Keeper's Vigil

This is a game I have mixed feelings on. Ultimately I still recommend it because I did like the story and characters and at the end of it, I'm glad I did give it a chance, but there are some points I would like to warn people about. Overall, treat this as me saying the story is interesting and enjoyable and that there was nothing about said story or characters that I DISliked, but there are some structure issues to me. Since I will be listing only negatives, I want to make sure it comes across that my feelings are mostly positive but these are the "buts" here. If none of these is a deal breaker to you, you should have fun! - Would benefit from some more "padding" during the early story. Basically, events happen a bit too fast at the start, and I often found myself wishing for more exposition or some more random scenes with the characters. That one gets better once we're getting into the meat of the story. - A bit of a continuity pet peeve if the MC fights with twin daggers (slight spoilers): [spoiler]depending on how events unfold during a specific scene at some point in the story, the MC may lose a hand. But the writing remains mostly the same when it comes to MC's weapon usage, which gets really weird really fast with their twin daggers. Either they use both in one hand or in succession which seems weird, or they attach one of them to the severed hand's forearm, which could make sense but was not specified / described anywhere.[/spoiler] - Would benefit from some more romance scenes. That's more of a matter of tastes, really. Or maybe it was a problem with Ifu specifically? They never even acknowledged the thing from my previous bullet point while Leon did even when I was not doing their romance, and I feel like that was for a lack of scenes more than anything. - Some slight epilogue issues. Again, not bugs, but I wish some epilogues were longer or had more explanations. I was faced with some confusing Leon actions that sort of felt like they came out of nowhere. Spoilery details: [spoiler]Leon is the rebel leader, but because of how the story unfolds, an alliance is secured at some point (at least on my playthrough), but during the epilogue they still decide to attack the ruler and the rebellion is squashed promptly (I'm assuming they may win if some other decisions are taken during the game). That attack on my playthrough came out of nowhere. Up until that point, Leon didn't seem like someone to get back on their word, but even if they did, that in itself wouldn't be an issue if we got some explanations to it, instead of the game basically saying that for some reason, they did it and that's it. It says a lot that literal monsters were more respectful of an alliance with humans than Leon was...[/spoiler] - A bit of a weirdly timed steep difficulty curve somewhere around the 1/3 point of the game. That one was very weird. I guess MCs who are VERY specialized in one or two physical stats can get through it, but by cleverly picking my choice options to make sure I'm playing on my MC's strengths, I could get by during almost the entirety of the game with pretty good successes. Except that point in the story at around a third of the way through, where most checks were too hard, with sometimes successions of hard checks out of nowhere. It's one such instance that led to [spoiler]my MC having lost a hand, which I mentionned above[/spoiler]. - Anachronisms? Sort of? Maybe? The game mostly feels like a fantasy-medieval story, but in late games you have a mention of neon lights, you realize MC knows about firearms (despite the fact no one used them at all on my playthrough up until that point) and a description talks about MC's "combat IQ" or something like that, which is a bit strange with such a setting. - That one is a very subjective one, but it's a pet peeve to me. This game is quite reliant on "passive skill checks" (checks that are not choice options but simply happen in the background without the player having input) and on pre-established situation one may have locked themself into with no possibility to change the tides. Yet again I'm referencing that spoilered thing - series of passive checks leading to such a big thing with the player being unable to influence it in any way felt a bit cheap to me. The epilogue issue with Leon is a similar problem in a way, since I feel like some input and possibility to react to it would be beneficial. - Sequel bait? I don't truly mind that per se to be fair, but I know it's a pet peeve to a lot of people. I'm talking about the kind of sequel bait that some horror movies can do: story feels self-contained and finished, but then two epilogue scenes suddenly start plotlines that obviously can't develop and that would have to unfold in a sequel. It felt a bit strange in this game with how finished it felt. Here, I explained in as much detail as I could the "weaknesses" of this game that are the reason of my mixed feelings. I still enjoyed myself and I think it was worth the price when purchased on sale. Would it be worth the full price? Well depends on how many of my bullet points are pet peeves of yours! Or outright deal breakers, obviously. With all of that being said, keep in mind that even if Steam allowed for neutral recs, I would have still put it as "recommended"!

This story really strikes me as having taken influence from The Witcher series so if that sort of thing intrigues you, this might by worth checking out. I enjoyed my play through, though I have yet to explore a lot of the options. I did find one or two typos noting game breaking like certain other titles I've tried. Overall, I found myself wishing that the story had been longer. Hopefully they will add more material or possibly do a sequel. Would recommend!

