Info about ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights:

Official game description:
Related release
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About the Game
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Long ago, in the distant reaches of Land's End, an unforeseen rainfall transformed all living things into frenzied undead monstrosities known as the Blighted. Faced with a calamity far beyond their understanding, the kingdom fell into ruin with no end to the accursed rain in sight.  
Meanwhile in the remnants of this devastated land, a young woman named Lily awakens in the depths of a church…  
Unravel the mystery of the kingdom destroyed by the Rain of Death. Journey through the sprawling and hauntingly beautiful Land’s End, traversing a submerged forest, a sealed-off contaminated underground cavern, and a grand castle.  
Formidable bosses await that will gladly claim your life given even the slightest chance. Defeat these powerful foes and release them from their unending curse to recruit them as allies. Overcome the challenges before you and search for the truth with powerful knights at your side.  
Features:
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*   Lead a contrasting cast of characters: a young woman joins forces with cursed knights  
*   Explore the vast kingdom of Land’s End and discover all its secrets  
*   Attack, evade, dash, and aim for victory  
*   Read opponents’ attacks to survive intense battles against former friends gone mad  
*   Acquire melee, ranged, magic, and other skills by recruiting defeated foes  
*   Mix and match abilities and equip hidden relics to suit your playstyle  
*   Take in fantastic landscapes and animations drawn in a beautiful dark fantasy style  
*   Immerse yourself in an atmospheric soundtrack from musical group Mili  
*   Uncover the mysteries of the remaining ruins and the Rain of Death in a violent world  
*   Determine how the story ends through your actions  
*   Find beauty in despair
Music
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Musical group Mili’s credits include _Goblin Slayer_ opening “Rightfully” and other anime franchises such as _Ghost in the Shell_.

Release date: Jun 21, 2021

Categories: Metroidvania, Soulslike Combat, 2D Platformer, Multiple Endings, Boss Rush, Dark Fantasy, Atmospheric Exploration

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Tier 4: The Tourist - Spatial Data Dependency; summary: Reviews consistently praise art, music, and story but repeatedly criticize poor map guidance, minimal mini-map information, and hidden collectibles that require walkthroughs. The dominant external-data dependency is spatial navigation and finding paths or collectibles, not farming, inventory management, or build/mechanics learning.
- Proton/Linux: score 20; verdict: Works Well; summary: Linux evidence is sparse but mostly positive. One user reports the game running on Linux with no bugs, while a single user reports an alt-tab RAM leak on Linux. There is no consensus of launch failures, Proton workarounds, anti-cheat blockers, or severe instability. Non-Linux praise about soundtrack and metroidvania quality was excluded from the compatibility assessment.
- Steam Deck: score 35; verdict: Minor Deck Friction; summary: The Steam Deck feedback is largely positive: the game runs at stable high frame rates, has excellent battery life, and offers polished controls without external launchers or Proton tweaks. Friction is limited to small on-screen prompts and missing 16:10 support, plus isolated crash and Linux alt-tab reports. Overall, the game is playable and mostly seamless on Deck, with minor readability and stability caveats.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Across the provided Windows hardware cohorts, players generally report the game working well, with only minor caveats about combat balance and display aspect ratio rather than serious performance problems.
  - Sample size: 318 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 62 reports): All included reviews recommend the game, with generally smooth combat and good performance reported despite some difficulty and balance caveats.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 46 reports): The included review reports excellent performance on Steam Deck with low battery use, though it lacks a 16:10 aspect ratio.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 16 reports): The included review is recommended and reports no performance issues, focusing instead on smooth map exploration and ending design.
