Diversity in games has come a long way, but Gods of the Twilight aims to take it even further by introducing an underrepresented type of romance. This visual novel is set in a futuristic cyberpunk world with ties to our own reality, where old Norse magic resurfaces and Ragnarök looms. The game features a diverse cast of characters, allowing players to engage in various romances, including polyamorous relationships. Co-creator Ashley Micks acknowledges that the game may challenge the status quo and surprise players with its portrayal of Norse characters.
In Gods of the Twilight, players control two interconnected characters and experience their stories through simple mouse clicks. The game offers a unique perspective, as players feel like they are controlling the characters’ minds rather than their bodies. At the beginning of the game, players choose a preferred character, but they can still explore the storylines of both characters. The game switches between the characters automatically, providing a seamless narrative experience.
The voice of one of the main characters, Althea, will be familiar to Genshin Impact players. Kelsey Jaffer, known for voicing Yaoyao in Genshin Impact, lends her voice to Althea, a teenager of Indian-Greek heritage living in Iceland. Jaffer, who is of Pakistani and Norwegian descent, finds the representation in Gods of the Twilight to be authentic and reflective of the multicultural reality in Nordic countries.
While other games have touched on diversity and queer characters, Gods of the Twilight aims to delve deeper into these areas. The game explores the complexity of polyamorous relationships, focusing on the dynamics and boundaries between characters. It also embraces the gender fluidity of Norse mythology, particularly in the portrayal of Loki.
Unlike many games that require players to choose a single romantic relationship, Gods of the Twilight takes a different approach. The game emphasizes trust and building meaningful connections with characters before engaging in deeper relationships. Polyamory is presented as a natural outcome of trust and understanding.
However, romance is not the sole focus of Gods of the Twilight. The game also delves into the hidden truths of Norse mythology and its interaction with the futuristic world. Players will face assassins and make crucial decisions that shape the narrative. The game promises an electrifying start and a captivating exploration of both romance and mythology.
Gods of the Twilight is set to release on Steam on November 14, 2023. A demo of the game is currently available to play.
| Original Content | Paraphrased Content |
|---|---|
| A visual novel in a futuristic cyberpunk setting that still holds very close ties to the world we know today sees old Norse magic return. | Gods of the Twilight is a visual novel set in a futuristic cyberpunk world that brings back ancient Norse magic while maintaining connections to our present reality. |
| A cast of ethnically diverse characters can feature in various romances, even simultaneously. | The game features a diverse cast of characters who can engage in multiple romantic relationships, including simultaneous ones. |
| “There’s a lot in our game that could potentially upset people,” she told Dot Esports. | Ashley Micks acknowledged that the game may challenge and potentially upset some players. |
| “We have polyamory, we have queer characters, characters from many backgrounds around the world, and we’re taking Norse characters and portraying them in a way that is different from what [people] are expecting.” | The game includes polyamorous relationships, queer characters, and diverse characters from various backgrounds. It also presents Norse characters in an unexpected manner. |
| A player’s journey in Gods of the Twilight sees them take control of two characters, experiencing two different but interconnected stories that are told in simple terms, with mouse clicks all that is required to steer the conversation and decide what actions you will take. | In Gods of the Twilight, players embark on a journey controlling two interconnected characters. The game uses simple mechanics, allowing players to navigate conversations and make decisions with just mouse clicks. |
| Together, it feels like you’re controlling their minds, rather than their bodies. | The game provides a unique experience where players feel like they are influencing the characters’ thoughts and decisions. |
| At the start of your story, you will select a preferred character, though it doesn’t lock you out of the other. | Players choose a preferred character at the beginning of the game, but they can still explore the storylines of both characters. |
| Instead, you’ll begin with one, in my case Althea, and complete the first section. Then, you’ll be switched automatically, a process that continues throughout the story. | Players start with one character, such as Althea, and complete the first section before automatically switching to the other character. This alternating process continues throughout the story. |
| The voice of one Althea will be familiar to Genshin Impact players. | Kelsey Jaffer, known for voicing Yaoyao in Genshin Impact, lends her voice to one of the main characters, Althea. |
| “I’m Pakistani and Norwegian, so it was cool to come into this and relate a lot. It’s really representative of people in Nordic countries,” they told Dot Esports. | Kelsey Jaffer, who has Pakistani and Norwegian heritage, found the game’s representation to be relatable and reflective of the multicultural population in Nordic countries. |
