Written by: JP Developer: Jayden Woods Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux Genre: Romance, Drama, Adventure Release Date: Oct. 4, 2013 Official Website | So you know all of the rants I gave you guys about the fact that we should get more out of EVNs that just that one EVN? Apparently we have a test case to examine! Seraphina's Saga is a multimedia project that covers animation, an e-book and, of course, a visual novel. All of this is an off-shoot of another series written by the author, so there is plenty of back-story and history to comb through if you simply want to or if you're a fan of Jayden Woods. But that isn't the question is it. 'Is any of it actually good?' is the question. Since I have been clamoring for more when it comes to VNs, it would be hypocritical for me to not review each piece of this particular project. So there will be a review of the animation and the e-book, which both serve as prequels to the game proper. At the end, everything will be linked together and form one long chain of either glory or pain depending on how all of this goes. This particular review will focus just on the events of the visual novel. I hope you are ready to have fun, because I am! Let's dive into Seraphina's Saga! |
Story
One thing I liked was that a major focus of the game was the coming of age tale. This seems like small praise, but the author took the time to flesh out her motivations and mindset which is, for my money, far more interesting than if Woods tried to make this a straight-forward fantasy or adventure story. Let's be honest; when I gave a brief description about the story the only thing going through most of our heads were the countless cliches that make up the romance/high fantasy genre. And while it is here, the narrow focus allows for most of the cliches to be ignored...most of them anyway. We'll get into that soon enough.
It also helps that Seraphina's a likable protagonist. Her original goal is to save her adopted father and when that fizzles out, her new goal is to help the people suffering under the hands of the current King. While she is clearly kind-hearted, her first reaction is Trust, But Verify: in other words, 'Until I know you better I'm just going to hit you with this stick'. I was expecting for her naivete to get annoying, but it was never overdone and instead used to give her more of a common sense intellect instead of straight-out ignorance. And it says a lot that the main character's goals push the plot when that is so often ditched in favor of a supporting character...insert your own RWBY joke here. So by the time the coming of age tale wraps to a close you feel like she's earned the results of whatever path was chosen.
On top of that, the time taken to flesh out Seraphina gives the story room to expand on the world around her. In a genre where things could easily be explained away with a wave of the author's hand, you do get the sense reading this that a lot of thought was put into making the society and mythology of the game make a certain amount of sense. The government of this world is horribly convoluted, but 'convoluted' in the same way that Her Majesty's Government is convoluted. After a few explanations you get the drift. And while I am not complete sold on the idea of certain noble bloodlines connected to this world's gods, it isn't abused to create a Deus Ex Machina. In fact, many of the abilities the gods allow the people of their bloodline seem to be rather mundane, so it only adds a little extra to the story rather than overwhelm it. So, nice touch there.
What doesn't work here is the romance. There are five romancable characters, but only two really mean anything to the overall story. However, all of the romantic routes feel forced and distract from all of the interesting stuff I just listed out. The level of forced varies from path to path, but for my money the absolute worst is the Reuben path. If the ridiculous outfit didn't tip anyone off, this guy enjoys sexual relations to an immense degree...that might be the most high-brow way anyone's ever described a man-whore. And if THAT wasn't a tip off, the fact that Reuben molests Seraphina in the middle of his path should send flags flying onto the field.
I am not saying that the game shouldn't have ANY romance, but when one of the major selling points of the game comes off as a distraction; I think we have a problem.
Unfortunate another trip up is with the supporting cast. While Seraphina gets a metric ton of development, the others barely get by on a spoonful. Reuben (yes I'm picking on him again...he may have pissed me off) starts off the game as an egomaniac and ends the game as an egomaniac. Nikolaos is in the same boat but levels off to become somewhat interesting as his path goes on. The King might as well not have any screen time or at the very least have a mustache to twirl.
The only actual development outside of Seraphina goes to Arken AKA Seraphina's Adopted Dad...which should come as no surprise as Arken plays a major role in the prequel animation and the main character of the prequel novella. Take that to mean what you will, but even his character see-sawed through Machiavellian chessplayer and overprotective, damaged father figure.
I applaud Jayden Woods (not her real name) for coming up with an entertaining story that manages to swim in the flood of fantasy works we're getting. I had a lot of fun watching the story unfurl itself and I am looking forward to the prequel stuff. Woods just went a little too far with the romantic stuff and it wasn't needed.
...Uh Papa? People Are Staring At Us...
Presentation And Gameplay
Holy Mother of Baby Jesus I was on the floor laughing. His design is ridiculous even compared to the real big bad of the game who looks like the most stereotypical vampire in the history of stereotypical vampires. The basic building blocks for improving are here though and in time it can be decent, but it will take some investment and the same amount of thinking that went into the writing; as apparently the writer is also the artist? Can we get verification on that?
One thing that was curious to me was that the voice actors for the animation didn't contribute to the game. That just seemed like a waste to me. Though the soundtrack was enjoyable and fitting for the most part. Overall, it's a mixed bag presentation.
Gameplay is also iffy with some spelling errors and a very basic UI that doesn't include an extras page. It doesn't take away from the overall story but it can also be improved on with time.
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUCHE!
Replay Value
Overall
And as I said, we're not quite through with the Serafina series just yet. Keep an eye on the site for reviews of the animation and novella.
Final Score
6/10 | + Entertaining Story With A Fun Protagonist + Interesting World You Got There Jayden - The Romantic Paths Distract From The Overall Story - Presentation Needs A Lot More Work |