  - Caveats: 318 of 19930 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $14.99 - $19.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently praise the art, music, story, and exploration, and several players say the game is worth full price. However, a recurring pricing signal is that many reviewers recommend buying only on sale, and some explicitly call the roughly 25 EUR full price too high for a 12-25 hour game. At the same time, full-price endorsements and one Japanese review treating the regular 2,728 yen price as a bargain show the game is valued well above a deep-discount title. This supports a fair base-game range around $15-$20, with $24.99 sitting at or slightly above the upper end of what most reviewers consider comfortable.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 22.0h
  - Story completion: 13.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: I interpret gameCompletion as full completion/100% and storyCompletion as main-story or ending time. Full-completion reports cluster around 22 hours, with other all-ending or all-achievement reports around 25-30 hours, so gameCompletion is set near the low end of that cluster. Main-story/ending reports cluster around 12-15 hours for a normal or first ending, supporting a storyCompletion value of about 13 hours. There is no reliable typical session length in the reports, only an extreme nonstop session mention, so sessionLength is null. Endgame/post-game duration is not quantified beyond brief NG+ cleanup notes, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Ender Lilies has a rough onboarding: early combat, mobility, and limited skills make it feel stiff or boring for many players, but it opens up after unlocking abilities, spirits, or a decent arsenal, often around the first 3-4 bosses or a mid-game movement upgrade.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Unlocking a decent arsenal after the first 3-4 bosses
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Stiff, slow early combat and controls; Limited early mobility; Weak or boring starting skills and arsenal; Sparse map guidance and tedious backtracking; Enemy stacking and repetitive encounters; Linear progression gates with one upgrade at a time
  - Unlock drivers: Unlocking abilities and spirits; Acquiring a decent arsenal after the first 3-4 bosses; Finding the mid-game movement upgrade; Customizing spirit loadouts and combos; Learning enemy patterns and parry or dodge timing; New abilities opening map routes and improving exploration tempo
  - Conditions: Patience through the slow, stiff opening; Reaching the first 3-4 bosses and several unlocks; Finding the mid-game movement upgrade; Enjoying metroidvania exploration and backtracking; Willingness to learn parry, dodge, and enemy patterns; Using a guide when map routes are unclear; Valuing music, art, and atmosphere; Tolerance for late-game stat checks and difficulty spikes
- Player Archetypes:
  - First-Time Metroidvania Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: To explore a manageable Metroidvania at their own pace and finish a first genre entry without harsh penalties.
    - Playstyle: Moves carefully through areas, uses frequent checkpoints and no death penalty to take risks, and learns bosses through repeated attempts.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: first-time Metroidvania player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist Achievement Hunter (buy)
    - Motivation: To clear every room, collectible, ending, and achievement and see completion markers filled in.
    - Playstyle: Backtracks methodically, uses guides for hard-to-find secrets, and cleans up achievements and map completion after the main story.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: completionist
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Atmosphere and Soundtrack Immersionist (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse in the melancholic world, soundtrack, visual art, and lore.
    - Playstyle: Explores slowly, listens to the music, reads item lore, and appreciates environmental storytelling and mood over mechanical optimization.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Soulslike Challenge Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To find a moderate soulslike challenge and experiment with spirit and relic builds against bosses.
    - Playstyle: Plays around dodge and parry windows, tests different spirit loadouts, and seeks boss fights and optional difficulty modifiers.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent and memorable soundtrack (weight 0.43): The music, including tracks by Mili, is repeatedly described as beautiful, haunting, and perfectly fitting the atmosphere. Many players consider it one of the best video game soundtracks.
- Emotional and compelling story (weight 0.26): The narrative is frequently praised as interesting, melancholic, and moving, with players finding it surprisingly good and emotionally resonant. It adds significant depth to the overall experience.
- Beautiful visuals and art (weight 0.25): The game's graphics and art direction are widely praised as gorgeous, with a melancholic style that makes even random screenshots look like desktop wallpapers. Art design is frequently highlighted as a major positive.
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.18): Players consistently describe the gameplay as fun, smooth, and highly customizable, with many calling it well-crafted and solid. It is a core strength that keeps the experience engaging.
- Satisfying and challenging boss fights (weight 0.16): Boss encounters are often described as intense, enjoyable, and well-balanced, requiring pattern memorization and providing a real sense of accomplishment. Many consider them the best part of the game.
- Great metroidvania experience (weight 0.13): Reviewers frequently call it an excellent metroidvania, praising its exploration and multiple endings. It is often mentioned as one of the best in the genre, though sometimes compared unfavorably to Ori.
- Fun and strategic combat (weight 0.11): The combat system is generally well-received as fun, responsive, and strategic, though not revolutionary. It works well and adds to the overall enjoyment.
- Complimentary music and art (weight 0.08): The combination of music and art is frequently praised as beautiful and pleasant, creating a cohesive and comfortable atmosphere. Both elements are seen as major strengths.
- Balanced boss difficulty (weight 0.08): Boss fights are often noted as well-balanced, challenging but fair, with a smooth difficulty curve that doesn't kill motivation. This contributes to a satisfying overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Confusing and poorly designed map (weight 0.27): Map design is widely criticized as confusing, poorly laid out, and hard to navigate. Players note that the map uses simplistic rectangles and lines that fail to show unexplored paths or terrain details, making orientation difficult and forcing constant backtracking.
