Heart of the House Reviews

Work of art

Princessbubblebee

Highly recommend.

Interesting to play, high replayability, good length

ArtemisLynn

I’ve played most of the CoG’s. Usually, even for very good ones, there’s a tradeoff. Either it has many different paths but it’s very short, and plays like a strategy game where you try to figure out how to get all the endings; or it’s long and reads like a story, but you can only enjoy one play-through because the “choices” you make hardly change the outcome. This game managed to finesse this tradeoff somewhat. It’s a long, interesting story, so I expected a second play-through might be boring. However, my choices revealed different aspects of the story. While in truth there was only one main “path” as I feared, each play-through deepened my understanding of the mystery and the other characters. Your actions do affect which endings you can get. Furthermore, the storyline made the intractability of the main path somewhat natural, because it didn’t pretend your character was in control of all her surroundings. (To avoid spoilers, here’s an analogy. Think of someone caught up in a war and captured, and she ends up visiting the same cities in every play-through - which makes sense because that’s where her captors are going. On the other hand, her choices will determine what knowledge and resources she collects and alliances she forms, which allows her to influence the ending in different ways.)

Oh my goodness

Mimi_Angel

I don’t even know where to start. By far this has become one of my favorite COG. The dialogue fits in the time period and location; the characters can be fleshed out and the replay value is 10/10. Character wise; many of them broke the main stereotypes of the time. As a history buff, the fact that the whole situation of the town was “strange” was what kept my annoyance to certain reactions down. The first run through took me almost 6 hours total and each replay is at least two hours- because there is so much to discover in the text. It’s very beautiful. Each choice you make really does lead you to new dialogue and choices. The different romantic routes were each in their own. I enjoyed them and won’t spoil it. I only have two issues. The first is how the leading character finds themselves in the House. (Considering this story deals with the super natural this next comment sounds stupid but I have to say it) It’s just not realistic and feels forced. There is also a character we meet early on, learn a good amount about only to have them drop off after a chapter and never heard from again. Why waste my time with someone who doesn’t matter?

Cuddle parties are now game requirements.

JynxedFreak

I love CoGs. I have all my current games sorted by genre on my second page of apps, and I purchase all my favorite games on steam so that they are doubly available to play. Usually I restrain my interest to the brand, but this game has me wanting a fandom like all my favorite novels and television shows.

Very entertaining

CowslipsWarren

I was engrossed for most of the day. Solid writing, although not better than what you'll find in any run-of-the-mill book set in this period. The story starts to come apart at the end; the writing gets broader, less specific, and choices you have made are referenced incorrectly, not built on, etc. A warning: I bought this because I like ghost stories, but this is a Lovecraftian story. If you're not into Cthulu derivatives, maybe skip.

Amazing Game

DictatorOearth

This is a lovecraftian horror game. It’s less about jumps and more about the unknown. It’s a fantastic mystery game that kept me hooked through the entire night. I eagerly await a second installment. I know there likely won’t be one but I will wait none the less.

Must buy

Mimi nun

This game is one of my favorite COG, I recommend this ? especially if you are a sucker for a good romantic game.

The House Always Wins

iiclipse

I’ve returned to this game so many times. The supernatural plot is engaging and well-conceived, and it unravels its secrets with a confident stride. Character and romantic arcs, in particular, are a triumph for the format. Dev is one of my favorite companions in a COG title, and the other paramours are richly constructed, too. Well worth your time—this is a gem.

Heart of the House Reviews – Page 3