Evenicle

When discussing the giants of the Japanese visual novel and RPG industry, it is impossible to overlook AliceSoft. With a legacy spanning over three decades, they have mastered the art of blending high-stakes adventure with “adult” storytelling. Evenicle, released internationally by MangaGamer, represents a fascinating pivot point for the studio. While many of their previous titles, such as the legendary Rance series, followed established and often complex lore, Evenicle was designed as a “New Brand” project—a fresh start that welcomed newcomers with open arms while retaining the mechanical depth that veterans crave. It isn’t just a visual novel with a few battles sprinkled in; it is a full-blooded, traditional JRPG that pays homage to the classics of the 90s while injecting a modern, unapologetic sense of humor and character progression. If you’ve ever felt that modern RPGs have become too “sanitized” or have lost that sense of grand world-traversing wonder, Evenicle is a refreshing, albeit provocative, reminder of what the genre can achieve when it refuses to hold back. It is a game that feels “human” in its flaws and its passions, offering a journey that is as much about building a family as it is about saving a world.

Building on this foundation, Evenicle 2 expands the experience with a broader world, new characters, and more refined gameplay systems, delivering a more ambitious and polished sequel. Alongside it, Evenicle 2 Rance offers a unique crossover scenario that drops the iconic anti-hero into this setting for a chaotic and fan-driven side story. As such, it’s best to start with Evenicle first, then continue with Evenicle 2, before exploring the Rance version for the full experience.

You can buy the game here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/955560/Evenicle

Before the world was plagued by the Evils, there was a simple boy who just wanted to marry his twin sisters. Explore the origins of this unique RPG universe in our Ultimate Evenicle Series Guide.

The Story of Evenicle

The narrative of Evenicle is set in a world that is as beautiful as it is socially rigid, governed by the divine mandates of the Holy Mother Eve. In this world, humanity lives under a strict biological and religious law: a man is allowed only one wife, a rule meant to ensure stability and prevent the chaos of unchecked desire. However, this world is also plagued by “Outlaws”—monstrous beings and corrupted humans who defy Eve’s laws. To combat this, a special class of individuals exists: the Knights. These are the elite protectors of humanity, granted the divine right to polygamy so they may produce strong offspring and lead the charge against darkness. 

Enter our protagonist, Asterisk, a young man with a heart of gold and a goal that is simultaneously selfless and hilariously ambitious. Asterisk lives with his two foster sisters, Rishia and Sayane, and realizes that under the current laws, he can only marry one of them. Refusing to choose between the people he loves most, he decides there is only one logical path forward: he must become a Knight, save the world, and marry them both.

This simple, lighthearted premise serves as the springboard for an epic journey that spans across multiple continents, each with its own distinct culture, political climate, and set of challenges. As Asterisk travels from the kingdom of Canceed to the knight-heavy lands of El Quixote and beyond, the story undergoes a masterful evolution. What starts as a comedic quest for a harem gradually reveals layers of political intrigue and dark fantasy. The “One Wife Law” isn’t just a quirky plot device; it is a source of immense social tension, leading to tragic stories of forbidden love, corrupt officials exploiting their power, and the brutal reality of what happens to those who fall outside the system’s grace. 

AliceSoft doesn’t shy away from the “dark” side of their world; for every moment of triumph and romance, there is a sobering reminder of the world’s cruelty. This tonal balance is what makes the story so engaging—you aren’t just clicking through dialogue to get to the next battle; you are genuinely invested in how Asterisk’s growing family will navigate a world that is often hostile to their very existence. By the time you reach the final chapters, the bond between Asterisk and his heroines—ranging from the disciplined Rishia to the wild and powerful mage Katheryn—feels earned, turning a “harem adventure” into a surprisingly poignant tale of unity and perseverance.

Evenicle Gameplay Mechanics

Gameplay in Evenicle is where the title truly flexes its muscles as a “real” RPG, offering a level of strategic depth that rivals many mainstream triple-A titles. The game features a classic, sprawling world map that encourages exploration in a way that feels nostalgic yet polished. You aren’t just moving from point A to point B; you are uncovering hidden grottos, stumbling upon “Monster Girls” that serve as unique mini-bosses, and searching for the elusive “Mega-Bosses” that require high-level tactics to defeat. The combat system is a refined turn-based affair centered around the Battle Point (BP) system. 

Every action, from a simple sword swing to a devastating elemental spell, consumes BP. This creates a constant tactical tension: do you spend your points early to wipe out the small fries, or do you guard and build up energy for a massive ultimate move against the boss? The five-person party is fixed, which allows AliceSoft to perfectly balance every encounter. Asterisk is your versatile front-liner, Rishia acts as the impenetrable tank, Nanaru provides agile multi-hit strikes, and your mages provide the necessary elemental coverage.

