Seventh Lair
From NOVECT, the creators of the highly acclaimed The House in Fata Morgana, comes Seventh Lair, a tongue-in-cheek, but emotional look at the online interactions between an indie game developer and fans!
Story
Dark†Knight, 27 years old, an indie game developer beginning to grow apprehensive about his lack of success. His life is on the bottom rung of society, and his career hangs on by a thread, but it’s all about to take a positive turn when one of his very enthusiastic female fans reaches out.
The creative process was once driven by a vague desire to be recognized, but now he has real inspiration in his feelings for her, and in 2013 he knew he could make a hit unlike any other.
On his website, “Royaume Heaven”, the regulars tended to go overboard with their critique on the forum page. After Dark†Knight’s own involvement took a steep drop, one of the worst trolls, J.B kept pushing and pushing. “Come on you hack creator, hurry up and spit out a new game.”
Then at last, Dark†Knight responded with a single comment.
“I’ll have a new release on April Fool’s”
On the day of April 1st. The newly uploaded game file was entitled “Seventh Lair”. But the moment the download was performed, Dark†Knight and the others were sucked into an RPG-like realm…!
This Meta-Fantasy explores raw emotion and despair, in the context of our interactions on the web.
“A true masterpiece doesn’t ask permission to move people.”
Game Discussion
Steam User 6
I have no words to describe how much I love this game. I thought at first it was just going to be a silly side story but it hit me like a brick! I can't even listen to the song "The Voice of a Fairy" without tearing up. When you love something so much you can't find the right words to express it and that's how I feel about this game and all THiFM games. I am so happy to of played this game, it was just as life changing as the others.
SPOILER:
Nellie really stood out to me this time, her problems felt so real I feel like most people went through such a thing growing up. Wanting anyone to see you, befriend you so badly that you make someone up in your head. Getting lost online on forums that you don't realise how time has passed and that your real life is slipping away. That when you do finally go out into the world it all feels so scary and foreign, yet making that big step is so important to finally living your life.
Imeon revealing his secret also touched me a lot, I relate deeply to his reasoning for not taking the steps to present as a man. I've never read a story with a character that has the same outlook as me. Modern medicine always thrown around as if it can change how you feel, how everyone looks down on you even if they are accepting. How even if you take the leap and come out your body doesn't match your true self, it's easier to just give up. The future is so risky, it could make or break your life, you've had to ask yourself is it worth it? So online I use a fake name and don't mention my gender, letting people believe I am whatever they want me to be because I know this way at least 50% of people view me as a boy. It really resonated with me, to actually read a story that matched how I feel about such issues for myself. Giving up is just easier for some people and to see that shown for once, made me happy yet sad. It's bittersweet to live sometimes. I didn't mean to get so long winded, but this is the first time I've ever seen my issues shown so exactly, I think it's nice to once in a while relate to something, that sometimes there is no happy ending and you have to just keep going.
Seventh Lair is another must play for fans!
Steam User 5
A wonderful story. The start felt a bit weak with the intentionally cliche RPG but the characters and their troubles were fleshed out very well and the climax of the story had me sobbing all the way through to the epilogue.
Definitely play The House in Fata Morgana before this though. Seeing the old characters but with new twists that rearrange them adds a lot to this story.
Steam User 2
Very good and short game!
8/10, start funny, depressing ending.
I believe that this game is hurted by the use of Fata Morgana characters, i believe that the authors are good enough to make new games without having to re-use their old characters. Have more faith in yourselves.
I will put a warning for some of you, this game talks about depression and suicide.
Steam User 1
This is a standalone game by the creators of The House of Fata Morgana. It can be played without having played that series.
As with all visual novels, it's a slow burn until it reaches a huge payoff toward the end. This particular experience is far shorter than Fata Morgana, and still reaches an amazing payoff; this is especially true if you're going through a great loss, as you'll feel seen and understood. Even if you are not, this VN is absolutely worth it.
Steam User 0
I love The House in Fata Morgana so much it makes me sick. If I had kids I'd love The House in Fata Morgana more.
That said, this game is bad. I recommend it because it is really really funny. But it is bad. If you go into it knowing it's bad and any pre-established characters are turned to mulch in my sad, desperate hands, then it is okay and fun. But it's bad. But if you like this game series then unfortunately you must play it. Enjoy. Or don't.
Steam User 0
Yo!!! This is another GOAT!
Its like Sword Art Online at first but then its getting really good and its actually peak! >:3
I never expected the story to turn out like this. It takes characters from the main game and puts them into a new setting, twisting them around. It’s just so good! Really enjoy reading this one, Plus its short too :D
Can't wait for Hanada Keika next work!
Steam User 2
I want to write something coherent but I'm emotionally ruined so uh. They're just like me fr.
(Without going into spoilers, this game deals with some genuinely heavy topics of mental illness and suicidal ideation. It's interesting to see how the characters here riff off their counterparts in The House In Fata Morgana, as there are some pretty big differences alongside similarities. It's a very raw and painful read as a struggling creative in his late twenties, but a good one. They're just like me fr.)