Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Nov 15, 2022

  I enjoyed the game, but I really wish there was a middle ground between a like or dislike. I was really looking forward to the game's release, but it just felt kind of..flat when I finally played. I've only played through once, so I'm keeping that in mind for the review, but I found myself to be disappointed with this game compared to the first two Demonheart games. The art is lovely, and I enjoyed the new characters and setting, but the story itself just felt rushed and jumbled. The 'twist' came out of left field and was never explained. At all. Neither were other plot points. The game did drop a few hints to add weight to my suspicions about certain things, but nothing was ever confirmed or denied. Maybe this was intentional, so as to leave more room to player interpretation, or maybe more answers are given with different choices I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, but it's a bit frustrating that I completed the game feeling like the story was left unfinished, and certain things just didn't make any sense because of it. I also felt like player choice was fairly limited. The character would debate something with herself, leaving the expectation of the player being able to make that choice, only for her to decide by herself in an internal monologue. Overall, one play through took about 3 hours for me. Like I said previously, I intend to try a couple more, and I really do hope that will address some of the issues I had with the game. As it stands right now, I think it's far too expensive for what is offered. I did enjoy the game, so I still recommend it, but right now, I'd also recommend waiting for it to go on sale for about 30-50% before picking it up. It's a 'yes' overall, but not nearly as enthusiastic a yes as I'd hoped to be able to give.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 15, 2022

  I wasn't sure if I should recommend or not but in the end went with yes. I've played through to the two endings with Esmius and Sirath in under 7 hours. I still have unanswered questions and the characters themselves felt somewhat one dimensional. What CG's I did see I enjoyed, though there aren't many. It was nice to play but missing that magic of the first demonheart game, I'm not sure if I'm happy about paying the amount I did for such little content.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 16, 2022

  I'll give this positive, because it is a nicely made and beautifully drawn little game but unless something dramatically changes (as I admit I did not finish it yet) I must warn everyone - This is _not_ Demonheart, neither Demonheart Hunters. This is a _completely_ diferent game than the first two and if you seek something like those you won't find it here! I loved those first two games for their plentiful choices and for the ability to form _the personality_ of my character in them. Also, for the (quite unique in games) ability to actually use deception and manipulation. I was so much looking forward to this one! Hoping to get the same experience, again drawn in some nice VN style of the first game (as sadly the second one was ugly in that part, while however still good otherwise). And on top it for a witch as the main protagonist! What is (by far) my favourite fantasy class. Ideal for being (secretly) dangerous, deceptive and ambitious - at least if I decide to make her so. Alas... this is not possible here, since this is nothing like the first two games. Shar is kind and honest person and it is _hard coded_. You do not form her personality like in the first two games and there seem to be no lying from her side involved either. When you say she should act somehow she always means it. There is nothing of the sort that the game would ask you if you're just pretending to get at the person's good side for example. Essentially this seems - and I'd be only happy if I would be somewhat proven wrong but I doubt that - that the choices here are mainly for choosing your ally/allies and the romance interest (if any). Other than that... you just read the story. More like a book than a game since choices are quite sparse and what's even worse - usually banal and not about things which matter - except perhaps choosing that romance path of course. This seems to branch quite well in the end but Shar will always follow her predefined, nice and honest behavior, only with a different love interest. To put it briefly it is a high-quality and well-written but also usual otome visual novel like zillion others for romance seeking girls. Not a (dark) game of intrigue and "roleplaying" like first two games were. Even if it is set in the same world. You've been warned.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 5, 2023

  Pretty meh in comparison to the other games. I really looked forward to it...
• gamedeal user

  Nov 18, 2022

  I've been a fan of Rolling Crown and their games for a long time. The Ice Demon has a good story; I got all endings and achievements, tried all possibilities, and enjoyed every second of it. Here are some recommendations: - I think there should be an option to hide the UI to enjoy the artwork thoroughly. - I think there should be an easier way to view previous lines or go back to earlier choices without using the save/load function; usually, the mouse wheel does the job in other VNs. There is a log, but its sole purpose is to view past dialogue; the save/load function has to be used to jump to previous choices. - I think a quick save/load function would be a good addition. Pros: + The artwork is fantastic, and the style differs from the previous Rolling Crown games as The Ice Demon has a more cartoonish/anime style. + Nice story overall; we're provided with 2 male love interests and a bonus female love interest (The same as the previous games) + There is partial voice-acting which is always a plus for an indie game. + (Heavy spoiler regarding the Demonheart game!) We have the opportunity to learn the background story of Raze's captors; it was a good way of relating The Ice Demon to the Demonheart universe. Cons: - Esmius' route seems kind of rushed compared to Sirath's; we never get to learn what happened to Eniri even though Sirath's and Nissa's routes give us some clues as to what may have happened by showcasing the extent of Esmius' powers. There is an overall lack of depth to his story compared to that of Sirath's, and this just feels weird; I don't know how to put it, but the demonspawn characters are always like the canon love interests of the Demonheart games. - This is kind of like a comparison between The Ice Demon and the previous games but, (includes spoilers from Demonheart, Demonheart: Hunters, and The Ice Demon) Xan'ari, the bonus love interest from the previous games, has a more detailed route than the bonus love interest of this game, Nissa. Nissa's route branches off from Sirath's (there is no problem with that) and is achievable through only one dialogue option, and then you only get a few lines, and you get her ending. It feels too abrupt; you can pursue her with that one dialogue option regardless of what you chose before; your previous behavior towards her does not even matter, and the romance itself is uncalled for. I feel like that's poor writing on Rolling Crown's part, and there is no depth to Nissa's route; she just asks whether you'd like to be her girlfriend or not (She still harbors the same feelings for Eniri up to that option but she claims that the MC may make her forget her feelings towards Eniri) and after you agree, you have an intimate scene with a CG and just run away together? - This is also a comparison between The Ice Demon and the previous games. However, even though I enjoyed The Ice Demon, I still feel like the previous games had more depth to them, they had better writing, and they had a darker vibe to them, which I simply fell in love with. The Ice Demon gives the feeling of a Demonheart game, but it feels somehow simpler. The previous games were complex, the choices actually had an impact on the MC's personality, and they felt more alive if that makes sense. Also, it takes around 2 hours to finish the longest route in The Ice Demon, making it shorter than the previous games. - There could be more CG. Demonheart games are not exactly known for having too much CG, and I know that more CG costs more money but still, it would be amazing to have more CGs. The first Demonheart game had more CGs compared to The Ice Demon if I'm not mistaken. You may not completely agree with my comments, as the cons mainly consist of comparisons between the previous games and The Ice Demon. It is hard to keep up with the expectations if you have made 2 masterpieces before; I fully understand that. But I'd like to state again that I really liked the game overall.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 15, 2022

