The Fernweh Saga: Book One

After finishing this game I'm turning this from a silly little rant about this game's writing into an AVOID AT ALL COSTS review. Do not waste your time, because it gets even worse. == I would like to argue against the label of slow-burn imposed on [b]Fernweh Saga: Book One[/b] by some of the reviewers. In slow-burn, you can still feel the "burn". There is nothing to keep you on the edge of your seat in this book. You're just strapped in for a painfully slow railway ride. [h1]600 000 WORDS THAT ARE USED POORLY[/h1] I am one of those annoying readers. I tend to skim over descriptions or pages I deem of lower significance, until I get to the "interesting part". I would call myself impatient, but it's not that simple: I don't mind the amount of words I have to read, I mind it when I don't have a reason to read them. Fernweh takes its time - or wastes your time, depending on how you look at it - with setting up the town and characters through too many flowery descriptions, but it misses any sort of hook, so you may just find yourself wondering - [i]why should I care about anything that's going on right now?[/i] And that feeling doesn't go away. The book sluggishly picks up around Chapter 5 or 6. Then it drops back off again in Chapter 7 like a sack of bricks. The book has 13 chapters. If a book doesn't grab your attention by the end of its first half - how much of it can you blame on your (lack of) patience? https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3185843157 I have to be straight with you - I am writing this review before finishing the entire book (how scandalous!), but I was waiting for Fernweh to "get good" and it was on the morning that I started Chapter 7 that I finally lost my patience. I will allow myself to copy paste some text to illustrate in exactly how much pain I was when I started paying attention to actual words: [quote]1) "We have to go to the coroner's office, and it always has a strong chemical smell that sometimes even makes my stomach turn, which is why I stopped you from ordering." 2) Meeting up at a central location that also offers nice, hot drinks is likely why this venue was selected because you all need to talk and decide what you're going to do next. 3) The faint smell of cooking grease is overtaken by the aroma of fresh coffee steadily brewing and dripping into large, insulated stainless steel pots that could serve as a cup for a giant. The early morning hour must make coffee the in-demand drink since many people associate it with a caffeine boost or fix. 4) Cobbled together, antique spoons compose the improvised wind chime that heralds the arrival of customers into the Fernweh Diner. There is no chirpy, electronic beep or a pleasant, tinkling bell noise; instead, metal unevenly clacks against the glass of the door as if someone with very bony knuckles is beating on it to demand food. At least it's an effective alert system. You hear someone, likely one of the line cooks or a server, offer a standard, chipper greeting from inside the restaurant as soon as the door swings open.[/quote] I am not cherry-picking this. All of this is in the first few pages of Chapter 7. You can't tell me that an entire paragraph about why people drink coffee in the morning is a good idea. I am not particularly interested in reading a paragraph about what a diner's wind chimes are made of either. [b]Stating the obvious and inflating the word count by overdescribing it is a problem that [i]plagues[/i] this book from the beginning to end, and I can't even [i]begin[/i] to understand why the writing of Fernweh Saga is getting praise.[/b] As my friend precisely pinned it down, this is someone who [b][i]isn't[/i][/b] a professional author, trying to be one, by creating images of everything they're portraying down to the last detail. And it is actively hindering the story. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3186195937 At the point of reading Chapter 7 I am halfway into the book, and I [i]still[/i] can't say anything about the main plot that would stretch beyond the synopsis. Not a single thing grabbed my attention to care. I sit down to read and all this water actively repulses me. [strike]like a cat[/strike] Frankly, I don't even understand why I should have any particular feelings about the story that is still setting itself up halfway through the book, and I don't understand why I should care about the quartet of LIs that just feels shoehorned into following every step of the MC simply because the word "romance" is written on the carton. [h1]ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE WAYHAVEN CHRONICLES[/h1] Personally, I don't get the comparisons to Wayhaven. The only thing Wayhaven and Fernweh have in common is 4 LIs and 1 poly route. On the one hand, Wayhaven and Fernweh are similar in the way that the first books are focused on their protagonists uncovering the secret world of... something supernatural, on the other hand, the way they approach it is [i]cardinally[/i] different. Wayhaven Book One, regardless of its flaws (which I admit it does have, despite the fact that I adore the series), is very good at grabbing your attention from the very beginning, and can very well stand on its own without relying on the rest of the series to prop it up. Fernweh is set up as the first book in its series, and it feels like a prologue chapter that has been stretched out into 600 000 words. (Have you ever googled how much it is in pages? - It's too many pages.)

