8Bit/Digi

If you have been following my reviews for some time, you know that a visual novel with anime inspired visuals will easily get my attention. But when it is a science fiction mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat in the spirit of Danganronpa, then I am all in until the end. That is how my experience with Advent Dawn has been, from being introduced to the first trailer through my overall playthrough.

Advent Dawn is the latest visual novel from Spire Games that traps players in a mysterious cave while they try to find a way to escape. However, not everything is what it appears, as something more sinister is happening. Just what you would want from a thrilling visual novel.

Welcome to the Island

It is June 27, 2066, and Dr. Atlas Everly is invited by the APERTA Corporation to a mysterious island to study a new crystal discovered in the volcanic caves. He arrives on the island with Amelia and is introduced to Fabian and Lyra. While making their way to base camp with the party, an earthquake causes a cave-in that traps them and other members of the team underground. At first it looks like a natural disaster, but then a party member is found murdered during the collapse. Complicating matters, a mysterious entity has hacked the base camp’s computers. It becomes clear that something more sinister is at play, but who is responsible? With limited resources and secrets among the team about the nature of the expedition, players will need to stay cautious and keep the group together as they find a way to escape.

Following in the footsteps of titles like Danganronpa, the narrative setup will feel familiar. A group of strangers is thrown into a life or death situation, and nothing is quite what it seems. No one knows who to trust, and little information has been revealed about their situation. Players will need to build a bond with each character but also keep their guard up, as you do not know who to trust. While the setup may look cliché, the delivery and execution make up for it, as the game plays against expectations. At the same time, the mystery of the island and what is going on will keep you motivated to explore every depth of the cave.

Survive the Cave

Advent: Dawn core gameplay follows the standard visual novel setup. Players read through dialogue and, at certain points, must make a choice. These choices either affect your relationship with a character or set you on a specific story path. Some decisions allow time to think them over, while others are on a timer, and failing to answer will send you down a path you did not intend. Do not expect to breeze through by skipping everything, as interaction is key. Players must engage with characters and make choices that directly impact the story’s outcome. Every decision influences your path and the overall direction of your experience.

Thankfully, if you wish to correct a mistake, you have that option. Players can rewind to reexamine the dialogue or change a choice made previously. Even if you run into a dead end, that option is still available and encouraged by the game.

The gameplay is not limited to dialogue and choices, as there are puzzle solving elements and investigations. Players will need to solve riddles and other puzzles at certain points in the game to progress. Clues will be dropped, and other characters will give their input on overcoming these challenges. Investigations require you to examine a scene for clues as to what happened by interacting with the environment and those in the setting.

Overall, Advent Dawn has a solid balance between being a visual novel and having gameplay elements that require the player to interact with the story. A player’s choice matters, as it will affect the relationship between each character, the path you take, and the ending you unlock. Gameplay is more than just reading text and choosing an action, as you will need to explore an area or solve a puzzle. These moments will test your puzzle solving skills and reveal whether you were actually paying attention. However, I do feel that some puzzles or clues are not properly explained and this will cause some frustration.

Style of a Mystery

Right from the start, Advent: Dawn got my attention because its visual design and aesthetic are on par with visual novels from the 2010s. Whereas most visual novels try to utilize modern hardware to enhance the details or aim for 3D environments, sometimes that 2D design choice is also sufficient. At the same time, the team put a lot of effort into recreating the anime style that influenced them. This is not limited to the art style but also extends to the characters, as they are clearly influenced by notable anime characters. I will have a hard time believing that Lyra was not based on Misato Katsuragi.

However, this is a double-edged sword, as visual novels also need to stand out with their artistic design. That is where Advent: Dawn falls short. It looks good at capturing the aesthetics of a 2010s visual novel, but it does not stand out. It lacks a unique identity that would allow the art to become a defining aspect of the overall game. This is key, as titles like Danganronpa, Doki Doki Literature Club, or Steins;Gate had a unique artistic style that made them instantly recognizable. Instead, you have an art style that looks no different from other such titles.

The visual design is not the only noticeable aspect that I liked, as the game also makes great use of sound and music. There are voiced dialogues throughout the game, and the performances help bring the story to life. Music also plays a major role, as it knows how to set the tone for the moment. Be it a scene that needs to be calm and welcoming, a build up to something, or a moment when terror needs to dominate.

Everything Has Been Erased

Advent Dawn is exactly what I expect to experience in a thrilling mystery visual novel. It has a familiar setup with a thrilling execution that makes you want to finish the story. Accompanying you is a collection of standout characters with unique and memorable personalities. The gameplay is balanced between the narrative aspect and puzzle solving, with moments of exploration. Where it falls short is that the design aesthetics do not stand out enough to give it an identity, and there are moments when the puzzles are not properly explained.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Advent: Dawn (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• Familiar setup with a thrilling execution that makes you want to finish the story
• Variety and balance regarding the gameplay
• Aesthetic design is a callback to visual novels of the 2010s
• Soundtrack knows how to set the mood

Cons

• Visual design lacks a unquie identy
• Clues and puzzles are not properly explained at times