I'm going to crosspost on here as well as tumblr, but to start off, thank you so much for creating this game, I have had countless hours of fun this world and these characters and this story, and it really means a lot to me. So thank you! Your team is incredidbly talented!
SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE GAME AHEAD
With the final chapter released and the game finished, I thought I’d put together a ‘final thoughts’ piece about this game because it had such a profound impact on me.
I will be covering my thoughts/opinions/experiences with the game, the characters, the writing, artwork, music and anything else I can think of. I have played through basically every part of this game, with all of the different routes and almost all of the different choices. I’m a little bit of a completist.
First off, I’d like to start by saying how much I love this game. I really do. I think I can safely say it’s my favorite visual novel, and possibly in the running for my favourite games. It’s so easy to get lost in the world and the story and I have probably over 30 hours of this game played. I loved all of the choices and the routes to create a unique experience. I am invested in this game, in the world, and with the characters. I have had dreams about them.
The Story – what I loved about this visual novel compared to many others that I played is the strong story that is at the heart of this game. Obviously, the romances are incredible, but the non-romance option and just the general over-arching story had me on the edge of my seat. I’ll admit, horror games aren’t really my thing, and I was a little nervous going in because of that tag. Honestly, I would be so lost in the story that I would sometimes forget it was a horror game until suddenly something would happen and I would be terrified. The encounters with the Chimera in Chapter 4 and 6 were scary in their own right, but the moment that had my heart pumping the most was actually at the end of Chapter 8 where the Hunter and August are about to talk to Harry. I think it’s poetic that a game full of monsters, that the scariest thing is just a human.
I loved the murder mystery aspect of it, I loved unravelling each new part. I loved getting to know the characters and having them help you along your journey. It was also a very satisfying story. Chapter 7 in particular with the dream sequence with James is one of my favourite moments. The reveal about the Hunters and about Harry and the tragic love story that is Harry and James was very well-executed. It also features a chilling moment that made me pause for a moment. As a player, we are used to the 2 choices in game, either asking two questions or 2 different attitudes in response to the other characters. So when we are just presented with the singular option of “Am I dead?” there was something very unsettling about it, and I loved it.
The ending of the story, or the ‘Good’ ending feels like everything is nicely tied up, I felt satisfied and resolved. Endings can be very tricky, but this one felt like it was worth the waiting and playing through the game. It was also emotional, there was definitely a part of me that dreads saying goodbye to these characters, but I know that they’re not really going anywhere.
I also loved that the end credits changed depending on some of the choice you made in game, it was a nice touch that made playthroughs feel unique and special.
As another note, I actually loved the ‘Liar Liar’ route probably the best in Chapter 9 because it’s got the emotionally charged moments of the Pledge Route, while still having a happy ending of the “Condemn” route, and it’s a sweet blend of the two.
I also really appreciated the ability to name our Hunter and to choose their pronouns. It was a small thing, but a really nice touch.
The Pledge Ending – I loved that there are different endings, and meaningful ending based off the choices we made. The ‘Bad’ ending was very well done and really lent itself well to this game. Starting from Chapter 8, and having to start breaking the hearts of these characters that as a player and character you’ve grown to love started off this emotionally driven tragedy. The fights in Chapter 9 were heartbreaking, and angsty and everything I wanted from this story of a fallen hero. The brilliant parallels between the Hunter and Harry are really nice, and I believe it’s in the Finn/Ezra route and then one of their individual routes where they talk about how Harry basically killed his own husband through his creation, and would the Hunter be willing to do the same? I’m paraphrasing, but it’s heartbreaking. With the leadup through the whole game, this version of the story is twisted and dark and brilliant. Chapter 10 really illustrates this the best, and as a player, you see how much effect your choices had on this world. The fact that everyone flees Lunaris is so sad, that this town is destroyed because of your influence. All of the final moments with the characters feel like punches to the gut. All of them are sad (August’s is possibly the worst) but there’s a line from Omen’s route that really stood out to me and took my breath away. The Hunter says to him, “I love you.” And our demon responds with “I—Yes, yes you do.”
The Pledge Ending is the Shakespearian tragedy I love in fiction, with a satisfying downfall of our traitorous Hunter.
The Music – the soundtrack of this game is beautiful, and I actually dived into the files to save it to my computer because I love it so much. All of the tracks add to the atmosphere and story, from the creepy moments of unease, to the comforting stops along the way, the music set the tone beautifully. The main theme especially is a song that gets stuck in my head, and to hear it at the ending credits was an emotional moment. Overall, I adored the music and felt it added so much to the experience of playing the game.
The Artwork – the art in this game is phenomenal. With visual novels, they are so much more than just a standard novel, and the ‘visual’ aspect of it is so important. And WTNC really knocks it out of the park The sprites are so well done, expressive and endearing. I got excited every time I noticed a new sprite being used, whether expression or outfit. There is a level of care put into these sprites that really comes across, and the wide variety is much appreciated.
The backgrounds are beautiful. They enhance and illustrate this world, I love the contrasting between night and day because that’s such an important aspect to Lunaris, that the night isn’t safe. With the sprites, I was excited to see new backgrounds. August’s bedroom stands out to me as one I was so in awe of when we got to see it for the first time. Actually all of the bedrooms are really wonderful, I loved getting to see Ezra’s and Piper’s as well. I think my favorite background in game was one we saw right at the very end, what was probably the last one created if I had to guess. For context, the Finn/Ezra Route is the one I consider my ‘True’ Route because it’s the first one I did, and at the end of that one and the end of Ezra’s solo route, the Hunter and their SO(s) go down to the beach under the moonlight. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and I actually started crying. It was a perfecting ending to this game I love so dearly, in my favourite route.
The CG’s again are such a brilliant part of this game. The collector and completionist in me loved being bale to see them and have them in the gallery as well. The artwork done on these is just amazing, and made me so happy every time I came across one in game. I think Chapter 10 might me my favourite chapter for CGs overall, there’s just so much love and care put into them. They are absolutely beautiful and there were many times where I would just have to stop and stare and marvel at them. So well done!
In conclusion, When the Night Comes has got to be my favorite visual novel to date, Lunaris Games worked so incredibly hard to create this amazing story and their accomplishments cannot be praised enough.
This story and these characters will be in my mind for a long time to come, not forgettable in the slightest. I had so much fun playing this game, and just wanted to thank the developers from the bottom of my heart for letting us into this world, and I am very excited to follow what comes next!
So I had to split this into 2 parts because it got too long!
MAJOR SPOILER WARNING AHEAD
The Characters – So I adore these characters, and wanted to do a little run through of each of them, both as they are in the story and also romance specific.
Ezra – So I know that I love all of these characters equally and all of them are amazing but everyone has to have a favourite, and when I saw this soft witch boy for the first time at the very start of the game, well, I fell in love with both him and the game. He drew me into this world, as he was my first playthrough that eventually branched into the Poly route with him and Finn, but more on that later. Ezra is this brilliant character in that he’s so genuinely kind and sweet and endearing because of that. A lot of times in fiction, male characters are a little more emotionally reserved, more ‘tough’ than sweet which is absolutely fine, but Ezra is also a breath of fresh air to those tropes. Having him be so unwaveringly kind and supportive and having him throughout the game was a good rock to anchor the Hunter to. I also just love his design as well, he’s adorable. I definitely have a special place in my heart for him.
Just because my piece of August got long, I’d also like to put in that the Gus/Ezra relationship is really nice, because first off you’re like, who would ever not like Ezra? And you can tell that Ezra really cares for them still, and to see them mend their relationship is nice.
Finn – I’ll admit, I wasn’t that into vampires before, but now? Finn changed the game for me. His romance was a brilliantly written one, and I love his characterization. He has some of the most romantic lines in the game, and there is something that is really sad about him, this weight to his immortality that comes across really well. The scene where he shows the Hunter his box where he has mementos from his past is a great scene, but I loved it especially because it’s a different scene given the context. With the Condemn route, it’s something sad but sweet, but in the Liar Liar route, it’s a warning. I think his story is definitely sad, the idea that he so badly wishes he was human. He’s a very well written and lovable character that’s very easy to fall in love with.
Finn/Ezra – This route was both my first and favourite route in the game. The chemistry between Ezra and Finn is very well done, and from their first scene together it’s easy to see their love for each other. The blend between these two characters in their route is something that really drew me in, and I argue to say that this is the (second) best route in the game, although I am very biased. What’s the first? I’ll get to that. But the relationship between the characters and with the added mix of the Hunter is something that is very well done and feels very natural. Poly routes are an uncommon sight in these Visual Novels, so it was a really nice and unique experience. Also that last CG of them in Chapter 10 just made my heart sing, I love these two boys so much.
