ARISEN - Chronicles of Var'Nagal

I love dating sims, but I very rarely play them because ones aimed at women tend to be insipid and think we only want gallantry and to be wooed by twinks and bishounen. That's another reason I rarely play them, as my character interests are more varied. I picked up Arisen on a whim and am enchanted. I couldn't stop playing until I was finished. I'm devastated that this may never be finished, but what there is is so, so, so good. Not only is there incredibly interesting world building, that world is not always a pretty place, and the writer(s) had absolutely no qualms putting in details that, in the real world, would be sickening. But since this is fiction, and censorship of any thing in fiction is a horrible denial of everything good, they wrote what they felt this fictional world needed, and I firmly applaud them for this. Please never give in to the people claiming that what you write means you condone it, or like it in reality. They are anti-intellectuals who are incredibly immature. Secondly, thank you for giving varied, good, hetero female options. My only wish is that Waard was bisexual, because ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, I intensely adore him. If this game ever moves forward, please consider making him bi! I also would love if there was at least a little bit of character customization. I'm not asking for alternate skin colors to be introduced (but maybe vitiligo?); but some hair or eye options, maybe even a body option from thin to chubby. It's not super necessary because you don't see your character that often and you can easily headcanon them to look however you want. This was a true delight and, though the list is small, has come to be the crown jewel in my dating sim/visual novel collection. Edit: There were no bugs that I encountered per say, nothing that hindered gameplay for me, but there are some translation mishaps as well as some unintended misgendering with both PC and NPCs.

The gameplay of this game is amazing. It tells a amazing story following a character that is purely built on your reactions to events. I feel like this game had great story telling. The art is beautiful. The character development and romance is great! I definitely replayed this game a few times because i was so intrigued to see all the outcomes. You cannot quick save, the game forces you to commit on the decision and can't go back to change the outcome. It really gives that choice anxiety lol but it is all worth it.

Même dans son état actuel, le jeu vaut le coup ! J'espère qu'il sera fini un jour

Im impressed by this game. Its harder than it appears to find a route.

Looks beautiful. If you like rpg games based on dialogue and decisions (which I do), the gameplay is fun for a bit. Plots and characters seem intriguing at first. But the relationships remain kind of hollow and the dialogues get more dull the further you get. Descriptions like "they act very poilte towards you" or "they say nice things that make you feel good" makes you wonder if these dialogues are AI generated. Basic writing principles like "show, don't tell" seem foreign to the creators.

Jeu intéressent même si manque du l'act 3 ! si je peu faire une remarque c'est bien le truc des carte et tout mais j'ai l'impression que quand on a une relation d'amour avec quelqu'un (par exemple mon perso avec Beali) bah sa a peu, voir AUCUN impacte sur le reste, c'est comme si il y avez aucun relation, pareil pour le relation amical quand je dit impacte je veux dire dans les autre "niveau", exemple attention spoiler: quand la haut elfe ( au prénom imprononçable) se fait emprisonner car c'est la voleuse célèbre la bah quand on va dans le niveau avec Beali c'est comme si elle était encore libre et que tout allez bien ! c'est très étrange. il y a aussi certain choix qui porte a confusion tu a l'impression que tu va courtiser la personne en face avec que tu en a pas envie se qui a influencer mes choix d'ailleurs. certaine choix son aussi très étrange car mis sur la carte soumis alors que l'indice n'indique aucun soumission. En gros l'idée et bonne mais a approfondir. Sinon personnage attachent très différant ! (Pour finir c'est vraiment très difficile a crois que les fond nécessaire a la sortie de l'act 3 ne sois toujours pas reçu sa fait quand même 3 ans... a moins qu'il sois en cours et se serai vraiment une bonne nouvelle)

ARISEN, developed and published by Maratus in collaboration with Homecoming Studio, is a narrative-driven dark fantasy experience that blends interactive storytelling with card-based decision mechanics. Presented in early access as ARISEN: Chronicles of Var’Nagal, the game centers less on traditional combat systems and more on emotional consequence, character relationships, and branching narrative paths. From the outset, it establishes a somber tone, placing players in a grim world shaped by slavery, war, and political tension. Rather than positioning the player as a conventional hero, ARISEN frames its protagonist as a captive—someone navigating survival, loyalty, and identity within a morally complex setting. The core gameplay revolves around a symbolic card system that represents emotional responses, intentions, and actions. Instead of directly choosing dialogue lines in a standard role-playing format, players select from tarot-like cards that embody traits such as empathy, aggression, deception, or restraint. These choices ripple outward, shaping character reactions, altering story branches, and unlocking or closing off potential narrative routes. The system is less about resource management and more about personal philosophy—how you respond to trauma, betrayal, or opportunity defines your journey. This approach encourages reflection, as decisions are rarely framed as purely good or evil; instead, they carry nuanced consequences that gradually reshape the protagonist’s path. The setting of Var’Nagal is steeped in dark fantasy aesthetics. The world feels fractured by conflict between races and factions, with tension simmering beneath nearly every interaction. Beginning as a prisoner aboard a warship, the player is thrust into a landscape of uncertainty where trust is fragile and alliances are earned rather than assumed. The narrative unfolds through illustrated cards, dialogue sequences, and branching story nodes that gradually reveal lore and character motivations. Rather than delivering exposition-heavy storytelling, ARISEN reveals its world organically through interaction and consequence, allowing players to piece together the broader context through their own experiences. Visually, ARISEN adopts a stylized, illustration-focused presentation. Character portraits and card artwork carry much of the emotional weight, often using color, composition, and symbolism to hint at thematic undertones. The interface is minimal, keeping the focus on the cards and story text. Sound design complements the atmosphere with subdued, moody music that reinforces the game’s introspective tone. While it does not feature high-budget animation or cinematic cutscenes, the cohesive art direction supports immersion and helps maintain the game’s somber, reflective mood. Replayability is one of the title’s central strengths. Because narrative progression depends heavily on card choices, multiple playthroughs can diverge significantly. Relationships with secondary characters can shift dramatically depending on how the player handles key moments, leading to alternate endings and different emotional arcs. This branching structure encourages experimentation with contrasting approaches, such as leaning into ruthless survival tactics or attempting to navigate events through diplomacy and compassion. Each path offers a slightly different perspective on the world and its inhabitants. As an early access project, ARISEN shows both ambition and areas still evolving. The scope of content, while substantial for a narrative-focused game, feels structured around expansion. The foundations of its card-driven storytelling are solid, but some elements may feel restrained compared to fully realized narrative RPGs. Nevertheless, the game’s focus on emotional storytelling rather than mechanical complexity gives it a distinct identity within the genre. It occupies a space closer to interactive fiction and visual novels than to traditional role-playing games with combat-heavy systems. Ultimately, ARISEN stands out as a contemplative and character-driven experience that emphasizes choice, emotion, and consequence within a dark fantasy framework. Its card-based decision system offers a symbolic and reflective way to engage with narrative branching, while its atmospheric world-building provides a strong thematic backdrop. For players who value story over spectacle and appreciate games that explore moral ambiguity and personal growth, ARISEN offers a thoughtful and immersive journey shaped as much by introspection as by action. Rating: 7/10

Le jeux est vraiment génial. J'espère que le projet n'est pas abandonné et qu'il y aura une suite très vite!!

Я ОБОЖАЮ эту игру и очень надеюсь, что ее рано или поздно доделают :(

Je n'ai jamais vu la couleur du jeu de Tarot qui allait avec le Financement.