An Octave Higher

Wow!This was a very interesting read. An Octave Higher is a visual novel about magic use in a magical world. I really appreciated the enriched vocabulary that was used,as well as the detailed but concise explanations used throughout. The characters and backgrounds were well drawn. I also absolutely loved the music scores.The background music was really lovely.It was mostly piano but was used accordingly and at the right times. Also,I feel like this is important to say but there's barely any romance in this.If you are looking for romance,this will not fuel your thirst.There are some semi romantic moments,but you'd have to squint your eyes to see them. I feel like the plot didn't have much of a direction,but the world the story was set in was so fascinating that I honestly didn't care. There was no voice acting,but you shouldn't expect any in the first place.This novel is 13$. As i'm writing this i only completed one ending out of 6 so my playtime does not reflect a full completion of the game. Considering this novel is around 10 hours long,the price tag is a bit too high personally.If you wish to support the creator please do buy this game at full price.But if you are like me and want to save some money,get it on sale! I got it for 3$ and do not regret my purchase at all.This was a wonderful read. 8/10 Very high grading considering i only played one ending.Not the best visual novel i've read,but it gets an honourable mention for creativity !

Frankly didn't enjoy the game much, i'd like a bit more decision-making and a bit better drawings. Though the background is nicely done, main characters could be better. The plot was unvolving for too long, and the ending is somehow abrupt. Overall the game is chill and relaxing to spend 1-2 evenings, but is not a masterpiece.

Interesting and intelligent story with a nice classical score. 6 endings, 4 of which only let you experience half of the game, the remaining 2 let you experience the other half from very different perspectives. Worth the time and money. But I still shed no tears for that *$&!(.

I originally was going to make this review very long winded and detailed, but If you want a critique, look elsewhere. I am telling you as someone who played the game. I was told to play this game because of its characters and music, I personally found no tracks memorable, and very few characters likable. This game had so much potential right from the introductions of its characters, then proceeds to do nothing with it. This game has the most loose ends I've ever seen in any story, so many things are just dropped as we move onto the next part of the story. I'm upset.

I didn't think much of this game initially but it certainly exceeded my expectations. The story is decent and the writing is great. Throughout the whole experience, I only noticed a slight mistake in the translation/writing. Sometimes I felt that the story was dragging on for too long but nevertheless they still tried to make it as engaging and interesting as possible. The music is also really calming if thats what you like. I also like that you can sometimes see the perspectives of different characters, which is unusual for a visual novel. Definitely recommended.

An Octave Higher, developed by Kidalang and published by PLAYISM, is a richly crafted visual novel that explores themes of social inequality, revolution, and the unifying power of music within a beautifully detailed world. Set in the city of Overture, a place marked by the stark contrast between a privileged upper class and the struggling Proles, the game immerses players in a society on the brink of transformation. The story revolves around three central characters: Elise, a factory worker whose love for music defies her harsh reality; Franz, a student of magical science caught between loyalty and curiosity; and Frederic, a revolutionary with a complex agenda. Their paths intertwine following a seemingly simple event—a broken piano—that becomes the catalyst for broader change and personal growth. The gameplay in An Octave Higher is driven by narrative choices, allowing players to shape the story through decisions that affect both character relationships and the ultimate outcome of the plot. Dialogue and interactions are carefully written, revealing the depth of each character’s motivations and struggles. Elise’s resilience, Franz’s intellectual curiosity, and Frederic’s fervent revolutionary spirit each provide unique perspectives on the social and political tensions within Overture. These choices not only influence the narrative but also determine which of the multiple endings players will experience, encouraging thoughtful engagement and replayability. Visually, the game excels in creating an immersive and emotionally resonant experience. Character designs are expressive and detailed, conveying personality and emotion through subtle visual cues, while the city of Overture is brought to life with lush, meticulously illustrated backgrounds. Each setting, from bustling urban streets to intimate workshop interiors, reflects the social divides and cultural richness of the world. The art is complemented by a carefully composed soundtrack that blends orchestral and ambient music, enhancing the emotional impact of key story moments and heightening the sense of immersion throughout the game. While the narrative is compelling, An Octave Higher requires patience from its players. The story takes time to establish the world and its characters, with early chapters focused on building context and relationships before the plot’s full tension emerges. The branching paths and multiple endings, though rewarding, can be complex, necessitating careful attention to choices and consequences to fully appreciate the game’s depth. However, this meticulous design ensures that players are deeply invested in the story and feel a genuine impact from their decisions. In summary, An Octave Higher is a thoughtful and engaging visual novel that successfully combines a rich narrative, complex characters, and immersive art and sound design. Its exploration of social disparity, personal ambition, and the transformative power of music creates a layered and emotionally compelling experience. While it demands focus and patience, the game rewards players with a story that is both meaningful and memorable, making it a standout title for fans of narrative-driven games seeking a carefully crafted and impactful journey. Rating: 8/10