- Poor combat feel and hit feedback (weight 0.18): Combat feel is bad, clunky, and lacks satisfaction. Hit feedback is minimal or nonexistent, with no exhilaration when attacking and fragmented sound design that reuses the same hit sound for all weapons and skills. This makes combat feel floaty and weak.
- Frustrating bosses with minions and high HP (weight 0.15): Bosses are often frustrating due to summoning minions that are stronger than the bosses themselves, and having huge health pools that make fights tedious and long. Some bosses lack clear interaction windows, and the final boss is surprisingly easy.
- Unclear hitboxes and contact damage (weight 0.1): Enemy body damage hitboxes are not clear enough, causing frustration when dodging. Contact damage is a major flaw that adds stress, and the lack of invincibility frames after being hit can lead to continuous damage and death at full health.
- Clunky controls and movement (weight 0.08): Controls feel terrible, awkward, and uncomfortable, with character movement not feeling good. The dodge mechanic in particular feels extremely awkward at the start, and the overall control scheme is often described as clunky.
- Excessive enemy stacking and spam (weight 0.08): Enemies are stacked excessively in some scenes, and enemy spam is frustrating, especially in the first game. This leads to annoying and meaningless combat encounters that overwhelm the player.
- High difficulty and unclear progression (weight 0.07): The game's difficulty is very high, and it is often unclear where to go next. The story provides little guidance on destinations, leaving players confused about progression.
- Confusing and generic story (weight 0.07): The story is confusing on the first playthrough and is also described as generic, forgettable, and average. This lack of clarity and originality diminishes engagement with the narrative.
- Trap rooms and backtracking frustrations (weight 0.07): Trap rooms can lock the player repeatedly and reset after resting, forcing repeated clearing. Backtracking through already visited areas is tedious and annoying, even after obtaining exploration skills.
- Stiff character animations (weight 0.06): Character movements and attack animations are described as stiff, detracting from the overall fluidity of the game. This stiffness is noticeable in both general movement and combat actions.
- Combat initially stiff and difficult (weight 0.06): Combat feels stiff and awkward at first, and the game can be harder than expected, requiring an adjustment period. Some players find the initial combat feel poor and the dodge awkward to use.
- Frustrating exploration and navigation (weight 0.06): First playthrough exploration is painful due to frequent inability to find the correct path. Without guides or external map tools, navigation becomes nearly impossible, and players often forget paths and must re-explore, turning exploration into a chore.
- Repetitive boss patterns (weight 0.05): Boss fights become repetitive once patterns are known, with phase attack variations being too similar. Players must often die repeatedly to memorize patterns, which devolves into tedious pattern recognition rather than engaging combat.
- Maps somewhat labyrinthine at first (weight 0.05): The map can seem confusing and labyrinthine at first, with winding paths that are easy to get lost in. However, this issue may diminish as players become more familiar with the layout.
- Game can become boring (weight 0.05): Some players find the game boring, especially near the end when it drags. The gameplay may not appeal to everyone and can feel tedious if it doesn't suit your taste.
- Minimap lacks critical detail (weight 0.04): The minimap is overly simplistic, showing only connections without internal terrain or hidden rooms. It also fails to clearly indicate the player's position, making it easy to get lost and unnecessarily confusing.
- Silent cutscenes lack voice acting (weight 0.04): Cutscenes lack sound design and voice acting, making dialogues and story moments feel silent and less immersive. This absence of audio polish is noticeable during key narrative sequences.
- Obscure collectible locations (weight 0.04): Some collectibles are placed in extremely obscure and hard-to-understand locations off normal paths. This makes full collection tedious and wastes extra time for completionists.

Gameplay feedback:
- Metroidvania exploration and progression (weight 0.41): The game is a Metroidvania with ability-gated progression, backtracking, and a focus on exploration. Players acquire skills and abilities that unlock new paths, emphasizing map exploration and secret discovery.
- Challenging boss fights (weight 0.3): Boss fights are a core element, featuring unique movesets and attack patterns that require memorization and reflexes. They often involve multiple attempts, phase transitions, and difficulty spikes, with one boss standing out as particularly hard.
- Detailed map system (weight 0.2): The map system includes a minimap showing connections between areas, color coding, and indicators for unexplored paths, secrets, and remaining items. It helps players track completion and find secrets.
