The Witch in the Forest
- October 1, 2020
- Crystal Game Works
Get on SteamA young woman who lives alone in the forest one day meets another woman- a real witch!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The story is heartwarming and cute, focusing on the friendship and romance between the two main characters.
- The art style, while unique, adds to the overall charm of the game, and the music complements the cozy atmosphere.
- It's a short and free visual novel, making it an easy recommendation for those looking for a quick, enjoyable read.
- The game lacks meaningful gameplay, as it is essentially a kinetic novel with no choices or interactivity.
- The writing and pacing feel rushed and could benefit from more depth and character development.
- Some players found the art and overall presentation to be amateurish, detracting from the experience.
- story49 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally described as cute and heartwarming, featuring charming characters and a cozy atmosphere, often enhanced by soothing music. However, many reviewers noted that the pacing is inconsistent and the narrative lacks depth, making it feel more like a short story than a fully realized game. While some appreciated its simplicity and visual appeal, others felt it could benefit from more engaging gameplay and character development.
“The story is really lovely and cute and is accompanied by peaceful violin and piano music which fits the theme perfectly.”
“A very short but wholesome visual novel, with a beautiful story, setting, and soundtrack.”
“This is a wonderful, short story about a woman, a witch, and their story set during the beautiful time of fall.”
“The only thing that took advantage of the story being a game is the title screen changing after you beat it.”
“This isn't a game, it's a 30-minute story with pretty pictures.”
“It's not a bad story and the art is cute; unfortunately, I'm not a fan of kinetic novels and can't recommend them as games.”
- music11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, featuring peaceful violin and piano compositions that perfectly complement the story's themes. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, enhancing the overall experience and providing a relaxing atmosphere that encourages players to linger and enjoy the melodies. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional impact.
“The story is really lovely and cute and is accompanied by peaceful violin and piano music which fits the theme perfectly.”
“A very short but wholesome visual novel, with a beautiful story, setting, and soundtrack.”
“Very cute little kinetic visual novel with some lovely music and a sweet little love story; I spent more time just listening to the nice music than actually playing the game.”
“The music is just a few simple soundtracks.”
“Sweet tale, calming music.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as a heartwarming and wholesome experience, centered around a love story between two women. While the narrative is praised for its simplicity and emotional depth, some reviewers suggest that adding more complexity and challenges could enhance the impact of the story. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a short, uplifting read rather than an emotionally draining experience.
“What a heartwarming short story.”
“A very short but wholesome visual novel, with a beautiful story, setting, and soundtrack.”
“The script is simple and emotional as the relationship between these two women slowly deepens, sharing their lives and memories with each other.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of clicking through poorly written dialogue, which detracts from the overall experience. While it lacks traditional gameplay elements, it offers an engaging story for those interested in a warm and fuzzy wlw narrative.
“As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which presents the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
“No gameplay (which I think I should've realized), but it is an amazing story to read if you want a warm and fuzzy wlw story.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a unique art style that, while not without room for improvement, is generally well-received. The impressionist backgrounds evoke a cozy and comforting atmosphere, effectively capturing the fall vibes of the slice-of-life narrative.
“The art style has its own uniqueness; while it can still be improved, it is not bad at all.”
“There is something so cozy and comforting about the impressionist art style of the backgrounds that perfectly captures the fall vibes of this slice-of-life story.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books tedious, likening it to a frustrating experience where progress is slowed by the need to click through text, detracting from the enjoyment of the story. This repetitive clicking can make the experience feel laborious, requiring significant time investment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Visual novels/e-books are tedious at best... imagine the best novel you ever read, be that 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' or '2001: A Space Odyssey' or 'Twilight' (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as cozy and inviting, with a strong emphasis on nature, creating a serene and immersive experience for players.
“This story has a very cozy atmosphere and focuses a lot on nature.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're part of the world.”
“The game's ambiance is beautifully crafted, with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack that draws you in.”
“The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
“Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere is surprisingly empty and lifeless.”
“The game tries to create a tense atmosphere, but it often falls flat and feels forced.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted by appealing designs and a charming relationship between the characters, which enhances the overall emotional engagement in the game.
“Character designs are visually appealing, and the relationship between the characters is incredibly endearing.”
“The depth of character development truly enhances the emotional connection to the story.”
“Each character evolves in a meaningful way, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
