With Eyes of Ice

About

"With Eyes of Ice" is a kinetic novel set in Iceland, following Gréta Egilsdóttir's journey from her home in Reykjahlíð to a fishing village. The story explores Gréta's love for the world-weary doctor Nataníel Jóhannsson, with 120k of text and no choices. The game features custom character artwork, a custom OST, and an atmospheric Icelandic setting.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews

story13 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

With Eyes Of Ice features a superbly well-written narrative that deeply explores complex themes of loneliness, love, and sacrifice, making it an emotionally engaging experience.
The artwork and music are of high quality, with beautiful visuals and a soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere of the story, contributing to the overall immersion.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, with each having their own depth and complexity, allowing players to connect with them on a personal level.

The game lacks player choices and branching paths, which some players feel would have enhanced the storytelling experience and allowed for different outcomes.
The pacing can be uneven, with some segments feeling drawn out or artificially prolonged, detracting from the overall impact of the narrative.
Certain themes and character actions may be confusing or unsettling, which could alienate players who prefer lighter or more straightforward stories.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
62%
7%
The story is praised for its brilliant writing and depth, though it can be brutal and confusing at times, reflecting the complexities of life and relationships. While the linear, kinetic format lacks player choices, it effectively engages readers with its dramatic pacing and well-developed characters, despite some criticisms regarding character motivations and the overall messaging. The combination of stunning visuals and a fitting soundtrack enhances the emotional impact, making it a compelling, albeit dark, narrative experience.
- “The story is brilliantly written, though it can get rather brutal and even upsetting at times - a reflection of the author's key theme, pointing out that life is by no means all wine and roses.”
- “This story is really good; it's so interesting and I love the characters; they all have so much depth.”
- “You really do want to know what’s going to happen next: the story starts in medias res with the scene shown in the trailer (Gréta running in the snow at night), and the novel then unfolds in flashback form, explaining what she is running from, and why.”
- “The overall messaging of the story is a bit confusing and aimless.”
- “I don't really know what it is that I am supposed to learn here or draw from this story other than the story telling me some stance that revolves around cheating within a relationship.”
- “There were also times in which it felt like characters had to act the way that they act just for the sake of advancing the plot and not so much in a more natural feeling way.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
27%
20%
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, with tracks that enhance the storytelling and are inspired by Nordic folk themes. However, some users note that the soundtrack feels limited, leading to instances where the music does not perfectly match the scene's tone. Overall, while the music is a highlight for many, there are calls for a more varied selection to better suit different moments in the game.
- “The UI, artwork, and music are excellent; I would like to place special emphasis on the music - beautiful, aptly-selected pieces.”
- “It also has pretty high production values with a lot of beautiful CGs and a really atmospheric soundtrack, featuring slightly haunting character themes and beautiful songs inspired by Nordic folk music that truly enhance the scenes instead of merely accompanying them.”
- “The art and music are also absolutely gorgeous, and the music in particular fits the story perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack feels a bit limited and is frequently used even when the tone of a song doesn't exactly match the tone of a scene; it just happens to be the best fit from the small soundtrack.”
- “I would have preferred to just let the scenes breathe without music in those instances.”
- “There are lots of CGs as well as a varied soundtrack, but no voice acting.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to deeply invest players in the characters and their stories, creating a personal and often heart-wrenching experience. Reviewers note the presence of sweet moments alongside heavier themes, such as abuse and personal struggle, which resonate strongly, especially in the context of real-world challenges. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, leaving players feeling attached to the characters and their journeys.
- “I haven't finished the game quite yet, but I am at the climax and so emotionally invested.”
- “Yes, quite a lot of genuinely sweet and wholesome moments are to be found here, and the main romance sure is an interesting one.”
- “[i] With Eyes of Ice [/i] is a well-written otome-esque visual novel that surprisingly became a very personal, emotional experience.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their stunning artwork and appealing character designs, contributing to a thick atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. The UI is described as excellent, and the music is beautifully selected, complementing the visuals and overall experience effectively. Despite minor issues like typos, the game's visual and auditory elements are considered top-notch and well worth the price.
- “With eyes of ice is a rather dark tale mixed with love triangles, drama, and thick atmosphere, from its rather descriptive writing to its overall art style, direction, and design.”
- “This game has awesome visuals, and the music suits the plot ideally. For the first time, even the sound of all those buttons in the menu was so pleasurable, like popping up that air wrap. Realistic, appealing characters that don't leave you indifferent.”
- “This visual novel is a bit more expensive than Ebi-hime's works tend to be, but I really think it's well worth the price for the story alone, not to mention the stunning visuals, effects, and music.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The atmosphere of "With Eyes of Ice" is characterized by a dark, moody, and melancholic tone, effectively complemented by its descriptive writing and high production values. The desolate Icelandic landscapes and claustrophobic village settings enhance the narrative, while the atmospheric soundtrack, featuring haunting character themes and Nordic folk-inspired songs, enriches the overall experience.
- “It also has pretty high production values with a lot of beautiful CGs and a really atmospheric soundtrack, featuring slightly haunting character themes and beautiful songs inspired by Nordic folk music that truly enhance the scenes instead of merely accompanying them.”
- “With Eyes of Ice is a rather dark tale mixed with love triangles, drama, and a thick atmosphere, from its descriptive writing to its overall art style, direction, and design.”
- “Since this is an ebi-hime novel, it is permeated by a moody, melancholic atmosphere, which matches well with the desolate Icelandic landscapes and claustrophobic little villages chosen as settings.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized as linear, with no choices or branching paths, resulting in a straightforward experience where players simply progress through the story from start to finish.
- “I can't say much for the gameplay—it's a linear visual novel.”
- “As for the gameplay, there are no choices presented, so you just play through the story from beginning to end.”
- “Now that I've gone over the story and gameplay, I'll move onto my critique.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report a polished and bug-free experience, indicating high stability in the game.
- “A polished, bug-free experience.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
- “I appreciate the consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the humor in the game to be reminiscent of Russian classic literature, often highlighting a blend of suffering and absurdity that evokes laughter. This juxtaposition creates a unique comedic experience that resonates with players, drawing parallels to both literary themes and modern memes.
- “The humor in this game is brilliantly woven into the narrative, making even the most serious moments light-hearted and enjoyable.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the clever puns and witty dialogue throughout the game.”
- “The comedic timing of the characters is spot on, and their quirky personalities add a delightful layer of humor to the gameplay.”

Buy With Eyes of Ice

With Eyes of Ice
$14.99
See offer on Steam

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Buy With Eyes of Ice

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