Myths are stories created to teach lessons and explain the everyday magic that seems to be hiding in the world around us. These stories bring people together, intertwining their way into people’s lives and becoming treasured memories. Sharing a myth with others during special moments may become a tradition for some. The story details may change here and there, but the magic behind the tale stays the same. Sometimes the stories take on a mind of their own and grow. I played Mythic Love: Iberian Legends, a monster romance visual novel by Platonic Games, and fell in love with myths I just met. I was provided with a review copy of Mythic Love: Iberian Legends, but all thoughts are my own.
Mythic Love: Iberian Legends begins with a lot of choices and a little curiosity. Players start the game by choosing their pronouns and backstory for why they’re walking through the woods. It’s peaceful for all of a moment before a black cat crosses the player’s path and changes everything if you’re curious enough. The game gives the player a very tongue-in-cheek choice. Touch the obviously magical item to start romancing monsters, or leave it alone and miss out on the adventure. I assume this leads to an ending, but I’ve been too invested in unlocking new scenarios to test that theory. I think the writing in Mythic Love was versatile. It was funny with pop culture references thrown into the dialogue, but not in an awkward way. I managed to unlock a Twilight reference that made me howl in laughter in Tiago’s route. It was unexpected, but in my opinion also fit with the humor of the story. Romantic moments were built slowly as characters opened up in ways that made my heart melt. It pays to continue being curious in Mythic Love; asking questions lets players learn more about their love interest. It also opens up dialogue with side characters, allowing players to experience side stories. I felt like it was easy to become immersed in the mythic world. When I wasn’t giggling and blushing, I was teary-eyed. Not quite fully crying, but I felt tears well up while playing through Tiago’s route. Mostly because I didn’t want to leave.
After touching the mythical device in Mythic Love, the player is transported to another realm where Spanish myths are real, materializing after their stories are shared in the human realm. The player is attacked by shadows, but rescued by a handful of myths who may not always like humans, but at least they don’t want to eat the player. To return home, the player must form a bond with one of the myths; the game has four main options and sort of a fifth secret option. The bond doesn’t have to be romantic, and at first it seems like the myths are looking for a friendship just strong enough to send you back home. The players’ choices will determine if the manufactured friendship of convenience becomes something more. There are a ton of player choices; I was thrilled with how much input I felt I had in the story. I’m not typically big into saving a lot while playing visual novels; however, I saved a ton during Tiago’s route alone just in case. I got so worried every time I was alerted that he disliked one of my actions.
The love interests include Tiago, the route I played, Bu, Coru, Juana, and Gaueko, sort of. Gaueko is the villain in this visual novel, and actually my first choice when I first played the demo. The game lets players choose the myth they’d like to make a bond with, and when I clicked Gaueko, the game told me no, he’s evil. The player is not locked into making a romantic bond with the myth they chose, and Gaueko did become an option as I played. By then, though, I was loyal to the wolf. The world does work in mysterious ways even in visual novels.
I was a little worried going into the game that the plot would be lost on me, as I know nothing about Spanish myth, which is what Mythic Love revolves around. Thankfully, Platonic Games took that into account, and players can ask to hear the myth’s story. I learned something from playing a visual novel! The only time I felt a little lost in the story was when geographical locations were mentioned. I don’t feel like it impacted my enjoyment of the story, though. My learning about these myths I was unfamiliar with tied into the main theme under all of the romance. To continue sharing folklore so it doesn’t disappear. To find new ways to keep traditional culture alive in a modern world that doesn’t always celebrate stories from the past anymore. In an age of technology where people could learn anything with the press of a button, folklore isn’t at the top of that list. Stories are disappearing when they should continue to be told.
Mythic Love: Iberian Legends is a well-written game with beautiful visuals. I love the art style, which made it even harder to choose a love interest. All of the love interests have so much personality, and it comes through on their sprites. I fell head over heels swiftly for the protective Tiago, but there are so many more routes and endings to explore. The game has 32 endings in total to discover. The first ending I unlocked was Why Not Both, and if you want to know what that means, I recommend you play the game and explore. I plan on playing the game again, and this time I have my eyes set on Bu, but who knows where this mythical tale will lead me. I recommend picking up Mythic Love: Iberian Legends and adding it to your feel-good visual novel library. Be curious and keep learning. Do you have a favorite Spanish legend?
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