Half Past Fate is a charming visual novel and exploration game. It isn’t a typical visual novel as there is much exploration to do. Players will play as a bunch of different characters whose lives are seemingly intertwined by fate. These people are all meeting for a reason, and it is up to the player to find out why. Half Past Fate is broken up into chapters. Players will control a character in each chapter, and it changes with the chapter. Some of the characters get far more screen time as they have bigger goals. Players will get to know all the characters through their interactions with the world and others around them. It’s a slow burn, but it works for a game about love and fate.
The chapters offer a nice amount of things to take care of. Players can talk to numerous characters and pick up items. They will need to talk to people to find out what needs to be done. It’s all necessary as it will help the player clear objectives. There are several objectives to complete so talking to everyone and interacting with everything is important. There are a few interesting ideas that weave through the game. While nerdy energy is present there is also the idea of technology and even tea being important. I enjoyed seeing these ideas all seemingly complement each other. It was nice to see different sides of the world and how something like tea could be so important to someone’s life.
The story takes place in the past, as far back as nearly a decade before the present. Players will explore different locales, and the story will jump between years in the past and days. Some of these love connections are buried in the past. It’s great seeing everything slowly but surely come together. The climax of the game revolves around one final pair finding love. All of the characters meet up, and the player gets to see what they are up to in the present. Everything comes full circle, and it is a beautiful final level. I was quite happy to get to the end of the story because it was just a lovely epilogue to all the events that came before it.
Players can return to any chapter once they’ve cleared the game. This allows players to play through parts and find things they might not have. It’s a solid thing to include as the game can drag a bit. While it isn’t too slow, having the ability to jump in at a certain chapter is still nice. Plus the chapter selection page takes the form of a scrapbook and I like that. This game also includes nearly fifty achievements! Twelve are simply obtained for completing chapters. The rest of the achievements are obtained by completing certain actions in the chapters. Have a character do something odd, and see what happens. Some of the achievements are a little tricky, but all are doable.
Half Past Fate is a beautiful visual novel. It isn’t the longest game, but it ties its story up nice and tight in the end. Players are sure to enjoy the references and writing. The characters are all rather sweet, and seeing their journeys end in happiness is beautiful. Half Past Fate tells the stories of three couples and how fate brings them together, will the player take part?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided