Gilded Shadows
Description
Gilded Shadows is a GxB visual novel that explores a whimsical, yet dangerous world which blends the solarpunk and cyberpunk aesthetics into a unique adventure. The player can explore different factions and story lines based on their choices in the common route. The game has 30-40 hours of content where your personality traits lock or unlock various interactions and responses to situations. As you follow the MC on her journey, pursue one of six love interests in a stand-alone story unique to that route.
Story
Arcalis is a planet with a complex history.
Centuries ago, when humans arrived, they found it abandoned. The only remnants of its previous society were massive bio-domes dotted on the surface and designed as protection from the hostile climate.
With one side of the world bathed in eternal day and the other cloaked in frigid night, the bio-domes are oases where people live sheltered from the scorching winds and storms. But whether in the bright, clean cities of the day side of the planet, or the poor and crime-ridden cities of the night side, life is never simple nor peace easy to come by.
When a fateful encounter exposes Morgan Leone, a young woman who has long hid her ESP, as a queen ranked Esper, she finds herself on the run from multiple factions eager to attain her abilities. Endgame, the planetary defence organisation; Crimson, a notorious crime syndicate from Delphine; and even the shadowy group only known as “the Host” – each group sends operatives to retrieve her.
Now, with several paths open to her, she must choose her allies carefully. Between light and shadow lies grey twilight where the lines between good and evil are blurred. And in a world where the only constants are the endless day and night that divide the planet, Morgan learns those who can’t adapt…also can’t survive.
Features (in finished game)
6 love interests to pursue in initial release
9 Love interests to pursue (to be released)
Customise the MC’s appearance and personality
100,000+ words per route with at least 3 endings each
Stand-alone character routes with unique plots
Expansive and gorgeous setting, world, and lore
Flowcharts to track progress through the story
Official Soundtrack by composer Tobi Weiss
Brief Content List:
Sci-fi violence
Cursing
Suggestive content
Sexual situations
Social upheaval and dystopian situations
Oppression of certain groups (specifically of Espers and “Biosynths” (androids/cyborgs))
Mild blood and injuries
Mental illness and trauma
Occasional (single) flashes
Some loud sound effects
Characters with messy or grey moral compasses
Game Discussion
Steam User 2
The story and art are pretty good, but there are just too many explanations about this world that make it a bit boring. I feel like some of the descriptions aren't really needed. For example, in Ari's route, the whole point of mentioning the mc's siblings is to show how much she cares about her family and how messed up the city is. This is just my suggestion, but I think cutting out some of these sentences could make the story easier to read without messing with the main plot.
Steam User 3
I've waited too long to leave a review because I kept trying to figure out how to explain how wonderful this VN is. And I still can't, but I wanted to leave a good review anyway. Every single character has a completely different story line and many different endings. You can end one and start another and play an entirely new game. Or just go back to one you've done before and make different choices and explore different routes.
The world is big. And it is intimidating. But you cannot tell me that's not literally how every fantasy genre book/film is? I don't remember getting a lorebook when I read LotR for the first time, at least this has one that's clear and concise. It's not for everyone, and that's okay. If you're looking for romance without plot, this isn't it. But the romances are very fulfilling, and the plot is incredible. I've cried a lil too much.
This is amazing. Esh is amazing. Ari is baby. That is all.
Steam User 2
This game is excellent. The world building is astounding and each character is unique. I even found myself loving all side characters. Each route is different and unique but all of them are wonderful. I have played all the routs and loved them all. though Lance will always have a special place in my heart. lol.
I would definitely recommend this game.
Steam User 0
To be honest, I never write reviews for games - this is actually my very first one. But I just couldn't stay quiet, because this game? It's a genuine MASTERPIECE!
I've played my fair share of visual novels, and most of them tend to fall into the same traps: too short, rushed pacing, relationships that feel slapped together like mismatched puzzle pieces. But this? This was nothing like that. The story unfolded at a perfect rhythm: richly layered, immersive, and full of twists that made it impossible to shut down the game.
There's this flow to the narrative, this elegance in how each scene draws you in deeper, and the relationships? They don't just happen - they grow, naturally and believably. Every route offers something completely unique, not just a different love interest, but a whole different perspective of the story, new secrets, new truths. It's like peeling back the world layer by layer, each path revealing something precious and unexpected.
If you're someone who longs for a mature, beautifully crafted visual novel, something with emotional depth, strong storytelling, and a soul that lingers with you - this is it. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants a story that grabs hold of your heart and refuses to let go, day after day. This is a rare gem, a true work of art!
Steam User 0
I played a lot of visual novel with or without voice, but this game (Gilded Shadow) got me interesting with their visual style and story. so I really recommend to at least try it out once.
Steam User 0
I super enjoyed this game! The amount of work that went into it is staggering--there are so many sprites and backgrounds that I lost count, and the world is immersive. With every love interest comes a new story that is well thought out, and I really felt that MC's endings in each route feel right for that particular situation, which is a testament to the writing. I do recommend following a guide since the traits and choices can get a little confusing.
Steam User 0
I've played this game quite a bit. There were routes I didn't enjoy as much but overall I have always loved the story. Definitely worth the price for the amount of interesting content you get.