Solstice Demo

A visual novel’s success is usually dependent on its story, because that’s obviously the whole point of the genre. The players stare at the screen for an hour or two, watching the story unfold in front of their eyes while they have very little control over it most of the time. However, there are games that provide the audience with the option to choose how the protagonist handles each serious situation.

Solstice is a visual novel that leaves the story almost entirely in your hands, or at least the important bits. Not only that, but there are two protagonists to watch over, which makes your job even more exciting. Still, you shouldn’t expect too much interaction with the game world or the characters either, since this is still a visual novel after all. If you enjoy the genre, on the other hand, this is clearly a top-notch production.

To begin with, the story revolves around an intriguing city built in the middle of an arctic wasteland, yet inside it looks more like an exotic paradise. As it happens, the entire city is covered with a large dome that keeps the cold out, although that is obviously not enough to explain the almost tropical environment inside. The two protagonists are a doctor and a mysterious woman that arrives unconscious on a dogsled, and they both have pretty interesting background stories.

Since the people inside are a community, it can be pretty difficult for an outsider to fit in, and even more difficult to get information from them. Everyone has something to hide, so it’s important that you learn to read between the lines and pressure specific characters to tell you the truth. Each conversation provides you with new information, on the other hand, so it’s up to you to put it to good use.

Every now and again, the story can take one direction or the other, and it depends on what you choose to say or do. Not every decision affects the entire plot, but even small ones can have repercussions later on. It obviously depends on how you want your character to be perceived, although you may be forced to pick sides sooner or later.

All things considered, Solstice seems to have its ducks in a row, and it’s actually one step above most visual novels out there. Hence, if you are a fan of the genre and you are looking for something different, yet heavily polished and refined, Solstice is here to provide.