Sci-Fi Visual Novel Quantum Conscience Out Officially on Steam

Highly impacting, powerful visual novels can be difficult to come across. To me, visual novels need to have these qualities to be successful:

• Gripping, thought-provoking plot
• Strong, "real" characterization
• Some form of interaction that captures curiosity
• Lack of mechanical errors
• Gestural art

A major plus is mood-infusing music, though is not required. Fortunately, one particular visual novel, which has recently been released on Steam, has successfully met all of my expectations. Produced by Woodsy Studios and titled, Quantum Conscience, this Sci-Fi gem captivates the essence of writing and immediately sucks in the player.

The second visual novel from the developer explores the temptation of mind reading as well as the subject of government oppression. After playing the demo, which only features a quite lengthy chapter one, I was more than impressed. I didn't expect a story so powerful and thought-provoking that it'd captivate me. The OST complements events, the characters are real, and the use of the unique Void Stream has left me curious for more. Yes, I can and do easily fall to the temptation of reading minds. Though the art may not wholly impressive, the story's powerful writing can rope in the player's interest and maintain it.

The story is as follows:
 

"In this dramatic visual novel, a secret war rages between two intergalactic agencies. One of them-ARCHON-is developing the technology to invade people's minds. They use this power to rule over a planet called Teballai, and hope to use their mind-reading technology to spread their influence across the galaxy. A second organization, FOE, wants to destroy ARCHON’s technology in the name of freedom--or so they claim. After all, could anyone truly give up the power to read the minds of those around them? In Quantum Conscience, a young FOE soldier named Blaire [male or female] faces this dilemma after obtaining this ability in an ARCHON experiment. Whether Blaire helps the enemy or defeats them depends upon you."

Instead of choosing options directly that would affect the story-line, players can alter the story at almost any time with the power of the Void Stream, a type of mind-reading ability. There are over 71,000 words with four distinct endings and multiple variations, a Berlin School-inspired OST by Jenny Gibbons, and, exclusive to Steam, trading cards and achievements.

If you're a fan of emotional, Sci-Fi visual novels, you should definitely purchase this title on Steam for $4.99.



If you're still unsure from the trailer, you can always download and play the demo, which includes Chapter One, for free here.