How many visual novels is one too many visual novels? Well, if you ask me I’ll tell you there are never enough visual novels. Especially when a story comes along that keeps you absorbed and keeps you thinking about it even when you step away. Perhaps those familiar with Spire Games already knew this would be an interesting game and had an idea of what to expect. This was my first foray into anything from Spire, but it surely will not be my last.
Prior to Advent: Dawn, Spire Games had released The VII Enigma (2022) and Synesthesia (2023). Both of these are mystery visual novels, each with their own art style and feel. For those familiar with these games, you may be pleased to hear that Advent: Dawn takes place six years after the events of The VII Enigma. Thankfully this isn’t a game where you need to have knowledge of the previous games. Those who have played will recognize certain names of characters but it isn’t required to enjoy Advent: Dawn. In fact, Advent: Dawn works quite well as a standalone title, or if you’re like me, gets you to run to your Steam library to pick up a few additional games.
Story
In Advent: Dawn you play as Dr. Atlas Everly who is invited to a remote island and all too quickly find yourself trapped in a web of lies and possible deceit. Possible? Okay definitely a bit of lies when the first person Dr. Everly meets is Amelia. She is your new assistant who was a stranger minutes prior and definitely not a woman of science. When you meet Fabian, the man that hired you, the sense of how strange this all is begins to set in. The secrecy surrounding the island feels suspicious and it only gets worse as you enter the cave where all your research will take place. But wait, it gets worse! What happens when your only entrance to the cave is destroyed?
This is where the story of Advent: Dawn really starts to pick up. While you’ve only met half of the cast at this point, you’re already too deep to go back. Plus all of the rubble says there’s no turning back now. It’s time for Atlas to work together with the crew to find another way out. Unfortunately, the cave isn’t the only thing working against them. Someone, or something, is watching them. Is this entity guiding them or punishing them or a mixture of both? It doesn’t help that while trying to find a way out Atlas is also dealing with voices in his head and mysterious shadows that appear.
Throughout Advent: Dawn the narrative also explores Egyptian and Tongan/Samoan mythology and weaves it into the mystery of the cave. Is Atlas hearing the voice of gods, monsters, or hallucinations being trapped in a dark space for so long? Trying to find a way out isn’t so easy when sometimes our main character feels like he may not be the most reliable narrator of sorts. How can we believe his perspective when the others don’t see it?
Of course, It’s the use of these mythological narratives mixed with his perspective that also drew me in more. It was very interesting to see a man of science be curious about the symbols while also trying to make sense of the situation. We also have moments of him being quite human, the panic, the anxiety, the stress all bearing down on him in a tense situation. Sometimes to his benefit, sometimes a distraction but something the players will have to navigate.
It also helps that the pieces of the story are also told through varying routes. Players will have to unlock these routes through their character choices. Getting to one terminal ending is not the end of the story. In order to achieve the true ending, players must explore the map flow chart for all routes. The mystery is not one that can be solved from one perspective. Only when one has the full picture can you truly understand what forces, be they human, supernatural, or something all together unexplored are at play.
Clever Flow Chart
I can’t speak more about the story and exploring this without mentioning the flow chart. Except that in Advent: Dawn, it isn’t a flow chart. It’s a map, it’s a guide, it’s everything you need along the way. As you explore different routes, the map will open up and show you all of your pivotal choice points.
Of course, the map is tied to your neural chip which means you’ll also be able to see notes that are important to your exploration. When you click on choice points in your map, you’ll also be able the varying routes and options you may not have unlocked yet. For those who are completionists who are looking to see every possible ending, the map is your friend. The game doesn’t hide the fact that there are multiple dead ends and terminal routes to find.
I like the fact that the map is an item that the characters acknowledge while also serving to navigate the branching narrative paths. In a game that plays with the idea of layers of three, the map serves this purpose as well. There is the map that Atlas uses as a guide to navigate the cave, the map that provides text feedback to Atlas when navigating a labyrinth, and the map that the player uses as a guide to see all of their narrative paths. It feels as though the developer took painstaking steps to ensure their own rule of three was honored and we see it in all aspects of the game.
Characters
Each character has a role to play and each does it well. None of the characters felt overly forced and even when they rely on certain tropes, it was never to their detriment. Each character comes with their own backstory and reason for being here. Some are more forthcoming than others.
While we first meet Amelia, it takes a quite a bit see her as more than just the charming, flirty assistant who has joined you last minute. There’s a secret there but it’s hard to really put your finger on early on. There’s also Fabian who clearly has some secrets on the island just waiting to be explored.
