Developer: MoonlightDevCorp
Genre: Visual Novel
Reviewed version: July 15th, 2023 version
Censored: No
Patch Needed: No
OS: Windows, Linux, macOS
Language: English, French
Glowing Stones: Heroes' Awakening is a superhero AVN in which you play as a guy who fights crime using the superpowers he got when he touched a glowing stone his father gifted him days before dying in a lab accident. The plot takes some time to get to the action, but it gets engaging once it focuses less on the protagonist going on dates and meeting people and more on doing superhero things.
Moreover, you'll be making many choices that affect how the characters perceive you not only as a romantic partner but also as a friend. It's a neat system since it gives you enough freedom to pursue only one romantic partner or try to get as many as possible, and also it makes sense in context since your powers are fueled by your friendship with the cast. Sure, you're allowed to avoid having any kind of relationship, but you won't go far with that approach (and the game will call you out for it).
One of the best things in the VN is that there's stuff happening in the background while the protagonist is talking to his peers or doing other stuff. For example, you can see a dude getting kicked in the balls after he went too far with a woman or a couple running away from a drone, all the while you're talking to your best friend or partner. The dev even turned it into a kind of mini-game in which you click on anything that's out of the ordinary; a mysterious woman in a black robe, cameras that follow your steps, etc.
The renders are alright, but where the game shines graphics-wise is in the animation. The characters' movements are very smooth and make the scenes more immersive, especially during the steamier moments of the game. As for the soundtrack, it has a variety of tracks that fit the scenes they play in and are nice to listen to, making everything more impactful.
Verdict: Entertaining
I enjoyed this AVN, even if it took a bit to get into it. While it's a bit early to draw a conclusion since only three chapters are currently out, give it a shot if you're looking for an AVN with a good mix of romance and superheroes kicking ass. You will like it.