Once on a windswept night

ebi-hime

Rank: #3 / 7
Released: 2017
Studio: ebi-hime
Genre: visual novel

At a glance

Once on a windswept night is a visual novel by ebi-hime, released in 2017. It follows a mysterious travelling merchant who reaches the land of Desservir looking for customers and heads to an annual market in Castella. After a goblin betrays the traveller and leaves them on the moors, they find a remote church and meet the two nuns who live there. The story unfolds over one night as the traveller investigates the church and the nuns’ melancholy circumstances. The game has choices and multiple branches, and its script is around 40,000 words. It focuses on a relationship between women and includes custom sprites, backgrounds and a soundtrack. It is free to play. Steam lists it as single-player, with achievements and Family Sharing; listed platforms are Windows, Linux and macOS, while the Steam platform listing names Windows and Linux.

Who it is for

It suits readers looking for a branching visual novel centered on a relationship between women and a mysterious encounter with two nuns. It is free to play and lists Windows and Linux on Steam.

What is good

Choices lead to multiple branches.
Custom sprites, backgrounds and soundtrack.
Free to play.
Windows, Linux and macOS are listed.

What to know first

Single-player only.
Some achievements are described as hard to get.

Verdict

Once on a windswept night pairs a short, one-night mystery setup with branching choices and a relationship-focused story. Its custom art and music are included in a free visual novel.