A Matter of Principle

by Mikhail Mar 6, 2023 | 1 Votes | 36 Played | 0 Reviews

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Genres:

Adventure

Graphics:

Labels:

Historical Setting , Visual Novel

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DillyFrame A Matter of Principle is a historical visual novel by DillyFrame that tells the story of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Chotek and puts into focus the origins of Gavrilo Princip and his motivations for doing so. Experience the tale through beautifully-drawn panels by Askold Akishin. Play Now Similar Games

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Summary Plotline Gameplay Graphics/Sound Conclusion

Summary

World War I, also known as the Great War before World War II, is one of the most eventful episodes of human history. It brought death and devastation not just to mainland Europe but also throughout the world. After all, the participating nations had colonies on other continents, giving it a truly global scale. It saw numerous powerful empires crumble, and revolutions occurred left and right; these instances' consequences and benefits are still felt today. After all, we no longer live under the rule of the monarchy (although some nations still do), and so-called empires no longer exist.

The thing is, how did this horrific yet influential event which saw the death of millions of people, happen? Well, A Matter of Principle, a historical visual novel by DillyFrame, tells the story. More of an interactive comic than an actual game, it tells the story of Gavrilo Princip, a young student and supporter of the Kingdom of Serbia, who was born into a poor family in Bosnia, which the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled at the time. Moreover, the game also covers the tale of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir apparent to the throne, and his marriage to Sophie Chotek, Duchess of Hohenburg.

Understandably, A Matter of Principle isn’t exactly a game for everyone, yet it tells a rather compelling story in a manner accessible to those who aren’t exactly history buffs. Now available on the Nintendo Switch, should you give the game a shot? Let’s check out what it has to offer:

Plotline

A Matter of Principle is a historical comic that gives you a couple of stories in the rather turbulent early 20th century. You’ll be given a crash course in history, specifically the events preceding World War I and the root cause. The story is told through black and white comic panels, which makes it more consumable to an audience not knowledgeable about the events in this era. Mind you, and it’s a lot better than reading through a history book.

There are two points of view in A Matter of Principle. The main one is of Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb student responsible for assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne and the second actor in this story. The game also talks about various legends and historical events in Serbia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, along with Princip’s humble beginnings and life challenges.

Gameplay

In terms of gameplay, A Matter of Principle doesn’t exactly offer much. It’s a one-dimensional/linear visual novel with one end. No, you’re not able to change the fate of Europe and the world, nor can you stop Franz Ferdinand and Sophie’s assassination; you’ll go through the story as if it were a physical comic book. Compared to its peers, though, it’s a lot more accessible since you can repeat the last panels with just a press of a button. Moreover, it isn’t precisely a text-heavy story, so you can consume everything in bite-sized chunks.

A Matter of Principle is a highly provoking game. It gives you a good look at the struggles of the poor Bosnians and Serbs, particularly the peasant class, who live a rather complicated life. Although they live in a different world, you’ll also get a close look at the “first-world” issues of the ruling class and the burdens they have to bear in leading a multicultural empire and living life in court. Compared to its peers, it’s a short game; you can complete the entire experience in under an hour, yet you’ll find yourself fully absorbed and interested in the tales it has to offer.

Apart from the story, you’ll also be treated to in-game quizzes related to the region’s history, along with some minor decisions you’ll need to make that won’t change the story.

Graphics/Sound

In terms of presentation, A Matter of Principle excels in delivering the early 20th-century vibe, and the art is nothing short of outstanding. The black and white panels pop, and at times, it highlights the characters who are speaking, which helps in trying to make sense of everything. Artist Askold Akishin is responsible for the drawings which pop and accurately depict both the contrasting pomp and squalor of the two protagonists. The game also has a gallery featuring most of the artwork, and it’s worth checking out.

Meanwhile, the music doesn’t exactly pop, although the accompanying background tunes provide an atmosphere conducive to reading. The game isn’t voice-acted, so playing it is more like watching a silent film.

Conclusion

Overall, A Matter of Principle is a highly-gripping visual novel, and if you’re interested in world history, it’s worth playing. It gives an in-depth look at the motivations of Gavrilo Princip and his reasons for taking Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s life. It also has fantastic eye candy-like art which is bursting with emotions while accurately depicting the struggles of a bygone era.

The game is now available on the Nintendo Switch for $3.99!

New Game Added: A Matter of Principle

by Mikhail Mar 6, 2023

A Matter of Principle is a historical visual novel by DillyFrame that tells the story of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Chotek and puts into focus the origins of Gavrilo Princip and his motivations for doing so. Experience the tale through beautifully-drawn panels by Askold Akishin.