✨ First Impression
The Hungry Lamb was my first ever visual novel, so I honestly had no idea what to expect going in — but it took me by surprise and completely BLEW me away. I started it out of curiosity and ended up utterly hooked from beginning to end.
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3515698730
🌸 Story & Atmosphere
The story of this game is dark, disturbing, and brilliantly written. Set in late Ming dynasty China, it follows a bandit who slowly learns to be a better man through the bond he forms with the girls he was supposed to traffic, seeking redemption for his past actions. Meanwhile, one of those tragic girls embarks on cold and calculated path of revenge after her family's massacre. It’s a grim and emotional journey filled dark and heavy themes of corruption, human trafficking, killing, and even cannibalism — but none of it feels dark just for the sake of it. Everything serves the story and builds toward something deeply meaningful and profoundly impactful.

The game's portrayal of human trafficking, the desperation of families selling their children, and the brutal conditions faced by refugees align with historical accounts of the period, and will leave you reflecting on the gloomy days of that era.

It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and even somewhat traumatising at times — overall a wonderfully crafted story of the human struggle during a grim era. There are quite a few endings (bad ones) but there are only two true endings, both of which left me overwhelmed with so many thoughts and feelings.
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3578805662
🎨 Art & Presentation
The artstyle is beautiful and the visuals look hand-painted. The character design of both Man Sui and other kids stood out really well. However, I do wish that there had been a bit more variety in the artworks they used for similar places at different locations like inns, forests etc, but its a minor thing and doesn't take away from how well they have captured the overall aesthetic of Ancient China. Also, since the game is set in the late Ming Dynasty, it references several aspects and historical background from that period of China's history like the Tianqi Explosion that occured in 1626.
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3593457404
🎵 Voice Acting and Music
The Voice Actors did an excellent job capturing the emotions of their respective characters. I personally played it with the Japanese voice over, and it was absolutely phenomenal. The music deserves special mention too: it’s incredible. One specific soundtrack titled "Redemption of Wolf" genuinely made me emotional towards the end; so much that I just sat and listened to it for a while.

💭 Final Thoughts
For my first VN, The Hungry Lamb set the bar incredibly high. It’s dark, emotional, and unforgettable — easily one of the most impactful stories I’ve experienced in a game. I personally really liked the deep and impactful message left by the Devs in the end credits.

⭐❤️ 9/10 – A haunting, beautifully written journey I’ll never forget.
Would absolutely recommend to anyone who can handle the heavy content.