[u]World-Building and Writing[/u] A heartfelt fantasy visual novel with meaningful choices, memorable characters, and an emotional true ending route. It masterfully combines a gorgeous soundtrack, expressive artwork, and rich fantasy setting. It is a beautifully written visual novel that proves the most powerful magic is not found in spells, but in forgiveness, hope, and the choices characters make when faced with impossible circumstances. Beneath its beautiful world-building lies a deeply personal story about class division, forgiveness, sacrifice, and the consequences of choices. The writing does an excellent job balancing political conflict with intimate character moments, making Elise, Frederic, and Franz feel like genuine people whose dreams and flaws shape the fate of Overture. [u]Hopeful Endings[/u] The Neutral Ending, Frederic-Elise Ending, Franz-Aretha Ending, and Franz-Elise Ending function as early endings. While they conclude the story before the larger conflict reaches its natural resolution, they provide a surprisingly happy and peaceful future for the main cast. These routes suggest that stepping away from the escalating crisis can avoid tragedy and preserve what matters most. They also leave hopeful possibilities open. Frederic may still have a chance to earn the love and affection of Elise someday, and Franz has opportunities to build a future free from the suffering that could have defined the latter half of his life. [u]Thematic Endings[/u] The Libertad Ending is dark and thought-provoking, offering closure through compromise. It demonstrates the devastating consequences of revenge and ideological extremism. It is a sobering reminder that vengeance rarely ends where people expect it to, and that every act of retaliation only perpetuates the cycle of hatred. The True Ending, on the other hand, stands as the emotional centerpiece of the entire story. It delivers the most complete resolution while carrying the greatest emotional weight. Frederic and Franz each receive endings that feel simultaneously like redemption and punishment as they find meaning in their sacrifices, yet they are forced to pay an enormous personal price. The heartbreaking aspect of this definitive conclusion is the realization that the tragedy stems from a conflict that could have been avoided altogether.

With the exception of the antagonists, the main characters are extremely unlikable. Elise, a young factory worker who lives at a brothel, is an easily swayed idiot with a memory span of a goldfish. Then there’s Frederic, an aristocrat misogynist that uses every excuse under the sun to look down on everyone else. And finally, Franz, a well-off student that grew up among the upper class who eventually (after a series of misfortunate events) joins up with a group called Libertad. Franz is the only one that has any semblance of character development. He starts off naive about the world he truly lives in, but after being attacked by one of the bourgeoisie and being forced to live in poverty, his motivation for living changes drastically. The other two main characteristics remain static the whole time. Honestly, the writing bore me so much that I didn't even finish the main story line.

16年玩的，过了这么久想起来写个评价 这个剧本的恋爱要素挺让人困惑的，前面的恋爱路线分歧基本上只能用简陋来形容，玩不了多久剧情就戛然而止 然而真正的TE剧情要在前面的恋爱路线图迷宫里面找到唯一一条正确路线才能进入，条件记得是两个男主彼此之间不修复关系的选项要连续选两次，然后剧情就突然急转直下跟掉下瀑布一下突然间进入了充满扭曲和社会矛盾探讨的路线，这部分剧情量是前面的恋爱走格子部分的三倍以上 我第一次进TE路线整个人都傻了……这个游戏算是在好的意义上出乎意料了 但是这就很让人想不通，这么安排剧本是图个啥？？从剧本意图上说，很明显TE路线才是剧本作者真正想写的路线，前面的过家家一般的恋爱剧情仅仅是后面这个故事的导入部而已，而作为一个恋爱故事来讲前面的部分也是不完整的，存在大量和恋爱故事本身无关的线索和设定，如果玩家不是会习惯性遍历选项或者非要解锁成就的类型的话，很可能没有发现TE路线就耗尽耐心或者觉得已经通关就放弃了 只能说作者的思路真的想不通……说实话，能走通这个单行道选项迷宫和能够欣赏后面的故事之间也没有什么必然联系啊

I could not get invested in the story or the characters outside of the Franz. Elise makes no believable actions for either of the longer two endings. I want the time spent reading through all of the dialogue back. The fast forward option stops on its own in random spots and doesn't even work at times when it should.