WITCH ON THE HOLY NIGHT Reviews

[h1] A beautifully brilliant VN from the mushroom man [/h1] This is the second time I have bought this game (own it on the awesome VN machine known as the Switch) and i'm having as much fun reading it with a friend for their first time as I did when i read it myself. The game is in a unique position for Type Moon properties where you don't need to consume the rest of the media to enjoy it although it will most definitely make it more enjoyable (i.e. Tsukihime/Melty Blood, Garden of Sinners, Fate). If you are especially in the position where you play Fate/Grand Order on the NA servers I massively recommend giving it a read before the collaboration event goes live around late March 2026 to experience the story of Aoko, Alice and Soujuurou . Pros: - The game has Aoko in it (big plus) - Genuinely not only one of the greatest VNs I've experienced but one of the best told stories - The music is actually out of this world good - The art is mainly done by Hirozaki Koyama, the artist that made most of the iconic weaponry in Fate/Stay Night and made Scathach and Musashi in Fate/Grand Order - My goat Sono-G is in it - Better then F/SN IMO (fight me, wait don't actually) Cons: - You will join the group of people waiting for Mahoyo sequels and movie

fun vn. classic nasu writing, comfy character interactions in the slice of life parts, the action set pieces are cool even if they are confusing. [spoiler] wtf is fifth magic, its like time travel but not time travel? I looked online and no one seems to know either. [/spoiler]

hyper-aryan multiverse time travel. ten billion spinning sonnenrads.

Absolutely wonderful visual novel, which i enjoyed from start to finish. Somehow it managed to make me reflect on my own life a lot of times. Souyjiro is a very relatable unrelatable character. :P The only thing that made me sad is that Sono-G and Alice didn't end up as a couple. :( Can't wait for more Type-Moon VNs to be released globally. Nasu, make it happen, pretty please!

aoko and alice! One of the most beautiful and well written stories that I've ever read. Thank you for making the Witch on the Holy Night. I have a heartfelt love for the three main characters. I will definitely come back and reread the the story again. But for now, I hope for a sequel!

Let's start with the obvious.. The artworks. This novel has so many artworks within it that I was really surprised by how good they were at the same time! Most novels do have a few artworks tied to one location from one perspective, and kind of twirl the story around it; This one had multiple, and of the same high quality. I guess, that was one of the main drawing points for me, along with a few people suggesting me to give it a try.. The character design is flawless. There may be a lack of expressions for each character during certain moments, but that's never a bother as it's not possible to expect a movie in a novel.. I admit that my expectations were sorta unreasonable there, so that's that. The characters do develop throughout the story; Yet another huge plus that I rarely see in visual novels. They adapt.. At first, I saw a couple characters I'd never wanna have anything to do with, but later on I wished for more. I wanted to know more about what's to happen to them, I wanted to know how are they gonna react in specific circumstances when faced with difficult feelings.. And I was very pleasantly rewarded with what I was looking for. The whole story is in a form of a kinetic novel, and from a narrator's perspective. I didn't expect that, but I have no complaints. It is well done, and the present thoughts of the characters as well as their emotions, so it's not all that difficult to understand where they'a coming from. The moment I realized that, I was a bit worried for characters keeping their emotions, feelings, and thoughts hidden to each their own, but that wasn't the case. I can deal with kinetic novels, and although I claim to dislike them, I sort of enjoyed it. The story wasn't all that complicated; In fact, it was fairly clear due to the characters providing sort of a guide, so I knew what was going on more or less all the time without having to do any research on it. What's to also be mentioned is its soundtrack.. While there weren't any tracks that I'd consider especially memorable or special, there was some change of scenery for me whenever a new track began, typically with a whole new preset of ideas aswell. .. Unfortunately, due to how repeated some of them were, I can't get myself to praise its music in any way. Like, it was decent, but it was nothing to talk about with friends about how extraordinary it was.. It was nothing of that sort to me, and so this major part did leave me a bit disappointed. Overall, I have mostly been in for the characters.. As per usual, I suppose. The voice acting was top notch, the reactions and exchanges between the characters were funny, cute, embarrassing from time to time.. It had a bit of everything, but most importantly, none of it has felt forced. Everything has felt genuine, even relatably so! I wouldn't call it an emotional rollercoaster, it was lively. I didn't feel bored for a single second.. But, what I ended up disliking, despite the whole thing being contradictory was how good it was! That's right.. The novel was so good that because it was fun, it also felt really short. The time flew by, I was losing track of time whenever I read a few lines.. Now, whether I'd recommend this novel or not.. That's an easy one, but probably not so easy when I take into consideration the possible expectations. What I can say for sure is, the Fate fans will love it.. And why, that they'll get to know once they get into it. .. Even those who are in just for some quality reading time will end up loving it. Hopefully, I didn't really forget anything.. As I ended up questioning myself right now for who knows reason. That's it, then. Happy reading! ~