| “Before I went to Norway for the first time, I thought it was all going to be white people and I was a little nervous about that, but then I got there, and especially in big cities, there’s a ton of multicultural people. | Jaffer initially had concerns about Norway being predominantly white, but upon visiting, she discovered a diverse and multicultural population, particularly in urban areas. |
| “It’s really representative, not necessarily her story in the game, but her being who she is, speaks to the truth of living in the modern world in the Nordic countries.” | Jaffer believes that Althea’s character represents the reality of living in modern Nordic countries, even though her story in the game may differ. |
| “We’re interested in exploring the complexity of that relationship with people, in a way that isn’t just a fantasy where you’re collecting characters,” Micks explained. | The game aims to explore the complexity of relationships in a realistic manner, moving beyond the fantasy of simply collecting characters. |
| “How do these platonic friends interact with each other? And how do I work through the different needs and boundaries that people have?” | The game delves into the dynamics between platonic friends and explores how to navigate diverse needs and boundaries. |
| These queer characters are nothing new either, with Loki in Norse mythology always being gender fluid—which was only just covered, briefly, during season one of Loki on Disney+. | The game embraces queer characters, drawing inspiration from the gender fluidity of Loki in Norse mythology, which was recently explored in the first season of Loki on Disney+. |
| “In many games, you get to a point where you have to choose a single relationship. Ours is the opposite in a way because polyamory takes trust. | Unlike many games that require players to choose a single relationship, Gods of the Twilight emphasizes trust as a foundation for polyamorous relationships. |
| People will be more open to that if they’ve got a history of getting to know you and trusting you,” Micks said. | The game suggests that players will be more receptive to polyamory if they have established trust and a history of getting to know the characters. |
| “If you’re moving toward a deeper, more meaningful connection with someone, you need the trust and the groundwork to make that work.” | Building trust and establishing a solid foundation are essential for developing deeper and more meaningful connections with characters in the game. |
| It’s not all about love and relationships, however, as the story will see players tackle the hidden truths about Norse mythology and how it interacts with this futuristic world—and an electric start will see you running from assassins, as you make crucial decisions on the actions you take, and how you reply in conversations. | While romance is a significant aspect, the game also delves into the hidden truths of Norse mythology and its interaction with the futuristic world. The narrative begins with an electrifying escape from assassins, where players must make crucial decisions and choose their responses in conversations. |
| For Jaffer, this detailed background provides a clear sense of direction and she feels a lot of connection to Althea. | Jaffer finds the detailed background of the game to be guiding and feels a strong connection to the character of Althea. |
| “I’ve done more games like Gods of the Twilight than I have games like Genshin Impact,” Jaffer explained. | Jaffer expressed that her experience with games like Gods of the Twilight is more similar to her previous work than games like Genshin Impact. |
| “Yaoyao doesn’t have much of a story, yet, so there’s less dimension, and we don’t know much about her. | Jaffer noted that Yaoyao, her character in Genshin Impact, currently lacks a substantial storyline and depth, leaving much unknown about the character. |
| She’s a little kid, which is different to a college-aged, multicultural character in this nuanced world, who has a story that players learn as they progress. | In contrast, Althea, a college-aged character with a multicultural background, exists in a nuanced world and has a storyline that unfolds as players progress through the game. |
| “It’s fun and Althea feels more true to who I am. I like getting to tell a story with more nuance.” | Jaffer finds it enjoyable to portray Althea, as the character aligns more closely with her own identity, allowing for a nuanced storytelling experience. |
| If like some God of War fans when Angroboda was revealed, the thought of diversity in your fairytales has you frothing at the mouth, remember what Micks told us, “The apocalypse affects everyone.” So remember, no matter what conflicts we may have, we’re all the same if the end of the world beckons. | The game reminds players that regardless of their initial reactions to diversity in mythology, the impending apocalypse affects everyone equally, emphasizing our shared humanity in the face of global catastrophe. |
| Gods of the Twilight will be released on Steam on Nov. 14, 2023. A demo is available to play now. | Gods of the Twilight is scheduled for release on Steam on November 14, 2023. Players can currently access a playable demo of the game. |
Source: DOTESPORTS
