Welcome to the fantastical world of Fault Milestone One, where the only thing standing between a couple of princesses and an entire planet of mercenaries is... absolutely no gameplay. That's right, if you've ever wanted to experience a story as an uninvolved observer, this one's for you! Grab some popcorn or just attempt to skip through some dialogue-your choice.
Prepare yourself for the breathtaking adventure of watching characters talk... at length. As a 'kinetic novel' (which is a fancy way of saying: nothing to do here folks), the interaction is as shallow as a kiddie pool. Sure, there's a decision to make early on-like whether you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream before someone decides to blow up your kingdom-but alas, that's as deep as it gets. You get to follow Ritona and the ever-ethereal princess Selphine as they voyage across foreign lands while engaging in enough dialogue to fill a small novel. Occasionally, you can get distracted by the in-game encyclopedia because, let's be honest, who wouldn't want to know what 'manakravte' means at a moment like this? Buckle up, the plot elements are about to be served at a snail's pace!
Now let's talk visuals. The artwork is nothing short of stunning-if the early 2010s were your jam. Graphic design may not be at its most refined, but if you long for that nostalgic aesthetic of older games sprinkled with bright colors and character designs reminiscent of an 'eccentric art class', you may find it appealing. Just keep in mind that the backgrounds might be more bland than a bowl of unseasoned oatmeal. But on the bright side, you can have an artistic discussion about the color palette on social media afterwards.
In a world where flashy gameplay mechanics and endless choices reign, Fault Milestone One opts to be the introverted cousin at the family reunion-quietly observing from the corner of the room. While it offers an accessible entry for budding visual novel enthusiasts, purists may poke fun at its linearity. If you're in the mood for some casual reading that presents story over interaction, this visual novel is a decent pick. Just don't expect to save the world-unless you consider watching these two princesses dodge mercenaries saving it. So kick back, relax, and let the immobile narrative whisk you away, albeit at a leisurely pace that would make a sloth look like it's running a marathon. Final score? A mediocre 6 out of 10. Safe travels, dear observer.