Vita: The Ember Oracle
Loading critic reviews...
Deals
Finding deals...
Live Streams
Finding live streams...
About Vita: The Ember Oracle
Vita: The Ember Oracle is a story-driven RPG from Desert Tsunami, set in the fractured city of Pando. Released in October 2025, it blends philosophical themes with political intrigue as you follow Sin-Nul, a reluctant protagonist caught in a prophecy that could extinguish the Ever Flame, a symbol of the city’s survival. The game prioritizes dialogue and choice over combat, with a narrative focused on dogma, identity, and rebellion. Played on PC, it’s a single-player experience with a strong emphasis on branching conversations and moral ambiguity. Think of it as a slower, more introspective journey compared to fast-paced action RPGs.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around dialogue trees, exploration of Pando’s districts, and turn-based combat that feels secondary to storytelling. You’ll spend most sessions navigating dense conversations, where every response shifts relationships and unlocks hidden quests. Combat uses a grid-based system with elemental weaknesses, but battles are infrequent and methodical, often serving to advance plot points rather than test reflexes. Between sessions, you might spend 30 minutes per hour just reading dialogue. The game’s pacing is deliberate, rewarding players who pause to analyze lore documents and side-character backstories.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate Vita at 82%, with an average playtime of 24.5 hours. 67% of players complete the main story, while 33% hit 100% completion. The most common moods are “thought-provoking” (42%) and “atmospheric” (38%), though 21% call it “slow.” Critics praise its “uncompromising narrative” but note “underdeveloped combat mechanics.” Achievements total 30, with an average of 15 earned per player. The “Ever Flame Purified” achievement (12% completion) requires a specific dialogue choice. One user wrote, “The story’s moral complexity kept me coming back, even when the combat lagged.”
PlayPile's Take
Vita: The Ember Oracle is a niche pick for players who prioritize writing over gameplay. At $39.99, it offers 25 hours of dense dialogue and branching choices, but its deliberate pacing might frustrate those craving action. The 30 achievements add replayability, though only 12% unlock the hardest one. If you enjoy dissecting lore and moral dilemmas in games like Disco Elysium, it’s worth the price. Otherwise, skip it. The game shines in its narrative ambition, even if its systems feel uneven.
Game Modes
Single player
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...