MMM: Murder Most Misfortunate

Being a nine-time widow herself, Miss Fortune is no stranger to sudden death of men around her. But this time, she had nothing to do with it – and the real killer is trying to frame her as the culprit. Two hours remain until the police arrives at the scene. Time to question all guests of the late host, gather evidence and expose the murderer – or someone else to take the fall.

I liked...

• The cast (Miss Fortune steals the show as the charismatic anti-hero, other characters also have fun personalities)
• The spoken dialogue (the game really comes alive thanks to its brisk script and good voice acting—it's fully voiced!)
• The endings (while the mystery is not very complex, a case can be made against anyone—and the game lets you run with it, even if you don't uncover the whole truth)

I didn't care for...

• The confused sensibilites (the high-society private party evokes late 19th/early 20th century, if not for the hacker girl in shorts and crop top)

Verdict

I enjoyed MMM: Murder Most Misfortunate for its humor, lively cast and delightful Miss Fortune, which I'd love to see in a sequel or another story. The voice acting really fits and takes the game to the next level, even if the plot itself probably leaves something to be desired to the dedicated Agatha Christie fan. To a more casual player (like myself), I can highly recommend it.

Buy MMM: Murder Most Misfortunate on Steam
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Rituals in the Dark

Aspen has always been a pushover. When she invited her friends to stay at her place however, she didn't imagine Pippa would literally push her into the abandoned house next door. Maybe it's just her bad luck, like when she found the old lady dead a few months back, in this very house. Or maybe her friends... just aren't. But Aspen is not the only one in there. After meeting a mysterious girl Althea in the dark, Aspen has to uncover who she is.

I liked...

• The atmosphere (the writing, music and art really come together to create a moody atmosphere of night and being lost in life)
• The characters (typically for Ebi-hime, we get to look into main character's head more than in some other VNs)
• The story (while short, it does reach a satisfying ending)

Verdict

Despite its name, Rituals in the Dark isn't a horror, but a moody romantic story. It's beautifully produced and I enjoyed reading it, just don't expect a novel-length work. Definitely recommended.

Buy Rituals in the Dark on Steam

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Lighthouse of Guiding Flames

Young Ethani finds herself washed up on unfamiliar shore. There is a Lighthouse, a beacon for those who have lost their way, its Keeper tells her. What happened to Ethani? And will she find her way after leaving this mystical place?

I liked...

• The concept (the story is first told backwards as a kinetic novel, and then from the beginning, where the player can try and reach a better outcome—I really enjoyed that)
• The choices (Ethani has some tough decisions to make, which keep the story interesting; also the game overall is easy to navigate, since you can see in which direction each choice leads)
• The characters
• The art and music

I didn't care for...

• The tonal shifts (at times, the game drops into chibi comedic scenes or grimdark tragic teritorry, with little subtlety)
• The leaps of logic (a few plot points just don't feel very realistic, in my opinion)

Verdict

The melancholic Lighthouse of Guiding Flames is not the perfect visual novel, but it's an interesting one. The story can take you in very different directions depending on what choices you make, and some flaws of the plot do not take away from the message or overall experience. Recommended.

Buy Lighthouse of Guiding Flames on Steam

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My Heart Grows Fonder

In this game, we follow Cas, a young man suddenly reunited with his ex-girlfriend Maia, who left him without a word three years ago. Thanks to his best friend Ava, the two meet again—and what's more, Maia has some important business in town, so she will be staying at Cas' place for a while. And neither girl will tell him what is going on...

I liked...

• The characters (except for Cas' sleazy colleague, who's really one dimensional, and not in a good dimension)
• The plot (it's simple, but doesn't overstay its welcome)
• The setting (it deals with entering the adult life; not the stereotypical highschool setting)
• The look and feel (nice artwork and music)

I didn't care for...

• The H-scenes (I don't think they contribute much to the story, esp. with Maia)

 

Verdict

Compared to Sickness, an earlier Zetsubou title which I both loved and hated at different points, My Heart Grows Fonder is a less ambitious, but far more well-rounded experience. It's not groundbreaking, but I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it if you're looking for a romance with slightly older characters.

Buy My Heart Grows Fonder on Steam

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⟨/Reality⟩

Barely keeping up with college and her family, Lilya spends most of her time with on-line friends in virtual reality. When she gets invited to test a new VR device, she doesn't think twice about it. The new technology is said to feel more real than reality itself, and meeting its inventor Jacob Lessard may be good for her career—that's what her dad is saying, anyway. Lilya is just curious, and nothing could prepare her for what she's about to experience...


 

 

 I liked...

• The characters (they feel like actual people; well-written and relatable)
• The choices (the game really makes you think)
• The look and feel (the game is well polished)

Verdict

I thoroughly enjoyed Reality for its satisfying story and intriguing ideas. Definitely recommended.

Buy </Reality> on Steam

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Nowhere Girl

Working at the same job, having a crush on your colleague and best friend, you just cannot move on with your life. After confessing this over a few too many beers to a strange biker dude, you wake up the next day with a ghost girl chained to your leg. Will you be able to fall in love with her, which would set her free? And what's the meaning of it all?

I liked...

• The story (a melancholic tale about relationships and connecting with others on a deeper level; it's not really about love triangles or fantasy mysteries)
• The characters (down-to-earth and believable)
• The overall presentation (in the game's prologue, the ghost girl offers to read a poem to set the mood; how cool is that?)

I didn't care for...

• The music (I found it distracting, so I just turned down the volume)

Verdict

In a medium filled with superficial romantic stories, Nowhere Girl takes a deeper look at what it means to connect with someone. It's not a perfect game by any means, nor is everything perfectly explained, but that doesn't take away from its message. I can definitely recommend this game if you're looking to read something a little different.

Buy Nowhere Girl on Steam

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