[b]TL;DR:[/b] Book 1 of The Fernweh Saga is worth the read. It has a great story, delightfully spooky atmosphere, and definite replayability. If you enjoyed other IFs like The Wayhaven Chronicles and love the vibe of stories like Oxenfree and The Haunting of Bly Manor, give this a shot! My in-depth review is below. :) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fernweh Saga is a slow-burn romance, slow-build horror series that you’ll want to keep your eye on. Book 1 is an introduction to the world of Fernweh: the (small, remote) town, the characters, the…unnerving disquiet in the atmosphere. Something is wrong in Fernweh, and it’s up to your main character and their friends to begin unraveling the mysteries they’ve stumbled upon. Seems straightforward enough, right? If you’re familiar with certain horror and interactive fiction tropes, you may think you’ve got the story figured out by the demo’s end, but I encourage you to keep reading; The Fernweh Saga has a few tricks up its sleeve. Without spoiling anything, I’ll tell you there were moments where my expectations were subverted so well that I was grinning ear to ear. Ultimately, by the end of Book 1, there’s a definite sense of satisfaction and closure, yet you’ll likely have a whole host of questions and theories about the rest of the story and what’s to come (‘tis the nature of the first entry in a series, you see). As for the actual [i]interactive[/i] part of this interactive fiction story, I found that the choices in this story give it both a nice breadth [i]and[/i] depth. There is definite replayability in this story, I’ve personally gone through all the routes at least once and discovered new things every time. Tons of customization is available; You really get a chance to shape your character on all levels in this story as well as choose both which of the other characters you connect with and how you approach each of those relationships. Now, as far as I’m aware, this is the author’s first published work, and I found myself deeply impressed. The writing is vividly detailed and immersive, it’s easy to imagine every moment, from standing near towering trees in the forest to plopping down in a lumpy, aged diner seat. The characters themselves feel like they existed before the story started, rather than popping into existence when the main character shows up. And while they fit into common archetypes, they have personalities and backstories that make them feel dynamic and interesting. [b]Overall[/b], this book is a solid base on which the rest of the series will be built. Not only that, I have no doubt that the author will continue to improve and hone her craft as the series progresses. I wholeheartedly recommend The Fernweh Saga to anyone considering it~

