PC Preview Code Provided by DON’T NOD
Everybody can appreciate a choose-your-own-adventure title and that is exactly what DON’T NOD is delivering with their upcoming game Harmony: The Fall of Reverie. Taking a fantasy-like approach, this story entails two different realities that coincide together in a unique way. This story will put players in situations where they have to decide what the best action is and, ultimately, where their priorities lie.
Gameplay
This is a very straightforward narrative game. The gameplay is in listening or reading through the story scenes and making a decision on what should happen to move the story forward. Sometimes there will be a lot going on, sometimes only a bit, but be ready to make a decision as most scenes need your choices to move the storyline forward.
Outside of the story scenes, they have a timeline that you can follow. You can only see so much of the timeline, depending on which section or chapter of the game you are in. However, when you are on this overworld-like screen, you can look at where different decisions will take you, which gives a meta-style foresight into what choices you might want to make sure you make.
As you make choices, you will earn a number of trait points which are used to open up other story pieces. For example, you can make more caring choices to get more Bliss points or more stern choices to get more Power points. These points would open up different pathways or even special scenes that could expand the story further.
Keep in mind, this game plays out like a visual novel. That means that when actions or descriptions are provided, they are lines to be read by the player, but when it is something a character is saying, there will be voice acting for it. Visually, you will simply have the current scenery and the active characters on the screen.
Expectations
The story seems like it is trying to be dark and light at the same time. Perhaps this is due to the blend of the different realities playing out, but I hope to see it lean one way or the other. I would imagine this could also be affected by the choices a player makes along the way too.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this game hides part of the details in different pathways, making the bigger picture of the story hidden for those that go through the different storylines. There is already a lot going on in the small bit of the early chapter that I played through. Once they start divulging more details and revealing secrets, the choices are bound to become harder to make.
Verdict
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie has an enticing story to follow and simplistic gameplay. If you are a fan of visual novels and fantasy stories, especially ones that split and blend different realities, then this game is one you will want to keep an eye on.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie will be available on June 8th for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch, as well as on PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on June 22nd.
