My girlfriend and I finished it in one sitting, and we loved the demo! The sprite arts are so gorgeous and each detail (from Persephone's cornucopia earrings to the wheat-like braids in her hair) is wonderful! The backgrounds are also breathtaking! All the flowers in that one field are so pretty. Also this has got to be one of my favorite designs of Hecate as well <3 Love the purple flames and crescent on her shoulder aaaa.
Persephone is precious, and you can really feel Demeter's worry and determination for her daughter - as well as frustrations with people not willing to aid her. The writing is lovely, succinct and striking, highlighted by the enchanting music and aesthetic UI. I'm so excited for more <3
I loved this SO MUCH!! The writing was really engaging, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!! I love how the story is told like a mystery and the point and click addition was a pleasant surprise!!
The art was also gorgeous: sprites, CGs and backgrounds!! I especially love how the sprites are facing the right or left instead of the more common types of sprites that face the front.
Music was very fitting too! And I loved the animations for the sprite, it gave the game even more life <3
Looking forward to the full-version, will definitely be buying this!!
PS: Poseidon, you will not escape from the fight in the full-version, be prepared
Really enjoyed it, and looking forward to the full release!
Great use of character and camera animations. The UI is clean, easy to read, and matches the aesthetic of the game. The music and sound effects fit pretty well, and are used to good effect. The writing held my attention all the way through. The artwork looks really nice.
My only real beef is the pixel hunt in the point n' click segment—some way of making that more obvious would be appreciated. 🙏
Not being all that familiar with Greek mythology, I don't know where the story is going, but I'm intrigued!
Hey! I played the demo and I was very impressed by everything!
First, on a technical aspect, I really appreciated the dynamic use of the sprites, it really added a lot to the cinematography of it all! I also loved the use of silhouette sprites here, since it's working very well with the narrative (everyone keeping something from Demeter). I also thought the music was very well picked and, more importantly, very well used! It gave the scenes the weight they deserve, and when not the weight, the mood that fitted them. Really, I cannot emphasise enough good the music was used in this game!
The sprites also looked absolutely magnificent. I really loved the character designs here: it felt very unique and yet very "mythological Greek" too. I often see adaptations of mythological stories (especially in theatre) modernising the clothing despite the story not being set today; and while I think it can have some interest, it was good to see something that tried to be more faithful! The rendering of the sprites was also very great, and I loved their expressions! The CGs too were beautiful beyond measure, and flawlessly integrated into the flow of the game. Finally, the backgrounds were gorgeous, and I think I particularly loved the wheat and the flower fields!
The story is off to a great start! I did love how the relationship between Demeter and Persephone was portrayed (supportive), and how it helped characterising Demeter's character. The game implies she didn't plan on giving birth, but still loves her daughter with all her heart: and further events in game, that I won't spoil, outline the circmustances of this birth, and that the gods aren't that nice to each other.
I also appreciated a lot the mystery element of the game, it was quite unexpected! And yet, I really loved how faithful it was to mythology, even keeping the narcissus flower detail that proved to be fatal to Persephone. And while, unless some unexpected plot twists, we know the circumstances of Persephone's kidnapping, I still found it well-writtenn and engaging!
I also appreciated the bird episode at the start of the game. Maybe I'm reading too far into it, but a baby bird dying away from its family reminded me of Persephone... So I thought it was a great opening scene!
Overall, this was a great demo that has made me want for more (of course, when it is ready haha, games do take time!). Congrats to all the team!!
Thank you so much for your super sweet review, Chim! I shared it with the team and we're all so delighted by your words!
Using sprites in a more dynamic way is something I definitely want to add more often to my VNs, especially after I got my first taste of it with The Widow's Shadow! I'm hoping that for the full version we'll be able to do even more! >:3 To tell you the truth about the silhouettes, it was a time saving measure, but you saying that it works well with the narrative makes me so happy, maybe I should lie and say it was my intention all along, haha!
As for the designs, I'm honestly SO glad I got Pen to work with me for this, she did such a good job! I knew I wanted a sort of "fantasy Ancient Greece" look for the outfits, with real historical inspirations but with freedom to go wild as well, and Pen delivered so good (chef's kiss). I am so excited to keep working on more characters for the game because I get so excited with each and everyone!
Originally I was planning to make the CGs, but then got Spicy on the team to help since I still had sprites to finish, and I'm also so amazed at how well she did. I'm hoping she can make tons more for the full game fr, and I think her style fits well with mine!
I honestly could give praise to the entire team if I keep going, but then when will this comment end? Ha! I'm just super glad you liked the work everyone put in. Again, it made us super happy!
And I'm so so glad you enjoyed the story! I cannot tell you how nervous I was, like "Will people like it?", "Will people think this is weird?" (anxiety, am I right?) so reading your feelings about it (plus that you caught on to some stuff ;3) is a relief and brings me joy. I researched the myth and tried to keep it faithful in some areas, while doing a bit of my own thing in others, like with the mystery elements, actually being able to talk to some deities (and in the future, the way Demeter may act in some situations...)
The full game may take a while, but I promise it will be worth it (so now I better deliver on that promise, huh?!)