Alkar – I have a special place in my heart for this wolf boy. He’s one of the funniest characters in the game, all snark and a tough out wall, but he truly shines when we get to see what’s underneath all of those layers and he becomes more vulnerable. Seeing him in the romance route become more open with the Hunter is satisfying and endearing to watch. He’s a very fun character, and well written, and plays off both the Hunter and many of the other characters very well. In Chapter 10 when we get to see him in his new outfit, with his bandages off, was a really sweet moment, a visual representation of how he’s changed.
Omen – Omen is probably one of the most complex characters in game. In the romance route especially, the Hunter really sees—not a transformation, because he was always this way, but it’s more like a reveal of his true nature. It’s not a personal transformation, the changes he goes through are simply a change in perception from the perspective of the Hunter, if that makes any sense at all. He starts off as this very sweet, chocolate loving, soft demon boy and he is still very much that, but as the game progresses we see the layers peeled back on this entity and what resides underneath. It’s so easy to forget that he’s this ancient demon prince of incredible power, that when we are reminded of it, it’s shocking and takes your breath away for a moment. When we get to see glimpses into this nature, this ancient, almost unfathomable being, it’s a reminder of who is truly is. Omen has many lines in the game that I have screenshotted because they made me pause or gasp. I think the trick with him is that this flipped expectations, he is a demon, the son of Satan himself, and yet he is kind, he is good. He loves humanity. This creates this compelling character that draws you in, wanting to know more.
I think one of the moments that illustrates this the best is in the Alkar/Omen route, and it might be in the solo route as well I can’t remember off the top of my head, but the Hunter and Alkar are expressing concern about him eating chocolate because of the salt, and what if his tounge swells up and he chokes? And Omen just responds with something like “You’re very cute to worry about my fake mortal form that doesn’t actually need to breathe.”
And I was like, oh…right. Ancient demon prince.
And it was a moment that really stood out to me, there were a lot of moments that Omen had that were really impactful, and I really love him as a character.
Alkar/Omen – their relationship, whether with the Hunter or not is a really fun one. Seeing them become friends and the endearing way they talk about the other is sweet, and while in other romances it’s very cute to watch them fall for the other. Their dynamic is a fun one, a definite partner-in-crime type relationship, and the Poly route was just as fun. They feel natural together, like they’re meant to be together.
Piper— She’s got both Big Best Friend Energy, and Big Wife Energy, but honestly, your SO should also be one of your best friends. I love Piper, I adore her. She’s everything I would want in a partner and more. She’s funny and witty and brilliantly written. She another character that even if your not in a romance with her, her relationship with the Hunter is just a natural part of the story, and she’s got amazing best friend material. Her transition from (unfairly) blaming the Hunter for taking her job, basically, to befriending us and helping us out was awesome to watch and experience, and doing missions with her were some of my favorite parts because she just has amazing chemistry with the Hunter. Seeing her regain her rank as General at the end of the game was also the cherry on top.
I love her romance route, it feels natural and heartwarming, and really drew me in. You can tell she really falls for the Hunter, and it’s pretty amazing to watch. As a side note, her CGs in Chapter 4 and 10 are my favourite in the game, she’s breathtakingly beautiful.
Her relationship with August is another favourite in the game, something that starts off antagonistic, but there’s a part of them that you can tell that they care about each other really sells it. Them repairing their relationship with each other over time, while still keeping up with a slightly more playful bantering that deliberately hostile is also something that is great to experience. You can tell that those two really could change the world if they could just work together.
August – The Hunter might be the main character of the game, but in my mind, I always thought of August as the true protagonist of this story. They are by far this most dynamic character, and their story arc throughout the game is the most impactful one. August in the core of this game, they are the driving force behind the plot as much as the Hunter is. Their relationship with the Hunter, whether as friends or their romantic relationship is the beating heart of the game. Their transformation to partial antagonistic force to the Hunter’s strongest ally, and taking their role as the new Lieutenant General is poetic. Their relationship with Harry as well, the Father-Child relationship for August who had a tumultuous relationship with their own parents, and the heartbreaking realization that Harry has betrayed them is an incredible moment. Seeing them break down in tears in Chapter 8 is an emotional crux that leads us into the finale of the game. Some of my favourite parts of them is a little strange, it’s actually the fact that they are very emotional, although I think they would rather not be. The fact that we can usually tell whatever they are thinking and that they’re expressive when they try not to be is something that’s very sweet. August really grew on me, and I would hazard to say that their romance is the best one in the game. Their transformation especially with the Hunter in their route is beautiful to watch, and I am so proud of them by the end of the game.
On the flip side, August was the first route I did with the ‘Pledge’ choice, because I knew it would be the most heartbreaking, and I was right. I do love the Pledge route, but I think August’s is the best because of how incredibly heartbreaking it is to watch because they fall so in love with the Hunter and then they break their heart.
I think one of my favourite moments with them is actually just what we hear from word of mouth. During the ‘Pledge’ and ‘Liar Liar’ routes, we hear from our respective love interests that August came to them, in tears and completely distraught at the thought of losing the Hunter to Harry. That idea that they were in hysterics over the thought of losing the Hunter, romanced or not, is so emotional. You can really see in that moment how much they have grown to care for you.
August’s design is gorgeous as well, they’re just a beautiful person and this has been pointed out before, but another thing I love is the stark difference between the way that August looks at the Hunter in their first CG, and the way they look at them in Chapter 8 and 10.
Also, there aren’t many Non-Binary characters in media in general, let alone in Visual Novels. Seeing someone like August was really nice to have a character like that written in the way they were. It’s refreshing to see that kind of representation, and it was nice to have a NB character, I always think LGBTQ+ representation is so important.
Harry – As the antagonist of such a brilliant game, Harry had to be no less that amazing, and he really delivered. His twisted worldview come from his loss and sense of powerlessness, it really changed up the story. What started off as a monster hunting story became something more when we realized what was really happening behind the scenes. Placing Harry in this powerful position, and a position of trust and admiration really set up his fall from grace in the Hunter’s eyes. He was a truly scary villain, something that is often hard to do.
What I love most about Harry is his parallels with the Hunter, as I’m a sucker for a good hero/villain dynamic, although this aspect of their relationship shines the best in the Pledge route. The fact that the Hunter seeks his approval even after everything is so interesting, that the Hunter fell victim to the pursuit of power just as he did, both of them sacrificing loved ones to do so. It’s masterfully done.
Harry as the twist villain of the story was actually not what I expected, I was actually delighted and surprised by the end of Chapter 7, and Chapter 8 had me on the edge of my seat for an explanation. The final fight between the Hunter, August, and him in Chapter 9 is really the climax of this story, and feels like it’s all been leading up to this moment.
He’s an amazing villain, overall.
James – Something that I love at the start of Chapter 7 is the fact that we are in James’ perspective. James is a large part of this story from the very start in Chapter 2, with the Hunter the whole way through in his own way. His is the story of tragedy. Getting to see him in Chapter 7 in the dream sequence is an incredible moment, finally getting the answers we needed while opening up new ones. He is a kind man, I think he would’ve made an amazing father if he had ever gotten that chance. In the ending credits that we learn that he stays with a captured Harry is heartbreaking, and I really feel for the character. Love his design as well, he’s a handsome man, looks good with Harry in the flashbacks we see them together, and is really an emotional crux for Harry’s story and downfall.
Aurora – I am always a big fan of villainous female characters, and Aurora did not disappoint. I loved the creepy vibe of her in Chapter 2, it really started off the investigation nicely. She also provided this strange counter view on creatures and the world, her twisted mindset was really interesting to explore. I don’t know, but I just really loved her snarky, pretentious attitude, I just love characters that aren’t always good, and she is a very interest character to bounce off of, seen best at the start of Chapter 6 as she gets the Love Interests pretty riled up. She really shines in the final chapter of the Pledge Route, and her twisted devotion to the Traitor Hunter is a very interesting relationship. I was really happy to see her again because I actually missed her in many of the chapters, even though her presence wouldn’t really make, I just really love her character—it was just nice to have that final moment with her. She’s a very complex and interesting character and a great addition to the story.
