Seers Isle

Seers Isle is a choice-based visual novel by Nova-box. In this game, you guide a group of aspiring shamans to be judged by the seers, mysterious spirits who can bestow magical powers. It's very similar in gameplay to their previous title, Along the Edge. As you follow the group on their quest, you make choices that will shape their journey. Many of the choices correspond to one of four symbols, and the symbols you end up with the most of will determine which ending path you reach. The plot was initially really confusing, but it was pretty satisfying to play it through a couple of times and figure out what was going on. It felt like the plot was coming into focus, as things that didn't make sense the first time around became clearer with new information. Unfortunately, it turns out that a lot of your choices don't really matter very much. A lot of them are pretty inconsequential and change nothing about the story except the symbols and some text, and a few are even false choices, where one option isn't really an option and only one choice can ever play out. While I was able to figure out the general meanings of the symbols (I think) they were pretty vague and didn’t seem to apply consistently, so it was sometimes hard to make choices to try to get a particular symbol. I also never really liked any of the endings I got. They were okay, but felt pretty similar to each other and were all a bit unsatisfying. The characters are pretty interesting and I enjoyed getting to know their personalities and backstories. Rowan, who ends up being the “main” character, is actually the least interesting, probably because we spend the most time with her over multiple playthroughs, but she isn't any deeper than the other characters. Her relationships with her companions are meant to be deep but come out of nowhere and all feel a bit same-y. They aren’t detailed enough to make them feel meaningful or to make them stand out from each other. [spoiler] It seems like there was some part of the time loop where she physically makes the journey with them but we get relatively few details about that and nothing that gives much context for why she means so much to her companions [/spoiler] Overall, I did like Seers Isle because it does some things really well. I liked seeing the initially confusing story fall into place, I enjoyed getting to know the characters' backstories, and the music and watercolor art were beautiful. However, a lot of choices aren't very meaningful, it's very repetitive, and I felt like the story was missing some pieces. It had some disappointing weaknesses but I still feel it was worth playing. 6/10

This is a tough recommendation. I am not a fan of the underlying framework, but the presentation makes this worth spending time on. The world is compelling; it has a beautiful hand-drawn art style, moving music; very enjoyable to the senses. The story flirts with some interesting topics like memory, time-travel, magic, and identity. I enjoyed immersing myself in the sights and sounds of this place, and I found that I could. However, after finishing the game, I find myself unsatisfied on two fronts: A) I feel unsure of the narrative's overarching message. Despite having clear theme's, I can't tell you what the author wanted to say about them. B) Blind decisions are not satisfying. Under the hood, the primary purpose of the choices in this game is to modify hidden stats. These stats serve to funnel you towards one of four primary companions/endings. The trouble is, you have no way of knowing which stats apply to which companion. You are making blind choices. Which essentially means you are not making a choice at all. I understand that this emulates life in a sense; we don't know what effect our choices will have before we make them. But I would argue that one of the core tenets of any game, is the presence of systems that produce an outcome closer to what the player wants if they make intelligent, informed decisions. Blind decisions do not reward good play. TLDR: It is my opinion this would have been more fulfilling as a movie with a defined narrative. But what we have is a beautiful game where players do not have any real agency.

