The name Don’t Nod made us almost immediately think of compelling story-driven games paired with stunning visuals that explore deep and challenging aspects of life. Life is Strange, the studio’s acclaimed and award-winning graphic adventure series released in 2015, is a shining example of their unparalleled attention to detail, care and craftsmanship. Each production they produce is meticulously prepared with a storytelling quality.
The studio is coming out with a new graphic adventure, Harmony: The Fall of Reverie, which we’ll be excited to play in full on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and the Xbox family of consoles next month. With that in mind, I had the chance to delve into this new universe, and it left a positive impression on me.
Meet Polly, our traveling companion in our new adventure. After years away from the city, she returns home when her mother disappears without a trace. Upon arrival, she finds that everything has changed, and so has she. Gradually, she discovers that she has the gift of clairvoyance and connects to a parallel world called Reverie. In this mystical realm, she encounters grand desires and powerful human ambitions for happiness, power, glory and even chaos. Each of these forces interacts with her in unique ways, shaping her journey differently.
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When our protagonist travels to another realm, she becomes Harmony, a goddess entrusted with the divine duty to manage ambition and desire and restore balance between the real world and the divine world. With “the fate of humanity at stake,” we embark on a deep narrative exploring these highly valued and influential social goals. To do this, we have to face sometimes extremely challenging situations.
Needless to say, this is a decision game. Your beliefs, values, and mindset will shape your gaming journey. It is worth noting that the time in the story is composed of different nodes, which are intricately connected with each other. While some nodes may only be shipping points, others give you important choices that will determine your next steps. Every choice has consequences, because once you choose a node, there is no going back.
Throughout your journey, you’ll have a trusty companion in the form of neatly organized manuscripts that reveal and explain every aspect you unlock along the way. Honestly, if you don’t remember a detail or need to review something that was shown earlier, the tool has great instructions.
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Without revealing too much, I will share my first steps in this universe. Right from the start, you’re introduced to two of these ambitions. The first one I met was Happiness, a colorful girl who introduces you to the story and the world around her. Next is Power, a powerhouse who emphasizes the importance of reason in making any decision. At this point, I realized I had to choose between these two ambitions. And, it turns out, I was not mistaken.
One of the first decisions I received was to advise loved ones to either abandon their principles for a job offer that would provide stability (Happiness), or reject the offer and stick to their principles (Power). While this may seem like a small decision, it actually matters, as it determines whether you receive Power Crystals or Happiness Crystals, which can then be used to unlock the Path of Power or the Path of Happiness. Interestingly, I chose Power that day.
I have to say, one of my favorite things about the game is its comic-like visuals and illustrations. Highly detailed, colorful artwork is the hallmark of the studio behind the game, and just one look at it reveals the care and creativity that went into it. As for the feature sheet, the only standout feature is the codex I mentioned earlier – while everything else is very simple and easy to navigate.
Finally, I want to emphasize that the game allows you to play multiple “new games”, so the gameplay is much wider. You can explore other paths that were previously unexplorable. However, I must say that your first experience in the game is the one you will remember and enjoy the most.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie definitely exceeded my expectations. The storytelling, animation, and script are all impressive. I can’t wait for it to be fully released in June.