Keepers Vigil is a dark fantasy interactive RPG developed and published by Hosted Games, delivering a story-driven adventure that places players in a world scarred by unnatural experimentation, ancient mysteries, and relentless supernatural threats. Rather than focusing on flashy visuals or fast-paced combat, the game relies on a lengthy narrative and player choice to create its experience. With a massive amount of written content and numerous branching paths, it aims to immerse players in a grim setting where every decision can alter relationships, political alliances, and even the fate of the protagonist. The story casts players as the Harbinger, a rare individual whose existence challenges the very foundations of the Keeper Order. The Keepers are elite warriors engineered through necromantic practices to combat monsters and defend civilization, but the Harbinger possesses abilities that make them both invaluable and dangerous. This central premise immediately creates intrigue, as the character is caught between duty and the fear of becoming something monstrous. The game consistently explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding forbidden power, making the narrative feel more complex than a traditional hero’s journey. One of the most engaging aspects of Keepers Vigil is its richly developed lore. The world is shaped by the aftermath of a disastrous attempt to restore an extinct race, an act that unleashed horrific creatures known as Abominations. As players investigate the growing crisis, they uncover layers of hidden history, political unrest, and supernatural conspiracies. The setting feels expansive and carefully constructed, with different factions, races, and ideologies contributing to a believable fantasy realm. The story gradually reveals its secrets, rewarding players who pay attention to details and enjoy uncovering the deeper truths behind the conflict. Player choice plays a major role throughout the experience. Decisions influence not only the direction of the narrative but also the development of the protagonist’s personality and abilities. Players can focus on diplomacy, intelligence, combat prowess, or magical power, allowing for a variety of approaches to challenges. The mutation system is particularly interesting because it transforms power into a meaningful risk. The more players embrace forbidden abilities, the closer they move toward losing control of themselves. This mechanic strengthens the story’s themes while also adding tension to gameplay decisions, ensuring that power never feels entirely free. The faction dynamics add another layer of depth. Throughout the adventure, players encounter groups with conflicting goals and philosophies, forcing them to decide where their loyalties lie. Whether supporting established authority, siding with revolutionaries, or pursuing personal ambitions, each path offers unique perspectives on the world’s problems. The game avoids simplistic moral choices and instead presents situations where every option carries consequences. This ambiguity makes decisions feel significant and encourages multiple playthroughs to explore alternative outcomes. Character interactions are another highlight. Companions and allies are given enough personality and backstory to feel like important parts of the narrative rather than simple supporting characters. Romance options are woven naturally into the story and provide additional emotional stakes. Relationships evolve based on player actions, creating a stronger sense of involvement in the world and making major story developments more impactful. As a text-based game, Keepers Vigil naturally caters to a specific audience. Players looking for visual spectacle or action-heavy gameplay may find its format difficult to embrace. However, those who enjoy interactive fiction, role-playing, and narrative-driven experiences will likely appreciate the depth of its storytelling. The extensive branching paths, meaningful choices, and detailed world-building demonstrate the strengths of the format and highlight how imagination can be just as powerful as graphics when supported by strong writing. Overall, Keepers Vigil succeeds as a compelling dark fantasy adventure that combines thoughtful storytelling, meaningful character progression, and an impressive degree of player agency. Its exploration of corruption, destiny, and personal sacrifice gives weight to the journey, while its intricate lore and multiple narrative paths provide excellent replay value. Although its text-focused presentation will not appeal to everyone, fans of choice-driven RPGs will find a rewarding and immersive experience that stands out within the interactive fiction genre. Rating: 6/10

The pros: It is written in fluent, reasonably educated English. It isn't preachy or excessively 'woke'. The cons: It isn't a good or even interesting story; as in it doesn't do much of anything to make me like or care for the characters or really the world it is set in. The choices you are given seem to range from 'pick between two potential love interests, just because' to 'here's a sudden revelation about something that has shaped your character's entire life from childhood' now react. I've restarted this game/story three times. I'm to the point where I doubt I'll finish it, and I see no point in starting over a fourth time. But that is a me problem. Personally, I think this would be a better story if it did some more early world building, and gave you your character's backstory up front. Also, the writer creates a third major faction out of the blue after you've spent an hour or so in the story, never even hinting that such a thing might exist. Surprise. Buy it on sale. You may find this fantasy story more to your taste. Especially if you find having the story being reframed every couple of chapters by sudden, un-hinted at, revelations (to the reader, all the characters knew this stuff all along) somehow entertaining.

Good