Imagine waking up and having no memory of your life. The thought of not knowing the people around you or who the person in the mirror is could sound terrifying. Life is lived in such a way through the main character of Amnesia. He wakes up in a hospital and has to work his way through living in a house filled with people who he has a lifetime of history with, but no recollection at all.
Your character, whom you will get to name, fairly quickly is picked up by an anxiously awaiting, beauty of a lady, who also will be put into a roll of your choosing. The implementation of labels such as mother, aunt, landlord or whatever else to identify this lady as, is very interesting. Sometimes the writing in Amnesia does not reflect the choices well, but for the most part, it is pretty well done. As an example, I just labelled her “Mother” as I expected this title to follow suit to many other games and generally stick her, Alexandra, in that role. However, later on, I was referred to as a “friend’s son.” This was overlook-able in my eyes as writing a story this complex with everything being neutral to what the player labels would be hard; I’d be lying if I said this fault didn’t break a bit of the immersion though.
Despite the minor writing errors that occur from time to time, this game’s character development is great. I really have enjoyed the slow movement into the relationships. In many titles similar to this, the relationships rush insanely fast and are shallow, but in Amnesia, you really do get an assortment of relationships that are interesting and present their own challenges for our main character to overcome.
Story in this title also treats us to a bit of mystery, which is a breath of fresh air. Not having all the details laid out right away is a great way to keep the player invested and wanting more. You meet all kinds of characters, some that are blatant with their relationship to you, but some bring the mystery and those feel the most memorable.
Core driving points in this title are the adult scenes, which I must say, are the best I have personally experienced in a visual novel. Not only are the renders absolutely fantastic, but the animation that you’re treated with are all very well done. Movements are very fluid and the most minor details aren’t forgotten, which really make the immersion that much deeper. Not only do we get some of the best visuals I have seen in an adult game, but the interaction is even more fleshed out than any other game I have played.
Choices given to the player during the H-scenes are not only there to give you more to see, but is even used to have reactions from the characters. To explore your options in these scenes will have the player not just rushing to the finish line, there again, creating more immersion. Obviously, it is not going to be 100% realistic, but the nudge in that direction is an interesting approach that felt very welcome.
Amnesia is going to be a visual novel to not let slip by. Visual novels of this caliber almost don’t exist, so be sure to keep this one in your sights. Fantastic game all around and I cannot wait to see more if there end up being plans for DLC.
