“soundless” Visual Novel Recommendation

Allegory is a difficult thing. Creating art based on a serious topic using abstract and imaginative ideas can be rewarding, but it’s also a risky proposition. A well-intentioned comparison can end up undermining the work, if the ideas are not properly treated and the concepts carefully established.

I wouldn’t say that using allegory is rare in art. It’s quite common. However, the many pitfalls and dangers of the implied comparisons might induce second thoughts in any well-intentioned writer.

But what about a visual novel so unabashedly set on tackling its subject head-on? On top of that, covering the subject of human connection, and abusive, toxic relationships.

A work that moves along, and builds onto itself with layers of metaphor and abstraction while retaining tangibility, just to take all its pieces and fly off into the surreal. And at the same time, keeping such humanity at its core that, no matter the layers of metaphor, it still feels as nude and human as art can do.

That’s the experience I’ve gotten out of soundless, a visual novel published by Milk+. final verse is an anniversary edition that includes a new epilogue, and the complete deal is free on itch.io. Although I’d ask you to consider giving the developer some support.

The story follows Mercy, a young girl who was once heralded as a prophet in her remote community. She made a mistake, however – a sort of sin taking over her. Now her visions are all weird and dark, and she’s been ostracized for years.

soundless‘s story starts as a display of the hardship endured by Mercy, along with captivating worldbuilding surrounding the town and its people. As the story progresses, and tragedy strikes, things start becoming more introspective, until everything breaks down.

Much as I’d love to break open every single thought of mine here, I feel like the game is best enjoyed blindly. I’ll say this much, however: there is extensive care and dedication put into the ideas and dynamics at play.

From the start, we get the sensation of instability that Mercy constantly suffers, along with the unpredictable factors that shape her life. The story is quick to make us realize how much of a given situation we can normalize in our heads, acclimating ourselves to bullying and mistreatment…

…and then, how easy can anyone fall victim to someone new, just because they offer us apparent freedom from what came before. What starts as a misery parade ends up becoming a wonderful story about relationships, identity, and understanding that sometimes there’s nothing more to do than walking away.

The game has a certain inflection point that turns everything into a weird and surreal stream of thought, and I find it wonderful. It’s weird, it’s bizarre, but it doesn’t really feel like the game is pulling back from its darkness, it feels like it’s exposing itself more crudely, more clearly to you.

It bares itself in front of you and lets you see what the story is about. That takes a lot of courage to do. Especially when it comes to more sensitive, sentimental ideas.

The author endures, however, and manages to build a wonderful climax made of emotion, remorse, and that euphoric feeling that makes us numb when we can’t accept what is actually happening.

The added chapter is a surprising addition that mixes the surreal finale with the original more grounded context, making for a really interesting view of the characters from a different and fun angle.

In the notes for this added chapter, the author says that some might feel the happier ending is a betrayal and that you are free to consider it non-canon if you prefer.

That’s of course a decision that every single person can take for themselves. As for me, I think it adds quite a bit of depth to everyone and pulls the remaining threads in such a way that the end result is much more absolute.

Funny, because it’s technically an open ending still.

It’s also worth mentioning that soundless has excellent accessibility options, with self-voicing and added descriptions for people who need them. It might be a harsh and intense game, but it’s trying to reach anyone willing to give it a chance.

If anything else, soundless serves as proof that there is no better way to confront art than with sincerity. What you feel, what you want to tell, and how to tell it. Sometimes it all comes down in a vortex of pure emotional release.

That’s all it matters when it comes to art, if you ask me. The catharsis of it all. soundless is a sublime experience that I recommend to anyone with the stomach to endure it.

Also, be safe. Have a bit of mercy for yourself.

You can get soundless final verse here.

You can see more of our games coverage here.

Author: Walker M

Aspiring game developer and hobbyist writer. Perpetually doing too much. Chronically burnt out.

Argentinian. Passionate. Unbearable?

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