Note that this is not a plot introduction, but a game recommendation. If my ramblings make you want to try one of these games, I would be extremely grateful.
2236 A.D. Searching for Answers in Infinity
If I were to summarize 2236 in one sentence, it would be: using the most stubborn way to comprehend the most heartbreaking truth.
2236 is a visual novel set in the future, but the focus of the story is not on technology, but on the relationships between people. Simply put, the game mainly revolves around the protagonist Yotsuba and the two characters Haru and Hime and their emotional relationships. So why is this game different from others that write about the same things? Aren't there many galgames that write about these things? This is what makes 2236 interesting. It provides answers to this question that surpass other games. This surpassing does not necessarily mean it is better, but rather that it offers a very rare perspective. Or you could say that this answer challenges galgames. The game has three endings, but these endings are not parallel, rather they gradually deepen. The final ending is the true ending of the game, the true purpose. The sense of emptiness contained within it is very captivating.
In addition to this, the game also has many interesting scenes. I honestly don't know how to describe them. You could say that this game is a very detailed representation of the concept of "infinity," which is one of the reasons why I love it so much. It is only within this infinity that the game can present its viewpoints, and it is only within this infinity that everything becomes profound. And then, you are also easily trapped in the infinite traps. Fortunately, the game doesn't intend to attack completely, because there are other more important things to do.
You could say that the latter part of this game is so exciting, so addictive, that it immediately captivates the reader. I kept reading for 12 hours straight. It's that terrifying, it's that addictive. You may not like this story, but you will definitely remember this story.
Seraphic Blue: A Story of Anti-Heroes in the Void
Just after talking about an infinite game, this game is also about the void. You can probably see my preference. The story of Seraphic Blue is heart-wrenching from beginning to end, and even in the end, it doesn't make you feel comfortable. But it is precisely because of its extreme difficulty, its stomach-turning plot, and its RPG Maker game full of malice from over 20 years ago that I, someone who usually can't finish RPGs, played it. The game has many characters, and most of them are well portrayed, but the most impressive part is the collection of foreshadowing that comes together later on. It is a story that starts off slow but explodes later on. The recurring themes in the game include trauma and self-destruction, abuse, and the dark side of human nature, among others. However, even in this messed up world, there is still the shining of justice and love, but in the end, their endings are still bittersweet. But that's how it should be. After all, wounds don't heal perfectly. This is ultimately not a traditional story. Or you could say that this story is even more novel now than it was 20 years ago. The relationship between Lake and Vene can be considered a catalyst, even though both of them carry heavy burdens. 2236 questions love in galgames, while Seraphic Blue questions the heroes in RPGs. Why do people easily accept the responsibility of being a savior? Isn't that an extremely stressful thing? Realizing this, it completely breaks down the heroes.
In addition to the tragic story of these two characters, you could say that every character in the game has a sad past to some extent. Everyone lives in their own shadow, but in the end, they still carry on and continue living.
Musicus! How Will You Choose in the Face of Real-Life Pressure?
The big question that always looms over artistic creators is how to make a living. Whether it's music, art, or writing, how to make a living is a question that cannot be ignored. In the case of Ma Xin, he had the opportunity to encounter rock music, and he could choose to follow the path of rock or choose stability and go to college for a good life. The several female leads in the game represent his or rather your choices.
Choosing Miko means giving up on your dreams and seeking a stable life. This route is so boring that I couldn't even finish it. But I respect the choice. I can't guarantee that I would take the risk to pursue music. The safe route is boring, but it is tried and true.
Choosing the other female characters represents his reflection during this journey.
Choosing Kanzaki Rin means creating for the sake of happiness. Choosing Mikazuki means contemplating the meaning of it all. But no, you can't expect the author to give you any answers.
However, on this creative path, who can say that they won't go crazy or go down the wrong path?
Musicus is not afraid to confront you with the heavy realities. You may play games to avoid these things, but occasionally experiencing them is not a bad thing. The game presents various questions through numerous task dialogues and self-reflection. To be honest, the character dialogues in this game are very unrealistic. Everyone can speak a lot without interruption.
The Dark Room: Unapologetic Human Darkness and the Faint Hope
The Dark Room is not long, to the point where it's basically a novel because the author wanted to publish it but couldn't. But after reading it, it does make you want to look up at the ceiling and sigh at the complex farce and characters in the story. When reading The Dark Room, there is not a single second of relaxation or a sense of a possible ending. The stories in the book are all narrated by different people and then pieced together to form a story. The remarkable consistency of the characters truly makes you feel powerless. Adults are always portrayed as so evil, and after experiencing this series of farces, the young people in the story will also support each other. Yes, this is another story about trauma. You could say that none of the plotlines in this recommendation can make people happy...
Goodbye: Mad Ramblings and Eerie Beauty
The CG for Goodbye is perhaps my favorite in galgames. I fell in love with it at first sight. The classroom in the twilight, a girl gazing outside, accompanied by the game's crazy atmosphere, it never gets boring no matter how you look at it. Goodbye is not accurately written with a great plot, but rather the text is written exceptionally well. The plot itself is actually very simple. But the text in this game can truly drive people crazy. This is also a characteristic of the denpa genre games: it infects players with the accumulation of these words and immerses them in the crazy, illogical, and pathological world of the game. Just based on this, it is enough for me to recommend it. Please be sure not to search for related content online.