Armaros – I actually really love Armaros, especially with his relationship with Elaine, especially when the Hunter is either in the Omen route or the Alkar/Omen route because of the parallels. I love the conclusion with him at the end of Chapter 10, also a wedding! I’m so excited. But I love him being the quieter, more reserved in the pairing with his sister, and you can tell he really cares for her, and their story is a sad one, but I’m glad it took an upward turn for him when he meets Elaine.
Elaine – She really is this interesting dynamic with Omen, especially in the romance route with him. She’s sweet like him, but her darker demon side is just a touch more obvious, she’s just a little less concerned about fitting in or loving humanity and I love it. She really gives this impression that she is this demon princess, daughter of the Devil, where she’s nice, but just sharp enough to cut you if you get too close. Her relationship with Armaros is also a very nice background part, and again—wedding! That’s so cute. My favourite moment with her is in the Omen route where she kinda of tricks the Hunter into a ‘deal’ to keep her brother safe, I believe? It’s a brilliant, quick-witted, and a little scary moment that sets the tone for her character and it’s fantastic. Her design is also beautiful, she’s gorgeous.
Raven – I adore Raven, she’s very fun to bounce off of Finn, and their relationship is very sweet in that brother/sister type of way. She’s a very fun addition to have around, and getting to meet her while romancing Finn is cute, and she’s very endearing in her own playful way. She’s a very fun character, and I love her design she really looks amazing.
Lux – In the little moments where we get to meet Lux, it’s very sweet. She’s a really cute character and her relationship with Raven is adorable. I love their matching necklaces, it’s such a cute little touch. The moment at the end of Finn’s route with them is so sweet because it really feels like a family moment.
Fiero – In our brief interactions with him, I really loved him as a character. That moment in Chapter 8 where he calls us out if we romance Finn about warning us about breaking his heart is so sad, because you can tell how much he cares for him. As a whole, the character is very cool, a unique character in that he’s a little more reserved, and it’s a nice contrast between Finn and Raven as another vampire.
It's taken us a while to respond because we've actually read it a few times and are all just beyond flattered and humbled by your incredible comment. You truly understood all of the little intricacies and nuances with both the plot and the character relationships that we plotted exactly as we hoped everyone would, and that means the world to us. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You've made our week x
What an amazing journey it has been, thank you so much for making the game! Loved the writing, the art, the amazing characters you created!! Definitely looking forward to the mini stories Errant Kingdom :D
I'm so happy that i played this game i really loved it the story was just amazing and the characters they are great. Thank you for making this game. :)
i just finished this and im so sad!! i even cried a bit upon seeing 'the end' omg, but honestly thank you so much for making this! the story was overall amazing and the characters were all so great! im not very good with words, but truly thank you to everyone involved! i cant wait for any possible mini stories ;;
Hey so I was trying to play chapter 10 after it updated, but my game keeps ending on chapter 9 and then sends me back to the title screen. Do you know what's going on exactly?
i accidentaly clicked on "Start" and the game restarted :( idk what to do, i have my saves folder,,, pls help i was on chapter 3 and it took me a lot :(
Anyone know if the locked slots in the gallery are going to be for future beautiful artworks, like in the mini stories that are yet to come? Or maybe I just missed something.
As we use Ren’py for coding the game we used a pre-made gallery layout. This is why there are locked areas, not necessarily to indicate that there are missing CGs. There may be more CGs in the future if we do mini stories.
Oh my GOSH!!! I won't spoil anything for anybody, but Chapter 10 has some fabulous lines in it. I cracked up more than once, and the artwork had me deep in my feels. 10/10, love this game
Yesterday the 10th and final main chapter was released. There was a bit in the credits that said mini stories would be coming in 2020 which I am very hyped about!!
I really wish that I could give this visual novel a rating that was higher than 5 stars, because if I could then I would really give it all the stars.
I know it's been said before by many but this is one of the best visual novels I've played and I super can't just pick one element that I like best. The characters are so well developed and the writing was something that really hooked me, which is probably why I have already replayed this visual novel a lot... Like seriously a lot and have played through every single LI - although I am trying to steel myself to play the pledge route because I am too much of a softy - but I will get there.
I will also admit to reading through chapter 10 for all LIs on the non-pledge route from around 4am this morning because I had to read all of them because I needed to find out how things ended for them and couldn't wait for non silly o'clock (it was super worth the lack of sleep, although it was probably as well that I am still currently on holiday and thus didn't have to worry about going to work xD )
Adding on to my last review, I will admit to having never played a game with poly routes before WTNC, but both poly routes were beautifully written and I really enjoyed both for different reasons.
I really also appreciate how available the devs are to their fans, I may not personally be on social media, but I can see how readily the game social media accounts are updated (and have learnt a lot of game lore by reading through past asks on the tumblr - and from the patreon).
I will definitely be replaying as WTNC is definitely a visual novel to come back to over and over (and I do still need to play the pledge route).
Thank you devs for this beautiful visual novel.
I am also super looking forward to Errant Kingdom and to seeing what the devs come up with in future.
i literally just finished playing chapter 10 and getting to the ending was such a bittersweet moment :') I freaking LOVE the afterthought of what each of the characters did after the ending and i can't wait for those mini stories later on in 2020 because i feel like i will definitely need to see my sweet bb's again in the future if i feel like i'm missing them. Thank you SO much to the beautiful hard working people of Lunaris Games for creating such an amazing full FREE game that just completely blew all other free VNs i've ever played out of the water.
Amazing story line, amazing art, drool worthy & cheek-pinchable ROs, i truly hope for all the best and all the success in your upcoming projects! I am vibrating with excitement now for Errant Kingdom and i don't even care if i have to pay to play errant kingdom because you guys have proven to deliver some very terrific art works and plots to your VN. I will gladly support y'all and i can't wait to snuggle up with Maja, Erik, Lucien and Raiden next lmao
This game is one of the best visual novels I've ever played - and in my top list of games ever. It is beautifully written and illustrated, and it's been wonderful following it to its (amazing) conclusion. I'm excited to follow Errant Kingdom next, but I don't doubt I will come back and replay WTNC many times.
Thank you guys for making this wonderful game with characters that truly touch people's hearts! And best of luck going forward. 💖
The gallery is currently error-free so it may be a case of you having to replay his route unfortunately (sometimes the images simply need re-unlocking). Sorry about that! Let us know if you have any further issues.
Oh wait, how many CGs does Finn have? Because I have 9 in total, am I missing some? I ask since the 3 that are blocked are after the Ch. 10 CG so maybe they do not "exist"??
I couldn't find my Finn save anywhere so I restarted it, and now whenever I hit flirt with Finn a shadow-y girl with what looks like pigtails comes on screen on the left most side and says "finnfive" in white text. Is something going on? [Chapter 10 update]
This also happened to me with Ezra lmao and if it's anything to go by...maybe with the other LI's as well? it seems to happen only when you choose flirt options rip
I had to restart my Omen route and now everytime I pick the "flirt" option a strange shadow girl with pigtails pops out. I don't remember that in my first play through
I've spent a lot of my time playing otome games since I was in my early teens. They've helped me get through a lot of rough things in my life and many of them are near and dear to my heart. But this one. I have never played a game that touched me quite like When the Night Comes has. It is honestly my favorite otome game ever. The characters are beautiful and so amazing. The art is just fantastic. There aren't enough words in the world for me to describe just how much I love this game. And I love its creators just as much. I follow them on tumblr and they're so kind and engaging with fans. You can tell just how much they care about their game and how much they care about us. I just. Ugh. This game makes me so happy, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for bringing this into the world.
I've decided to wait for a full release to buy the game, but I was wondering. Will it be also available on Steam? Maybe later, after adding the last chapter? Btw. I can't wait to play it, it looks amazing ;)
I wanted to wait until the full game was finished before delving into WTNC and in fact am so excited for this game I took a day off of work just so I can stay home and play this game. Can’t wait😁
My lord what a ride I just took! This was soooo amazing I still can't process how brilliant it is. The characters music and art is beautiful!. For a girl that loves otome games and husbandos very much I fell in love with Alkar right away! He soo adorable! Thank you! I had to add. I'm in love with August. SOrry Alkar but ahhhhh
I honestly had to make an account just so I could show support for this breathtaking game. Each and every character is rich and vibrant in the depth of their personalities and stories, the art and variation in expression, background, etc., is amazing, the music is wonderful to listen to, the writing is phenomenal and I have no problems playing this through time after time, it just sucks me in, man. The inclusiveness is wonderful to see as well, as a bi trans man. And the romances, h o l y s h i t, so beautifully fleshed out, and gosh they just turn me to mush every time I have an interaction with any of these sweethearts. Seriously, amazing job on this. I'm definitely a full-time Lunaris Game supporter now, and am hyped for any future plans that you may have. Thank you for all of your hard work, you're incredible at what you do and I wish you the best, guys!
Ever since I played this game, it remained in my mind, and that is how you know it is brilliantly made game. I came back to this site to find it again and show my support, it has an undeniable charm, and really resonates with me in terms of inclusivity. Keep up the wonderful work!!!!
Ezra & Finn and Omen & Alkar. You will initially need to enter a relationship with one person in your chosen pairing before the poly relationship becomes available!
I'm only a few minutes in and I can tell that this is going to be a very well made game, and as for the other game you are currently working on, I'm excited to see what's in store for it. And I plan to donate to support as soon as I'm able. Your games are exactly what I've been looking for!
I fecking love it. I love everything about it. The storyline, the art, the writing and the ROs.
It's easily up in my top 10s. dare i say, on par with cinderella phenomenon.
I love the twist, I love everything. I ALSO LOVE AUGUST SO MUCHHHH and Alkar and Omen and Ezra and Finnegan and Piper. I love everyone, they all have their emotional depth, their insecurities, their troubles and it's just so great.
Waiting for episode 10! I will fund the kickstarter when I pass my entrance exams because it's giving me motivation to actually do something lolz.
Wishing you guys all the luck and everything good. Thanks for making such a great game!
Cinderella Phenomenon is great! Have you tried Oathbreaker yet from LarkyLabs? Also great. I just finished every route on this game for the third time in a row. So I'm off to play the nsfw version of Oathbreaker now. Highly recommended it.
So I posted this in ratings but I'm gonna post it here too, cause good god, it's the best.
Okay okay okay, I have played my fair share of otome games at this point in my life, but very few have been able to completely slay my adult girlish heart. WTNC is seriously in my top five favorites, and I started playing it TODAY. (And for the record, I hope my language doesn't offend anyone in this post, I'm an expressive person)
First of all, wonderfully compelling storyline. I fucking LOVED how enthralling the story was - something a few otome games I've come across completely lacked - but this story really got me, it was exciting from beginning to end. Even though I've only gone through Alkar's storyline so far, I can't wait to go back & do his storyline again, along with all of the other available routes. Generally I'm a 'one & done character' for awhile, but I am SO DAMN HYPED to try all of the routes.
Second of all, JESUS CHRIST THE MF'ING ART. I wish you could hear how loudly I am clapping in this standing ovation for the art alone in this game. Seriously, I am so impressed by the character designs, the setting designs, ALL. OF. IT. The color choices, the line work, the fluidity of it all. Okay so I love art, it's a huge part of my personal life, and this art is extremely impressive in an otome game, and in general. I have an enormous amount of respect for digital art & the time it takes to build everything up. Seriously, I cannot express ENOUGH how taken aback by the beautiful aesthetic ins and outs in this game.
Thirdly, I wish I could hug all of you who developed and help develop this game. I just recently found out about itch & the games available through its platform, but I am so happy and impressed by the amount of otome games I've come across. But WTNC is by far my favorite. Round of applause again to you all, thank you very much for creating such a beautiful and badass game. (Cheers to my first long rating ever, too, hahah.)
LET ME ALSO ADD SINCE I WAS SO EXCITED EARLIER I COULDN'T STOP AND FORGOT TO INCLUDE THIS:
THE WRITING ITSELF, HOLY SHIT.
"You're like a madness, something I could succumb to."
(yes this implies in this short time I've already started on a different character, BECAUSE IT'S SO GOOD)
Oh my fucking god. Three cheers for VERY impressive writing! When I spoke of how I loved the storyline I should've mentioned the writing that made it up, good god. Wonderfully composed, and christ, not one mistake or one misspelling even to come across. Three cheers for wonderful writing, incredible choice of words, perfect grammar, and good spelling (that can be so neglected in stories, but also so noticed...). You wonderful humans keep on keepin' on.
Wow this review made our day! Thank you SO MUCH! We're so happy to hear you loved our game. Make sure you check out our upcoming VN which we have a Kickstarter campaign running for right now! x
You're all so super welcome! Praise is definitely, definitely deserved for all of the hard work involved! It is noticed and so appreciated.
I actually just started the new VN y'all are working on & I'm already very excited and am anticipating it HARD. Already impressed by the writing and artistic designs in the new one, too!!!
I will definitely help fund the new kickstarter & I will also be becoming one of your Patreon patrons, which I have never done for any game, ever, but again, I am so absolutely impressed with the work you all do <3
Oh, I realy love the game, but I will praise it after playing 10th chapter. For now I only try August route and i totally love images, dialogues, characters, plot. I want to tell authors how much I love the all inclusive features there. August looks really masculine, but you wrote their route in way that I never doubt they are enby. I like this point-not every enbie must looks androgynic, you can look like man and be not man, because look is not what make our gender. Im nb myself and I have chosen "they" as my prn in game, and it really works well! In many games even if there is possibility to chose prn 'they' I still have feelings that my characters is somehow man or woman, the other charactracters' actions toward mine, dialogues, it all gives my that vibes. But not your game! It is first game i can so deeply immerse and thank you for that! Thank you and see you on kickstarter i am very greedy person who loves money but i love your work more :)
i FUCKING LOVE THIS, the amont of detail put into esch character, really paid off, every chapter is so memorable (especially chapter 7 and 8 ; ) EACH CHARACTER IS SO adorable i cant pick one, the artsyle is SO FUCKING GOOD!!!!!!!!! there were alot of face sprites ( although fiero and harry dont seem to have that many, but thats just me nitpicking) that adds to the immersion of the player, speaking of immersion can i just say how good the writing is and overall storyline.
KUDOS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED YOU ARE ALL DOING AND AMAZING JOB!!!
btw are all the cgs out, sorry if this is a stupid question but i cant seem to get some cgs on every route i normaly get 6 or 7, is that normal or do i need to play more? speaking of cgs i REALLY LOVE THEM, this game is not only for free as you are more cgs, better storylone and a wide arrange of choices from gender to story and ,my favorite, the one where you can lead or be lead ;), than some paid games out there. so thank you all of the devs for making this i cant help with money so i hope this can help, also i am hyped for chapter 10.
i would love to know were there inspirations as for the character designs? theres a comment saying there august is inspired by a model, was this the case for many? im jus a little curious.
sidenote: i am already hyped for their new game, especially lucien ;)
I think they release new CGS with every new chapter :) so it's totally normal that you have some blocked at the end of it!! I have 4 missing in my Finn save for example!
So I absolutely adore everything about this game so far. The art is absolutely amazing, the plot caught my interest right off the bat and continues to keep it, and WHEW BOY ya’ll hit all my soft spots as far as character types. Alkar reminds me so much of someone I know in real life that I absolutely adore and it makes me so unbelievably happy. The writing is done incredibly well, some typos but I’ve still been able to understand what’s being said so it’s not a big deal in my opinion. I also LOVE that there are poly routes, so far this is the only romance game I’ve played where polyamory was an option. You guys have done an amazing job so far!!! I will absolutely be supporting you in future endeavors, fantastic work!
I just got through chapter nine of Alkar's route and I had to come sing praises once again for the writers involved in this game. It felt so intense and I can't wait to see how everything ends.
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I'm going to crosspost on here as well as tumblr, but to start off, thank you so much for creating this game, I have had countless hours of fun this world and these characters and this story, and it really means a lot to me. So thank you! Your team is incredidbly talented!
SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE GAME AHEAD
With the final chapter released and the game finished, I thought I’d put together a ‘final thoughts’ piece about this game because it had such a profound impact on me.
I will be covering my thoughts/opinions/experiences with the game, the characters, the writing, artwork, music and anything else I can think of. I have played through basically every part of this game, with all of the different routes and almost all of the different choices. I’m a little bit of a completist.
First off, I’d like to start by saying how much I love this game. I really do. I think I can safely say it’s my favorite visual novel, and possibly in the running for my favourite games. It’s so easy to get lost in the world and the story and I have probably over 30 hours of this game played. I loved all of the choices and the routes to create a unique experience. I am invested in this game, in the world, and with the characters. I have had dreams about them.
The Story – what I loved about this visual novel compared to many others that I played is the strong story that is at the heart of this game. Obviously, the romances are incredible, but the non-romance option and just the general over-arching story had me on the edge of my seat. I’ll admit, horror games aren’t really my thing, and I was a little nervous going in because of that tag. Honestly, I would be so lost in the story that I would sometimes forget it was a horror game until suddenly something would happen and I would be terrified. The encounters with the Chimera in Chapter 4 and 6 were scary in their own right, but the moment that had my heart pumping the most was actually at the end of Chapter 8 where the Hunter and August are about to talk to Harry. I think it’s poetic that a game full of monsters, that the scariest thing is just a human.
