The Mermaid of Zennor
- April 8, 2021
- ebi-hime
Get on Steam"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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Reviews
- The protagonist, Lilac, is a well-written and realistic character, particularly in her portrayal as an autistic teenager, which evokes empathy and relatability.
- The art and music complement the story beautifully, creating a somber and immersive atmosphere that enhances the emotional impact of the narrative.
- The game explores heavy themes with nuance, addressing complex relationships and personal struggles in a way that feels authentic and thought-provoking.
- The pacing of the story can feel slow and repetitive, with some readers wishing for more dynamic character interactions and development.
- There is a limited number of choices throughout the game, which may disappoint players looking for a more interactive experience.
- Some aspects of the endings feel rushed or disconnected, leaving players wanting more resolution or deeper exploration of character relationships.
- story29 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story centers on Lilac, a deeply flawed yet dignified protagonist navigating themes of loneliness, isolation, and personal growth, with significant influence from side characters. The narrative is described as heavy and somber, complemented by excellent music that enhances its emotional weight, while the pacing may improve as players progress. Overall, the story is well-crafted, offering poignant lessons about relationships and personal struggles, making it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate character-driven narratives.
“A truly disturbing and yet moving story about loneliness and how far it'll drive somebody.”
“A wonderfully written and well-paced story that I enjoyed the whole way through.”
“There's a lot of takeaway lessons in this story that tell you about how people drift away from each other, no matter how close we were or should be to each other.”
“Now this visual novel really doesn't focus much on her feelings for her brother as much as I thought it would. The main focus of the story is Lilac and how isolated and lonely she feels, stemming from not having a good enough support system and people in her life to truly understand her.”
“A truly disturbing and yet moving story about loneliness and how far it can drive someone.”
“There's a lot of takeaways and lessons in this story about how people drift away from each other, no matter how close they were or should be.”
- music11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the visual novel is praised for its ability to enhance the story's somber and eerie atmosphere, effectively capturing the emotional tone of the narrative. While some reviewers noted a lack of variety in the musical pieces, they acknowledged that the selected tracks were impactful and complemented the visuals well. However, a sudden shift to silence during a dramatic moment was seen as jarring by some, indicating that while the music is generally well-received, its execution in certain scenes could be improved.
“I don't think that there are many pieces of music in this visual novel, but the ones that are used are fantastic and perfectly capture the tone of the story.”
“This is a depressing and lonely story, with perfect musical accompaniment.”
“The writing, music, and art all work together to create a somber, slightly eerie atmosphere that drew me in from the beginning.”
“Though I will admit, I think the reason I feel this way is due to the sudden lack of music in what is supposed to be the most dramatic scene in the entire visual novel.”
“But when you go from dramatic, very tense music buzzing in your ears as Lilac is overwhelmed by her entire life to dead silence... it could work, and I see what Ebi-Hime was trying to do, but it doesn't work for me.”
“It's quite a heavy read though, the music and sound effects help with the 'weight' of the story.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as one of its strongest features, with a touching and unique story that avoids clichés. The inclusion of a second ending resonates deeply with players, particularly those who feel misunderstood by their parents, evoking strong feelings and even tears. Overall, the narrative is praised for its heartfelt and compassionate portrayal of characters.
“One of ebi's strongest and most touching stories.”
“The somewhat morbid story turned into something touching and unique without ever being cheesy or unnatural.”
“I'm glad ebi included the second ending; it was both touching and heartwarming for somebody who has always felt that their parents don't understand them, and it was nice to see ebi not bullying all of her characters for once.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a stunning art style and evocative music that together create a grimy, somber, and slightly eerie environment. This cohesive blend of visual and auditory elements effectively immerses players in the world, enhancing the overall experience.
“The art of this novel is stunning; on par, or perhaps even better than 'Rituals in the Dark.' The music creates a grimy atmosphere that underlines the world seen through Lil's eyes.”
“The writing, music, and art all work together to create a somber, slightly eerie atmosphere that drew me in from the beginning.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their ability to complement the story effectively, featuring a well-balanced art style that avoids being overly anime. Reviewers also highlight the visuals and music as integral to the overall experience, contributing to a satisfying conclusion.
“The visuals and music nicely complemented the story.”
“Perfect length, the art style is not too anime, absolutely great ending.”
