Ballads at Midnight
Released Jul 2022
When a sarcastic bard is arrested and exiled to an abandoned castle, she expected to be at the mercy of a hungry, blood-thirsty vampire. She soon discovers that the vampire, Lucius, is not starving: he is gravely bored. She may just survive on borrowed time, one ballad each midnight.
94% positive · 486 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Ballads at Midnight is a free-to-play visual novel that launched on July 15, 2022. All developer activity in the news history is limited to launch-day achievement bug fixes — there are no major content updates, expansions, DLC, or roadmap posts of any kind. The game has no DLC listed on the store, and the store description contains no language suggesting future content is planned. The game appears to have launched as a complete, self-contained story with no post-launch content cycle. All developer communication ceased on the release date, which is consistent with a finished product that shipped as a complete package.
Evidence
Store description presents the game as a complete dark fantasy romance visual novel with no mention of planned DLC, expansions, seasons, or future content.
All four developer news posts are launch-day achievement bug fixes for the Mac build. No content updates, announcements, or future plans have been communicated. This is the last developer communication on record.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Abiding Bridge
Achievements
14
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
When a sarcastic bard is arrested and exiled to an abandoned castle, she expected to be at the mercy of a hungry, blood-thirsty vampire. She soon discovers that the vampire, Lucius, is not starving: he is gravely bored. She may just survive on borrowed time, one ballad each midnight.
(The name can be changed)
A well-traveled and gifted bard. Abigail is quick-witted and quick to act, though not necessarily in that order. Sarcasm coats her words like calluses, formed through years of undergoing difficult journeys and indulging difficult people. While she has a strong sense of insight and genuine interest in others, she has a dogged impulse of announcing her observations. This is seldom appreciated, and at worst has led to face grave consequences.
Still, no one can deny that she has a flair and talent for entertainment. Not even a centuries-old vampire.
(Love interest)
One's first impression of Lucius is that he's menacing at worst, and witheringly unyielding at best. However, his coarse exterior is a thin veil for his impressively dry wit - which he's more than happy to reveal if he thinks his sense of humor will be heard. It's rather hard to share one's wit when your guests generally scream and run at the sight of you though.
♦ Enemies to lovers, found family, bonding through shared trauma, and even more of your favorite relationship tropes!
♦ A dark fantasy romance that seamlessly blends lighthearted moments and hidden depths, with believable dialogue and an abundance of banter. (Boy, they love to argue. ;p )
♦ Beautiful sprite and original music
♦ Three clearly-marked endings - abandon him as early as possible, remain in eternal bliss or discover gruesome secrets about the world around you.
♦ Flavor line choices: be an unabashed flirt or have a razor sharp tongue. The choice is yours, no consequences.
♦ More than 42 000 words (around 3-4h per playthrough)
♦ Partial voice acting & two original bard songs!
Ballads at Midnight is rated T for suggestive material, strong language, alcohol use, and allusions to trauma, child abuse, and fantasy violence.
Ayael (Director, UI designer & programmer, scripter) - Arrapso (Sprite, background artist), Wudgeous (Lead writer, narrative designer), Notafish (Writer), Jeneara (Editor), Rowanty (scripter), Eliana Zebro (Audio & voice director), Shar Joyner (composer), Megan Youmans (Voice actor - MC), Eric Navarro (Voice actor - Lucius), Kimi (Trailer creator)
This visual novel was created in one month during the NaNoReNo 2022 jam.
(The name can be changed)
A well-traveled and gifted bard. Abigail is quick-witted and quick to act, though not necessarily in that order. Sarcasm coats her words like calluses, formed through years of undergoing difficult journeys and indulging difficult people. While she has a strong sense of insight and genuine interest in others, she has a dogged impulse of announcing her observations. This is seldom appreciated, and at worst has led to face grave consequences.
Still, no one can deny that she has a flair and talent for entertainment. Not even a centuries-old vampire.
(Love interest)
One's first impression of Lucius is that he's menacing at worst, and witheringly unyielding at best. However, his coarse exterior is a thin veil for his impressively dry wit - which he's more than happy to reveal if he thinks his sense of humor will be heard. It's rather hard to share one's wit when your guests generally scream and run at the sight of you though.
♦ Enemies to lovers, found family, bonding through shared trauma, and even more of your favorite relationship tropes!
♦ A dark fantasy romance that seamlessly blends lighthearted moments and hidden depths, with believable dialogue and an abundance of banter. (Boy, they love to argue. ;p )
♦ Beautiful sprite and original music
♦ Three clearly-marked endings - abandon him as early as possible, remain in eternal bliss or discover gruesome secrets about the world around you.
♦ Flavor line choices: be an unabashed flirt or have a razor sharp tongue. The choice is yours, no consequences.
♦ More than 42 000 words (around 3-4h per playthrough)
♦ Partial voice acting & two original bard songs!
Ballads at Midnight is rated T for suggestive material, strong language, alcohol use, and allusions to trauma, child abuse, and fantasy violence.
Ayael (Director, UI designer & programmer, scripter) - Arrapso (Sprite, background artist), Wudgeous (Lead writer, narrative designer), Notafish (Writer), Jeneara (Editor), Rowanty (scripter), Eliana Zebro (Audio & voice director), Shar Joyner (composer), Megan Youmans (Voice actor - MC), Eric Navarro (Voice actor - Lucius), Kimi (Trailer creator)
This visual novel was created in one month during the NaNoReNo 2022 jam.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content