Rituals in the Dark

Yes.

全作流程较短，音乐不错，画风比较有古典感，剧情其实不怎么恐怖，玩完之后感觉我和女一一样被这个顽劣但是胜在美丽的女二给耍了，可怜的女一兜兜转转还是被女二玩弄在鼓掌间

Esta interesante, tiene una buena atmosfera y un buen suspenso, buen arte y una narrativa que invita a seguir leyendo la historia, si quieren algo mas ligero para leer o no tan largo es una buena opción.

A little predictable, but I liked the dynamic between Althea and Aspen so much that I don't really care. Really, really cute story! I'd be very interested to explore other games by this developer after this. :)

Beautifully and cleverly written, art is absolutely gorgeous and the soundtrack is harmonious with itself and in general. Thank you for creating this game, I really love it! Excited for my second playthrough :D

[b] My first wlw vn [/b] really sweet game, and quite a steal for the price considering the lovely visuals and audio tracks. The atmosphere in this game was maintained really well, very immersive, hough the pacing felt a little slow at times (I might just be a slow reader). To note there are elements of "bullying" present. But overall definitely recommend. [spoiler] The end twist was my fav [/spoiler] 𐔌՞ ܸ.ˬ.ܸ՞𐦯

this game managed to mess with my head alright

简短精炼的百合故事，除了背景与音乐塑造的氛围之外没什么恐怖的地方。 缺点：情节太少，女主的互动就那么几次，好歹多写点呢？故事简单到看完中间就能猜到后面（剧透：[spoiler] 阿丝彭第一次提到夏洛特的时候我就知道奥尔西娅是夏洛特了 [/spoiler]），中间有不少都是凑字数的车轱辘话。 以及女主的那两个朋友的塑造也十分欠缺，为什么[spoiler] 明明洗衣机事件已经变成阿丝彭的心理阴影了但还是要和皮帕当朋友？道个歉就完事了，手机也没给人买，太好收买了吧？无力吐槽 [/spoiler]（剧透） 还有最后[spoiler] 夏洛特转进预科那一段，明明还能再多写一点却偏要在这个地方收尾 [/spoiler]（剧透），故事没讲清楚，伏笔也没处理好，有一种“想埋伏笔到最后一刻揭露出来让玩家恍然大悟却在埋伏笔的时候生怕别人不知道大喊一句我这里埋了个伏笔”的无奈。 优点：画风很好（但配这个故事实在大材小用），音乐是一大加分项。本来想为这两点给个好评，但是想想还是算了。

Pure vibes. Rituals in the Dark technically has a story, but it's probably the least important part of the narrative; most of the VN is just two teenage girls talking to each other in an abandoned house. Read this if you want a melancholic, lightly spooky experience with a little bit of yuri. Don't go into it expecting something horror-themed, or a big plot, or a passionate romance, or really much in the way of things happening at all. But if you're open to something [i]primarily[/i] focused on setting up and maintaining this specific atmosphere, it's a nice way to spend ~3 hours.

Rituals in the Dark, developed and published by ebi-hime, is an atmospheric kinetic visual novel that weaves together quiet psychological tension and understated romance within a haunting seaside setting. Rather than relying on overt horror or dramatic plot twists, it builds its identity around mood, introspection, and emotional vulnerability. The story takes place in the coastal town of Scarborough, where grey skies, empty streets, and the steady rhythm of waves create a somber backdrop that mirrors the protagonist’s internal state. The environment feels heavy with memory and suggestion, establishing a tone that lingers from the opening scene to the closing moments. The narrative centers on Aspen Draper, a young woman struggling to process a traumatic event from her recent past. Six months earlier, she discovered the body of her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Leigh, an experience that left her emotionally unsettled and socially isolated. Her peers treat the incident as gossip or a source of morbid fascination, while Aspen internalizes the experience in a far more personal and painful way. This lingering trauma forms the emotional foundation of the story, shaping her hesitations, anxieties, and sense of detachment from the world around her. When Aspen reluctantly agrees to enter Mrs. Leigh’s abandoned home as part of a dare, the story shifts from quiet introspection into subtle mystery. Inside the house, she encounters Althea, an enigmatic girl whose presence is both unsettling and captivating. Althea appears to know more about Aspen than she reasonably should, and her cryptic demeanor introduces an undercurrent of ambiguity. Is she a figment of imagination, a supernatural being, or simply another lost soul drawn to the same empty space? The narrative never rushes to answer these questions directly, instead allowing uncertainty to amplify the atmosphere. The relationship between Aspen and Althea unfolds gradually, built through hesitant conversations and fleeting moments of connection. The romantic elements are subdued and introspective, focusing on emotional resonance rather than dramatic declarations. Aspen’s fascination with Althea becomes intertwined with her attempt to confront her own fears and insecurities. Their bond feels fragile and tentative, shaped as much by what remains unspoken as by what is revealed. This quiet progression suits the game’s tone, emphasizing vulnerability and the complexity of emotional intimacy. As a kinetic visual novel, Rituals in the Dark follows a linear structure without branching paths or player-driven choices. This design choice places full emphasis on the narrative arc crafted by the developer. The pacing is deliberate and contemplative, encouraging players to absorb the psychological nuances rather than anticipate interactive outcomes. While some readers may desire more agency or narrative divergence, the focused format allows for a cohesive and carefully controlled emotional journey. Visually, the game reinforces its melancholic tone through detailed backgrounds and expressive character art. The seaside town feels both grounded and slightly surreal, with muted color palettes that enhance the sense of isolation. Character sprites convey subtle emotional shifts, capturing Aspen’s uncertainty and Althea’s enigmatic calm. The soundtrack complements this atmosphere with moody, reflective compositions that echo the story’s themes of longing and introspection. The absence of voice acting places full emphasis on the written dialogue, which carries the narrative’s emotional weight. Thematically, Rituals in the Dark explores grief, guilt, curiosity, and the human need for connection. It suggests that confronting fear often requires stepping into unfamiliar emotional territory. The story’s ambiguity invites interpretation, leaving certain elements open to personal reflection rather than providing definitive explanations. This open-ended quality can be both a strength and a point of debate, as it prioritizes atmosphere and emotion over clear resolution. Ultimately, Rituals in the Dark stands as a thoughtful and intimate narrative experience. It does not aim to overwhelm with spectacle or complex mechanics, but instead offers a carefully constructed exploration of memory and desire within a subtly eerie framework. For players who appreciate slow-burning storytelling, atmospheric settings, and emotionally nuanced yuri romance, it provides a haunting yet tender journey that resonates quietly long after the final scene fades. Rating: 8/10