With a 96 Metacritic score, this game has the most poignant love story ever

In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, the world seems to take on various shades of red and pink, roses and teddy bears in shop windows, and romantic ideals seem to permeate the very air. The gaming world isn't immune to this annual festival of hearts and Cupid's arrows, with plenty of love stories from past titles popping into fans' heads every February 14th. Yuna and Tidus, Geralt and Yennefer, Shepard and Garrus—the list of (mostly) happy couples goes on. However, one bizarre game often flies under the radar when it comes to love stories, despite boasting wildly high ratings across the board: House in Fata Morgana.

Developed by Novectacle, House in Fata Morgana was the highest-rated game on the Nintendo Switch for a while, wowing the console's fans and leading people to a unique romance-driven visual novel. While this specific type of game isn't always an easy sell, those who have decided to give it a try have been completely captivated by its artwork and story, the latter of which is anything but straightforward. To say that love and heartache are at the core of the mystery title is an understatement, and those who see it through to the end and unravel every string won't soon forget it.

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The House in Fata Morgana is an emotional tour de force perfect for Valentine's Day

The story of House in Fata Morgana it's not that easy to summarize and the title needs to be played in its entirety to fully understand its depth, but some little things may entice the curious to pick it up this Valentine's Day. One day, a ghost with no memories wakes up in a mysterious mansion, desperate to regain his lost memories. To this end, a strange maid appears, eager to share her own memories of the property with the ghost. The maid worked in the mansion for hundreds of years and subsequently shared her impressions, delving into the lives of several residents of the house from 1099 to 1869. This is done in the hope that these stories will stir something in the spirit, and when it finally turns out to be the case, the full truth is something that no one is ready to face.

Several love stories are told throughout the game, from young puppy love to mature longing, with the main relationship holding the unique thread that ties each story together. It's only in the later hours of the title that it all comes together, with a series of sharp and shocking twists and turns landing easily. House in Fata Morgana at the top of the visual novel chart. It's anything but predictable, and its dark atmosphere is only enhanced by an unexpectedly strong soundtrack. Five composers have contributed to the game's impressive music, most of which feature vocals, giving it a more theatrical feel and acting as a new curtain rising at the start of each chapter.

The House at Fata Morgana also boasts a score of 93 on OpenCritic and a very positive review on Steam.

Visual novels often feature an anime aesthetic, and given its Japanese roots, most would expect that Mirage do the same. Instead, realism was the key to making the story strong enough to stand the test of time, and alongside his strong writing, his impressionistic design by Moyatar is far from generic, with every character and historical setting feeling truly alive on screen.

Feedback to House in Fata Morgana has been incredibly positive, its Metacritic score of 96 is only the tip of the iceberg. Critics have called it everything from “one of the best stories in gaming” to “an experience both beautiful and painful in equal measure”, with one writer struggling to explain “how deeply the game had an effect on their psyche” without spoiling its many secrets. It's rare to see a niche visual novel find such critical acclaim, but the title currently ranks higher than several recent megahits on OpenCritic, including Hollow Knight: Silksong (91), Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (90) and even Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (92).

While love plays a central role, The House in Fata Morgana also deals with a lot of dark and heavy themes

While its main love story is memorable for positive reasons, not least of all its longevity and the couple's undying devotion to each other, not all love House in Fata Morgana he is created equal, and all of that is certainly not healthy. As the dark and somewhat creepy artwork might suggest, the game does not shy away from many troubling themes, with love sometimes being twisted in disturbing ways. From an incestuous relationship to pure obsession that destroys one's mental health, the visual novel explores not only the concept of a happy ending, but also what can happen when passions go too far and attachments become unhealthy and destructive.

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Poisoned romance isn't the only heavy subject the play deals with, with some chapters telling stories of slavery and discrimination and others showing the devastating impact of self-sacrifice not only on the sacrificer but also on those who care for them. Maybe what House in Fata Morgana she deals best with the concept of perspective, with many of her nuanced characters being clearly good or evil. They are driven by circumstance, and just as some choices made lead to positive outcomes, others lead to destruction and the need for redemption. It's easy for players to find themselves in one or more of the game's characters, making it an easy recommendation for visual novel fans or skeptics.

Fans who enjoy The House in Fata Morgana may want to pick up The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence, which is a companion to the main game. The original game will take most players between 30 and 40 hours to complete, while A Requiem for Innocence is around 10 hours, or 15 to complete.

Interestingly, the story House in Fata Morgana it doesn't have to be over yet. In early 2025, a live-action adaptation of the game was confirmed to be in development, thanks to a particularly keen North American film director. It's unclear when — or if — that will actually happen, but fans remain hopeful. This Valentine's Day might be best spent exploring this otherworldly title, though it should be noted that most who make it to the end should be prepared to shed a few tears.