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This space opera will tug at your heartstrings - Opus: Echo of Starsong Quick Review

2K View2022-11-23

Stories have the power to touch us, make us ask deep questions, and take us on emotional journeys that can bring us to tears or make us laugh just as if we were experiencing the action ourselves. Opus: Echo of Starsong is such a story. It is actually the third installment in the Opus series, which has built up more of a fan following in Asia. Echo of Starsong definitely deserves your attention no matter where you live, though.

THE STORY

Though Opus: Echo of Starsong takes place in the same universe as Opus: The Day We Found Earth and Opus: Rocket of Whispers, it serves as a stand-alone title that you can play independently of the previous games. The story follows three characters: Jun is a disgraced noble trying to restore his family fortunes; Eda is a witch who can imitate starsongs; and Remi is a pilot whose goal is to keep Eda safe from harm. What are starsongs? In this universe, these strange, powerful songs are emitted by asteroids, and conflict has broken out over control of them. As our heroes seek to collect these starsongs, they encounter all manner of obstacles and an ancient myth deep in the heart of space.

PLATFORMS

Opus: Echo of Starsong was developed and published by SIGONO INC . It’s currently available for iOS, Android, PC, Switch, and Xbox One. I played the game on my iPhone 13, and everything ran smoothly.

TIME PLAYED

I’m currently around seven hours into Opus: Echo of Starsong, more or less the halfway point of the game. The game can be pushed through much faster if you just focus on the main storyline and don’t get distracted exploring, but why would you want to rush this great experience?

WHAT’S AWESOME

• The narrative. If you’re a fan of games with well-written stories, then look no further. This beautifully crafted plot introduces memorable characters that ultimately weave together into a beautiful and immersive tapestry. Though I’m only halfway through, I feel compelled to finish Echo of Starsong due almost entirely to the strength of its narrative.

• Visuals. Hand-drawn visuals and CG animation blend perfectly to really bring out the narrative and hook you into the story. There were times when I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen...which probably made me look like a huge weirdo to anyone witnessing how enthralled and captivated I was by my phone.

•Sound. Opus: Echo of Starsong won the awards for “Excellence in Audio” and “Excellence in Design” at the Asia Game Awards 2021, and it’s easy to see why. The sound design combined and beautifully composed music help build up the space opera elements of the story.

WHAT SUCKS

• Gameplay. Narrative is emphasized at the expense of gameplay in Opus: Echo of Starsong. I mean, it’s a visual novel, so don’t expect much in the way of deep mechanics or systems.

Yes! Play this game! It was worth the $8.99 I spent to experience this absolute gem of a game. With its memorable characters, exciting visuals, and emotional music, you really shouldn’t miss out on this game if you’re a fan of visual novels or narrative games.

💬 What’s your favorite video game narrative? Let me know in the comments section, and we can chat!

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