Under Pretense Of Death is a free adventure game by indie dev, PekaQueen. It is a visual novel set in a fantasy world ruled by elves and fairies living alongside other races. It tells the story of a half-blood elf who goes on to fulfill the last wishes of her dearly departed friend.

Under Pretense Of Death invokes the same feel and themes as Deliver Us From Evil or The Remainder. All have fantasy themes and features mature and intriguing narratives. Of particular note are the beautifully drawn and detailed art and animated characters that add to its immersive experience.

What is Under Pretense Of Death about?

Under Pretense Of Death is set on a far-off island that is ruled by Faerie and Elven aristocracy. You play as Solis, a half-blood elf girl who travels to the kingdom to fulfill the last wishes of her dead friend. This marks the beginning of her journey and the events that will unfold as she explores the city and meets various individuals along the way.

Solis must use her wits and charms to face the challenges and obstacles she will encounter. You’ll find items and gain important information from the people you meet. There’s also an element of romance to be had in the game. There are a total of four love interests that you can build a bond with, and the decisions you make will heavily influence how your relationship with them will become.

A few nice things that add to the immersive experience are the partial voiceovers and animated characters. You even get an original soundtrack that was specifically made for the game. As is with most interactive visual novels of this kind, there won't be any action involved in its gameplay, which might put off some players. Also, it's heavy on dialogue and exposition, hence expect to read a lot of text.

A well-crafted fantasy visual novel

Overall, Under Pretense Of Death is a well-crafted visual novel that any fan of the genre will enjoy. The story is intriguing, the art and soundtrack are impressive, and it even mixes elements of romance and hidden object mechanics into its gameplay. If you're looking for something to immerse yourself in, this one is worth checking out.