"Milky Way Prince - The Vampire Star" Yaoi Visual Novel Review

I've seen a metric ton of Boys Love visual novels, and believe me, they range from "aww, that's cute" to "holy shit, did that just happen?" So when I came across "Milky Way Prince," I was, shall we say, cautiously intrigued. It's a complex beast, this one. I also discovered it thanks to two of Boys Love Universe’s founders over at our parent company All Ages of Geek. Check out the gameplay below for a future idea of what BL Visual Novels will look like once we start uploading content over on BLU’s Official YouTube Channel.

Let's start with the creator, Lorenzo Redaelli. Lorenzo not only penned the story but also programmed, illustrated, and scored it. Impressive! The semi-autobiographical angle brings a raw edge to the entire experience. It's like uncensored Yaoi, but with all the psychological drama and intensity that only real life can bring. You're stepping into a lived experience of love, pain, and emotional chaos.

"Binary star system"—this term used by Redaelli nails the relationship dynamic at the heart of this Yaoi visual novel. It's rare, it's beautiful, but God help you, it's unstable. The dark themes behind certain choices, along with the feelings of deep thinking, depression and personal storylines, just grip you. I was sucked into the vibe right away.

"During my experience with a borderline partner, I thought that falling in love with him was like becoming part of a binary star system. It’s the rarest, most precious thing in the universe – but the closer they get the more unstable they become. My idea was to create an immersive experience where the player is asked to try to understand the dynamics of this unusual relationship. The character you interact with adapts their behavior to yours – using academic terminology, they could set up “rage tests”, “love bombing", or otherwise guilt trip you. The plot's branching storyline is guided by variables such as “submission” and "interest” that fluctuate at each interaction."

As for the "sensory gameplay system," you get to choose which senses to use with your love interest. Sounds gimmicky, right? Wrong. This mechanic adds a new layer of depth to your typical Boys Love visual novel. You're not just clicking through dialogues; you're making sensory choices that force you to pay attention. Do you listen closely or keep your eyes peeled? Your choices reveal layers of the characters' personalities and backstories.

The character art in "Milky Way Prince" is a far cry from your run-of-the-mill anime styles. Inspired by artists like Suehiro Maruo and Masaaki Yuasa, it veers into an unsettling yet captivating territory. The 3D environments, influenced by the stage design of Robert Wilson, amplify the psychological tension.

And let's not overlook the original soundtrack—30+ minutes of baroque electropop that teeters between exhilarating and ominous. The characters and scenarios are not the only things playing with your emotions; the music does too.

This game delves into themes of abuse and borderline personality disorder, and it does so to raise awareness, not make it the characters’ only focus. If you're not comfortable confronting these harsh realities, then maybe sit this one out. But if you're up for a challenging, intense experience, then dive right in.

Is "Milky Way Prince" the perfect Boys Love visual novel for Halloween? Yes. This game is a psychological maze. So if you're ready to get your mind and heart twisted this Halloween, "Milky Way Prince" has got what you need. If you're looking for a Boys Love visual novel that doesn't shy away from the ugliness and chaos of an unstable relationship, one that gives you more than just pretty boys and happily-ever-afters, this is it. Keep the Yaoi cu…coming!