GENBA no Kizuna
- August 26, 2024
- Gosatsu Visual Novels
- 16h median play time
Get on Steam"GENBA no Kizuna" is a murder mystery visual novel where players assume the roles of four crime scene investigators, each with their own area of expertise. Interactive elements allow players to examine the scene, body, and interview parties involved, and evidence presentation helps unravel the truth behind the murder. The goal is to work as an effective team to solve the case.
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Reviews
- The game features well-written characters with depth and motivations, making it easy to become attached to them.
- The art style and music are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game.
- The mystery is engaging and well-structured, with logical motives and a fair amount of clues, allowing players to piece together the story effectively.
- The pacing suffers from excessive dialogue and filler content, leading to a drawn-out experience that can feel tedious.
- The mystery may be too predictable for some players, with clues and foreshadowing making it easier to guess the outcome early on.
- The lack of features like a backlog or clear presentation of questions during evidence presentation can hinder the gameplay experience.
- story14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story is well-crafted and engaging, drawing comparisons to detective shows like "Monk" rather than traditional murder mysteries, with well-developed characters and a solid grounding in research that enhances its believability. While it features complex themes and a unique narrative perspective, some reviewers noted that it can feel convoluted at times, yet it remains accessible and enjoyable. Overall, the polished presentation and depth of the story make it a worthwhile experience for players.
“Overall, the story and presentation are pretty dang good, definitely worth the price of admission compared to the price of your average book.”
“As for the characters, I feel as though they're all well-written and have some sort of depth to them. They all have a motivation established for why they act or commit the actions they do through the story, and I appreciated the epilogues given for all of the detectives that helped establish their backstories more.”
“The art is gorgeous, the music is superb, and the story hits just the right spot between complex enough to make you feel like you've got your money's worth, while contained enough to be easily digestible.”
“The game/story feels a lot more like an episode of Monk or other crime/cop/detective-adjacent shows than it does something like your traditional murder visual novel, which is not bad. I have a guilty pleasure for a good episode of Monk, but it's not going to be this action-packed visual novel with huge chases or huge twists.”
“I'm not finished yet, but how in the world did Himatsu become a police officer? It feels like she only exists in the story to present theories that are obviously wrong, so you have somebody to present evidence to and refute.”
“With changed settings and characters, it's still a convoluted detective story filled with traps and misconceptions here and there, along with horny jokes, dark themes, and sad stories.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for effectively capturing the tone and setting, with a mix of calm and catchy tracks that resonate with players. While some found certain pieces overwhelming, the overall soundtrack is considered superb and memorable, enhancing the game's atmosphere and experience.
“I also think the music did a good job at capturing the tone and setting of the game, and while it was calm at times, it matches the overall pace of the game.”
“I enjoyed most of the music, too; there are some really catchy tracks that ended up getting stuck in my head.”
“The art is gorgeous, music superb; the story hits just the right spot between complex enough to make you feel like you've got your money's worth, while contained enough to be easily digestible.”
“The OST is disgusting; half of the time I get shrieked at by dinosaurs.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is notably enhanced, with a broader distribution among the entire cast rather than being limited to a few designated comic relief characters, making it more effective. While the humor is described as interesting and memorable, it also leans towards the vulgar and can feel prolonged at times. Overall, the characters deliver funny lines that avoid one-dimensional tropes, contributing positively to the game's comedic elements.
“There's also a significant uptick in humor, spread more throughout the entire cast instead of being relegated to two or three characters specifically designed to be comic relief, which helps the humor land more effectively.”
“They got funny lines, they were memorable, no one was one-note or a blatant trope.”
“Interesting and funny, but kind of vulgar and prolonged detective visual novel.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally solid but suffers from excessive filler content, reducing the actual playtime to around 8 hours instead of the promised 12-16. Players have noted the need for a backlog feature to revisit questions during evidence presentation, enhancing the overall experience.
“Most of the actual gameplay is sound, although it could really benefit from a backlog feature or at the very least the ability to revisit the questions being asked in case you blanked out or had to walk away for a moment during evidence presentation.”
“This game claims to be 12-16 hours long, but with the amount of filler and unnecessary dialogue, it leads to only 8 hours of actual gameplay, which feels like a waste of time.”
“Most of the actual gameplay is sound, but as other reviews mention, it could really benefit from a backlog feature or at least the ability to revisit questions during evidence presentation if you blanked out or had to step away for a moment.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of Shinrai are praised for their polished and charming art style, which enhances the storytelling and complements the game's unique setting. Reviewers appreciate the memorable character designs and overall visual appeal, contributing to an engaging experience.
“I really enjoyed the art style of Shinrai, so seeing a more polished and cleaned-up version does the story justice.”
“If you're looking for a charming cast of characters, a memorable art style, a catchy soundtrack, and a well-written murder mystery with some very nice twists and turns, all in a pretty unique setting, you can't go wrong with this one.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is noted for its potential to enhance storytelling through subtle foreshadowing, as seen with the hair clip and raptor claw in the character design, which could have created a more impactful reveal. However, some reviewers feel that the execution leans too heavily on telling rather than showing, missing opportunities for deeper character connections and revelations.
“The character development is incredibly nuanced, with each character's backstory unfolding in a way that feels organic and engaging.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game; their growth is not just about skills but also about their relationships and personal struggles.”
“The way the game handles character arcs is impressive, making each decision feel impactful and leading to meaningful changes in their personalities.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the game.”
“The backstories provided for the characters were underwhelming and didn't add any real substance to their motivations.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers generally appreciate the atmosphere of Shinrai, highlighting its engaging and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience of the game.
“I really enjoyed the idea and atmosphere of Shinrai overall.”
“The atmosphere in the game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