[h1] Review Summary: I definitely enjoyed this story. I found the characters to be engaging, the story fascinating, and the writing exceptional. Thank you, Author, for the new checkpoint save system!! [/h1] I learned of this IF game from the author's Tumblr page. I played the demo and was hooked. The full story did not disappoint. The horror/suspense genre is my favorite; this one is, in my opinion, the best title within that category; it is also one of my top two overall favorite IF games. The game is a long one, and a playthrough for me can easily take [b]10+ hours[/b] even though I am a proficient reader. [b]I discount those reviewers of this game who indicate that they completed it in a few hours. It is simply not possible to actually read the prose and finish it that quickly.[/b] [b]THE CHARACTERS:[/b] The story is full of a variety of interesting main and supporting characters. There are 6 RO routes including one true poly (not a love triangle) route. The ROs are individually gender selectable which is a treat since [b] you can play in whatever combination of genders you choose [/b]. The personalities of the ROs are discovered in this first book. It is a delight to get to know each of them and to have time to choose which one(s) I wanted my MC to romance along with having friendship with others (if you choose). There is great variety in both the physical attributes of the ROs as well as in their personalities. I created several different MCs and played through with different ROs. My favorites are: the J/R poly route and the B route. I loved the dynamic between my MC and J and R; I also liked the dynamic between J and R. B is the sweet friend whom the MC has known for years and who can now become more than a friend. And then there is [spoiler] Mal [/spoiler] ....A secret RO who appeared in the book. They are a delicious red flag that the MC can begin to discover in book 1. It is also fun to play through with the same RO and a different personality MC to reveal the different scenes and the character's reactions. This story is about a homecoming under grim circumstances; the MC is just beginning to reunite with the RO in this first book after years apart. The romance is realistic. There are sweet/passionate/tender moments that promise more. [spoiler] I anticipate more development now that we have to stay in Fernweh after the intense few days in town. [/spoiler] [b]THE STORY:[/b] The story is fascinating. The MC is returning to their small hometown after being absent for many years. Things start to happen as soon as they get close to the town. [b]The eeriness is palpable throughout the book.[/b] I loved the nightmare scenes; the RO's reactions during them are downright creepy. This book introduces us to the overall vibe of the town and its inhabitants. An evil force or puppeteer who seems to control everything is present. There are hints weaved throughout the story as to what is happening in the town. Are they obvious 'hit you in the face' hints, no. They require thoughtful reading and putting together the pieces of the puzzle that is Fernweh. Perhaps one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much is that I had to think; I didn't feel that I was reading a book written for a high school student. The book ends on a luscious cliffhanger that left me with both theories and questions but overwhelmingly with wanting more. The core story of the first book is completed. [b]There is a sense of closure about the MC's return home and what ultimately happened to their grandfather while still making me want to learn more about what is truly going on within the town.[/b] [b]THE WRITING: [/b] Each reader has their own taste in writing. I found this book to be one of the best written IF games on the market. I enjoy detail and description. I don't want the author to simply say "The MC entered a room." I want to know what type of room, what was in the room, who else is in the room, and I enjoy detailed descriptions. If you like the other IF games that lack detail, then this one isn't for you. Also, this author writes in longer, more complex sentences. If you like the simple 'See spot run' type of sentence structure, then this book isn't for you. If you want the story told to you in a manner that requires little engagement or thought on your part, then try another story. [b]I loved the way the author truly weaved the story with hints throughout that merged into a sublime piece of fiction.[/b] I have read others criticizing this book 'railroads'. I would say that given the genre of this book, there is a central story theme and certain checkpoints that must be satisfied for the mystery. There is a forward progression to the story. I don't view that in any way as a fault or deficiency in the story. [b]I learned new things on each playthrough that kept it feeling fresh: character backstory hints, new details about the town, fun exchanges with the cast, etc.[/b] [b]Overall, I greatly enjoyed this first book in the series and I eagerly anticipate future editions. I'm thrilled the Author is already making head way on the second one based on the endgame note.[/b]

Have you played Wayhaven? Now imagine someone writing a pastiche of Wayhaven, similar in tone but not as well-written, with characters you don't care about, where the romances and any semblance of a plot has been transparently pushed to the sequel. Where what story that exists here is wholly in the overemphasis of significant glances and pseudogothic atmosphere while not really telling the reader anything at all. Oh, what is that, is there something in the sink? Oh gosh, is the sink clogged? Do you want to take a look? Ok you've taken a look, but do you dare try to unclog it? I've played at least 25 Choice of Games novels. They're not all winners, but they usually have SOMETHING going for them. Fernweh is utterly boring. Whereas I often play through CoG 3-4 times to see all the choices, I've played through Fernweh twice and it was an endurance slog each time to get to the end. If you have nostalgia for Wayhaven, just go play it again. Don't waste your time on this.