WITCH ON THE HOLY NIGHT, developed by TYPE-MOON and released on Steam with an enhanced visual novel presentation, is a meticulously crafted story that blends urban fantasy, subtle romance, and an undercurrent of mystery, all told through the lens of rich prose and stunning visuals. Originally a Japanese-only release in 2012, the game received a much-anticipated official English localization in 2022, bringing the tale to a global audience for the first time. A prequel of sorts to the Tsukihime and Fate universes, the game serves as both a nostalgic treasure for fans of Kinoko Nasu’s intricate worldbuilding and a surprisingly accessible entry point for newcomers. Set in 1980s Japan, WITCH ON THE HOLY NIGHT follows the story of Aoko Aozaki, a teenage girl with a mysterious lineage, who is thrust into the secret world of modern magecraft while struggling to maintain her double life as a high school student. The narrative centers around her developing relationship with Alice Kuonji, a quiet and enigmatic witch who resides in a Western-style mansion on the outskirts of town, and Soujuurou Shizuki, a young man from the countryside who becomes entangled in their world. What begins as a seemingly slice-of-life tale steadily evolves into a rich, layered fantasy drama, full of emotion, subtle humor, and moments of genuine tension. Narrative pacing in WITCH ON THE HOLY NIGHT is deliberately measured. Unlike many visual novels that rely heavily on rapid plot twists or fan service to hold attention, this story takes its time establishing mood, character relationships, and the intricacies of the world. The writing is quintessentially Nasu—dense, poetic, and introspective—inviting players to immerse themselves in character psychology and the philosophy underpinning the magical systems. For some, this will be a deeply rewarding experience that evokes a contemplative tone rarely seen in visual novels; for others, the slow burn may feel like a barrier, especially during early chapters that prioritize atmosphere over action. Visually, the game is nothing short of beautiful. TYPE-MOON’s remastered edition uses a full HD resolution, and the character sprites, background art, and occasional cinematic stills all reflect an incredibly high production value. The character designs by Hirokazu Koyama are elegant and expressive, with subtle visual cues that complement the text-based storytelling. Lighting and environmental effects are used sparingly but effectively to create mood, and the UI is sleek, intuitive, and unobtrusive. Each scene is crafted with care, and transitions between moments are smooth, contributing to the cinematic flow of the story. The voice acting, newly added in the remastered edition, brings an extra layer of depth to the characters. Each of the principal characters is voiced by seasoned talent, delivering performances that feel grounded and emotionally resonant. Aoko’s voice captures her impulsive bravado and emotional vulnerability, while Alice’s tone is calm, commanding, and almost ethereal. Soujuurou’s rural sensibility and quiet strength come through in every line. Combined with a haunting, ambient soundtrack that mixes piano, strings, and atmospheric synths, the audio design adds significantly to the experience, helping to convey emotional beats and punctuate moments of magic or suspense. Thematically, the story weaves together ideas of identity, power, legacy, and connection. Aoko’s arc, in particular, is compelling as it explores the difficulty of inheriting responsibility one never asked for and trying to forge a path between duty and personal desire. Alice, on the other hand, functions as both a foil and a mirror to Aoko, providing moments of tension and unexpected warmth. The subtle romantic tension between the two is written with nuance, allowing players to interpret the depth of their bond in multiple ways. This ambiguity, characteristic of Nasu’s writing, allows for a broader emotional resonance and invites thoughtful reflection. While the game is largely linear, it does not feel restrictive. There are no major branching paths or dialogue choices—instead, the focus is on delivering a cohesive narrative experience akin to a novel, with interactive pacing and presentation. For players accustomed to multiple endings and gameplay-affecting decisions, this may feel limited, but it is a deliberate choice that suits the tone and purpose of the story. The lack of distractions or divergent routes ensures that the central narrative lands with full impact, and every character interaction carries weight. One of the more fascinating aspects of WITCH ON THE HOLY NIGHT is its treatment of magic. Unlike the more bombastic spellcasting in the Fate series, the magecraft here is subdued, almost secretive. Magic is treated not just as a force of power, but as a philosophy, an inheritance, and a burden. The system is rich with internal logic, and its presence is always felt even when not actively demonstrated. This quiet reverence for the magical world enhances the mystery and stakes of the story, and it reinforces the themes of isolation and responsibility that each character grapples with. There are, of course, a few drawbacks worth mentioning. The game’s slow start and literary style may not appeal to all players. Those expecting constant action or romance may be disappointed by the story’s restraint. Additionally, because the game sits within a larger universe, some of its concepts and terminology may feel underexplained to newcomers, though the story does a commendable job standing on its own without requiring deep familiarity with the Nasuverse. Still, fans of the broader TYPE-MOON lore will find countless small references and contextual details that enrich the experience. In the end, WITCH ON THE HOLY NIGHT is a rare example of a visual novel that transcends its medium through literary ambition, aesthetic elegance, and emotional intelligence. It’s a quiet, contemplative tale that invites players to sit with its characters and their inner worlds, rather than rush through plot beats or chase outcomes. It’s a work that respects the reader’s patience and rewards attention with scenes of remarkable emotional clarity and world-building depth. Whether you're a longtime TYPE-MOON fan or a newcomer drawn in by the beautiful art and critical praise, this is a story worth experiencing—thoughtful, poignant, and filled with the kind of subtle magic that lingers long after the screen fades to black. Rating: 10/10

