The Evolving World: Catalyst Wake Reviews

It has a great plot, cast, soundtrack, script, and so much more. While it did take me only three hours to complete, I feel it is 100% worth the mere seven dollars it costs to buy this game.

Short and sweet sci-fi VN that benefits greatly from the full voice acting. Doesn't overstay its welcome but also manages to squeeze in a few twists and turns to keep the reader's attention.

[b] 7.5+1*/10 [/b] * Bonus point for using [u] OCEAN [/u] traits in BOIS for real science! [h1] I would recommend this VN to anyone who wants to enjoy a complete story with several twists integrated into the narrative naturally, also to you who enjoy ensemble cast (e.g. Avengers!) or are simply interested in character designs. [/h1] [b]PROS[/b]: [list] [*]It is almost an animation [strike] despite needing A LOT of clicks [/strike]. There are many fight scenes that can get your blood pumping with just simple, clear CGs + A1-tier music! [*]All the environment designs are really in place and rendered with full attention. The paper-cut style that strikes the eye is very much enjoyable even surrounded by the rich background.  [*]The story has several interesting twists but not too many to fit in the short time length. It gives a proper ending for the 'The Evolving World' series. [*]Most importantly, you get to see not just the closure of a story, rather the closure of a child's dream. There are old comics included in the game and the two pre-series animations available on youtube. The project was initiated back in 2011. Through the years they managed to keep the dream alive and have evolved in skills and arts, just like the game's title. Realizing that their enthusiasm did not get defeated by the harsh reality for indie game developers, [spoiler]I am filled with determination.[/spoiler] [*]There are developer comments that you can easily check out with fast play-through, explaining their 'regret and pride' behind the scene. Quite fun to watch. [/list] [b]CONS[/b]: [list] [*]In summary, the story is not particularly written to utilize the large-scale post-war world setting. The main conflicts are between the few main characters and during their self-development, despite there being four interesting organizations each carries contradicting principles, which is a bit pitifully shallow also thinking all the nice art materials. [*]The world is a thousand-piece puzzle with one key missing: the crowd. [spoiler] They are either conveniently silenced to not discriminate towards assassins/murders or dragged on the stage to play a pathetic role for the heroes to empathize with. I felt it is hard to believe that Blackguard, who is doing 'business of assassination', is not worldly hatred. On the contrary, they are even offered a seat when all the 'important' people gather in the end to decide everyone's fate and later got moved on to the new world. I am not saying that they can not get a good ending. But they did not pay any cost for what they did, as if the lives they have taken had no value. [/spoiler]  [*]I wish all personality disorders can be so straight-forwardly cured [*]Also, DATA is pronounced DATA, not DATA! [/list]

I came into this game with no expectations, but it was a really fun experience. Extremely solid voice acting, good direction, and a well handled story that would have been extremely easy to overdo, but hit the right notes. Unexpected, but extremely enjoyable.