4.5/5。mc回到童年时被迫离开的故乡，面对祖父的葬礼，遭遇噩梦、反常的居民与各种各样矛盾的事件，这一本结尾貌似解决了一个小怪但实际上还有更多的谜团没有解开。这本的主线剧情是我打过的一众所谓微恐的cog里真正有恐怖氛围的，除去后半部分节奏稍拖沓以外，整体写作非常不错。描写也很细腻，写出了那种诡谲的感觉。像oxenfree+小丑回魂2，尤其像scarlet hollow。 浪漫线太slowburn了，一整本下来和j关系进展几乎为0啊！不过因为主线写得很有意思，所以我也就不太care浪漫线了。很多时候的情节交互是包括多个ro之间的互动的，角色会立体一些，此时我要拉踩一下目标受众比较类似的wayhaven，wayhaven写法和角色设置真的很偷懒。poly线为什么不能是j和sibling啊啊啊。r还有r的妈妈总会让我想起怪物梅内德斯兄弟的故事+铁杉树丛。 和几个在镇上的ro的关系很微妙，我还蛮喜欢，belike mc离开了小镇开始了新生活，而ro们还停滞在这个连邮政系统都不完善的小镇。这一点在结尾尤其好品，[spoiler]镇上的ro们从来没意识到过自己无法离开这个镇子，mc成为了类似于loop电影里唯一能够意识到真相的人。一路走来经历了种种危险，mc貌似与ro们建立了坚定的同盟，实际上ro们就像被水鬼缠在水底的亡魂，不自知地成为了诱饵，让mc再也无法脱身。[/spoiler]期待续作！

b. warrick and j. corvin, if you read this im free on Thursday night and would like to hang out. Please respond to this and then hang out with me on Thursday night when I’m free.

Boring story. I struggled to finish it

I had high hopes for the Fernweh Saga: Book One since I found it through Tumblr and began playing the uncompleted version on Dashingdon, and I can firmly say I'm not disappointed as this game has really captured me, and the horror aspect has me in it's grip. What does Grandfather's journey, this supposed remembering, mean? What type of being is influencing my dreams? Why will the town not let me go? What else lurks in the forest? All those questions make me more excited for book two. I went straight in with the poly-romance route, but I will definitely replay this game and try out to see if the poly-romance will remain my favourite or the single-romance routes will change my mind, though, I honestly doubt it since R and J have won my heart. I can't wait to see what Book Two has in store for us.

I expected a choice of games horrorgame. I got neither of that. This has been a huge waste of my time. This game is basically a novel and from that novel just the 600.000 word long prologue. Nothing important happens for the most of it, you have a short climax that just raises more questions and then you are forced to stay in town for the sequel. That isnt even a spoiler, as you are so heavily railroded that it does not come as a surprise at all. Most of the wordcount is just overly long discriptions. This game is a novel where you get to choose how your character reacts. The only choice that matters is who you spend the most time with. Said character will then be your romance, no argument. Nothing else matters. Sure, you have a lot of reactions, but they all lead to the exact same outcome. For example, you can get asked to open a door. You get six different reactions that all end with you opening the door. At other point your choices are ballantly disregarded. You dont want to attend the funeral? You get guilttripped offscreen in attending. You dont want to go into the dark forest at night when someone has just been brutaly killed there? Your "friends" drag you there anyway. There isnt even a suggestion that they go and you stay. And onto the slow-burn romances every other review is raving about. They are not that bad and somwhat well written. But like the plot, they drag on and on without meaningfull progress so they become kind of pointless. I would be a lot more forgiving if this was a Loves-choice game. Romance in the forground, the supernatural as the setting. Instead the entire game is focussed on the romance (you dont get a choice if you do not want to romance someone) and the supernatural is largley unexplored. It also doesnt help that all romance-option are constantly schoved into your face and always tack along(expecially Reese - you can choose to hate and ignore the guy and they just keep inserting themselves into the thing). To the horror. Its just "something is not right here". FOR ALL 13 CHAPTERS! Even the climax gets in on this. You fight a Monster and everyone is like - "wait, this isnt conected to what we have been investigating - something isnt right" YOU DONT SAY! Nothing else! No explenation, no "Why" no leads at all. Apperently that is to happen in a sequel, wich i will not be buying. And for the last possible thing: The implication that the railroading is part of the supernatural force in the town, delivered via interface screw with some choices. THIS IS THE WORST OF IT ALL! The game basically smugly taunts you about yor lag of choices! And even if this is directet at the maincharacter it feels as if it is actually towards the player. If you want a story about someone beeing deprived of choices - dont make it in a choice of games game! Write a novel! Do not buy this. Even a sequel can not save this, as it might be well written - its in the entirely wrong format for what it trys to tell or do.

i had fun reading this. it felt very fluid and i enjoyed the story quite a bit. i would give this one a chance if you are thinking of buying it :)