A VN adaptation of the novel that marked the beginning of the Nasuverse. It doesn't have choices or branching paths outside of one of the optional side stories. The story is much smaller in scale than the Fate series while delving into the shared world and magic systems. There are some notable action sequences, but it has a slice-of-life atmosphere first and foremost. That said, the cast is quite entertaining to follow, so I don't consider any of these negatives. The OST Is fantastic. I had listened to it numerous times prior to playing the game, and it was quite pleasant to hear it used in context.

[i]There once was a manor on the hill where two witches lived.[/i] After putting it off for three years, I finally sat down and finished this game. I own the big box physical edition for Switch alongside Tsukihime, but I also picked it up on Steam to support TYPE-MOON. The beginning of the Nasuverse doesn’t open with a bang — no Grail Wars, no vampires lurking in the streets — but with a quiet, snow-covered town in winter. Compared to Nasu’s other works, [i]Witch on the Holy Night[/i] feels the most distinct. It’s not the grand, fate-of-the-world epic of [i]Fate/stay night[/i], nor the romantic and psychological gothic horror of [i]Tsukihime[/i]. It’s its own thing — a magical winter fairy tale about three unlikely housemates, bound together by circumstance and secrets. First off, the artwork is [b]stunning[/b]. Hirokazu Koyama’s clean, detailed style, paired with lavish backgrounds, gives the game a rich, atmospheric look that perfectly fits the setting. The full voice acting is excellent — every character feels alive, and the performances add weight to quiet moments. While it’s not in Takeuchi Takashi’s style, the more subtle and slightly “gothic” visual design complements the tone beautifully. Unlike most TYPE-MOON games, [i]Mahoyo[/i] is entirely linear — no branching routes, no bad ends (unless you count the bonus chapter). You’re here to experience one perfectly paced story from start to finish, and it’s worth every minute. The soundtrack deserves special praise. It’s understated yet memorable, always matching the emotional tone of the scene — from warm, cozy domestic moments to the sharp chill of winter nights. Combined with the visuals and voice work, it creates a mood you’ll want to linger in long after the credits roll. If I’m ranking TYPE-MOON’s “big three” visual novels — [i]Fate/stay night[/i], [i]Tsukihime[/i], and [i]Witch on the Holy Night[/i] — this is probably my least favorite. But that says more about how much I love the other two than it does about any weakness here. Even at the bottom of that list, [i]Mahoyo[/i] is still a beautiful, worthwhile read that any Nasuverse fan should experience at least once. 9/10

Saved my b1tch ass life. Peak fiction, I would forget everything I read just to keep playing this over and over again, It's just that damn good. Also Alice is a cutie