Before I start writing a more in-depth review, I want to make one thing clear – I do not recommend playing this game if you haven’t finished playing the first one. While the main story of Requiem for Innocence could be understood if played separately, it’s far from ideal, and it would absolutely ruin your experience if you were to play the first game after. Rather than a prequel, this title serves as an elaboration of some parts of the original story, and a way for fans to see their favorite characters again. Also, the Sub Episodes would make little to no sense without previous knowledge of the full story and characters. I should also add that this review might contain some minor spoilers for anyone who hasn’t finished The House in Fata Morgana.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into the actual complicated review of this complicated game.

Reviewing Requiem for Innocence without comparing it to the first game is difficult, and I say this fully aware of the fact that they are quite different and should not have the same expectations placed on them. For one, this game is much shorter and the main story is focused on a small group of characters in a single timeline. Also, the way the story arc evolves and the overall tone of the entire experience are quite different. That’s why I’m simply going to write down some of my observations, and let anyone reading this decide how they feel about them or if they even take them seriously at all.

1. The writing is very straightforward. Characters’ thoughts are simply handed to the reader, feelings and intentions are revealed without any provocation. Sometimes the simplicity of the language can be refreshing and make it easier for the reader to relate, other times it feels very out of place and somewhat cheap.
2. The descriptions are more graphic, and gore and sexual content are frequent compared to the first game. This might be enticing to some, but uncomfortable for others, so please be aware of this.
3. Related to the first point, sometimes good old clichés pop up. For instance, during an intense duel to the death, characters have the time and energy to converse about their views and explain their reasons/goals, as if there wasn’t a battle raging around them.
4. Some of the jokes are a bit low-brow and blunt. It fits with the setting of the slums, but I still wanted to mention it in case someone is not comfortable with a lot of sexual innuendo.
5. The language is not as period appropriate as before. Not a major problem, and I definitely didn’t expect for everything to be written in a flowery old language, but characters using words like “dude” and “bro” can kind of break the illusion sometimes.
6. The first part of the main story can feel a bit awkward at first, but the longer you keep going, the better it gets.
7. This might be a weird thought, so forgive me please. One of the characters (Ceren) is referred to as “dark-skinned” on numerous occasions, and characters also comment on how unusual and exotic it is. While I understand that even little differences could matter a lot in those times, I honestly wouldn’t have known she had a different skin color if the game didn’t keep pointing it out. The sprite simply doesn’t reflect that at all in my opinion, and it kept confusing me.
8. All in all, it was a nice addition to the original game’s story and it cleared some things up. Seeing Jacopo evolve into Lord Barnier was an incredible experience.
9. While the soundtrack is incredibly beautiful, it’s not as entrancing as the one from the first game, which it also borrows a few tunes from.

Now, that’s for the main story. The Sub Episodes are very different, and so I would like to talk about them separately. I absolutely loved all the bonus content – anything that might have bothered me in the main game I didn’t find in these little stories.

Assento Dele adds another beautiful story to the pile on Michel’s shoulders. The story-telling is similar to the original game, and learning a bit more about the character and his life in the mansion was a real treat. It is probably my favorite part of this whole thing, and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
Tales Wasted in Obscurity consist of three short text-only stories that further evolve the background of the first game’s story and characters. They add a lot of depth and some resolution – sort of.
Happily Ever ~After~ is another beautiful story, a little slice of what happened after the ending of The House in Fata Morgana. Unlike a lot of the other content in this game, it’s sweet and light-hearted, and bound to bring a smile to the faces of the original’s fans.

Well, if you’ve read through this whole mess or if you’ve just skipped to the bottom line – buy this game if you were a fan of the first one. If nothing else, do it for the bonus stories, and I promise you – you will not regret it.

This is a sequel and therefore it's highly advisable to play the main game The House in Fata Morgana before this one, otherwise some side-stories won't make much sense due to lack of context.
That said:

Pros:
+ Good story, the new perspectives brings highlight to some events of the main game.
+ Nice new characters that weren't fully shown on main game.
+ More plot twists.
+ Excellent writting.
+ Astounding art.
+ Great OST.

Neutral:
* Around 19 hours long (counting side-stories and extra stuff) at normal read speed.
Main story is around 12 hours.
* The game assumes you already read The House in Fata Morgana.

Cons:
- Holding sadness, happiness and frustration at the same time can't be healthy.

Most visual novel games of Fan Disk are often purely for the consumption of players' sentiments, or of poor quality. The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence is really different in this respect, as it still has a very good quality of plot and characterization, which in my mind is what all visual novels Fan Disk should be. The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence really stands out in this regard.

Although the plot is narrated in the game many players who have completed the main plot of The House in Fata Morganaz can already guess one or two, but the game's plot still has the charm to keep players engaged in it. Friendship, partnership, love, trust, intricate misunderstanding, and betrayal, combined with the usual excellent music, allows the player to plunge into it.

Players should start play after completing The House In Fata Morganaz, which is objectively the downside of every Fan Disk game. The game's plot isn't really too long, and most chapters in the story tend to end in tragedy as well. For those who like The House in Fata Morganaz, there is no need to worry about its quality and it is not to be missed.

Now farewell, until our souls cross paths once more in the boundless sphere of fate.