I loved the murder mystery aspect of it, I loved unravelling each new part. I loved getting to know the characters and having them help you along your journey. It was also a very satisfying story. Chapter 7 in particular with the dream sequence with James is one of my favourite moments. The reveal about the Hunters and about Harry and the tragic love story that is Harry and James was very well-executed. It also features a chilling moment that made me pause for a moment. As a player, we are used to the 2 choices in game, either asking two questions or 2 different attitudes in response to the other characters. So when we are just presented with the singular option of “Am I dead?” there was something very unsettling about it, and I loved it.
The ending of the story, or the ‘Good’ ending feels like everything is nicely tied up, I felt satisfied and resolved. Endings can be very tricky, but this one felt like it was worth the waiting and playing through the game. It was also emotional, there was definitely a part of me that dreads saying goodbye to these characters, but I know that they’re not really going anywhere.
I also loved that the end credits changed depending on some of the choice you made in game, it was a nice touch that made playthroughs feel unique and special.
As another note, I actually loved the ‘Liar Liar’ route probably the best in Chapter 9 because it’s got the emotionally charged moments of the Pledge Route, while still having a happy ending of the “Condemn” route, and it’s a sweet blend of the two.
I also really appreciated the ability to name our Hunter and to choose their pronouns. It was a small thing, but a really nice touch.
The Pledge Ending – I loved that there are different endings, and meaningful ending based off the choices we made. The ‘Bad’ ending was very well done and really lent itself well to this game. Starting from Chapter 8, and having to start breaking the hearts of these characters that as a player and character you’ve grown to love started off this emotionally driven tragedy. The fights in Chapter 9 were heartbreaking, and angsty and everything I wanted from this story of a fallen hero. The brilliant parallels between the Hunter and Harry are really nice, and I believe it’s in the Finn/Ezra route and then one of their individual routes where they talk about how Harry basically killed his own husband through his creation, and would the Hunter be willing to do the same? I’m paraphrasing, but it’s heartbreaking. With the leadup through the whole game, this version of the story is twisted and dark and brilliant. Chapter 10 really illustrates this the best, and as a player, you see how much effect your choices had on this world. The fact that everyone flees Lunaris is so sad, that this town is destroyed because of your influence. All of the final moments with the characters feel like punches to the gut. All of them are sad (August’s is possibly the worst) but there’s a line from Omen’s route that really stood out to me and took my breath away. The Hunter says to him, “I love you.” And our demon responds with “I—Yes, yes you do.”
The Pledge Ending is the Shakespearian tragedy I love in fiction, with a satisfying downfall of our traitorous Hunter.
The Music – the soundtrack of this game is beautiful, and I actually dived into the files to save it to my computer because I love it so much. All of the tracks add to the atmosphere and story, from the creepy moments of unease, to the comforting stops along the way, the music set the tone beautifully. The main theme especially is a song that gets stuck in my head, and to hear it at the ending credits was an emotional moment. Overall, I adored the music and felt it added so much to the experience of playing the game.
The Artwork – the art in this game is phenomenal. With visual novels, they are so much more than just a standard novel, and the ‘visual’ aspect of it is so important. And WTNC really knocks it out of the park The sprites are so well done, expressive and endearing. I got excited every time I noticed a new sprite being used, whether expression or outfit. There is a level of care put into these sprites that really comes across, and the wide variety is much appreciated.
The backgrounds are beautiful. They enhance and illustrate this world, I love the contrasting between night and day because that’s such an important aspect to Lunaris, that the night isn’t safe. With the sprites, I was excited to see new backgrounds. August’s bedroom stands out to me as one I was so in awe of when we got to see it for the first time. Actually all of the bedrooms are really wonderful, I loved getting to see Ezra’s and Piper’s as well. I think my favorite background in game was one we saw right at the very end, what was probably the last one created if I had to guess. For context, the Finn/Ezra Route is the one I consider my ‘True’ Route because it’s the first one I did, and at the end of that one and the end of Ezra’s solo route, the Hunter and their SO(s) go down to the beach under the moonlight. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and I actually started crying. It was a perfecting ending to this game I love so dearly, in my favourite route.
The CG’s again are such a brilliant part of this game. The collector and completionist in me loved being bale to see them and have them in the gallery as well. The artwork done on these is just amazing, and made me so happy every time I came across one in game. I think Chapter 10 might me my favourite chapter for CGs overall, there’s just so much love and care put into them. They are absolutely beautiful and there were many times where I would just have to stop and stare and marvel at them. So well done!
In conclusion, When the Night Comes has got to be my favorite visual novel to date, Lunaris Games worked so incredibly hard to create this amazing story and their accomplishments cannot be praised enough.
This story and these characters will be in my mind for a long time to come, not forgettable in the slightest. I had so much fun playing this game, and just wanted to thank the developers from the bottom of my heart for letting us into this world, and I am very excited to follow what comes next!
So I had to split this into 2 parts because it got too long!
MAJOR SPOILER WARNING AHEAD
The Characters – So I adore these characters, and wanted to do a little run through of each of them, both as they are in the story and also romance specific.
Ezra – So I know that I love all of these characters equally and all of them are amazing but everyone has to have a favourite, and when I saw this soft witch boy for the first time at the very start of the game, well, I fell in love with both him and the game. He drew me into this world, as he was my first playthrough that eventually branched into the Poly route with him and Finn, but more on that later. Ezra is this brilliant character in that he’s so genuinely kind and sweet and endearing because of that. A lot of times in fiction, male characters are a little more emotionally reserved, more ‘tough’ than sweet which is absolutely fine, but Ezra is also a breath of fresh air to those tropes. Having him be so unwaveringly kind and supportive and having him throughout the game was a good rock to anchor the Hunter to. I also just love his design as well, he’s adorable. I definitely have a special place in my heart for him.
Just because my piece of August got long, I’d also like to put in that the Gus/Ezra relationship is really nice, because first off you’re like, who would ever not like Ezra? And you can tell that Ezra really cares for them still, and to see them mend their relationship is nice.
Finn – I’ll admit, I wasn’t that into vampires before, but now? Finn changed the game for me. His romance was a brilliantly written one, and I love his characterization. He has some of the most romantic lines in the game, and there is something that is really sad about him, this weight to his immortality that comes across really well. The scene where he shows the Hunter his box where he has mementos from his past is a great scene, but I loved it especially because it’s a different scene given the context. With the Condemn route, it’s something sad but sweet, but in the Liar Liar route, it’s a warning. I think his story is definitely sad, the idea that he so badly wishes he was human. He’s a very well written and lovable character that’s very easy to fall in love with.
Finn/Ezra – This route was both my first and favourite route in the game. The chemistry between Ezra and Finn is very well done, and from their first scene together it’s easy to see their love for each other. The blend between these two characters in their route is something that really drew me in, and I argue to say that this is the (second) best route in the game, although I am very biased. What’s the first? I’ll get to that. But the relationship between the characters and with the added mix of the Hunter is something that is very well done and feels very natural. Poly routes are an uncommon sight in these Visual Novels, so it was a really nice and unique experience. Also that last CG of them in Chapter 10 just made my heart sing, I love these two boys so much.
Alkar – I have a special place in my heart for this wolf boy. He’s one of the funniest characters in the game, all snark and a tough out wall, but he truly shines when we get to see what’s underneath all of those layers and he becomes more vulnerable. Seeing him in the romance route become more open with the Hunter is satisfying and endearing to watch. He’s a very fun character, and well written, and plays off both the Hunter and many of the other characters very well. In Chapter 10 when we get to see him in his new outfit, with his bandages off, was a really sweet moment, a visual representation of how he’s changed.
Omen – Omen is probably one of the most complex characters in game. In the romance route especially, the Hunter really sees—not a transformation, because he was always this way, but it’s more like a reveal of his true nature. It’s not a personal transformation, the changes he goes through are simply a change in perception from the perspective of the Hunter, if that makes any sense at all. He starts off as this very sweet, chocolate loving, soft demon boy and he is still very much that, but as the game progresses we see the layers peeled back on this entity and what resides underneath. It’s so easy to forget that he’s this ancient demon prince of incredible power, that when we are reminded of it, it’s shocking and takes your breath away for a moment. When we get to see glimpses into this nature, this ancient, almost unfathomable being, it’s a reminder of who is truly is. Omen has many lines in the game that I have screenshotted because they made me pause or gasp. I think the trick with him is that this flipped expectations, he is a demon, the son of Satan himself, and yet he is kind, he is good. He loves humanity. This creates this compelling character that draws you in, wanting to know more.