- Souls-like elements (weight 0.16): The game incorporates Souls-like mechanics such as challenging combat, stamina management, and a cryptic narrative style. It is often described as a Souls-like Metroidvania.
- Multiple endings (weight 0.13): There are three endings obtained through different final boss fights, and all can be unlocked in a single playthrough. Player choices and achievements are tied to these endings.
- Spirit-based combat system (weight 0.1): Combat revolves around summoning and using purified spirits to attack, with experimenting with different combinations. Spirits serve as abilities and can be leveled up.
- New Game+ mode (weight 0.09): A New Game+ mode allows keeping spirit levels and playing on a harder difficulty, with adjustable difficulty modifiers called curses.
- Boss rush mode (weight 0.05): A boss rush mode exists, allowing players to rematch bosses, but it is not required for achievements.
- Lore through collectibles (weight 0.05): Lore is delivered through relic descriptions, notes, letters, and other collectible archives scattered throughout the world, adding depth to the narrative.
- Fast travel system (weight 0.05): Fast travel allows teleporting to any save point from anywhere after reaching a save, enabling quick traversal of the entire map.
- Platforming challenges (weight 0.05): Platforming is a significant component, with dynamic platformer elements combined with combat, requiring precise jumping and movement.

Performance notes:
- Excellent Steam Deck performance (weight 0.03): Players report that the game runs perfectly on Steam Deck from start to finish without any issues. This indicates strong compatibility with portable hardware.
- Well optimized and bug-free (weight 0.03): Reviewers highlight that the game is well optimized and has no errors, bugs, stuttering, or save data deletion. This positive technical experience is notable.
- Runs smoothly on low-end hardware (weight 0.03): Feedback mentions the game runs without errors or stuttering on a broken laptop at highest settings and on integrated graphics. This suggests good optimization for weaker systems.
- Save data corruption risk (weight 0.02): Save data corruption occurs when the power goes out or the PC is turned off, which can lead to lost progress. This is a critical issue for players.
- High-end optimization concerns (weight 0.02): On a high-end machine, fans were louder than in more graphically demanding games, suggesting poor optimization. This points to potential inefficiencies on powerful hardware.
- Solid combat mechanics (weight 0.02): Hitboxes and damage frames work well according to one player, indicating reliable combat feedback. This contributes to a satisfying gameplay experience.

Recommendations:
- Strongly recommended for Metroidvania fans (weight 0.22): A large number of reviews strongly recommend the game to fans of Metroidvania and action RPGs. It is praised as a must-buy for genre enthusiasts.
- Generally highly recommended game (weight 0.15): Overall, reviewers highly recommend the game, often stating it is fun and worth playing without hesitation.
- Ideal for Metroidvania newcomers (weight 0.15): Many reviewers highlight the game as an excellent entry point for players new to the Metroidvania genre. It is frequently described as beginner-friendly and a great first Metroidvania.
- Worth buying (weight 0.13): Many reviewers explicitly recommend purchasing the game, with some saying it is worth the price and others highly recommending it.
- Better on sale (weight 0.09): Several reviewers recommend buying the game only during a sale or at a discount, as they feel the full price may not be justified.
- Not recommended (weight 0.08): Some reviewers do not recommend the game, often citing difficulty or other issues, and suggest waiting for a deep discount.
- Worth playing overall (weight 0.07): Many reviewers find the game worth playing and an unforgettable experience, often emphasizing its overall value.
- Worth trying (weight 0.06): Several reviewers say the game is worth trying, especially if you haven't played it yet.
- Great for art and music lovers (weight 0.05): Players who value art style, music, and immersion strongly recommend the game. It is particularly praised for its artistic and musical quality.
- Controller is recommended (weight 0.05): Multiple reviewers suggest using a controller for a better experience, with some saying it is a must.
- Good for Hollow Knight fans (weight 0.04): Fans of Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, or 2D Dark Souls-style games are likely to enjoy this title.
- High review scores (weight 0.03): Some reviewers gave high scores like 9/10 or 10/10, indicating strong recommendation.
- Not for players bad at action games (weight 0.03): Reviewers warn that those who struggle with action games may not enjoy it, unless they can modify the difficulty.
- Recommended despite flaws (weight 0.03): Even with its flaws, the game is still recommended by some reviewers.
- Fair price for quality (weight 0.03): A couple of reviewers believe the price is fair for the quality of the game.
- Perseverance pays off (weight 0.03): Some suggest that with determination and perseverance, the game becomes rewarding and worth playing.