  Being a huge fan of the first demonheart game, im a bit disappointed. Story was ok but nothing too crazy, felt like the choices did matter less than before and had less choices too. Also did replayed it 3 times already and kinda feel less worthy to replay. Still have Nissa to romance, but the two others werent that good. Though the art is very pretty and i still had a good time playing it. Maybe im too attached to the first demonheart games. I still recommend it for peeps who did like the previous games but get it at -50% because its not worth the price for such little content. Update after getting all endings, story felt pretty rush, we dont really get answers, even the romances felt super rush and so sometimes make no sense at all. After 5 hours on the game, i dont even have to play the game again, because there is no new conversations or anything to get. When i have more than 15 hours on the first demonheart game sad.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 15, 2022

  I've played both previous games in the Demonheart series and it never ceases to amaze me how variative they all are in narrative design, graphics, gameplay and characters. It's great that developers are trying different approaches. The plot of The Ice Demon draws you in almost immediately. I liked that when I constantly choose kind and polite options in the dialogues, I successfully move along the plot, and my heroine doesn't die. And choices appear very often, it is pleasant to participate actively in the story. (I am not a fan of kinetic visual novels.) I went all the way through the romantic routes of Esmius and Sirath, both are good in their own way. Though Shar didn't look happy in any of them at the end. And by the end of Esmius's route, I still didn't get a proper explanation of his strong affection toward Shar. Well, whatever, let's say it was just love. But I don't understand why there are so very few romantic CG arts. Literally 3 CGs per route. This is not enough tbh for quite an expensive visual novel. Plus, there is no opportunity to check opened CG in the menu, would be nice to add such a section.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 22, 2022

  Seemed a bit rushed and lacked character development. Bit disappointing for the price.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 19, 2023

  Definitely a case where I wish there was a place between recommend and don't recommend. I played through twice: first I did Sirath's route, second I did Esmius'. Didn't bother with Nissa because she was such a desteable arsehole and I can't imagine a world where it even makes logical sense for Shar to get with her. I can't even imagine playing Esmius' route first because the story would make no freaking sense. Which is pretty concerning considering he's the guy on the box and Sirath is the side guy. Sirath's route however was genuinely cool and showed a neat world of fear, secret romance and intrigue. Things happened because they to some degree made sense too (there is one 'well that's convenient' plot point that I can think of and that's it). The ending was unquestionably rushed but I was left with the impression that the creators were pressed for time or that more attention was put to the main boy's story. Sadly, I don't think that was the case. Esmius' was a route filled with things happening for the sake of moving the plot forward(?). It was super, super, bizarre and left me confused as to just how skilled the writer was. Especially once the mother's letter appeared. It was inconsistent with Siroth's in terms of what characters could and couldn't do. And was just thoroughly confusing. Nissa is literally a horrible awful terrible person and is 0% viable as a dating option for anyone. They should have just had Eniri be the romancable for an evil route, especially since we arn't even allowed to kill her for some reason. So yea. Art is pretty, world building is nifty. Sometimes the characters become a circle of slimey draco malfoy talking doom where it's hard to distinguish them (such as whenever Eniri, Esmius' and Sirath are all in the room at the same time) But just wtf was that story. I guess if you want something to kill time, buy this on sale. I have never played any of the creators other games so I have no context for them. And encountered no glitches and only saw a few minor grammar errors.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 15, 2022

  I had wishlisted this and bought right at release and played the whole day - so you can see my excitement and subsequently high expectations. That makes it difficult to give a fair review as I was a little disappointed... not that much really but somehow I'm not as much in love with this game as I was with "Demonheart" and "Demonheart: hunters". I found those more thrilling and the romancable (is that even a word?) characters much more appealing, I was honestly in love with them. I also liked the way you could shape your own character in Demonheart (good - bad, polite - rude) But I have to say that this novel had a unique and beautiful style and had me questioning everyone and everything right until the end which was really captivating and challenging. So the story is very well written, characters feel realistic (well, if demons were realistic... you know what I mean), I like the graphics a lot, the music was very fitting and nice - it's really a very well made game. I'm pretty sure if I hadn't been so very much in love with Demonheart, to which I compared it all the time, I would have enjoyed it even more. So here is my "thumbs up" - and the next free hours will be spend on a new play-through as there are quite a few routes I haven't discovered yet and am very curious about...!