I think one of the moments that illustrates this the best is in the Alkar/Omen route, and it might be in the solo route as well I can’t remember off the top of my head, but the Hunter and Alkar are expressing concern about him eating chocolate because of the salt, and what if his tounge swells up and he chokes? And Omen just responds with something like “You’re very cute to worry about my fake mortal form that doesn’t actually need to breathe.”
And I was like, oh…right. Ancient demon prince.
And it was a moment that really stood out to me, there were a lot of moments that Omen had that were really impactful, and I really love him as a character.
Alkar/Omen – their relationship, whether with the Hunter or not is a really fun one. Seeing them become friends and the endearing way they talk about the other is sweet, and while in other romances it’s very cute to watch them fall for the other. Their dynamic is a fun one, a definite partner-in-crime type relationship, and the Poly route was just as fun. They feel natural together, like they’re meant to be together.
Piper— She’s got both Big Best Friend Energy, and Big Wife Energy, but honestly, your SO should also be one of your best friends. I love Piper, I adore her. She’s everything I would want in a partner and more. She’s funny and witty and brilliantly written. She another character that even if your not in a romance with her, her relationship with the Hunter is just a natural part of the story, and she’s got amazing best friend material. Her transition from (unfairly) blaming the Hunter for taking her job, basically, to befriending us and helping us out was awesome to watch and experience, and doing missions with her were some of my favorite parts because she just has amazing chemistry with the Hunter. Seeing her regain her rank as General at the end of the game was also the cherry on top.
I love her romance route, it feels natural and heartwarming, and really drew me in. You can tell she really falls for the Hunter, and it’s pretty amazing to watch. As a side note, her CGs in Chapter 4 and 10 are my favourite in the game, she’s breathtakingly beautiful.
Her relationship with August is another favourite in the game, something that starts off antagonistic, but there’s a part of them that you can tell that they care about each other really sells it. Them repairing their relationship with each other over time, while still keeping up with a slightly more playful bantering that deliberately hostile is also something that is great to experience. You can tell that those two really could change the world if they could just work together.
August – The Hunter might be the main character of the game, but in my mind, I always thought of August as the true protagonist of this story. They are by far this most dynamic character, and their story arc throughout the game is the most impactful one. August in the core of this game, they are the driving force behind the plot as much as the Hunter is. Their relationship with the Hunter, whether as friends or their romantic relationship is the beating heart of the game. Their transformation to partial antagonistic force to the Hunter’s strongest ally, and taking their role as the new Lieutenant General is poetic. Their relationship with Harry as well, the Father-Child relationship for August who had a tumultuous relationship with their own parents, and the heartbreaking realization that Harry has betrayed them is an incredible moment. Seeing them break down in tears in Chapter 8 is an emotional crux that leads us into the finale of the game. Some of my favourite parts of them is a little strange, it’s actually the fact that they are very emotional, although I think they would rather not be. The fact that we can usually tell whatever they are thinking and that they’re expressive when they try not to be is something that’s very sweet. August really grew on me, and I would hazard to say that their romance is the best one in the game. Their transformation especially with the Hunter in their route is beautiful to watch, and I am so proud of them by the end of the game.
On the flip side, August was the first route I did with the ‘Pledge’ choice, because I knew it would be the most heartbreaking, and I was right. I do love the Pledge route, but I think August’s is the best because of how incredibly heartbreaking it is to watch because they fall so in love with the Hunter and then they break their heart.
I think one of my favourite moments with them is actually just what we hear from word of mouth. During the ‘Pledge’ and ‘Liar Liar’ routes, we hear from our respective love interests that August came to them, in tears and completely distraught at the thought of losing the Hunter to Harry. That idea that they were in hysterics over the thought of losing the Hunter, romanced or not, is so emotional. You can really see in that moment how much they have grown to care for you.
August’s design is gorgeous as well, they’re just a beautiful person and this has been pointed out before, but another thing I love is the stark difference between the way that August looks at the Hunter in their first CG, and the way they look at them in Chapter 8 and 10.
Also, there aren’t many Non-Binary characters in media in general, let alone in Visual Novels. Seeing someone like August was really nice to have a character like that written in the way they were. It’s refreshing to see that kind of representation, and it was nice to have a NB character, I always think LGBTQ+ representation is so important.
Harry – As the antagonist of such a brilliant game, Harry had to be no less that amazing, and he really delivered. His twisted worldview come from his loss and sense of powerlessness, it really changed up the story. What started off as a monster hunting story became something more when we realized what was really happening behind the scenes. Placing Harry in this powerful position, and a position of trust and admiration really set up his fall from grace in the Hunter’s eyes. He was a truly scary villain, something that is often hard to do.
What I love most about Harry is his parallels with the Hunter, as I’m a sucker for a good hero/villain dynamic, although this aspect of their relationship shines the best in the Pledge route. The fact that the Hunter seeks his approval even after everything is so interesting, that the Hunter fell victim to the pursuit of power just as he did, both of them sacrificing loved ones to do so. It’s masterfully done.
Harry as the twist villain of the story was actually not what I expected, I was actually delighted and surprised by the end of Chapter 7, and Chapter 8 had me on the edge of my seat for an explanation. The final fight between the Hunter, August, and him in Chapter 9 is really the climax of this story, and feels like it’s all been leading up to this moment.
He’s an amazing villain, overall.
James – Something that I love at the start of Chapter 7 is the fact that we are in James’ perspective. James is a large part of this story from the very start in Chapter 2, with the Hunter the whole way through in his own way. His is the story of tragedy. Getting to see him in Chapter 7 in the dream sequence is an incredible moment, finally getting the answers we needed while opening up new ones. He is a kind man, I think he would’ve made an amazing father if he had ever gotten that chance. In the ending credits that we learn that he stays with a captured Harry is heartbreaking, and I really feel for the character. Love his design as well, he’s a handsome man, looks good with Harry in the flashbacks we see them together, and is really an emotional crux for Harry’s story and downfall.
Aurora – I am always a big fan of villainous female characters, and Aurora did not disappoint. I loved the creepy vibe of her in Chapter 2, it really started off the investigation nicely. She also provided this strange counter view on creatures and the world, her twisted mindset was really interesting to explore. I don’t know, but I just really loved her snarky, pretentious attitude, I just love characters that aren’t always good, and she is a very interest character to bounce off of, seen best at the start of Chapter 6 as she gets the Love Interests pretty riled up. She really shines in the final chapter of the Pledge Route, and her twisted devotion to the Traitor Hunter is a very interesting relationship. I was really happy to see her again because I actually missed her in many of the chapters, even though her presence wouldn’t really make, I just really love her character—it was just nice to have that final moment with her. She’s a very complex and interesting character and a great addition to the story.
Armaros – I actually really love Armaros, especially with his relationship with Elaine, especially when the Hunter is either in the Omen route or the Alkar/Omen route because of the parallels. I love the conclusion with him at the end of Chapter 10, also a wedding! I’m so excited. But I love him being the quieter, more reserved in the pairing with his sister, and you can tell he really cares for her, and their story is a sad one, but I’m glad it took an upward turn for him when he meets Elaine.
Elaine – She really is this interesting dynamic with Omen, especially in the romance route with him. She’s sweet like him, but her darker demon side is just a touch more obvious, she’s just a little less concerned about fitting in or loving humanity and I love it. She really gives this impression that she is this demon princess, daughter of the Devil, where she’s nice, but just sharp enough to cut you if you get too close. Her relationship with Armaros is also a very nice background part, and again—wedding! That’s so cute. My favourite moment with her is in the Omen route where she kinda of tricks the Hunter into a ‘deal’ to keep her brother safe, I believe? It’s a brilliant, quick-witted, and a little scary moment that sets the tone for her character and it’s fantastic. Her design is also beautiful, she’s gorgeous.
Raven – I adore Raven, she’s very fun to bounce off of Finn, and their relationship is very sweet in that brother/sister type of way. She’s a very fun addition to have around, and getting to meet her while romancing Finn is cute, and she’s very endearing in her own playful way. She’s a very fun character, and I love her design she really looks amazing.
