining elements of the titular folktale. Despite its short length, the well-crafted story, complemented by haunting music and visuals, resonates with players, offering both a painful yet hopeful experience.
- “The mermaid of Zennor paints an emotionally driven story that shows the struggles of a protagonist in a realistic world.”
- “A wonderfully written and well-paced story that I enjoyed the whole way through.”
- “It's a 2-3 hour somber read, but the narration is so immersive and Lilac's psychology is depicted so well that it's easy to end up empathizing with the main character and losing yourself in the story.”
- “The entire story can be quite depressing, though it was impressively well-written.”
- “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.”
- “The story is simple, just a half sister in love with her half brother as he is one of the few things that give her an ounce of happiness, until it has been torn away.”
music
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
40%
12%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and atmosphere of the story, with many reviewers noting its atmospheric and haunting qualities. While some found certain tracks difficult to listen to, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack effectively complements the narrative, creating a somber and immersive experience that resonates with players. The combination of ambient sounds and impactful musical moments is highlighted as a key element that elevates the storytelling.
- “I also adored the music as it does a great job with conveying Lilac's emotions and current state.”
- “The music is ambient, almost with a calm intensity like something should be expected, along with the pure emotion upon hearing a specific track play on the most dramatic scene.”
- “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.”
- “I do have one major issue with this game and it's the music.”
- “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.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players highlighting its unique portrayal of bullying that focuses on the gradual erosion of a person's emotional state rather than typical physical confrontations. Many reviewers expressed that the narrative evoked strong feelings, leading to tears during both heartbreaking and hopeful endings, and praised the depth of character emotions and the overall touching storytelling. The game's ability to balance morbid themes with moments of warmth and understanding resonates deeply, making it a memorable and emotionally charged experience.
- “Overall, this visual novel is one of the most heartbreaking and sad yet hopeful things I have seen.”
- “One is totally heartbreaking (I was afraid it was coming to that) 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.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The atmosphere in this visual novel is highly praised for its immersive quality, combining stunning art, evocative music, and compelling writing to create a dark, somber, and eerie environment. Reviewers highlight the effective use of ambient soundtracks and cold tones that enhance the emotional depth and thematic uniqueness of the experience, making it stand out in the genre. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to the storytelling.
- “This visual novel does an amazing job at atmosphere in a way that very few media have been able to capture.”
- “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
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and expressiveness, complementing the immersive soundtrack and enhancing the overall storytelling experience. Reviewers appreciate the art style for its uniqueness and emotional resonance, while also noting that the visuals effectively support the narrative without overshadowing it. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its appeal, making it highly recommended.
- “Undoubtedly it's easily recommended: gorgeous visuals, immersive music, wonderful writing, low price, powerful contrast endings for any taste.”
- “The visuals and music nicely complemented the story.”
- “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.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is praised for its realism, with the protagonist being both relatable and frustrating at times. Reviewers appreciate the growth she experiences, particularly in the positive ending, which adds depth to her character arc.
- “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.”
- “The character development in this game is exceptional; each character feels like they grow and evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
- “I was impressed by how the game handles character arcs, allowing players to witness significant growth and change in the characters, which adds depth to the overall narrative.”