Character progression is handled through a dynamic skill tree and a unique “Love Event” system. As you gain levels, you earn Skill Points (SP) that can be allocated to customize your party’s roles. You can turn Rishia into a purely defensive wall or give her enough offensive utility to punish enemies after a successful block. This customization is vital because Evenicle does not hold your hand; on higher difficulties, even basic mobs can wipe your party if you aren’t paying attention to elemental weaknesses and turn orders. Furthermore, the game integrates its visual novel elements into the gameplay through character-specific events. 

Engaging in these side-stories isn’t just for “fanservice”; it often unlocks new abilities or buffs for the heroines, creating a rewarding loop where social interaction directly improves your combat effectiveness. The equipment system is equally “crunchy,” requiring you to find specific materials to upgrade weapons, which in turn changes the visual appearance of the characters in battle. Whether you are navigating the complex “Trial Dungeons” or simply grinding for gold to buy that next big upgrade, the gameplay loop remains addictive because it respects the player’s intelligence and time, offering a sense of “power fantasy” that is backed by genuine mechanical challenge.

Evenicle Review and Community Feedback

Since its debut on the international stage, Evenicle has carved out a prestigious spot in the hearts of RPG fans, earning a “Very Positive” rating on Steam and becoming a benchmark for the genre. The most common praise from the community centers on its exceptional production value. Unlike many indie or niche RPGs that rely on recycled assets, Evenicle features high-quality, vibrant character art by the talented Hapiaki and a soundtrack that perfectly captures the sense of a grand adventure. 

Players often remark that they “came for the art but stayed for the gameplay,” surprised by how much they enjoyed the traditional JRPG elements. The UI design is frequently cited as a highlight; it is clean, responsive, and makes managing a five-person party across a massive world feel effortless. Community veterans of AliceSoft often compare it favorably to the Rance series, noting that while it is more accessible, it doesn’t lose that signature “AliceSoft soul”—that specific blend of high-energy fun and sudden, impactful drama.

However, a review of Evenicle would be incomplete without addressing the controversies and criticisms found in community forums. The game is notorious for its “dark” scripted events. AliceSoft has a history of including scenes that involve non-consensual themes or extreme violence against women, often used to establish the villainy of an antagonist. While these scenes are a staple of the developer’s “Outlaw” world-building, they can be incredibly jarring and off-putting for players who were expecting a purely lighthearted harem romp. 

Many discussions on Reddit and Steam focus on whether these scenes are necessary for the plot; while some argue they add to the “stakes” and realism of a cruel world, others find them unnecessarily cruel. Another minor critique often voiced is the difficulty spikes. Certain bosses, particularly the optional Mega-Bosses, require a level of specific “meta-gaming” and grinding that can feel like a brick wall for casual players. Despite these points of contention, the overwhelming consensus is that the “good” far outweighs the “bad.” The community has even developed extensive guides and wikis to help new players navigate the game’s deep systems, proving that Evenicle has successfully fostered a dedicated and passionate fanbase that appreciates its unique, unfiltered approach to the RPG genre.

System Requirements for Evenicle

Evenicle is an incredibly well-optimized game. Thanks to its use of high-quality 2D sprites and pre-rendered backgrounds, it can run smoothly on a wide variety of systems, including older laptops and entry-level gaming PCs. However, to truly appreciate the crispness of the art and the fluidity of the combat animations, meeting the recommended specs is advised.

Component	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Operating System	Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11	Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
Processor	Pentium 4 2.4GHz or equivalent	Intel Core i3 2.0GHz or higher
Memory (RAM)	2 GB RAM	4 GB RAM or more
Graphics	1280×720, 24-bit color depth	1920×1080, True Color (32-bit)
DirectX	Version 9.0c	Version 11 or higher
Storage	3 GB available space	5 GB available space (for updates)

Note for modern users: Evenicle scales well to higher resolutions, but since it was originally developed for a fixed aspect ratio, playing on ultra-wide monitors might result in black bars on the sides. It is highly recommended to play with a mouse and keyboard, as the UI is specifically tailored for point-and-click interaction.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Evenicle is a masterpiece of its niche, a game that dares to be a “real” JRPG while embracing the adult themes that AliceSoft has spent decades refining. It is a massive, 60+ hour odyssey that never feels like it’s dragging its feet, thanks to a constant stream of new characters, new continents, and new gameplay mechanics. Its biggest achievement is making the player care—not just about the stats and the loot, but about the family Asterisk builds along the way. It’s a journey that takes you from the heights of comedic harem antics to the depths of emotional despair, and back again, all while keeping you engaged with a combat system that is as deep as any mainstream classic. If you are a fan of JRPGs and can navigate its darker, more mature content, Evenicle offers an unforgettable adventure that proves AliceSoft remains at the top of their game. It is a bold, colorful, and deeply human experience that stands as a definitive “must-play” for anyone looking to explore the intersection of grand fantasy and adult storytelling.