Lux – In the little moments where we get to meet Lux, it’s very sweet. She’s a really cute character and her relationship with Raven is adorable. I love their matching necklaces, it’s such a cute little touch. The moment at the end of Finn’s route with them is so sweet because it really feels like a family moment.
Fiero – In our brief interactions with him, I really loved him as a character. That moment in Chapter 8 where he calls us out if we romance Finn about warning us about breaking his heart is so sad, because you can tell how much he cares for him. As a whole, the character is very cool, a unique character in that he’s a little more reserved, and it’s a nice contrast between Finn and Raven as another vampire.
It's taken us a while to respond because we've actually read it a few times and are all just beyond flattered and humbled by your incredible comment. You truly understood all of the little intricacies and nuances with both the plot and the character relationships that we plotted exactly as we hoped everyone would, and that means the world to us. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You've made our week x
What an amazing journey it has been, thank you so much for making the game! Loved the writing, the art, the amazing characters you created!! Definitely looking forward to the mini stories Errant Kingdom :D
Thank you so much! Us too!
I'm so happy that i played this game i really loved it the story was just amazing and the characters they are great. Thank you for making this game. :)
Thank you for playing :)
i just finished this and im so sad!! i even cried a bit upon seeing 'the end' omg, but honestly thank you so much for making this! the story was overall amazing and the characters were all so great! im not very good with words, but truly thank you to everyone involved! i cant wait for any possible mini stories ;;
Thank you so much! Don't be sad, they'll be back <3
Hey so I was trying to play chapter 10 after it updated, but my game keeps ending on chapter 9 and then sends me back to the title screen. Do you know what's going on exactly?
Sounds like you may need to re-download the update & ensure you’re copying the contents of the unzipped file over your old ones!
i accidentaly clicked on "Start" and the game restarted :( idk what to do, i have my saves folder,,, pls help i was on chapter 3 and it took me a lot :(
If you still have your saves in the game folder then you should be able to just load them from the load screen
oh yeah it worked!! thanks <3
how come the ending doesn't say how our relationships go after everything? did I do something wrong or will we see in the side stories
Your relationship is alluded to in the slide with your chosen LI. it was kept brief as there is going to be a continuation in the mini stories.
Anyone know if the locked slots in the gallery are going to be for future beautiful artworks, like in the mini stories that are yet to come? Or maybe I just missed something.
I really would like to know as well!! I have 3 missing CGs in almost every non poly route :/ ( don’t know about Piper since I didn’t play her)
As we use Ren’py for coding the game we used a pre-made gallery layout. This is why there are locked areas, not necessarily to indicate that there are missing CGs. There may be more CGs in the future if we do mini stories.
Awesome, thanks for clearing this up.
Love this game!!
Oh my GOSH!!! I won't spoil anything for anybody, but Chapter 10 has some fabulous lines in it. I cracked up more than once, and the artwork had me deep in my feels. 10/10, love this game
how many chapters will there be?
Yesterday the 10th and final main chapter was released. There was a bit in the credits that said mini stories would be coming in 2020 which I am very hyped about!!
I really wish that I could give this visual novel a rating that was higher than 5 stars, because if I could then I would really give it all the stars.
I know it's been said before by many but this is one of the best visual novels I've played and I super can't just pick one element that I like best. The characters are so well developed and the writing was something that really hooked me, which is probably why I have already replayed this visual novel a lot... Like seriously a lot and have played through every single LI - although I am trying to steel myself to play the pledge route because I am too much of a softy - but I will get there.
I will also admit to reading through chapter 10 for all LIs on the non-pledge route from around 4am this morning because I had to read all of them because I needed to find out how things ended for them and couldn't wait for non silly o'clock (it was super worth the lack of sleep, although it was probably as well that I am still currently on holiday and thus didn't have to worry about going to work xD )
Adding on to my last review, I will admit to having never played a game with poly routes before WTNC, but both poly routes were beautifully written and I really enjoyed both for different reasons.
I really also appreciate how available the devs are to their fans, I may not personally be on social media, but I can see how readily the game social media accounts are updated (and have learnt a lot of game lore by reading through past asks on the tumblr - and from the patreon).
I will definitely be replaying as WTNC is definitely a visual novel to come back to over and over (and I do still need to play the pledge route).
Thank you devs for this beautiful visual novel.
I am also super looking forward to Errant Kingdom and to seeing what the devs come up with in future.
i literally just finished playing chapter 10 and getting to the ending was such a bittersweet moment :') I freaking LOVE the afterthought of what each of the characters did after the ending and i can't wait for those mini stories later on in 2020 because i feel like i will definitely need to see my sweet bb's again in the future if i feel like i'm missing them. Thank you SO much to the beautiful hard working people of Lunaris Games for creating such an amazing full FREE game that just completely blew all other free VNs i've ever played out of the water.
Amazing story line, amazing art, drool worthy & cheek-pinchable ROs, i truly hope for all the best and all the success in your upcoming projects! I am vibrating with excitement now for Errant Kingdom and i don't even care if i have to pay to play errant kingdom because you guys have proven to deliver some very terrific art works and plots to your VN. I will gladly support y'all and i can't wait to snuggle up with Maja, Erik, Lucien and Raiden next lmao
This game is one of the best visual novels I've ever played - and in my top list of games ever. It is beautifully written and illustrated, and it's been wonderful following it to its (amazing) conclusion. I'm excited to follow Errant Kingdom next, but I don't doubt I will come back and replay WTNC many times.
Thank you guys for making this wonderful game with characters that truly touch people's hearts! And best of luck going forward. 💖
Thank you so much!! x
Could you upload the Linux version for chapter 10? I know you had internet problems, so no rush.
Uploading it now :)
Does anybody know why I still have 3 CGs locked on my Finn save?? I took every route possible and they are still black :(
The gallery is currently error-free so it may be a case of you having to replay his route unfortunately (sometimes the images simply need re-unlocking). Sorry about that! Let us know if you have any further issues.
Oh wait, how many CGs does Finn have? Because I have 9 in total, am I missing some? I ask since the 3 that are blocked are after the Ch. 10 CG so maybe they do not "exist"??
I couldn't find my Finn save anywhere so I restarted it, and now whenever I hit flirt with Finn a shadow-y girl with what looks like pigtails comes on screen on the left most side and says "finnfive" in white text. Is something going on? [Chapter 10 update]
An example image
This also happened to me with Ezra lmao and if it's anything to go by...maybe with the other LI's as well? it seems to happen only when you choose flirt options rip
Oh! I'm having the same issue!
We uploaded a fix :)
TThank you so much! I'll be sure to download it ASAP! :D
I had to restart my Omen route and now everytime I pick the "flirt" option a strange shadow girl with pigtails pops out. I don't remember that in my first play through
We're just uploading a fix for this issue. Simply re-download and it should be all good! :)
GOOD STUFF GOOD STUFF
Im waiting for the last chapter! I love this gaaame!
I've spent a lot of my time playing otome games since I was in my early teens. They've helped me get through a lot of rough things in my life and many of them are near and dear to my heart. But this one. I have never played a game that touched me quite like When the Night Comes has. It is honestly my favorite otome game ever. The characters are beautiful and so amazing. The art is just fantastic. There aren't enough words in the world for me to describe just how much I love this game. And I love its creators just as much. I follow them on tumblr and they're so kind and engaging with fans. You can tell just how much they care about their game and how much they care about us. I just. Ugh. This game makes me so happy, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for bringing this into the world.
This is such a lovely comment, thank you so much!
I've decided to wait for a full release to buy the game, but I was wondering. Will it be also available on Steam? Maybe later, after adding the last chapter? Btw. I can't wait to play it, it looks amazing ;)
It is! Every route is nothing but pure awesome.
I wanted to wait until the full game was finished before delving into WTNC and in fact am so excited for this game I took a day off of work just so I can stay home and play this game. Can’t wait😁
My lord what a ride I just took! This was soooo amazing I still can't process how brilliant it is. The characters music and art is beautiful!. For a girl that loves otome games and husbandos very much I fell in love with Alkar right away! He soo adorable! Thank you! I had to add. I'm in love with August. SOrry Alkar but ahhhhh
Thank YOU!! x
I honestly had to make an account just so I could show support for this breathtaking game. Each and every character is rich and vibrant in the depth of their personalities and stories, the art and variation in expression, background, etc., is amazing, the music is wonderful to listen to, the writing is phenomenal and I have no problems playing this through time after time, it just sucks me in, man. The inclusiveness is wonderful to see as well, as a bi trans man. And the romances, h o l y s h i t, so beautifully fleshed out, and gosh they just turn me to mush every time I have an interaction with any of these sweethearts. Seriously, amazing job on this. I'm definitely a full-time Lunaris Game supporter now, and am hyped for any future plans that you may have. Thank you for all of your hard work, you're incredible at what you do and I wish you the best, guys!
Did this beautiful comment make us cry? Yes. We love you 🌈
Ever since I played this game, it remained in my mind, and that is how you know it is brilliantly made game. I came back to this site to find it again and show my support, it has an undeniable charm, and really resonates with me in terms of inclusivity. Keep up the wonderful work!!!!
Thank you so much!
Hi, whos the polyamarous relationship with?
Ezra & Finn and Omen & Alkar. You will initially need to enter a relationship with one person in your chosen pairing before the poly relationship becomes available!
I'm only a few minutes in and I can tell that this is going to be a very well made game, and as for the other game you are currently working on, I'm excited to see what's in store for it. And I plan to donate to support as soon as I'm able. Your games are exactly what I've been looking for!
Thank you so, so much!!
Me, a nonbinary named August: O_O
but seriously i was excited about a nonbinary character and to see they had the same name as me was hilarious
will there be another chapter?
Yes the final Chapter is coming out on October 19th
Absolutely amazing.
Fantastic artwork, fantastic writing and I just adore ALL the characters. Keep up the great work guys.
Thank you! x
This game really got me crying in the club all in my feels...
??SPOILER??
#justice4james
I fecking love it. I love everything about it. The storyline, the art, the writing and the ROs.
It's easily up in my top 10s. dare i say, on par with cinderella phenomenon.
I love the twist, I love everything. I ALSO LOVE AUGUST SO MUCHHHH and Alkar and Omen and Ezra and Finnegan and Piper. I love everyone, they all have their emotional depth, their insecurities, their troubles and it's just so great.
Waiting for episode 10! I will fund the kickstarter when I pass my entrance exams because it's giving me motivation to actually do something lolz.
Wishing you guys all the luck and everything good. Thanks for making such a great game!
Cinderella Phenomenon is great! Have you tried Oathbreaker yet from LarkyLabs? Also great. I just finished every route on this game for the third time in a row. So I'm off to play the nsfw version of Oathbreaker now. Highly recommended it.
So I posted this in ratings but I'm gonna post it here too, cause good god, it's the best.
Okay okay okay, I have played my fair share of otome games at this point in my life, but very few have been able to completely slay my adult girlish heart. WTNC is seriously in my top five favorites, and I started playing it TODAY. (And for the record, I hope my language doesn't offend anyone in this post, I'm an expressive person)
First of all, wonderfully compelling storyline. I fucking LOVED how enthralling the story was - something a few otome games I've come across completely lacked - but this story really got me, it was exciting from beginning to end. Even though I've only gone through Alkar's storyline so far, I can't wait to go back & do his storyline again, along with all of the other available routes. Generally I'm a 'one & done character' for awhile, but I am SO DAMN HYPED to try all of the routes.
Second of all, JESUS CHRIST THE MF'ING ART. I wish you could hear how loudly I am clapping in this standing ovation for the art alone in this game. Seriously, I am so impressed by the character designs, the setting designs, ALL. OF. IT. The color choices, the line work, the fluidity of it all. Okay so I love art, it's a huge part of my personal life, and this art is extremely impressive in an otome game, and in general. I have an enormous amount of respect for digital art & the time it takes to build everything up. Seriously, I cannot express ENOUGH how taken aback by the beautiful aesthetic ins and outs in this game.
Thirdly, I wish I could hug all of you who developed and help develop this game. I just recently found out about itch & the games available through its platform, but I am so happy and impressed by the amount of otome games I've come across. But WTNC is by far my favorite. Round of applause again to you all, thank you very much for creating such a beautiful and badass game. (Cheers to my first long rating ever, too, hahah.)
LET ME ALSO ADD SINCE I WAS SO EXCITED EARLIER I COULDN'T STOP AND FORGOT TO INCLUDE THIS:
THE WRITING ITSELF, HOLY SHIT.
"You're like a madness, something I could succumb to."
(yes this implies in this short time I've already started on a different character, BECAUSE IT'S SO GOOD)
Oh my fucking god. Three cheers for VERY impressive writing! When I spoke of how I loved the storyline I should've mentioned the writing that made it up, good god. Wonderfully composed, and christ, not one mistake or one misspelling even to come across. Three cheers for wonderful writing, incredible choice of words, perfect grammar, and good spelling (that can be so neglected in stories, but also so noticed...). You wonderful humans keep on keepin' on.
Wow this review made our day! Thank you SO MUCH! We're so happy to hear you loved our game. Make sure you check out our upcoming VN which we have a Kickstarter campaign running for right now! x
You're all so super welcome! Praise is definitely, definitely deserved for all of the hard work involved! It is noticed and so appreciated.
I actually just started the new VN y'all are working on & I'm already very excited and am anticipating it HARD. Already impressed by the writing and artistic designs in the new one, too!!!
I will definitely help fund the new kickstarter & I will also be becoming one of your Patreon patrons, which I have never done for any game, ever, but again, I am so absolutely impressed with the work you all do <3
Lunaris Games has my support forever.
Oh, I realy love the game, but I will praise it after playing 10th chapter. For now I only try August route and i totally love images, dialogues, characters, plot. I want to tell authors how much I love the all inclusive features there. August looks really masculine, but you wrote their route in way that I never doubt they are enby. I like this point-not every enbie must looks androgynic, you can look like man and be not man, because look is not what make our gender. Im nb myself and I have chosen "they" as my prn in game, and it really works well! In many games even if there is possibility to chose prn 'they' I still have feelings that my characters is somehow man or woman, the other charactracters' actions toward mine, dialogues, it all gives my that vibes. But not your game! It is first game i can so deeply immerse and thank you for that! Thank you and see you on kickstarter i am very greedy person who loves money but i love your work more :)
Are there any walkthroughs?
i FUCKING LOVE THIS, the amont of detail put into esch character, really paid off, every chapter is so memorable (especially chapter 7 and 8 ; ) EACH CHARACTER IS SO adorable i cant pick one, the artsyle is SO FUCKING GOOD!!!!!!!!! there were alot of face sprites ( although fiero and harry dont seem to have that many, but thats just me nitpicking) that adds to the immersion of the player, speaking of immersion can i just say how good the writing is and overall storyline.
KUDOS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED YOU ARE ALL DOING AND AMAZING JOB!!!
btw are all the cgs out, sorry if this is a stupid question but i cant seem to get some cgs on every route i normaly get 6 or 7, is that normal or do i need to play more? speaking of cgs i REALLY LOVE THEM, this game is not only for free as you are more cgs, better storylone and a wide arrange of choices from gender to story and ,my favorite, the one where you can lead or be lead ;), than some paid games out there. so thank you all of the devs for making this i cant help with money so i hope this can help, also i am hyped for chapter 10.
i would love to know were there inspirations as for the character designs? theres a comment saying there august is inspired by a model, was this the case for many? im jus a little curious.
sidenote: i am already hyped for their new game, especially lucien ;)
I think they release new CGS with every new chapter :) so it's totally normal that you have some blocked at the end of it!! I have 4 missing in my Finn save for example!
ohh i see thank you so much for clarifying!!!!!!, i too have 4 cgs left on his route, i cant wait for the rest!
Im surprised I haven't seen any
dicksyet *ahem* I mean...Will this game also be for the Android?
Please ignore bad English, it is not my native language.
Love from Romania !!!
How many Chapters will there be in this game?
i think there will be 10 chapters but correct me if im wrong.
So I absolutely adore everything about this game so far. The art is absolutely amazing, the plot caught my interest right off the bat and continues to keep it, and WHEW BOY ya’ll hit all my soft spots as far as character types. Alkar reminds me so much of someone I know in real life that I absolutely adore and it makes me so unbelievably happy. The writing is done incredibly well, some typos but I’ve still been able to understand what’s being said so it’s not a big deal in my opinion. I also LOVE that there are poly routes, so far this is the only romance game I’ve played where polyamory was an option. You guys have done an amazing job so far!!! I will absolutely be supporting you in future endeavors, fantastic work!
I just got through chapter nine of Alkar's route and I had to come sing praises once again for the writers involved in this game. It felt so intense and I can't wait to see how everything ends.
Thank you so much!!
THIS. More poly routes in otome games, please. Ones that aren't just jokey harem endings. The only other game I can think of that has that is SoulSet.