- Suitable for all audiences (weight 0.03): A couple of reviews mention the game is appropriate for all ages, from children to seniors.
- Play in English (weight 0.02): A few reviewers recommend playing the game in English for the best experience.

Other player notes:
- Frequent Hollow Knight comparisons (weight 0.3): Most reviewers compare the game to Hollow Knight, often noting similarities in style and gameplay. Some find it lacking in flow and rhythm, while others praise its quality-of-life features.
- Playtime around 20-30 hours (weight 0.19): Most players report 15-30 hours to complete the game or get all achievements, though some mention up to 40 hours.
- Achievements and platinum are easy (weight 0.11): The game has achievements that can be obtained in a single playthrough, and the platinum trophy is relatively easy to earn.
- Multiple endings including three (weight 0.11): The game features three endings (A, B, and C) that can be unlocked in a single playthrough, with specific themes like escape, purification, and redemption.
- Low price and frequent discounts (weight 0.11): The game is cheap, often on sale, and considered good value for its quality.
- Sequel Ender Magnolia exists (weight 0.1): A sequel titled Ender Magnolia is available in early access, and this game serves as a prequel.
- Soundtrack by Mili (weight 0.08): The soundtrack is composed by Mili, which is consistently highlighted in reviews.
- Dark Souls comparisons (weight 0.07): The game is often compared to Dark Souls in terms of atmosphere, lore, and challenge, with some calling it a 2D Dark Souls.
- All endings in one playthrough (weight 0.03): Players can unlock all endings and achievements in a single playthrough without replaying for different endings.
- Challenging but satisfying (weight 0.03): The game is challenging in a satisfying way, not overly frustrating, and less punishing than Hollow Knight or Blasphemous.
- Platinum times around 16-18 hours (weight 0.03): Some players report earning the platinum trophy in about 16-18 hours.
- No voice acting, text-based story (weight 0.03): The game lacks voice acting, with the story delivered through text.
- Poor Brazilian Portuguese localization (weight 0.03): The Brazilian Portuguese localization is poor and incomplete, with inaccurate translation.
- No bugs encountered (weight 0.03): Players report encountering no bugs during their playthrough.
- First Metroidvania for some (weight 0.03): For some reviewers, this was their first Metroidvania game.
- Calmer than Silksong (weight 0.03): Compared to Silksong, this game offers a calmer, less aggressive experience.
- New Game+ changes boss patterns (weight 0.03): The game has a New Game+ mode that alters boss fight patterns.
- Story is okay but unremarkable (weight 0.03): The story is generally considered nice but nothing out of the ordinary.
- Replay and double-dipping on Switch/Steam (weight 0.03): Some reviewers played on Switch and later bought on Steam, indicating replay value and cross-platform appeal.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.19): Players are frustrated by poor map design that causes constant getting lost and tedious backtracking, especially in areas like the Forbidden Zone. Combat feel is criticized for unresponsive controls, lack of hit feedback, clunky mechanics, and unfair enemy placement with high contact damage and stun-locks. Bosses often feel unfair due to long fights, excessive health, and small attack windows, while progression is hindered by unclear guidance and expensive upgrades.
- Admiration (weight 0.1): Admiration is driven by the game's stunning art direction, beautiful hand-drawn visuals, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack by Mili. The atmospheric world, emotional story, and character designs are frequently praised as masterful. The combination of aesthetics, music, and narrative creates a deeply moving experience that leaves a strong impression.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Disappointment stems from gameplay flaws such as poor map design, stiff animations, and unsatisfying combat that feels clunky and lacks impact. Bosses are often seen as too easy or repetitive, and the leveling system feels ineffective, making progression unrewarding. Despite excellent art and music, the overall experience is let down by these mechanical shortcomings and a lack of polish in key areas.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from the fun gameplay loop, which combines engaging combat, exploration, and a variety of abilities and builds to experiment with. The beautiful art, music, and atmosphere enhance the experience, and the gradual unlocking of movement abilities keeps the game fresh. Boss fights and the metroidvania structure provide a satisfying challenge that players find entertaining.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction is derived from overcoming challenging but fair boss fights and mastering the combat system, especially when the spirit mechanics click. Exploration is rewarding, with hidden paths and items to discover, and the progression feels fluid and well-paced. Completing the game, achieving multiple endings, and seeing Lily's story through to the end provides a strong sense of accomplishment.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance is caused by frequent inconveniences such as a confusing map that makes navigation and 100% completion tedious, slow character mobility, and poorly placed collectibles. Combat irritations include contact damage, hitstun, and enemies with hard-to-break shields, while limited teleportation and long boss pre-fight cutscenes add to the frustration. The overall design often feels cumbersome rather than streamlined.
