Rivers of Astrum: Daughter of Darkness

Pirate Women Are Built Different

Okay, let me just say it—Rivers of Astrum is like if someone mashed up Game of Thrones with an all-lesbian pirate crew, sprinkled in some magic, a talking squirrel, and a surprising amount of heart. This dark fantasy visual novel is an early-access gem that’s still finding its sea legs, but oh boy, it’s already sailing strong if you’re into rich stories, complex women, and spicy romance. Also, shoutout to the dev for pouring 30 years of world-building passion into this project. That love shows.

About This Game

Storyline

You play as Kimberly Ashmoore—street-hardened rogue, pirate-town legend, and secretly soft lesbian romantic. Kim sets off to investigate a mysterious royal shipwreck, and things spiral into full-on destiny-mode real fast. Along for the ride are Cara, your half-elf lover with fiery vibes; Sandra, a pirate captain with flirtatious sass; and Vex, a mysterious elf scholar. Oh, and Dee, a talking squirrel, because of course.

The plot kicks off quick but doesn’t sacrifice depth. There’s betrayal, ancient magic, pirate politics, and prophetic dreams. Every character has layers, and the way their stories intertwine with Kim’s choices makes this feel more like a fantasy novel than your usual adult visual novel fare.

Gameplay Mechanics

This is a classic visual novel setup with a big focus on meaningful choices. Some affect your relationships, others your morality, and a few lead straight to bad ends (thankfully, retry options are there to save your ass). There’s also a light exploration minigame and a whole affection/morality system under the hood.

Now, before you dive in, be ready to fiddle with about 38 (yes, thirty-eight lmao) content filters. It’s like building your own fantasy kink buffet. Want pure romance with no kink? Done. Want everything spicy turned on? Go wild. The customization is impressive, and honestly, every adult VN should take notes.

Visuals & Audio

Character renders? Gorgeous. Backgrounds? Eh, they could use a little love. Animations are smooth and very much in the "less is more" category. The scenes look polished overall, and the higher resolution support makes everything crisp, even if transitions are sometimes just... black screens with a “moments later” tag slapped on.

But the real MVP? The voice acting. Seriously. This is not your typical “recorded-in-a-bathroom” AVN audio. The lead actress is the real deal—Netflix, HBO, and now, somehow, this pirate fantasy lesbo adventure. Her delivery brings these characters to life in a way that makes even slow moments feel alive. Not every character is voiced yet, but what’s there? Chef’s kiss.

Pros

Lesbian protagonist with actual depth (finally!)
Story that goes beyond just “sexy times”
Stellar voice acting (seriously, listen to it)
Content filters let you tailor your experience.
Great character design and relationships.
Pirate + fantasy + LGBTQ+ romance = magic.

Cons

Limited content for now (about 2.5–3 hours of play)
Backgrounds and scene transitions feel a bit placeholder-y.
Animations aren’t as plentiful or varied.

Conclusion

Rivers of Astrum is like getting handed the first chapter of a beautifully written fantasy epic… only it’s a bit thirsty, proudly queer, and definitely not afraid to mix plot with pleasure. It’s not fully polished yet (early access, baby), but what’s already there is compelling, heartfelt, and sexy in a way that feels earned, not just tossed in.

At its current price, it’s absolutely worth the trip—especially if you’re craving a fantasy tale that centers queer women, rich relationships, and a story with actual stakes. Whether you’re here for the romance, the pirates, the squirrel, or the steamy sexual content, Rivers of Astrum delivers just enough to hook you, and leaves you hungry for Volume 2. Bring it on.

Rating: 9/10

Captain Jack Sparrow should’ve been a character!