Since I have a tendency to binge things, it's difficult for me to keep track of newer visual novels in Time Princess when they keep getting split into two separate releases. Even though I completed the Mirror of Masks story, I had a hard time following it. Still, I have received positive feedback on my other Time Princess reviews, so I will cover this one as well. If nothing else, I love the overall vibe that Mirror of Masks gives off. Its 2D cover is a work of art, and it does a great job of creating a metaphor for espionage under the guise of fake and pretentious Hollywood glamour. That said, this story bit off more than it could chew by attempting to cover too many genres at once.
Leila Federer is a young ingenue who just got her big break in a major motion picture. Nothing on set is what it seems when an actress is mysteriously murdered, and Leila is recruited to join a secret organization investigating the scandal. Suddenly, her ambitious quest for stardom turns into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an unknown murderer. While this sounds like a great concept for a story that I have personally drawn inspiration from, the plot gets overloaded with so many characters and scandals that I had a difficult time following the motive of the murderer even after completing the game's multiple endings. Time Princess has done several other murder mysteries in the past that were easier to follow than this one.
Like most visual novels in Time Princess, this story introduces three new companions, but I didn't care much for any of them. Herman Cornwell is a sketchy guy who likes to hang out on set. Even after completing his story path, I had a hard time figuring out what his deal was. It always seemed like he couldn't be trusted. Josephine Scarlett is Leila's co-star as well as a secret agent for a different organization from the one that recruits Leila. She provides positive
queer representation for the game, but the overall complexity of the plot leaves her personality undeveloped. Elvis Schneider, the movie director, is the most traditional love interest as well as the most laid-back. As friendly as he was, it felt weird to pursue a romance with him because he was still the main character's boss.
Since this game takes place in a fictional world with satirical versions of America, Russia, and Switzerland, it doesn't technically cover a real historical era. However, the fashions and setting felt most reminiscent of the 1930s during the Golden Age of Hollywood. While I like the fashion from that era in general, I thought the dress-up options were underwhelming compared to other stories Time Princess has done in similar settings. The most frequently used outfit in this story is a simple trench coat. Although it goes with the genre, it isn't very exciting as a fashion option for a Hollywood starlet. Leila has one glamorous dress that shows skin in some odd places compared to other Oscar-style gowns. She also has a winter look, which was one of the cuter options for this story.
Time Princess's Mirror of Masks visual novel offers an intriguing blend of Hollywood glamour and espionage, but its ambitious plot ultimately feels overstuffed and hard to follow. Despite its stylish 2D cover and intriguing premise, the story's numerous characters, scandals, and complex twists make it challenging to fully engage with. While the game's setting and fashion evoke the Golden Age of Hollywood, the outfit options feel underwhelming compared to other Time Princess stories. Overall, this visual novel's potential is hindered by its convoluted narrative and underdeveloped characters.
Comments
I know exactly what you mean! There was so much going on, and yet I couldn't seem to follow any of it. It's a shame because the concept and cover art were very intriguing.