Developer – Lightbulb Crew

Publisher – Lightbulb Crew

Platforms –  PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Developer

Nova Hearts: The Spark is a game that truly stands out in the crowd. It’s not just a game, but a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community.

As Luce, you become a superhero in your hometown of Vermillion, where a mysterious force has magically transformed some of its residents. The game beautifully weaves the narrative of reconnecting with friends, family, and meeting new people, building your relationships as you progress. The strong LGBTQ+ inclusivity is evident in the game’s narrative, making it a safe and welcoming space for all players.

Your phone within the game serves as a lifeline to your community and your powers. It provides insight into the world, your town, and your connections. The choices you make in the narrative affect your relationships, adding a layer of realism and immersion to the game.

The game’s combat system is strategic and engaging. Transforming into your cosmic alter-egos, you utilize your unique powers to battle enemies from another dimension. The time-line feature allows you to plan and set up attacks and combos with your team of super-powered allies. The combat system is not just about fighting; it’s about expressing your relationships and embodied emotions, which adds a unique depth to the gameplay.

The cosmic mystery of your powers is another intriguing aspect of the game. Returning to your hometown, you find things drastically different. With new power coursing through the town, you reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and pursue the strange origins of the cosmic madness prowling the streets.

Nova Hearts introduces a captivating blend of turn-based combat and social interactions, weaving together elements of strategy and relationship-building. The game offers a unique twist on combat, where players must consider the time required to charge attacks, adding a layer of strategy to decision-making. The synergy between party members in triggering combo moves adds depth to the combat system, rewarding thoughtful planning and coordination.

Outside of battles, Nova Hearts presents a diverse and charming cast of characters to befriend or potentially romance. The social aspect of the game influences both narrative development and combat effectiveness, encouraging players to choose dialogue options wisely to strengthen connections. The promise of a dynamic relationship between the RPG and dating sim aspects becomes evident through features like the astrology app on the in-game phone.

However, despite its potential, the game falls short in execution during the prologue. The game suffers from noticeable pacing issues, with both combat and conversations progressing at a sluggish pace. The delay in text message appearance during conversations and prolonged combat turns detract from the overall experience, causing frustration and diminishing engagement.

One major drawback is the lack of variety in enemy encounters during the initial hours of the prologue. Facing the same cat-like enemies repeatedly with minimal variation hampers the sense of progression and excitement that RPG enthusiasts crave. The incremental power upgrades, while present, fail to deliver the anticipated satisfaction, leaving the player wanting more substantial rewards for their efforts.

Despite these drawbacks, it’s important to acknowledge that the prologue represents only a fraction of Nova Hearts: The Spark. The game’s full release is slated for Summer, providing ample time for improvements and expansions. The disappointment experienced during the prologue may be mitigated by future updates that address pacing issues, diversify enemy encounters, and enhance the sense of reward in character progression.

Nova Hearts: The Spark has the potential to be a captivating and inclusive RPG experience, marred only by its current pacing and repetitive elements. With the anticipation of a full game release, there’s hope that Nova Hearts will evolve into the immersive and engaging experience that its concept promises. Fingers crossed for a more polished and fulfilling adventure in the complete version.