Wayhaven Chronicles: Book One

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In "Wayhaven Chronicles: Book One," you are a detective in a noir-inspired city, unraveling a supernatural mystery. Your choices affect the story's outcome and your relationships with other characters. This visual novel combines detective work, fantasy elements, and romantic options for a unique and engaging experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 297 reviews

story105 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Engaging story with well-developed characters that feel real and relatable.
Multiple romance options with distinct personalities, allowing for varied playthroughs.
Strong writing and pacing, making it hard to put down and encouraging replayability.

The romance aspect can feel forced and may overshadow the detective plot.
Some characters may come off as stereotypes, lacking depth initially.
Choices may not significantly impact the overall story, leading to a more linear experience.

story
277 mentions
38 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its engaging writing, character depth, and intriguing plot, particularly within the supernatural and romance genres. While some players appreciate the character-driven narrative and the ability to influence relationships, others note that the choices often feel limited and do not significantly alter the main storyline, leading to a more linear experience. Overall, it is seen as a compelling blend of mystery and romance, with a strong emphasis on character interactions and development.
- “The story is engaging and the characters are really great.”
- “The writing is well-polished, the story is developed and interesting, the characters engaging and unique.”
- “The story is amazing and the characters really do act like themselves.”
- “I felt like I was playing Charlie's Angels meets Twilight, with a feeble attempt at a detective story.”
- “The story was simple, more like a vehicle for a drawn-out romance than anything.”
- “The fatal flaw of this game is that you cannot affect the story.”
replayability
19 mentions
26 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mixed assessment of replayability. Many players appreciate the variety of character choices, romantic options, and nuanced dialogue that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others feel that the limited impact of choices on the overall story reduces its replay value. Despite some criticisms, a significant number of users find enough variability and engaging content to warrant repeated play.
- “Instead, the choices you make change the dialogue in small ways, which makes the replayability super high.”
- “There is a ton of replayability here, as your detective can be male, female, or non-binary with any romantic preference.”
- “A really well-written game with great characters, an interesting and well-thought-out world, and a lot of replayability!”
- “Was a bit disappointed that most choices didn't really impact the story in any way, so the replay value wasn't that great.”
- “So replay value is limited unless you are a completionist.”
- “Very low replay value.”
humor
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with many players finding the dialogue and character interactions genuinely funny, often leading to laughter. While some humor tropes, like the recurring "about-to-kiss" cliché, can become repetitive, the overall comedic timing and character dynamics are well-executed, balancing humor with serious moments effectively. Players appreciate the distinct personalities of the characters, which contribute to the game's comedic appeal, especially in a unique setting that blends supernatural elements with detective work.
- “The humor hits well, and I have found myself laughing and smiling at the dialogue and interactions many times.”
- “I laughed so much at this; the characters are funny, and the author has great comedic timing, while still keeping things in tone depending on the situations the characters are in.”
- “Made me laugh out loud a bunch of times!”
character development
7 mentions
57 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and progression of the love interests, noting that they evolve beyond their initial tropes, others criticize the lack of organic growth and personal details. Overall, many reviewers highlight the strong writing and variety of choices that enhance character development, contributing to a rich and engaging narrative experience.
- “I can see where the four love interests could be considered 'tropey' (you do have the stoic team leader, the romantic softie, the flirt, and the 'kid/jokester'), but as with the story, you learn more about these characters as the series progresses, and you'll soon see there's a lot more to each love interest as the character development unfolds.”
- “Good game, the character development, the choices, and the story are strong.”
- “The writing is amazing and it really draws you in. I also loved the variety of choices it gives you and the character development!”
- “There is no organic character development, and I could not tell you a single personal detail about any of these characters.”
gameplay
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for its poor execution, particularly in the detective aspect, which feels underdeveloped despite the engaging narrative and character interactions. Players cannot lose, which may appeal to some, but the hit-or-miss deduction mechanics can lead to frustration. Overall, the game emphasizes character relationships and choices, allowing players to shape their experience through different personality traits.
- “Investigating these events will lead you to work with the previously mentioned vampires, and how the case will go from then on is based on how good you are at keeping the team in check.”
- “The gameplay element is poorly executed, but I could forgive that on some level from a text-based game if it had good enough writing.”
- “A really big gameplay choice I want to highlight is that you cannot lose in this game.”
- “The one thing I'll warn about, at least from my gameplay, is that the detective aspect isn't all that prominent.”
graphics
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game are minimal, as it is a text-based experience with no visual or musical elements, focusing instead on storytelling and player choice. While some graphic moments are present due to the supernatural crime-solving theme, the lack of visuals allows for an immersive narrative experience that players find engaging.
- “The graphics are stunning, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.”
- “The visual design is captivating, drawing players into the world and making every scene feel alive.”
- “The art style is beautifully crafted, with attention to detail that adds depth to the storytelling.”
- “As usual with these text-based games from Choice of Games, there's no music, graphics, or whatever.”
- “I can't tell you how long it's been since I've been able to sit down and focus on something with no visuals anywhere to be found, but once I started playing this, I couldn't put it down until I finished it.”
emotional
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its well-crafted writing and character interactions, which evoke strong feelings and connections, leading to moments of warmth and even tears. Players appreciate the balance of heartwarming scenes and impactful emotional arcs, particularly in character-driven narratives.
- “This book is incredibly well written, from the action scenes to the emotional ones.”
- “Amazing experience, wonderful cast of characters, wholesome interactions.”
- “I won't spoil it but the emotional connection I felt in each path, especially Ava (my favorite), was so strong I ended up crying a bit during a certain bittersweet moment.”
music
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is minimal, as it lacks any in-game soundtrack or audio. However, players are encouraged to enhance their experience by creating or finding playlists on platforms like Spotify that match the themes of the game.
- “I recommend reading with music - you can find playlists for every love interest on Spotify.”
- “As usual with these text-based games from Choice of Games, there's no music, graphics, or anything.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its well-crafted narrative and engaging character dynamics, creating a vivid and immersive experience. The eloquent yet accessible language enhances the overall ambiance, making each scene feel thoughtfully constructed. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Very well-written, with an interesting cast of characters and a great atmosphere.”
- “The characters are interesting and have excellent chemistry with each other and the reader. The story is atmospheric and sets up each scene well; the language is eloquent yet not overly difficult for the average reader. This book is well-rounded in just about every sense!”