Werewolves: Haven Rising
- July 26, 2018
- Choice of Games
- 18h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Werewolves: Haven Rising," a 285,000-word interactive novel, you are a werewolf living in a government internment camp. When you're chosen for a dangerous mission, you must navigate the tensions between the military and werewolf radicals. As you explore an urban jungle, your actions will determine the fate of your pack. This text-based game lets your choices control the story without graphics or sound effects.
Reviews
- The game features a compelling and inspiring story about struggle and resistance against oppression, with well-developed characters and multiple romance options.
- Players appreciate the extensive customization options and the meaningful choices that can lead to different endings, enhancing replayability.
- The writing is praised for its quality, with many players feeling emotionally invested in the narrative and characters, making it one of the best text-based games in its genre.
- The stat system can be overwhelming and may lead to frustration, as players feel forced to stick to specific paths or risk failure due to poor choices.
- Some players found the plot confusing and criticized the lack of logical progression in certain scenarios, leading to a feeling of disconnection from the story.
- The game has been described as having a somewhat unsatisfying ending, with some players feeling that their choices did not significantly impact the outcome.
- story54 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a compelling narrative of struggle and resistance against military oppression, featuring well-crafted writing and character choices that significantly impact the outcome. While the first half is praised for its depth and engagement, the latter part becomes chaotic, leading to some confusion. Overall, players appreciate the interactive elements and the emotional investment required, though opinions vary on the plot's coherence and resolution.
“Inspiring story about struggle and resistance against military oppression.”
“The well-written story quickly drew me in, and it showed a complexity and depth I hadn't been expecting.”
“The story has layers of mysteries and hidden agendas that can be discovered.”
“The writing, especially in the first half of the game, is very well-done, but towards the finale both the plot and the writing get more chaotic and 'lost in the action.'”
“I would say that this game is not entirely bad, but the plot sometimes goes beyond what I am able to understand.”
“To be honest, the story was not what I expected.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development is generally well-received, with consistent writing that effectively highlights the traits of the werewolves. However, some readers feel that deeper development of the main character's relationships, particularly with other key characters, could enhance the overall experience, especially in future installments.
“The writing is good, and the character development is consistent, and you soon pick up on the characteristics of the werewolves as you read.”
“While it's not the best character development or romance, I still enjoyed my time.”
“I think more character development between the main character and the others, especially Rage, would make the second book even better.”
“The character development feels rushed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with their journeys.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful growth for the characters; they seem to remain static throughout the story.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, noting that their choices significantly impact character relationships and story outcomes, fostering a sense of personal investment. However, some critiques suggest that the narrative may lean too heavily on political correctness, which could detract from the overall experience for certain players.
“Things weren't too predictable either. When I did something right or was commended by a character I cared about, the dialogue made me feel I earned their agreement through my choices. When I fell short, it reaffirmed the feeling that I wasn't just some 'chosen one', but that I was actively making choices that got me to where I did in the story.”
“I can strongly recommend this game to anyone who has an evening to kill and who's willing to get emotionally invested in the story the game is presenting you.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Gameplay is engaging and encourages players to focus on their strengths, particularly in terms of stats. After several hours of play, users find the experience to be intriguing and enjoyable.
“A word of advice for the gameplay: stick to what you know you are good at, stats-wise (unless explicitly prompted not to).”
“After five hours of gameplay, I can say that it's interesting.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics have received mixed feedback, with some users initially finding the lack of visual elements overwhelming and reminiscent of a text-heavy novel. However, the graphic descriptions of key moments, such as the state of a corpse, effectively convey emotional weight and enhance the immersive experience.
“At first, I was put off by the lack of visuals; it felt like a novel that was altered slightly by my choices. Looking at a normal screen full of words was overwhelming and sometimes hurt my eyes.”
“The state of the corpse is graphically described, and at its end, my companion gets weak-kneed, saying, 'I can no longer feel detached' as I struggle to keep up the facade of keeping it together.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in unexpected game mechanics, such as being able to save after dying and then triumphing in a subsequent attempt, leading to amusing outcomes that enhance the overall experience.
“At the end of my first playthrough, I got killed but could still save the game. I was curious how that would proceed in part 2. It was quite funny that after reloading my save, I actually won that fight and our enemy was killed instead.”
“The dialogue is filled with witty one-liners that had me laughing out loud. The characters' banter adds a delightful layer of humor to the gameplay.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously. The absurd situations and quirky characters kept me entertained throughout my entire playthrough.”
