To Libertad

Good stories do not require incredible gameplay mechanics in order to impress gamers, especially not in the case of visual novels. Hence, as long as the writing is great and the events keep you in suspense, there’s no need for exciting battle scenes or anything of the sort. Granted, such scenes can be included using text, even if you as the player do not get too much of a say on the matter.

To Libertad is a kinetic visual novel that tells the story of a slave and her journey to freedom. It’s not a long tale, but it’s quite exciting and enjoyable, especially if you like fantasy flicks. The game was designed for a jam competition, so don’t expect a lot of content. On the other hand, it’s better to enjoy something short and good than something long that loses its appeal halfway through.

The plot revolves around Ada, a young slave girl who somehow manages to escape her captors after many years of captivity. However, it would seem like the slavers are about to catch up with her, which is when a brave warrior comes to her rescue. This warrior is also a woman, so the two start a friendship on their way to Libertad, the city where Ada wants to go.

As far as the gameplay goes, there’s nothing for you to actually do, since the story goes on without your input. All you have to do is click through the dialog and take your time to read every line, otherwise you might not be able to understand the story. Various characters make an appearance along the way, each one of which contributes to the story as a whole.

The artwork is quite impressive as well, and it ought to be, given the fact that there’s nothing else to do but watch the screen and perform mouse clicks whenever you are done reading. Besides the great character design, you also get to admire a variety of engaging backgrounds. The music is not that memorable, on the other hand, which is a bit of a bummer.

To Libertad is not exactly the most original visual novel out there, but it certainly has all the right elements to keep you engaged until the end. Hence, if you like nice stories and you do not mind the lack of interaction, this is a great experience from start to finish.