- September 30, 2019
- SilverTabbyCat - Visual Novel Games
Trials of Harmony ~ Experimental Visual Novel
Platforms
About
"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.











- The game features a unique phone interface that enhances immersion and adds a fresh twist to the visual novel genre.
- The writing is generally well-crafted, with natural dialogue and interesting character dynamics that keep players engaged.
- 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 it tedious to navigate conversations.
- Many puzzles feel overly simplistic or derivative, lacking the cleverness expected from a game in this genre.
- The story's early chapters are often described as uninteresting, with a lack of meaningful choices until the final act.
- story38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and suspenseful, particularly from chapter six onwards, while others criticize the early chapters as tedious and lacking entertainment value. Many reviewers 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. Despite these criticisms, the characters are generally well-defined, and those willing to invest time may find the story rewarding after multiple playthroughs.
“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.”