- Sadness (weight 0.04): Sadness is evoked by the game's tragic story, which explores themes of loss, sacrifice, and a dying world. The emotional journeys of characters like Lily and the White Priestesses, along with melancholic endings, often move players to tears. The sorrowful atmosphere and touching moments create a profound emotional impact.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation focuses on the game's beautiful art, music, and well-crafted world, with players acknowledging the care put into lore and story. Quality-of-life features like fast travel and item indicators make the experience smoother, and the game's atmosphere and soundtrack are consistently praised. The overall craftsmanship and emotional depth are highly valued.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from repetitive gameplay elements, such as fighting the same enemies repeatedly and enduring long, tedious boss fights with massive health pools. The leveling system feels dull, and exploration becomes unengaging, with too much time spent running through familiar areas. The game's pacing and enemy variety fail to maintain interest over extended play.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is expressed through deep affection for its overall experience, including the beautiful atmosphere, engaging story, and memorable characters. The music, art style, and boss fights are frequently highlighted as standout elements that create a unique and unforgettable journey. Players feel a strong emotional connection to Lily and the world of Ender Lilies.
- Melancholy (weight 0.02): Melancholy is evoked by the game's somber atmosphere, tragic narrative, and the portrayal of a beautiful world fallen into corruption. The haunting soundtrack and subtle storytelling contribute to a feeling of sorrow and loss. The theme of saying goodbye to characters and the lingering sense of despair create a deeply melancholic experience.
- Immersion (weight 0.02): Immersion is achieved through the game's captivating atmosphere, haunting soundtrack, and detailed world-building that draw players into the devastated kingdom. The emotional story and high-quality visuals, including character designs and backgrounds, keep players engaged and invested. The music and dark, decadent world make it easy to lose oneself in the experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement is generated by the satisfying progression of acquiring new abilities and spirits, which opens up new combat options and exploration paths. Boss fights are intense and engaging, demanding attention and rewarding mastery. The game's varied builds, engaging combat, and the anticipation of New Game+ keep players eagerly looking forward to what's next.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion often arises from the game's map design, which can be unclear and make it difficult to know where to go next, especially after gaining new skills. Inconsistent enemy hitboxes and ambiguous story presentation add to the uncertainty. The minimap and color-coding sometimes fail to provide clear guidance, leaving players puzzled.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is triggered by frustrating mechanics such as shield parries and skills getting stuck, causing failures, and a map system that locks doors until all enemies are defeated. Unfair enemy damage, placement, and slow healing exacerbate the feeling of injustice, while obscene difficulty spikes and poor boss design push players to the brink. The combat difficulty and lack of polish in key systems feel maddening.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is primarily directed at the protagonist, Lily, who is consistently described as cute and adorable. Players also develop fondness for other characters, such as the witch boss, after learning their stories. The desire to stay by Lily's side and protect her reflects a strong emotional attachment.
- Stress (weight 0.01): Stress is induced by challenging combat scenarios, such as enemies attacking from off-screen, homing projectiles before the player has parry, and contact damage that can quickly drain health. Difficult dodging and high damage output from enemies create tense moments, especially when combined with inconsistent overlap damage and indistinguishable enemies. These factors make encounters feel overwhelming and anxiety-inducing.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is expressed through high praise for the game's visual and audio quality, phenomenal gameplay, and presentation. Players are excited about the prospect of a sequel and consider the game a must-buy. The responsive controls, great visuals, amazing music, and satisfying challenge contribute to a highly positive and eager outlook.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief comes from the game's forgiving death mechanics, such as no soul-loss punishment and respawn points near boss arenas, which allow players to retry difficult sections without stress. Finishing challenging areas after repeated attempts and learning that the game is longer than initially thought also provide a sense of easing tension. The calmer experience compared to other souls-likes is a welcome respite.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is found in the sheer fun of gameplay, from exploring diverse regions to fully completing the game and collecting items. The stress-free boss retries and the visual satisfaction of fully explored zones contribute to a consistently enjoyable experience. Every minute is a joy, and finishing the game brings a sense of fulfillment that outweighs any hardship.}