Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies Review – A Strong Case for Kinetic Visual Novels

Introduction to Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies

Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies is the latest visual novel by prolific and highly esteemed developer Frontwing. This time, we get a kinetic experience of a blind painter and her enthusiastic assistant.

Let’s first set up the expectations for the game: this is a kinetic novel, so the story is linear, and there are no choices. That means the experience is, by definition, completely guided from start to finish. This design choice will not please some players and should be considered before playing.

The Dynamic Duo: Lilja and Natsuka

With that in mind, Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies tells the story of a unique duo. On one side, we have Lilja (whose name is read like Liria in Japanese), a very talented painter who has suffered a dire blow to her skills: losing her sight sense.

On the other hand, Natsuka is her assistant and our viewpoint throughout the novel. Bright and bubbly, she’s the kind of girl whose cheerful nature is absolutely endearing and who always shows her honest nature. Though she may seem silly and naïve sometimes, she can be surprisingly perceptive.

These two girls couldn’t be more different, and they were clearly designed to emphasize their opposing natures. Lilja is pragmatic, the very definition of rationality, to the point that it leads to her creative stagnation. Meanwhile, Natsuka is the kind of person who acts before thinking, driven by instincts alone.

However, the odd duo has fantastic chemistry. Their trust in each other allows them to become complementary instead of butting heads. Natsuka shakes Lilja’s internal world with her vibrant descriptions and emotional observations, while Lilja forces her assistant to think more for herself.

A Journey of Creative Rediscovery

Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies‘s story starts when Lilja and Natsuka have known each other for a while and are working to create a new painting for a client. As such, we see their relationship already in motion before we properly watch it all start with our own eyes in a later chapter.

With its gorgeous artwork and compelling character dynamics, this kinetic novel is one of Frontwing’s finest.

To paint, Lilja tasks Natsuka with looking for things that may entice her inner artist. These include the vibrant world Natsuka describes, her positive outlook on people, and the radiance of her words. The more she digs into the clients’ stories, the closer they get to a creative spark.

Philosophical Themes Explored

In each chapter, the duo creates new paintings that fundamentally shake their clients’ perspectives and grant them a new outlook. At first, this may seem a little repetitive. Still, the final two episodes bring some big twists and make for a fantastic grand finale as the game further develops the relationship between our main characters.

Their relationship does have some romantic tension, but Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies isn’t exactly a yuri. There are hardly any scenes where the two enjoy apparent romance or kisses, let alone anything beyond that, as the game is strictly for all ages.

However, that doesn’t mean they don’t share intimate moments. Many scenes showcase just how close they have become and how much they can let their guard down around each other. Sometimes, it feels like they’re soulmates, connected much deeper than some couples ever will be.

Audiovisual Excellence

One point that also significantly enhances the story is its exploration of a philosophical outlook on life. Every chapter is an opportunity to think about human nature, the impact of traumas, and how our perspectives can genuinely affect our actions.

The game’s writing brings fascinating perspectives as Natsuka and Lilja discuss things. Instead of relying on common sense as their moral compass, they always think things through refreshing ways that often value human experience. Imperfection begets meaning, and there’s more to everyone’s tale in life.

Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies crafts a beautiful tale about human connection and creative expression.

It’s also interesting to notice how most of Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies are structured in a dialogue format with voiced lines. The game cuts narration altogether, and we even get to listen to internal voices. This adds a quick tempo to the narrative and a strong sense of presence for the characters.

The English version’s text flows very well and makes a compelling read. There were very few odd situations, like a line that was hard to translate because a character’s name also means “Night” in Japanese. However, the text is easy to understand even in those rare circumstances.

Like a Painting

Regarding the audiovisual aspects of the game, Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies shine through with gorgeous illustrations. The CGs feel like paintings with a strong artistic composition, especially during some “alone times” with our main duo.

However, even the basic character design by kippu is impressive. Characters are very distinctive, their facial expressions are notable, and they make excellent use of the backgrounds, camera positioning (with occasional zooms), and colors. Meanwhile, the soundtrack reinforces the emotional elements of the story with its usage of instruments.

Conclusion: A Visual Novel Classic

Lilja and Natsuka Painting Lies manages to craft a compelling emotional tale about girls reconnecting with their souls by diving into the past to envision a future. With philosophical perspectives on life and writing that values human experience as something of worth, this kinetic novel hits all the right notes to become an instant classic of the genre.