Refate: Echoes of Desire

Refate: Echoes of Desire is a captivating FMV game blending Japanese and Chinese cultural elements, centered on a protagonist who loses memories and climbs the ranks of a notorious gang. Players engage deeply with a strong narrative, character development, and multiple endings, enhanced by quality acting and fan service. The game offers around 7-15 hours of gameplay, appealing especially to fans of story-driven experiences.

However, some players report technical issues such as video freezing, delayed scene transitions, and saving glitches, which slightly mar the otherwise immersive experience. The story feels incomplete for some, as the "true ending" appears to be reserved for a future sequel. Despite these flaws, the game’s solid storytelling, enjoyable QTE mechanics, and engaging cast have garnered mostly positive reception, with anticipation for future installments.

Highlights

Players praise the engaging storyline and strong character building, especially highlighting emotional performances by key characters like Bai Meng. The game’s QTE gameplay is well-executed and adds excitement. The graphics and fan service elements are also appreciated, contributing to an immersive atmosphere. The English translation is noted as good, making the narrative accessible. Multiple endings and the promise of a sequel keep players invested and eager for more.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include technical glitches such as video freezing, background scenes not pausing, and saving issues when altering chapter choices. Some players find the story incomplete, with the "true ending" not available in this installment. The final phase or ending feels abrupt or disappointing to a few. Additionally, the game requires significant reconfiguration to run on devices like the Steam Deck. These issues affect the overall polish and player experience.