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DON'T NOD excels in developing decision-based games, exemplified by their latest visual novel, Harmony: Fall of Reverie. In this game, players assume the role of Polly, a character with the ability to traverse between two distinct worlds. The first is her vibrant hometown, an enchanting island under the control of a powerful corporation. The second is Reverie, a realm inhabited by the essence of human aspirations, such as Bliss, Power, Bond, Truth, Chaos, and Glory. Polly herself personifies Harmony.
As Polly delves deeper into her journey, she discovers the intricate connection between her world and these Aspirations. To rescue both Reverie and humankind, she must confront daunting choices that possess the power to shape the very course of the future. One significant choice arises early on during the mission to revive Truth. Some players may find themselves torn between two conflicting aspirations: Bliss and Power, both capable of resurrecting Truth.
Power or Bliss: Who Should Revive Truth?
Bliss and Power, the initial aspirations players encounter in Reverie, possess contrasting personalities and appearances. The game promptly acquaints players with the Augural, a roadmap to the future that also establishes connections between the story's events and subsequent significant occurrences known as "Outcomes."
Utilizing Harmony's capacity to peer into the future aided by the Augural, players are empowered to select events that shape various outcomes. However, this endeavor necessitates the accumulation of Aspiration crystals, which can be obtained by opting for events aligned with a specific Aspiration. Once a chapter concludes, players may receive guidance to choose a specific Outcome.
Players on the mission to revive Truth are faced with two options: Bliss or Power and Bond, depending on the number of crystals they have gathered for that specific goal. Both of these outcomes require 13 crystals for the goal. Players must strategize their approach by analyzing the augural to achieve their desired result.
It is crucial to prioritize avoiding events that lead to the loss of crystals for specific goals. While the decision between Bliss and Power may appear significant in kickstarting Harmony's journey as a goal, it is only the initial major outcome of her choices. As a result, the developers decided to maintain a consistent approach while navigating the realm of Truth.
Choosing Bliss
Bliss and Harmony meet at the border of Truth's Domain, exchanging thoughts on the time it took to discover a path to Truth. The surroundings shift to a chilly cave, evoking the steadfast essence of Truth. At the center of a lake, they spot Truth in a fractured form. Playfully, Bliss jokingly refers to Truth as an Old Witch and begins rummaging through her infinite pockets. From one of them, she retrieves a comically large pink tube of glue, resembling the size of a bazooka. As Bliss uncaps the tube, Harmony senses a shift in the atmosphere.
Choosing Power and Bond
The scene transitions into a mesmerizing cutscene where fragments of truth seamlessly converge, gradually assembling into the unmistakable silhouette of a humanoid figure. Power, Bond, and Bliss attentively observe as Truth gracefully regains her original presence as the embodiment of Aspiration. A lively discussion ensues, revolving around the imminent perils that threaten both Reverie and Humanity. Amidst the deliberation, Power passionately expresses his frustration with Chaos for their lack of assistance.At the convergence of Harmony, Power, and Bond lies the threshold of Truth's realm. Bond recounts the arduous journey they undertook to uncover an entry point into the domain of Truth, while Power visibly displays signs of impatience, yearning for a swift resolution. This stark juxtaposition offers a captivating dynamic for players embarking on subsequent playthroughs of the game.
The main events of the story mirror those in the Outcome of Bliss. However, instead of using glue, Power and Bond decide not to Mend Truth back into shape. Surprisingly, they opt to hold hands and sway, which gradually escalates into a fervent dance. Suddenly, Harmony hears distant drums, heightening the tempo of their dance. She observes the two Aspirations completely absorbed in their movements, causing them to blend together seamlessly. As the drums grow louder, she also detects faint chanting from behind her.
This triggers a cutscene where fragments of truth are witnessed reassembling. Truth assumes her original Aspiration form, with Power, Bond, and Bliss observing from the sidelines. They engage in a discussion about the imminent challenges faced by both Humankind and Reverie. Power expresses his frustration with Chaos's inability to assist and reveals that he is hiding in a maze, where not even power can penetrate with his army.
The initial Outcome revealed to players through the Augural does not significantly influence the narrative of Harmony: Fall of Reverie. Nevertheless, subsequent outcomes shape the story in captivating and destructive ways, necessitating players to exercise care.
Harmony: Fall of Reverie can be played on various platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X, and Series S.