The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence is a prequel to The House in Fata Morgana though it definitely should be played after the main game.

I've finished The House in Fata Morgana quite recently. And frankly speaking, I was a bit reluctant to start the prequel immediately. I dislike any spoilers, so I thought it was not going to be that exciting reading a novel knowing the main events and the outcome. I WAS SO WRONG! If you've read the main game and hesitate if you should play Requiem or not, just don't! It's totally worth it.

First of all, it felt so nice to dive into that atmosphere again, to meet characters I fell in love with. This game manages to stand on its own just as strongly as the original with equal emotional impact. While reading I had goosebumps again, I promised myself not to cry as I knew what was going to happen and failed miserably. But like before I had uncontrollable fits of laughter as well. It's stated that the main theme in this game is not love but friendship. How it develops and tragically disappears due to different disasters going around. For me personally it was as interesting to watch friendship growth and death as love relationship in the original story.

Unfortunately, Requiem is not so long as The House in Fata Morgana. But anyway we get two chapters showing Morgana's early life and three sub episodes. Knowing that Michel was not going to be the center of attention this time I didn't expect this new story to be as gripping. To be honest, I wasn't Morgana's fan after the main game. BUT! When Michel was searching for three keys in the original part and learnt true stories of those characters, I was a bit disappointed how fast Jacopo agreed, I was quite curious about him, I longed to know more. So it was a real pleasure to immerse into these two chapters, learning so many new exciting details about him and young Morgana.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1698395332
Plus, there were so many new astonishing characters. I'm especially grateful for Ceren and Lord Barnier's story. I have a weak spot for well-written and developed villains, mentally (let's call them not ill but) different characters. That part of the story was awesome. I enjoyed it excessively like nothing before. What a couple! Thanks for that twisted pleasure and a new stunning memory.

Art is gorgeous as it was in the main game. Jacopo's sprite, his CGs are especially amazing. And gothic soundtrack is perfect fit for the story again. That gift section with lyrics is wonderful!

I seriously don't even have anything to complain about. A masterpiece in its glory. Story, music, art, writing, translation...everything is of top quality. I'd like to encourage more players who enjoyed Fata Morgana to play this part too.

I remember how surprised I was when I learnt how many people actually use guides to avoid any bad endings. I'm still kinda shocked. How can you even miss that rare opportunity to experience some powerful catharsis after reading a tragic story. But ok, tastes differ. It took me quite long time to finish the main game as it was too heartbreaking. But if that happy ending was not enough (how can it even be after such long row of misfortunes) I'd recommend to buy Requiem. At first I was taken aback when I noticed that achievement for the sub episode 'Happily ever after' is even more popular than the main second final chapter. Lol. But...why not, really. There's no strict order, you are free to choose in what way to read. And that date chapter was what I really needed, I was on cloud nine to meet Michael again.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1715085845
It's worth buying the game even for some separate stories. And to realize how they interweave with the main game is real fun. It's ok if you're afraid to miss or have forgotten something from the main part as everything is written perfectly clear and we even get Ceren's review and comparison with the main game in backstage part of the story. Even author's comments. Aww.

Reading through this game I felt such powerful emotions again, cried numerous times, laughed, was surprised so much I couldn't help but gasped. I'd definitely like to relive this splendid experience.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1715086109
I'd like more, it was hard to bid goodbye with all the characters. They were so lifelike, became so close. I sincerely don't know how to even enjoy other visual novels after these two parts of Fata Morgana. I'm a fan. Such a unique game, it's an absolute must for any visual novels fans.

So I just got done with the game in its entirety five minutes ago, and I'm an emotional wreck, so I'm gonna keep this short.

You need to play the original "The House in Fata Morgana" before you play this one. It's great and neccessary for the plot. Good music, good characters, good art, blah blah blah.

You then need to play this one. Because it's also great. For similar reasons.

And make sure you finish *everything* the game has to offer.

...Holy crap.

The only flaw for this game is I cant read ♥♥♥♥ when my eyes are covered in tears
10/10

A great addition to the original game, I'd even say it's a must-read if you liked the original Fata Morgana even slightly. Narrative in Requiem is much more dynamic throughout the story, unlike the original, where you have to read around 15 hours of seemingly unrelated stories until pieces start to fit together. Here we have just one story arc (and a bunch of separate very short mini-stories), very engaging and masterfully written, which close all the gaps and brings a satisfying closure to one of the best visual novels I had the privilege to read. Recommended!

im crying because of the onions!!

This is a "fandisk" to The House in Fata Morgana, you absolutely need to have played that one first. (It's also amazing so what the hell are you waiting for, buy it!)

If you have played The House in Fata Morgana, then A Requiem for Innocence is very much worth playing. It's essentially supplementary material. It's only half as long (for half the price) and doesn't quite reach the heights of its parent-game, but "not quite as good as Fata Morgana" is still one hell of a recommendation in my book.
A Requiem for Innocence is mainly an extended and fleshed out version of Morgana's tragic backstory, but also contains a few side-stories (that tie into the main game and are very very good as well) and also what I consider to be the "true" Epilogue of the story around the cursed mansion, which is also really good (I see a pattern here).

So yeah, very much recommended if you liked The House in Fata Morgana.