It’s been a while since I played a visual novel game. The last one I remember playing on my PC was Doki Doki Literature Club! I haven’t kept up with the genre much, so I was excited to try out Gods of The Twilight. The combination of mythology and excellent voice acting drew me in unexpectedly. Here are my spoiler-free first impressions and how this game might rekindle my interest in visual novels.
Characters
A shoutout to Hektor for the heads up! Initially, I was hesitant to continue playing Gods of The Twilight, thinking it was one of those extreme NSFW games. Thankfully, my friend Hektor assured me it wasn’t. The game stands out in the visual novel genre by featuring two playable characters: Farkas and Althea. You can start with either character since you’ll get to play both eventually.
I assumed I’d be sticking to one character throughout, but I was surprised. This is the first time I’ve experienced playing both main characters within one chapter without feeling lost. It’s impressive how seamlessly the story is put together. The concept of old magic returning to a cyberpunk world is intriguing, but it’s the characters that make the world and story compelling.
Graphics
The first scene felt like I was in Cafe Leblanc from Persona 5—just in an alternate universe. I’m hooked on the game’s art style, which often feels like reading a comic book. The game also features some amazing gallery artwork when you hit major milestones in the early access chapter. These pieces are so good they’d make perfect wallpapers.
As I continue playing, I look forward to uncovering more artwork. For an early access game, the developers have definitely got me invested in the future of Farkas and Althea.
Audio
Just by looking at still images, you can almost hear the sounds. The overall sound design is solid. The background music is subtle and doesn’t overpower the dialogues, unlike some other visual novels. The audio team has balanced the sounds and music just right to keep me engaged. Simple animations and sound effects between environmental art keep the game immersive.
For instance, when I talk to someone, the subtle environmental changes bring the setting to life, complementing the voice acting wonderfully.
Interactions
The diversity within the game is refreshing. Each interaction with the characters unlocks new Codex entries about their backstories, which I appreciate. Additionally, the game includes trivia about Norse mythology—something different from the Greek and Roman mythology we often encounter.
The character dialogues are on point, with facial expressions and moving effects adding depth. Initially, I was worried the tutorial hinted at cringe-worthy romantic dialogues. To test the voice acting, I chose all the flirty options with both characters. I’m happy to report the writers handled it well; the dialogues feel natural, and the voice acting is excellent.
One minor wish is for more voice acting in cutscenes, especially during the main character’s internal thoughts. Sometimes, I read the dialogues aloud to fill in the gaps—but overall, the game has left a great impression.