The Symbiant
- February 2, 2023
- HeartCoreDev
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"The Symbiant" is a narrative-driven adventure game where you form a bond with a symbiotic alien lifeform. Solve puzzles, explore the world, and make choices that affect the story's outcome, all while managing the relationship with your newfound companion. Discover the secrets of a mysterious planet and uncover the true nature of your partnership in this emotional and immersive experience.
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Reviews
- The art and voice acting are top-notch, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- The relationship between the main characters, Danya and Brahve, is well-developed and heartwarming, making it a standout aspect of the story.
- The game effectively portrays themes of consent and healthy relationships, which is refreshing in the genre.
- The story feels short and some routes lack depth, leading to a sense of unresolved conflict and missed potential.
- Dialogue can be stiff and overly focused on consent, which detracts from the natural flow of character interactions.
- The game may not appeal to those who prefer more complex narratives or longer gameplay experiences, as it can be completed in under four hours.
- story196 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, praised for its engaging narrative, strong character dynamics, and beautiful art and voice acting. While many found the plot intriguing and immersive, some noted that conflicts were often resolved too quickly, leaving a sense of lack of payoff. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of romance and science fiction, though some players wished for a longer experience and more impactful choices.
“The story is so well written, I was never bored at any moment.”
“The art is really beautiful, voice acting is great, so is the music, and I was especially pleasantly surprised by how well-written and compelling the story was - there were funny moments, sad moments, cute and romantic moments, spicy moments, and it all fit together seamlessly.”
“This beautiful game is a masterpiece with stunning art and an engaging story.”
“It felt like any potential conflict in the story got immediately resolved with no payoff; it made me wonder what the point of it even was.”
“However, likely due to my growing insensitivity to NSFW scenes, the latter two-thirds of the story felt dull and strenuous.”
“The actual story has zero stakes.”
- music32 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beauty and seamless integration into the gameplay. The original tracks, particularly those by Bright Bone, are highlighted for their emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the soundtrack is described as pleasant, engaging, and a significant factor in the game's overall appeal.
“The OST is beautiful, the art incredibly good, and the voice acting is top-notch.”
“The music is so pleasant to listen to that when the credits rolled, I waited patiently until it ended to play the soundtrack again from the extras.”
“I loved that the soundtrack wasn't distracting but was very nice to listen to while playing.”
“Oh and don't get me started on how extraordinary the soundtrack is and the communication and consent throughout every.”
“And I don't know why, but I'm just addicted to the soundtrack too; it's so well done, and everything matches so well together.”
“The art, music, voice acting, and writing are all top-notch (especially the music--I was surprised at all the original tracks by Bright Bone), and every ending left me with something to think about (even the good one, which made me feel more uneasy than I usually would like for a romance game).”
- graphics31 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their top-notch art style and beautiful visuals, which significantly enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the immersive quality added by fully voiced dialogue and the consistency between the artwork and storyline. Overall, the game's graphics are a standout feature, making it highly recommended for fans of visual novels.
“The art style is top-notch, and the fully spoken dialogue adds a layer of immersion that draws you further into the game's world.”
“Interesting story, beautiful visuals.”
“The art and the story are just top notch, I really do hope that the devs continue to publish a great game like this and also please continue with this art style.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the heartwarming and genuine relationship between the characters Danya and Brahve, which evolves into a touching romance filled with both wholesome and steamy moments. Players appreciate the depth of character interactions, the impactful endings, and the overall kindness portrayed among the cast, making it a memorable experience that resonates on an emotional level. The combination of strong writing, art, and music further enhances the emotional engagement, leaving players with lasting reflections and feelings.
“Danya and Brahve have a very loving relationship that is heartwarming, and all the characters are so kind and respectful of each other; it makes my heart melt!”
“The consentacles were very wholesome, and the bad endings broke my heart.”
“I loved Juniper personally; we all need someone like her, especially in the 'Boys Do Cry' ending. It was very touching, and I like how she's like a sister to Danya. I can't wait to see her partner in the next game; I just love her so much.”
- character development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development of Brahve is praised for its detail and gradual progression, with well-crafted designs that encompass his appearance, thoughts, and personality. Reviewers express strong affection for Brahve, highlighting his appealing character design and voice acting as standout features.
“The character development of Brahve in the text is very detailed and progresses gradually.”
“The character design, including appearance, thoughts, and personality, is well crafted.”
“Brahve is just 10/10; I love him to bits! I adore his character design and voice actor!”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a well-crafted blend of humor within its narrative, seamlessly integrating funny, sad, and romantic moments that enhance the overall experience. Players particularly enjoy the humorous achievements, which add an entertaining layer to the completionist aspect of the game, making trophy hunting feel enjoyable rather than tedious.
“And the achievements are very funny.”
“I'm a completionist at heart, so it was so nice to discover how the achievements had some references and humor in them, which makes seeking the trophies out a fun task rather than a burden.”
“There were funny moments, sad moments, cute and romantic moments, spicy moments, and it all fit together seamlessly.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players have expressed confusion regarding the game's advertised length, with some completing it in as little as 2 hours, significantly shorter than the claimed 6 hours of gameplay.
“I have no idea where they pulled '6 hours of gameplay' from because I finished it in 2 hours.”
