Days in Palis Review

[Midplayz]

At First, I Thought They Misspelt Paris…

Days in Palis takes you on a brief but visually stunning journey through the lives of three captivating women in the sprawling metropolis of Palis. This early-access visual novel focuses on love, ambition, and emotional struggles, wrapped in a linear narrative that feels more like a short story than a traditional game. With its richly designed characters and polished visuals, Days in Palis has the potential to evolve into something memorable—but does it deliver in its current state?

About This Game

Storyline

The story places you in the shoes of a down-on-your-luck recent college graduate, navigating life’s pressures in a city that feels as overwhelming as it is vibrant. Your dreams of landing a high-paying job have been crushed by a dismal economy, leaving you stuck as a barista in a café. Enter three women who could very well turn your life around—or make it more complicated.

First, there’s Isabella, your boss, a mature and nurturing figure who offers kindness and stability. Then there’s Niki, the energetic college student you meet at a bar, whose lively personality is a stark contrast to your current struggles. Finally, Camille, your no-nonsense landlord, exudes power and materialism but hides layers waiting to be unravelled. Each interaction offers a glimpse into their worlds, making their personalities the driving force behind the story.

However, the narrative is entirely linear, with no player choices or branching paths. It’s essentially a visual journey through a carefully crafted script, relying heavily on the emotional weight of the characters. The story is heartfelt but brief, clocking in at about 30-40 minutes, leaving players yearning for more depth and interaction.

Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay in Days in Palis is as straightforward as it gets. You’re here to click through dialogue and admire the visuals—no choices, mini-games, or branching paths to explore. It’s all about absorbing the story at the developer’s pace, which may be frustrating for players looking for a more interactive experience.

The gallery mode allows you to revisit unlocked scenes, which are divided into multiple parts and provide varying perspectives with different camera angles. This feature is nice for replaying the more intimate moments, but it lacks the emotional context of the original playthrough, as only the action is included.

Currently, the lack of interactivity feels like a missed opportunity, though the developers plan to add more content in future updates, including three additional female protagonists and potentially deeper mechanics.

Visuals & Audio

If Days in Palis shines anywhere, it’s in its visuals. The static images and animations are rendered in crisp 2K resolution, bringing the characters and their surroundings to life with impressive detail. Each of the three protagonists has a distinct design and personality that comes through in their expressions and environments. From the confident Camille to the bubbly Niki, each scene feels carefully crafted to draw you in.

The sound design is limited but effective, with the addition of sound effects enhancing the animated scenes. Unfortunately, there’s no voice acting yet, which could have elevated the characters further. As it stands, the audio is serviceable but doesn’t quite match the quality of the visuals.

Pros

• Gorgeous Visuals: Stunning static images and animations bring the characters to life.
  
• Distinct Characters: The three protagonists are well-designed, each offering unique appeal.
  
• Promise for More: Early access status hints at more content, including additional characters and expanded storylines.

Cons

• Extremely Short: With a runtime of 30-40 minutes, the story ends before it truly begins.
  
• No Interactivity: A fully linear experience with no choices or gameplay mechanics.
  
• Limited Content: Only a few scenes and animations, leaving the experience feeling incomplete.
  
• No Voice Acting: The lack of voices leaves the characters feeling less vibrant.
  
• Abrupt Ending: The story concludes so quickly it feels unfinished.

Conclusion

Days in Palis has potential but is currently little more than a proof of concept. Its stunning visuals and distinct characters suggest a promising future, but the lack of interactivity and limited content make it hard to recommend in its early-access state. As it stands, it’s a quick, linear experience that’s over before it has a chance to leave an impression.

If you’re intrigued by the visuals and want to support the developers, it might be worth keeping an eye on Days in Palis as it evolves. Otherwise, it’s best to wait for future updates when more storylines and gameplay mechanics are added.

Rating: 6/10
(Although the Cons outweigh the Pros, the game still has potential)

Reviewer: Midplayz
How do the MCs in such games get so lucky?