Nova Hearts — A Sunlit Slice of Magic and Tactics

XPN Network
Oct 5
3 min read

Nova Hearts is an indie visual-novel–meets–tactical-RPG developed by Lightbulb Crew and published by Shoreline Games for Xbox and other platforms. I played it as someone who spends a lot of time in visual novels, so I approached it expecting character-first scenes, heavy dialogue, and the occasional gameplay detour that either enhances or interrupts the narrative flow. The game positions itself as a summer, coming-of-age tale with magical-girl trappings and a small-town heart, and it mostly delivers on that promise while trying to balance beats of friendship, anxiety, and supernatural stakes.

You return to a coastal hometown as Luce, a slightly burnt-out protagonist who reconnects with childhood friends and quickly becomes embroiled in strange, soft-bodied monsters appearing around town when A mysterious cosmic force strikes during Sacha’s party in Vermillion and triggers sudden transformations: Luce, Will, and CJ discover they can morph into magical defenders with unique abilities.

The early chapters read like a slow summer day, theirs cafes, awkward reunions, late-night confessions, until the supernatural elements ramp up and those domestic scenes start to matter because every conversation changes how your team fights and who you trust. The game builds most of its emotion through small moments: a nervous apology, a shared joke, an overheard voicemail that reframes a character’s motivations. Midgame reveals shift the stakes from “protect the town” to “protect each other,” and the final act ties character arcs to the source of the disturbances, but it compresses several threads in a short span, which trades atmosphere for momentum. Subplots about identity, fear of growing up, and the messy logistics of friendships are well-aimed and often sincere.

The characters are what keeps the games narrative flowing. Luce is the emotional anchor who returns home and pushes the story forward through tough conversations and small choices. Will is the dependable friend and support pillar, steadying both the team and quieter scenes. CJ is the guarded slow-burn who becomes powerful and indispensable as their backstory unfolds. Sacha brings chaotic energy and acts as the early catalyst for the mystery, while May’s nosy indie-paper reporting pulls plot threads together.

Nova Hearts alternates dialogue-focused sections with compact, tactical encounters on small grid arenas. Conversations branch and sometimes alter combat modifiers or unlock special team abilities, so choices are mechanically relevant and not purely cosmetic.

Combat itself uses an approachable turn-based system where unit positioning, ability synergies, and a simple stamina/resource layer determine success. Each character has a defined role such as support, area control, single-target nuker and building combos feels satisfying because abilities interact predictably: buffs amplify damage, debuffs open windows for big plays, and movement options let you create choke points or escape routes.

The difficulty curve is gentle at first, designed to welcome visual-novel players who may be new to tactics and combat, but optional encounters and challenge modes add depth for players who want to push team optimization further. Outside combat you spend time exploring town nodes for side scenes, levelling characters through limited upgrades, and customizing ability loadouts; progression emphasizes experimentation rather than grinding, so you rarely feel punished for trying something offbeat.

Pros

Expressive character art that carries emotion through portrait frames and small animations.
Narrative beats hit hard in everyday moments; the found-family theme is authentic.
Accessible tactical combat with clear synergies; controller-friendly UI and readable effects.
Choices that matter mechanically and narratively; dialogue links to combat outcomes.
Good pacing for short sessions; story advances in manageable chunks without long downtime.

Cons

Pacing compresses late plot threads into a rushed final act that undercuts some character payoff.
Limited mechanical depth for players who want long-form strategy or heavy customization.
Occasional tonal whiplash between light slice-of-life scenes and abrupt, darker revelations.
Some scenes feel underexplored; a few supporting characters could use more screen time.
Minor UI niggles in inventory and skill menus that feel like they belong on a patch list.

Nova Hearts is a warm, character-first hybrid that will click with visual-novel players who want gentle tactical play alongside strong interpersonal writing. It excels when it lingers on small, awkward, and honest moments between the cast and uses its combat to underline those relationships. The trade-offs are apparent: a final act that rushes revelations and a mechanical ceiling that won’t satisfy hardcore strategists. Play it for the characters, the bright presentation, and the handful of excellent combat encounters that make each chapter feel purposeful.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)