Trials of Harmony ~ Experimental Visual Novel

56%
Game Brain Score Based on 32 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Trials of Harmony ~ Experimental Visual Novel Game Cover
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"Trials of Harmony" is an experimental visual novel that traps you in a death game, accessible only through a mobile messaging app. You must guide a group of survivors through a series of twisted trials, making decisions that determine who lives or dies. The game features logic riddles, word-puzzles, and a points-based system, with an estimated 10 hours of nail-biting gameplay.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

56%
Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews
story10 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique phone interface that enhances immersion and adds a refreshing twist to the visual novel genre.
  • The writing is generally well-crafted, with natural dialogue that makes the characters feel relatable and engaging.
  • The soundtrack and sound design effectively complement the atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The pacing is hindered by slow text progression and an awkward auto-typing feature, making the gameplay feel tedious.
  • Many puzzles are overly simplistic and lack originality, with some being easily found in other free resources.
  • The story lacks depth and compelling narrative until the later chapters, making it hard to recommend the game as a whole.
  • story34 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it tedious and uninteresting until the later chapters, while others appreciate its suspenseful elements and character development. Many noted that the narrative feels derivative of other works in the genre, and the presentation through an instant messaging interface limits the depth of storytelling. Overall, while the latter parts of the story are enjoyable, the initial chapters may deter some players from fully engaging with the game.

    • “It has a wonderful story that keeps suspense rolling, as well as characters that are fun and enjoyable to the umpteenth degree.”
    • “Although the premise is a touch derivative (primarily of the Zero Escape games, with a hint of Danganronpa), and although there is the occasional typo, awkward word choice, or monologue that would be thumb-cramping for someone to type on their phone in real life, overall this phone-chat visual novel tells a satisfying story.”
    • “The characters are well defined and the story keeps you entertained until the end.”
    • “The story lacks even the slightest bit of entertainment value until the final act.”
    • “It's so extraordinarily tedious to play through, despite the intrigue I have about the story.”
    • “My only complaint about this game is the fact that a lot of plot points are taken from other works in this genre.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, seamlessly transitioning from relaxed and upbeat tunes during character interactions to tense and agitated tracks during critical moments. While some players find the music soothing to the point of inducing sleepiness, the overall sound design is noted for its clever integration with the smartphone interface and its fitting context within the narrative. The soundtrack is reminiscent of grungy industrial electronic music, effectively contributing to the immersive experience of the death game setting.

    • “The soundtrack and sound design is where the game shines.”
    • “The soundtrack seems to always fit the atmosphere perfectly — whether it's relaxed, upbeat music when the characters are chatting at the start of a new day, or tense, agitated music when dealing with the psychotically-minded game master in charge of the death games, the audio experience never feels out of step.”
    • “Atmospheric music choices, clever use of the phone interface and chat concept, nice and judicious use of effects.”
    • “It doesn't help that the music makes me sleepy, especially since the game takes forever to complete.”
    • “I hate to sound like a broken record, but it is reminiscent of the grungy industrial electronic music of 999.”
    • “The idea of a death game all set within the confines of a smartphone interface is a neat idea, but that means other aspects, such as the music, atmosphere, and text have to make up for what little visual elements are normally presented in the typical visual novel.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is straightforward and primarily revolves around a "fill in the blanks" mechanic, where players either spell out answers or select from options. While some users noted awkwardness in chat and mini-game mechanics, and the presence of unskippable credits affecting achievements, these issues do not significantly detract from the overall experience, which allows for smooth progression.

    • “The plus side being that there's minimal friction between mechanics and forward progression.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's not very complex.”
    • “It’s a 'fill in the blanks' type of mechanic, whereby you either spell out what needs to be done out of a preset combination of letters or pick a certain answer.”
    • “My only complaints are achievements behind unskippable credits and that the chat and mini games mechanics are a bit awkward at times, but nothing that ruins the game.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is effectively crafted through a combination of a well-suited soundtrack and the innovative use of a smartphone interface, enhancing the tension and engagement of the death game concept. The music transitions seamlessly between relaxed and intense moments, reminiscent of the Zero Escape series, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven games. Overall, the audio and design choices create a captivating and immersive environment that compensates for the limited visual elements typical of visual novels.

    • “The soundtrack seems to always fit the atmosphere perfectly — whether it's relaxed, upbeat music when the characters are chatting amongst themselves at the start of a new day, or tense, agitated music when dealing with the psychotically-minded game master in charge of the death games, the audio experience never feels out of step.”
    • “Atmospheric music choices, clever use of the phone interface and chat concept, and nice, judicious use of effects create an immersive experience.”
    • “The idea of a death game all set within the confines of a smartphone interface is a neat concept, but that means other aspects, such as the music, atmosphere, and text, have to compensate for the limited visual elements typically presented in a visual novel.”
    • “The atmosphere reminds me a little of the Zero Escape games, so if you are a fan of any of the games I mentioned, you might enjoy Trials of Harmony as well.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of the game are noted for their unique aesthetic, particularly appealing to fans of mobile visual novels. While it may not offer the detailed environmental visuals or expressive character portraits found in titles like 999 or VLR, it provides a distinct anime style that may attract players who appreciate that genre. Overall, the visuals are a standout feature, especially for those interested in escape room themes.

    • “I've played my share of death/survival games, and the only thing that makes this stand out is the aesthetic and the fact that it's on a phone.”
    • “In a game like 999 or VLR, you have graphics that visualize the environment, and character portraits have different expressions and so forth.”
    • “In a game like 999 or VLR, you have graphics that visualize the environment, character portraits have different expressions, and so forth.”
    • “So if you're all about exploring branching paths in visual novels, do set your expectations accordingly.”
    • “If you are interested in the concept of an escape room themed visual novel, but if the anime aesthetic and its associated tropes put you off, this is a good one of those that may be more to your liking.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, which detracts from their overall enjoyment, even though they remain intrigued by the story.

    • “It's so extraordinarily tedious to play through, despite the intrigue I have about the story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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