Then we find Lyra, a character who it’s easy to see how she fits into the work on the island but there always seems to be something more beneath her smile and words. Is it sinister? Is it truly caring? Also working on this island is Jedd. Typically a bit more of a calm demeanor yet it’s clear to see why he is on the island working. However his assistant of sorts Kimika really brings a youthful joy and naivete that raises everyone’s spirits. Even when trapped in a cave, Kimika brings a metaphorical bright light in the darkness.
Then there is our reliable yet unreliable seventh stranger. Burdened with a sense of purpose, a mission to seemingly fulfill, but from where does he come from? A stranger to all, except possibly one of your party. Even with all seven characters (Atlas included) at play, its worth noting that not each character has their own direct route. Yet, some of the choices you make and how each character views you impact which routes you have access to. Some make you play the long game where some are simpler to unlock, hinting towards the openness of some of these characters.
While none of the characters feel far fetched, they also don’t all feel like people you’d find in the everyday world. It helps to keep them interesting and keep players guessing a bit. Who can you trust? Can you trust anyone when you might be able to barely trust yourself? Many roads and interactions might lead to ruin but one true ending awaits you if you can navigate which are friend and which are foe.
Riddles, Puzzles, and More
It’s not just the characters you have to navigate. While the game early on does have relationship points that matter to unlock routes, people are not the only puzzle to solve. Advent: Dawn features a variety of riddles of puzzles for players to solve. Thankfully, when it comes to some of these, there are hints that will help you along the way. This means that for those who care more for narrative than puzzles and riddles, you can ask for help from those around you to bypass solving the puzzle yourself. Those who want the challenge can take on the challenges as they come.
Worth noting that not all puzzles and riddles will have help features that are as obvious. One mini game is very similar to the electronic short term memory game Simon. Press the images in order as shown by the game to move forward. Repeat back what the game shows you with four patterns. This isn’t overly difficult but does require the player to ensure they are paying attention and focused. Or ready to jot down notes if you feel your short term memory could use some work.
For those who play all the way through, you’ll also be rewarded with a final riddle at the end of it all, but we won’t spoil that for you. What I will say is that I love a game that makes you question whether it has truly ended. If it hasn’t ended, what comes next? Hint: there’s a reason I ended up wanting to go back and see the previous entries Spire Games has developed.
Music
Up until playing Advent: Dawn, I had no idea who composer Caleb Coles was. To be fair, I still don’t truly know who they are. I do hope they continue to work on video game music. There’s something about the music in this game that truly just fits with each scene. If I had to pick one favorite, during very intense moments, there’s a song with guitar riffs that feeds the adrenaline of the scene. In fact, it was music I had a hard time getting out of my head and wanted to hear more of. It isn’t just these moments that stayed with me.
Touching moments with some of the characters are accompanied by what sound like soft light piano notes lulling you into a sense of comfort. For a few moments, the other sounds seem to fade away and just the piano plays as she looks over at Atlas with a small smirk. A sense of comfort and belonging. Yet later when she looks at you after a traumatic moment, the piano notes feel heavier, deeper, darker. An acknowledgement that things will never be the same, yet for now, you’re together, as you hold her hand to drift off into a peaceful slumber. Oh did I say her? Guess you’ll have to play to see who exactly I’m referring to. Either way, the music never hinders the story and instead moves the story along in places where there is no voice acting to enhance specific emotions.
Art
The art itself feels at times a blend of anime and western style animation depending on the character. The character sprites match t he character and help provide emotional notes. Each character has a few different facial expressions. For example, you know Jedd is a bit more lost in thought with his hand on his chin. Amelia is back to her joking ways with a wink and a smirk. Even Atlas has a few different sprites when he’s determined his eyes narrow and his eyebrows arch. It’s often these small details that can really make a game feel cohesive. The character artist (Dony Satriyo Nugroho) for Advent: Dawn pays attention to this very well.
Final Thoughts
Advent: Dawn is exactly what I wanted in my next visual novel. Something that would grip me with its story and characters while not overstaying its welcome. With the flow chart, varying endings, and how it all ties together, Advent: Dawn exceeded my expectations while keeping me guessing in certain moments. It’s a game that doesn’t question your intelligence while also breaking down concepts and theories in digestible nuggets.
This feels very much like a game for those who have enjoyed games such as Zero Escape but perhaps wanted less puzzles. Advent: Dawn gave me the same feelings and joy I felt with games such as AI: The Somnium Files. Perhaps its the branching and jumping to get the full story in a bit of a tighter shorter package. This is definitely one you can play through in one weekend. It took me about 11.5 hours as a faster reader. For those who value their time but want their joy, this is one to have on your list.
Advent: Dawn releases July 20, 2026 on Steam. Gamer Social Club would like to thank Stride PR & Spire Games for the Steam review key.
Will you be unearthing the mystery in Advent: Dawn? Let us know in the comments below or when you join the Gamer Social Club Discord.
