The Crown of Leaves
The Crown of Leaves is a hybrid of non-kinetic visual novel and point-n-click adventure, that will tell you a story about mysticism, riddles, constellations, anthro, beasts and ghosts! Three chapters are planned for release; The first chapter has already been released – and it's here. Roui, a resilient city dandy, a half-educated jeweler and the author of scientific magic articles, dealt with a colossal failure and had to return to his homeland: Latori. Science isn't a thing here, and local shoddy mystical beliefs are really irritating and dejecting to Roui. He dreams to return to his old life… But how can it be possible if you have no money? One day, a prosperous local baron commissioned him for a bracelet, a gift for his lovely bride. Roui, in need of the extra coin, graciously accepted the order… But not long afterward he faced a new problem – the Mad Rook, a legendary and mysterious spirit, began to meddle in the lives of the locals, including Roui's. This spirit, an entity that plays tricks on mortals once a year, is possessed with strange magic and a dark sense of humor. Despite all the strangeness of the story, everyone can find something parallel to their everyday life and see themselves in one of the characters. This story will capture you and won't let you go until the very end.
Game Discussion
Steam User 17
Okay, so I stumbled upon this game called "The Crown of Leaves," and boy, it's a breath of fresh air! It's not your typical dating sim visual novel; instead, it's a fantasy-mystery adventure with a blend of visual novel and point-n-click elements. Right off the bat, the mix of mysticism, riddles, anthro creatures, and ghosts got me hooked. It has quite a unique aesthetic that sure caught my eye.
The coolest part is that this game is a true passion project. Just two people are behind it, and they aren't even pros in game development or programming. But hey, they've got a programmer, composer, and animator on board to help bring their vision to life. Talk about dedication!
The story centers around Roui, a city-slicker jeweler who had to return to his hometown, Latori, after a major setback. He's not a fan of the local mystical beliefs and yearns to go back to his old life. But money troubles force him to take on a commission from a local baron, and that's when things get interesting. A mischievous spirit called the Mad Rook starts causing mayhem for everyone, including Roui.
The game's set in a fictional world called Shang-La, a place with a mix of cultures, old magic, and new ideas. The Sahash, the second intelligent race, really piqued my interest. They have different nations, each with its own unique culture, and coexist with humans despite their animalistic nature.
Playing the game lets you interact with various characters, make friends, and maybe even some enemies. There's crafting, exploration, and searching for hidden clues, making it a well-rounded experience.
The art and attention to detail in the environments and characters are impressive. The writing is top-notch too, with well-developed characters who feel like real individuals, not just tropes. The mystery and fantastical elements in the story are handled beautifully, and it keeps you engaged.
Sure, the game has a few hiccups. Some quests require you to find obscure items or solve puzzles without proper hints. It can be a bit frustrating, but hey, it adds some challenge to the mix.
Now, a couple of features I'd love to see in the future: a way to mute all audio and a master volume slider. Sometimes the sound effects still play even when you set everything to minimum. And a button to speed through or skip dialogue would be great for replaying sections.
All in all, "The Crown of Leaves" is an absolute recommend! I'd give it a solid 8/10. The story isn't finished yet, so that's the only thing holding it back from a perfect score. But I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the chapters. If you're into mystery, fantasy, and a unique visual novel experience, give it a shot. Trust me, you'll enjoy it!
Steam User 16
need chapter 3
Steam User 10
I mean, I fell in love with this game an hour in, every character is so cute and their personalities are so vibrant and human... or should I say "Sahash"? The music and setting is super cozy.
I'm just worried that when it all ends its going to break my heart just like Night in the Woods or Undertale did.
Despite that, i'd say this game is worth every bit of money... which in my opinion is far to small an amount even if it is yet to finish the story.
Steam User 8
Honestly the best visual novel you can get, lovable and well designed characters
Steam User 4
A hidden gem.
Steam User 3
One of the best Visual Novels I've read in a long time and there's no dating or anything in that realm just a world full of believable characters that grow and change that make you feel a part of such an interesting world. I wont spoil anything but 5 bucks for chapter 1 is a very low cost for something that will give you a feeling of transporting to another world of wonder, magic, and alchemy. easy 9.5/10
Steam User 6
Is it normal to fell in love with a visual novel?
I wuv Vander.