This VN was a masterpiece. 12/10, absolutely. Let me explain why (without spoilers).
First of all, let's get the negative out and over with. The main character has some unimaginably horrifying stuff happen to him... mostly off-screen--or told through glimpses--and unfortunately, understandably, this fucks him up quite a bit. It could well have been the start of a villain arc where he kills everyone he knows, but (spoilers) he doesn't.
Still, let me be transparent: the issue I have with the MC is his dishonesty about one specific but crucial aspect of himself which is most notable from the 50-80% mark. It's far from the end of the world. But on multiple occasions, I won't lie, I slammed my laptop shut and screamed with frustration.
I will say, dishonesty will frustrate different people to different extents, but I will warn only of this: the dishonesty is with the love interest. He breaks his trust by keeping a huge secret from him.
Now, you know the very worst that this VN has to offer, let me start talking about the rest.
First of all, the characters. Despite my having just explained how the MC's behaviour constitutes my most notable and only dislike of the story, I will note that it never dissuaded me from continuing because, yes, sure, the plot was fucking amazing, but also, the characters were too, and even whilst I wanted to strangle MC, I stayed invested in him and only wanted the best for him.
Every side character seemed to be an endless depth of intricacy which was only ever slightly plumbed. Really. If the character had a sprite, there was more there than you know, and more there than we ever learn.
I will quickly talk about the love interest, now. Loken. Lokennn. LOKENN. I LOVE YOUUUUUU LOKENNNNNNN PLEASEEEEEE LOKEEEEEEEEENNNNNNEARFBNAEIKRFBAKHERB FV;HJKAEBRFVHAEB RFB;AELBAELJHB LEHJKRBV ;HKEA PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE
I believe this is the popular consensus.
The world also had this constant feeling of depth. I really felt that everywhere in Illayla, and even beyond, was incredibly well-fleshed-out. It was always a joy to read the worldbuilding, and history. This whole story felt like a constant stream of shit getting deeper and deeper and-
Okay this just reminded me. It is wild, I tell you absolutely WILD the way this game turns 300k+ words spread out around 2 weeks in to what feels like months or even years of character development. It feels strange, seeing the MC near the end, at the end, and remembering how so recently he was so naïve. So naïve. Oh god.
The story. Its constant mystery, where every new reveal just led to more questions--it really made things feel like this whole world was unknowable. Indeed, the VN finished with FAR from all questions answered. Its final post-credits is cruelly ambiguous. It's a happy ending! I think. Well. We don't see anything explicitly bad.
Look. The romance is something more important in the first half of the VN than the second. It's delicious and gripping and as aforementioned, Loken, yes, but, anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes. This VN is not a romance VN. As described, it is a subplot which just keeps you occupied whilst the actual mystery is slowly unravelled. Oh, and to occasionally make you wail in despair. But that's neither here nor there!
What about the cosmic horror!? Let me tell you. It was scary. I did genuinely shiver in fear a few times. This isn't a game made to jumpscare you, but the first 2/3 definitely get atmosphere down to a T.
If there's anything I'd say about the horror, it's that, as the stakes get higher and higher, our MC also gets more and more aggressive, and in a juddering, uneven way, powerful. It does make it slightly less scary when the MC laughs maniacally at an incomprehensible evil and threatens it with incomprehensible suffering. But that's a rush of its own kind, so I'm not really complaining.
Man, if I had to name everything I loved about this VN, I'd be here all day. The romance is impeccable. Every character is amazing. The mystery is fantabulous. The horror gorgeous. The atmosphere mwah, the music and ambiance chef's kiss... bro I can't shut up about this. Ask me anything, I'm sure I've forgor some shit already
12/10