Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon

[h1]An amazing combination of murder mystery with the supernatural and romance. ^^[/h1] [h2]Introduction[/h2] [i]Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon[/i] is a murder mystery, otome visual novel developed and published by Crystal Game Works. You take on the role of Lucie, a young noble who is trying to market her treatment for vampirism, using the business classes she's learned at the university she's enrolled at to do so. Unfortunately, there's a slight hiccup. Her potential business partner, Douglas, has been murdered, and it turns out that other well-renowned jewelers have been murdered, too. Thus, Lucie takes it upon herself to solve this crime, and perhaps along the way, she'll find a partner to help her out and fall in love with. XD As for the gameplay, the story takes place in the course of 10 days (along with an epilogue). Numerous choices are presented, and while the early choices in the common route determine whether Lucie (who was once a vampire but used the treatment to become human again) will stay human or return to being a vampire as well as the romance route that she's on, later choices are either inconsequential (either choice won't matter or you'll have to go through them all) or solidify Lucie's choice to be a human or a vampire. The romance options are: Cecil (Lucie's childhood friend who is meant to inherit his family's business), Elm (Lucie's and Cecil's classmate), and Rowan (Elm's twin brother who ends up taking over the family business after he and Elm's dad, Douglas, is murdered). Each romance option has two endings, depending on Lucie's choice to be a human or vampire. Several CGs are shown as well as a varied soundtrack along no voice acting. Steam achievements are available, but they won't count towards a user's global total until the game is out of "Steam is learning about this game". [h2]Review[/h2] Ever since I first heard about this sequel to [i]Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea[/i] (check out my review of it [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/skyeraye/recommended/1804970?snr=1_5_9__402]here[/url]), I got very excited for this game. Thanks to Crystal Game Works, who is currently hosting [url=https://store.steampowered.com/developer/crystalgameworks/sale/otomegamescelebration2026]Otome Games Celebration[/url] and which we're helping out with, I received a review key. ^^ [h3]Story and Writing[/h3] Before I go over the story, I should mention that it isn't necessary to have played the first game, as [i]Amaranthine Moon[/i] is a standalone story. However, it makes a few minor references to the first game, and it certainly doesn't hurt to play it, especially since it's free-to-play. With that said, the story starts off with being introduced to Lucie. Having vaguely remembered what happened in the first game (it's been quite a while XD), my interest piqued when Lucie mentions that she's trying to market her vampirism treatment, having used it (in the form of emerald pills) on herself, making her human again. The story later explains how this treatment was found. I like Lucie as the MC. She's intelligent and determined to make her way in the business world. As an adult, Lucie can decide whether to stay human or turn back into a vampire, which can determine her relationships with the romance options. In regards to all the options, they're all guys, so it's very much an otome game. I like all of the guys. Cecil is quite sweet, but he has a secret in that he actually wants to forge his own path. Elm is more on the quiet and reserved side, but if Lucie spends time with him, she finds out that he has a hidden fascination with vampires. As for Rowan, he's definitely a bit of a wildcard. At first, he seems flirtatious and whatnot, but Lucie eventually discovers his true self. I'll just say that even though all of the guys are wonderful and worth reading their routes, Rowan is totally my favorite. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3720208516 As for the murder mystery part, I like how Lucie follows the tracks of gem counterfeiters as part of solving the mystery. Lucie could very well be a great detective, if she wasn't already determined to be a future successful businesswoman. XD All the clues tie together nicely, with an action-packed event towards the end, and yes, the identity of Douglas' killer is revealed. Briefly going over the writing, it's well-paced. I noticed only a couple of typos, but the writing reads very smoothly. Romance is a part of the game, but there's also the murder mystery part. There's a very good balance between the main story and the romance, which I like. I usually go for more of the main story, but there are plenty of sweet, romantic moments although the most that happens is kissing. [h3]Art and Music[/h3] The art is absolutely gorgeous. I can tell that it's an improvement over the first game. The sprites are more well defined, and the backgrounds give off that lovely watercolor appearance. There's just the right blend of colors, too. Of course, the CGs are done especially well. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3720208413 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3720208719 With the music, the tracks are fantastic. They have a great variety, fitting perfectly with the Victorian setting that the story takes place in. My favorite tracks would have to be the ones that have the detective mystery vibe going on. [h2]Conclusion[/h2] Would I recommend [i]Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon[/i]? If you're looking for an otome game that has plenty of suspenseful murder mystery, you don't mind a few horror parts (mainly in the form of blood splashes), and/or you like getting Steam achievements, then this is totally worth getting. I found myself getting deeply immersed in the story and the characters, and I'm very happy that this sequel is out. For the asking price, it's definitely worth getting, especially if you like the first game, but you can wait for a sale and it's in a few Steam bundles. Finally, I want to thank Crystal Game Works for the review key. The story is fantastic, a wonderful fit for otome fans. ^^ [quote][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44702020/]The Introverted Gamer[/url] and [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7593237/]Otome Rakuen[/url] team up to give readers highly detailed, thorough reviews of hot romance games.[/quote]

I sat down with this game expecting something cute and cosy, perfect for a day when I'm feeling under the weather. And while it was indeed cosy, the playful balance of murder mystery, victorian-style romance, vampire shenaningans and exposing a counterfit gem operation had me completely hooked! I only finished one of the routes so I can't speak to the others, but I really enjoyed the juggling of all these ideas and how they enhanced the other aspects- e.g. how Lucie's (possible) vamprism makes some aspects of investigating easier, but might hamper her relationships, or how a love interest's troubled past might be influenced by supernatural elements. The prose is lovely, evocative of the Victorian style without being overly stuffy or difficult to read. Lavish descriptions of the world and weather and immaculate meals really give the game a sense of place. I also enjoyed the art and music. Lucie is super cute and I like how scene transitions pan around and the characters bob back and forth to make things feel more dynamic. I had a lot of fun with this game, and I look forward to trying out the other routes.

Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon has an entrancing story that unfolds with many questions that need to be answered. It is a mysterious yet endearing story. I have only played for about an hour but the characters are interesting and it is obvious they are individuals with a lot going on behind the scenes. I like that, even though most of the characters are friends or family, Lucie does not know "everything" about them and this is a nice, realistic touch to the story. Her love interests each have unique characteristics and appeal to Lucie for different reasons. I think each path will be worth playing for people. I also look forward to the mystery aspect and how they each relate to it. There is the question of being a vampire that Lucie needs to answer for herself. It is not you usual form of vampirism and I find it helps the story to be different in a good way. The story and it's dialog are very well written and pull you into this alternate Victorian Era in a charming manner. The art is eye-catching and very well drawn. The impressionistic background helps you to fill in the scenes being described with you own imagination and really make the character art pop out in an appealing way. The music is nice and changes with the tone of the story and helps you feel it. I really enjoy this visual novel and recommend Crimson Waves on the Emerald Sea: Amaranthine Moon wholeheartedly.

I played through the whole demo of this game and I am already having such a great time! Victorian England is a huge fave of mine and I love a good, fraught mystery plotline to buffet the romance. I really enjoy that this game lends such weight to all of its characters even when you're dead set on one route; it makes it feel like a lived-in world with many lives bustling together in the background of Lucie's escapades. The visual designs are a treat and the music is gorgeous! I loved the backgrounds and individual art pieces, too. I think this is a dream of an otome game with a lavish setting and cast and you ought to treat yourself to it.

Only partway through the Rowan route but absolutely charmed so far. This baby's got: - Vampires - Boys with Issues - A murder mystery - People trying to kill you (/Lucie) - A haunted forest that disappears people - A dog - Chemistry-based alchemy - Economics 101 - Phantom of the orchestra - Hot BIL who cooks for you The characters, including background ones, are very charming, but my favourite is definitely the headstrong protagonist.

I played through the whole demo with my wife before, am having so much fun with the full release. The writing is gripping, and I love the visual direction of the whole thing. Can't wait to unravel more of the story!!!

My reviews are usually semi-coherent private notes just for me, but leaving a public review here because I think this game deserves more attention. What I enjoyed about this game: - A fantastic MC, who is amazingly kick-butt but also wonderfully 3D and flawed. - Every single love interest! I enjoyed every route - and that is definitely not always the case for me. Each love interest became more interesting and likable to me as his route progressed. - A MC who both saves and is saved by the LIs; if anything, she does slightly more saving, I loved how balanced the relationships felt to me. - The MC and LIs all get to blush! - A truly spooky forest as well as several murders to investigate. The forest was so, so, so much spookier than I anticipated and I LOVED it. It only really appears in one route, but it definitely made a big impression on me. If you're looking for a pure mystery game, this might not be the best fit: it doesn't have the extended cast of suspects or twists and turns and fake-outs of the most complex mysteries. But if you're interested in well done character work and romance alongside a dash of mystery and an intriguing fantasy world, I definitely recommend it.

So far great! Crystal game works has really honed their craft! I really love all the character movements and scene movements. The story is great and the art is great as well!

Been looking forwards to this one for a while and so far it is not disappointing. Really well written and beautifully presented. Even though I haven't played the first one it hasn't been confusing at all.

The writing in this VN is great. The whole main cast is wonderful--Lucie is such a fun heroine (the kind of heroine who's worth playing the game for all on her lonesome) and all of the LIs play well off her in different ways. The mystery and the romance are both really good, and I really liked the way that vampirism is treated in the story. [spoiler]I don't know if it's intentional, but the way that vampirism is talked about in the story--especially in Elm's route--made me think it's at least partially a trans allegory. Regardless of whether Lucie stays a vampire or not, there's a lot of emphasis placed on the medication she wants to sell giving people the [i]choice[/i] to alter their bodies. Mostly this is about letting vampires choose whether or not they want to become human, but Elm's route also introduces the concept of humans wanting to become vampires and becoming more at home in their bodies when they do.[/spoiler] The cinematography is really good, although the different art styles between sprites and CGs are a little bit jarring sometimes--all of the art is good, it just doesn't always [i]quite[/i] fit together. But that's the only real complaint I have. While I don't think there's an official route order or anything, I personally would HIGHLY recommend playing Elm's route before Rowan's route. Without going into spoilers, there's a portion of Rowan's epilogues that makes complete sense when you have the context from Elm's route but seems to come out of nowhere if you don't.