![Demeter: The Harvest Dies With You [DEMO]](https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzE3Nzc2OTc3LnBuZw==/original/2KIJuv.png)
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My girlfriend and I finished it in one sitting, and we loved the demo! The sprite arts are so gorgeous and each detail (from Persephone's cornucopia earrings to the wheat-like braids in her hair) is wonderful! The backgrounds are also breathtaking! All the flowers in that one field are so pretty. Also this has got to be one of my favorite designs of Hecate as well <3 Love the purple flames and crescent on her shoulder aaaa.
Persephone is precious, and you can really feel Demeter's worry and determination for her daughter - as well as frustrations with people not willing to aid her. The writing is lovely, succinct and striking, highlighted by the enchanting music and aesthetic UI. I'm so excited for more <3
Thank you so much El for the lovely comment! It makes me happy you enjoyed it so much!
Our character designer really did an AMAZING job with the designs and I'm glad you like them as well!
I loved this SO MUCH!! The writing was really engaging, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!! I love how the story is told like a mystery and the point and click addition was a pleasant surprise!!
The art was also gorgeous: sprites, CGs and backgrounds!! I especially love how the sprites are facing the right or left instead of the more common types of sprites that face the front.
Music was very fitting too! And I loved the animations for the sprite, it gave the game even more life <3
Looking forward to the full-version, will definitely be buying this!!
PS: Poseidon, you will not escape from the fight in the full-version, be prepared
Really enjoyed it, and looking forward to the full release!
Great use of character and camera animations. The UI is clean, easy to read, and matches the aesthetic of the game. The music and sound effects fit pretty well, and are used to good effect. The writing held my attention all the way through. The artwork looks really nice.
My only real beef is the pixel hunt in the point n' click segment—some way of making that more obvious would be appreciated. 🙏
Not being all that familiar with Greek mythology, I don't know where the story is going, but I'm intrigued!
Hey! I played the demo and I was very impressed by everything!
First, on a technical aspect, I really appreciated the dynamic use of the sprites, it really added a lot to the cinematography of it all! I also loved the use of silhouette sprites here, since it's working very well with the narrative (everyone keeping something from Demeter). I also thought the music was very well picked and, more importantly, very well used! It gave the scenes the weight they deserve, and when not the weight, the mood that fitted them. Really, I cannot emphasise enough good the music was used in this game!
The sprites also looked absolutely magnificent. I really loved the character designs here: it felt very unique and yet very "mythological Greek" too. I often see adaptations of mythological stories (especially in theatre) modernising the clothing despite the story not being set today; and while I think it can have some interest, it was good to see something that tried to be more faithful! The rendering of the sprites was also very great, and I loved their expressions! The CGs too were beautiful beyond measure, and flawlessly integrated into the flow of the game. Finally, the backgrounds were gorgeous, and I think I particularly loved the wheat and the flower fields!
The story is off to a great start! I did love how the relationship between Demeter and Persephone was portrayed (supportive), and how it helped characterising Demeter's character. The game implies she didn't plan on giving birth, but still loves her daughter with all her heart: and further events in game, that I won't spoil, outline the circmustances of this birth, and that the gods aren't that nice to each other.
I also appreciated a lot the mystery element of the game, it was quite unexpected! And yet, I really loved how faithful it was to mythology, even keeping the narcissus flower detail that proved to be fatal to Persephone. And while, unless some unexpected plot twists, we know the circumstances of Persephone's kidnapping, I still found it well-writtenn and engaging!
I also appreciated the bird episode at the start of the game. Maybe I'm reading too far into it, but a baby bird dying away from its family reminded me of Persephone... So I thought it was a great opening scene!
Overall, this was a great demo that has made me want for more (of course, when it is ready haha, games do take time!). Congrats to all the team!!
Thank you so much for your super sweet review, Chim! I shared it with the team and we're all so delighted by your words!
Using sprites in a more dynamic way is something I definitely want to add more often to my VNs, especially after I got my first taste of it with The Widow's Shadow! I'm hoping that for the full version we'll be able to do even more! >:3 To tell you the truth about the silhouettes, it was a time saving measure, but you saying that it works well with the narrative makes me so happy, maybe I should lie and say it was my intention all along, haha!
As for the designs, I'm honestly SO glad I got Pen to work with me for this, she did such a good job! I knew I wanted a sort of "fantasy Ancient Greece" look for the outfits, with real historical inspirations but with freedom to go wild as well, and Pen delivered so good (chef's kiss). I am so excited to keep working on more characters for the game because I get so excited with each and everyone!
Originally I was planning to make the CGs, but then got Spicy on the team to help since I still had sprites to finish, and I'm also so amazed at how well she did. I'm hoping she can make tons more for the full game fr, and I think her style fits well with mine!
I honestly could give praise to the entire team if I keep going, but then when will this comment end? Ha! I'm just super glad you liked the work everyone put in. Again, it made us super happy!
And I'm so so glad you enjoyed the story! I cannot tell you how nervous I was, like "Will people like it?", "Will people think this is weird?" (anxiety, am I right?) so reading your feelings about it (plus that you caught on to some stuff ;3) is a relief and brings me joy. I researched the myth and tried to keep it faithful in some areas, while doing a bit of my own thing in others, like with the mystery elements, actually being able to talk to some deities (and in the future, the way Demeter may act in some situations...)
The full game may take a while, but I promise it will be worth it (so now I better deliver on that promise, huh?!)
Thanks again for your lovely review <3