Wayhaven Chronicles: Book Two
- May 7, 2020
- Hosted Games
- 10h median play time
"Wayhaven Chronicles: Book Two" is a visual novel game where you play as a detective in a supernatural world. The game features a branching storyline with multiple romance options and the choice to play as male, female, or non-binary. In this second installment, you must investigate a series of mysterious disappearances while navigating complex relationships and uncovering dark secrets. Your choices and actions will determine the outcome of your story.
Reviews
- A fantastic sequel that builds on the first book, with well-developed characters and engaging romance options.
- The writing is superb, with a strong focus on character development and emotional depth, making the story immersive and enjoyable.
- The game offers high replayability with multiple romance routes and choices that significantly impact the narrative.
- The pacing can feel slow at times, particularly in the romance development, which may frustrate players looking for quicker resolutions.
- Some players may find the lack of a save feature inconvenient, making it difficult to explore different routes without replaying large sections of the game.
- The plot may feel less intense compared to the first book, with some critics describing it as a filler that sets up future installments.
- story106 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of Wayhaven Chronicles is praised for its engaging narrative and character development, seamlessly blending romance with supernatural elements. Players appreciate the choices that influence the plot and relationships, enhancing replayability and immersion. While some feel the main storyline in the second book is less intense than the first, the overall writing quality and character interactions keep players invested and eager for future installments.
“The story kept me interested and engaged throughout and was well balanced with the relationship side; neither felt sidelined.”
“The author does a fantastic job of weaving this story and dedicates a wonderful amount of time to character development, both personal and relational.”
“The story is strong, the characters are well written and authentic, and the challenges they face are convincing.”
“My only complaint was for the main storyline; it felt too short, but maybe that is just because of how much I love this game.”
“The plot isn't that fantastical compared to the first book - I really like the crime aspect of it and would like to see that focused on more.”
“However, while the plot takes the back seat in book 2, romance takes the stage.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability, allowing players to explore various story paths and character interactions, which significantly impacts the narrative outcome. With a rich fantasy setting and numerous choices, players can engage with different characters and storylines, making each playthrough unique and satisfying. Overall, the replay value is highly praised, making it a must-try for fans of interactive storytelling.
“There is plenty of replayability, exploring all the different options and discovering hints about how the plot may unfold, and whether all is as it appears on the surface.”
“It's an engaging story with amazing characters and great replayability due to the amount of choice the player gets.”
“The replayability of this series is mind-boggling, honestly, and I can't recommend it enough.”
“So, with the added replay value of other routes, which I would highly recommend, this is a must-buy for fans of the Choice of Games & Hosted Games label.”
“Love the story; it does lean heavily into the fantasy aspect of demons, vampires, and many other creatures (though many of them don't show up until book 2), and it's extremely replayable as there are so many characters to make connections with or anger if you choose to go that way.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its charm and ability to evoke genuine laughter, particularly through the interactions of well-developed characters like Farah/Felix and Mason/Morgan. Reviewers highlight the comedic elements as a key aspect of the experience, with moments that elicit strong emotional reactions, blending light-heartedness with engaging storytelling. Overall, the humor enhances the enjoyment of the narrative, making it a standout feature for players.
“From the character arcs to the foreshadowing for the next book in the series, every part was charming, funny, and had my heart doing happy dances.”
“My favorite romance was Mason/Morgan, who never failed to disappoint in making me laugh, sigh with pleasure, and entertain me - side note/semi-spoiler: pick the sideshow option with them, you will not be disappointed. I literally had to walk away and calm down for half an hour before I could come back and continue; I was laughing that hard.”
“The comedy had me laughing out loud, the packed scenes had me tensing, and I often found myself just overall reacting loudly at all the story had to throw at me.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to deep emotional connections with characters. The writing is praised for its fluidity and depth, creating genuine moments that enhance character development and interpersonal drama, ultimately leading to impactful emotional consequences.
“The author does a great job of making me laugh and smile so hard my cheeks hurt, only to then get emotional over my fictional vampire significant others.”
“The writing style is very fluid and emotional.”
“Genuine touching moments, some brilliant writing, and character building.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay in the sequel is praised for its satisfying mechanics, particularly the ability to carry over playthroughs from the first game, enhancing the overall narrative experience. While the new threat may not drive the plot as effectively as its predecessor, it adds depth and intrigue to the gameplay. Overall, the mechanics contribute positively to the player's immersion in the story.
“The mechanics of it all are engaging and add depth to the gameplay experience.”
“Carrying over your playthrough from the first game is satisfying if you want to have one full story experience.”
“The new threat is much more interesting in its own right, enhancing the overall gameplay.”
“Lastly, the mechanics of it all.”
“[b]Mechanics:[/b] Carrying over your playthrough from the first game is satisfying if you want to have one full story experience (until book three...).”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game's character development for its depth and authenticity, highlighting the author's skill in crafting personal and relational growth that feels organic rather than repetitive. This thoughtful approach alleviates concerns often associated with sequels, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience.
“The author does a fantastic job of weaving this story and really dedicates a wonderful amount of time to character development, both personal and relationship-wise.”
“It's not just a rehash, which always worries me with sequels, and the character development is done in a very natural way.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are noted to be lacking, but this shortcoming is more than compensated for by the rich content and engaging storytelling. Players who appreciate narrative-driven experiences, particularly in the romance and relationship genre, may overlook the visual deficiencies.
“Whatever it lacks in graphical representation, it more than compensates in content.”
“I will happily buy anything else this author writes and highly recommend this book and obviously the first one to anyone who enjoys CYA's and romance/relationship games in general (assuming you're not put off by a lack of visuals).”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the inability to save at any point, making it challenging for completionists who wish to experience every reaction without repetitive playthroughs.
“It doesn't allow saving at any point, so the replays for a completionist who wants to see every reaction will be tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, only to realize it was all for a minor upgrade that didn't feel worth the effort.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the book is highly praised for its immersive quality, drawing readers into a captivating world with well-developed characters. Reviewers appreciate the realistic unfolding of events and the thoughtful attention to consent in romantic scenes, enhancing the overall experience.
“Simply the best book I've read in a very long time. It feels like you're being sucked into their world; the characters are once again very well written, and the whole atmosphere is captivating and exciting.”
“The attention put into the enforcement of consent in romance scenes adds to the immersive atmosphere, making the events feel realistic and natural.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly engaging, drawing you in and making you feel a part of the story.”