Amazing game with excellent story ++++

男含量过高，女角色穿着暴露令人不爽

Seers Isle, developed and published by Nova-box, is a narrative-driven experience that sits comfortably between a visual novel and an interactive graphic novel, placing nearly all of its weight on storytelling, atmosphere, and player choice. Set in a myth-infused world inspired by Northern European traditions, the game follows a group of young apprentices who journey to a sacred island to undergo a ritual that will determine their fate as seers. Rather than focusing on action or complex gameplay systems, it builds its identity around introspection, relationships, and the quiet tension of decisions that ripple across the narrative. The story unfolds through a branching structure that allows players to influence both the direction of events and the relationships between characters. Each member of the group has their own personality, motivations, and emotional baggage, and the way players interact with them shapes how the story develops. Some choices strengthen bonds, while others create distance or conflict, and these dynamics play a significant role in determining which paths become available. What makes the system interesting is its subtlety—decisions rarely feel overtly right or wrong, and consequences are often delayed, emerging gradually as the journey progresses. This approach gives the narrative a sense of unpredictability, encouraging players to pay attention not just to what they choose, but to how those choices reflect their interpretation of the characters. The writing is reflective and deliberate, often leaning into themes of destiny, belief, and personal identity. Dialogue is paced in a way that allows conversations to breathe, giving characters space to express themselves without rushing toward plot points. At its best, the game creates moments of genuine emotional resonance, particularly when exploring the uncertainties and fears of its cast. However, this focus on multiple characters and branching paths can also lead to uneven development. Some arcs feel rich and fully realized, while others seem cut short, especially depending on the route taken. The game’s structure inherently divides its narrative attention, and while this supports replayability, it can come at the cost of depth in any single playthrough. Visually, Seers Isle distinguishes itself with a striking presentation that draws heavily from European comic art. Scenes are arranged in dynamic panels, with dialogue integrated directly into the artwork, creating a sense of movement and flow that feels closer to reading an illustrated story than navigating a traditional visual novel. The art style is expressive and atmospheric, using composition and color to convey mood and tension. This approach gives the game a strong visual identity, making even simple moments feel intentional and carefully framed. The soundtrack complements this aesthetic with subtle, ambient music that reinforces the mystical tone without overpowering it, helping to maintain a consistent and immersive atmosphere throughout. In terms of gameplay, interaction is minimal. Players primarily read, make choices, and guide the story forward through dialogue options. There are no traditional mechanics such as puzzles or combat, which means the entire experience hinges on the strength of its narrative and presentation. For those who enjoy story-focused games, this simplicity allows the writing and characters to take center stage. For others, particularly players looking for more active engagement, the lack of mechanical variety may make the experience feel limited. Pacing is another aspect that can feel uneven. Individual playthroughs are relatively short, making it easy to revisit the story and explore different outcomes, but this brevity can also result in certain plotlines feeling underdeveloped. Endings, in particular, can arrive abruptly, leaving some narrative threads unresolved depending on the path taken. The absence of features like chapter selection or flowcharts further impacts replayability, as players must restart from the beginning to see alternative outcomes. While this reinforces the idea that choices carry weight, it can also make experimentation more cumbersome than it needs to be. Ultimately, Seers Isle succeeds as a focused and stylistically distinct narrative experience. It offers a thoughtful exploration of character and choice, supported by a unique visual presentation that sets it apart from more conventional entries in the genre. At the same time, its limited gameplay, uneven pacing, and fragmented storytelling prevent it from fully realizing its potential. It is a game best suited for players who value atmosphere, writing, and emotional nuance over mechanical depth, offering a journey that is reflective and occasionally powerful, even if it does not always feel complete. Rating: 8/10

I've played Seers Isle a while ago, and I rarely leave reviews. I leave one today because I've just bought the studio's game bundle, containing all games from Nova Box. I've liked Seers Isle enough to blindly buy all other Nova Box's games. I've liked Seers Isle enough to remember it months later. If you're looking for an immersive narrative experience, with surprises and takes that will surprise you, look no further. Don't read spoilers and experience it. It's a really great game.

words are scarce to describe what i feel but i've never truly loved a narrative based game as much as i love Nova-box's creations, i love adventure i love obscure, i love Along the Edge i love Seers Isle i love Across the Grooves, i love indie games, my soul will forever resonate with Nova-box's Art

I've played this through a couple of times and I've really enjoyed it! The characters are all very interesting, and I feel invested in their individual storylines. The mystery of the island is so intriguing. The art, of course, is incredible, and I always find myself waiting to continue the dialogue because I get so caught up looking at it. Based on your choices, the story branches off in different directions, which makes replays unique.

The beautiful artwork makes this a real pleasure to play. You have opportunities to guide and influence multiple members of the group with your choices throughout the story. A single playthrough is satisfying, but further playthroughs are as rewarding. These may yield different outcomes and a greater understanding of the Seers Isle.

I've played across the grooves from this same developer. My comments are basically the same but this one is a little bit less engaging to me. I love the art work and the solemn soundtrack and there is a certain atmosphere. However, in terms of story there's not enough here and even the characters don't feel fleshed out. Off course, it's only about 3 hours long. It'd give this a 6 or 6,5 out of ten. That's not a bad score but it's not a recommendation from me either.