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Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi

90%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, atmosphere
90% User Score Based on 118 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsLinuxLinux
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About

"Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi" is a visual novel based on the urban legend of an anonymous 4chan post about a mysterious, lost anime. The game is set in a closed school restroom where a group of teenagers are trapped and driven to despair. It follows the original plot, adding twists and changes, giving players a eerie experience as they uncover the dark story of the lost media.

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Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi screenshot
Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi screenshot
Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi screenshot
Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi screenshot
Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi screenshot
Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi screenshot

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 118 reviews
story32 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The art style and music create a dreamlike atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience.
  • The game effectively captures heavy themes of isolation and despair, making the characters feel genuine and relatable.
  • It offers a unique take on the Saki Sanobashi legend, providing an interesting narrative that deviates from typical horror tropes.
  • The game is very short, lasting only about 30-50 minutes, which may leave players wanting more content and depth.
  • There are significant issues with translation and dialogue clarity, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • The handling of sensitive topics like suicide is problematic, lacking adequate warnings and support resources for players who may be affected.
  • story
    140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Saki Sanobashi" revolves around four students trapped in a restroom of an abandoned school, exploring heavy themes of isolation and madness as they confront their tragic fates. While the narrative is a reimagining of an old 4chan urban legend, it has received mixed reviews for its execution, with some praising its psychological horror elements and art style, while others criticize its linearity and lack of character development. Overall, the story is described as unsettling and thought-provoking, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a deeper exploration of its themes.

    • “Saki Sanobashi is a very perturbing and difficult story about four students trapped in the restroom of an abandoned school.”
    • “It's faithful and compelling, while still bringing in new story elements to pull it together and make it a cohesive and chilling narrative.”
    • “Great short story, it gets really dark at moments, it lasts around 40 minutes but the artwork along with the sound effects and the music forms a nice and disturbing experience, the storytelling mixed with the sounds make a really depressive ambience too.”
    • “The story, however, is the worst aspect of this game by far.”
    • “The development of the plot seems to not be able to decide whether it wants to stick to adapting the original story or to create something new and different, and ends up failing to be either of the two.”
    • “I think one fatal flaw in this game's story is that it removes one of the creepiest elements from the urban legend.”
  • graphics
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are praised for their unique and aesthetically pleasing art style, which effectively complements the story's mood and themes of nostalgia and loss. While some reviewers noted that the visuals are not groundbreaking, they appreciated the character designs and the overall atmosphere created by the art and soundtrack. The game successfully evokes a sense of unease and intrigue, aligning well with its dark narrative elements.

    • “Overall, it's an alright visual novel; the art style and music are really nice along with the aesthetic. I really like how it's meant to look like something long forgotten and lost, reminding me of dreamcore/weirdcore in a way. The background also gives off a liminal space vibe, which adds to the feeling of being a burning old memory.”
    • “The art style compliments the story quite well, really contributing to the mood.”
    • “The found footage/lost media feel is nailed, the soundtrack is great, the art style is great, and the story was very enjoyable.”
    • “In this game, there are people killing each other in graphic and somewhat grotesque ways without really any deep reason behind it. We don't know why they do it, who they are, where they come from, and it ends up being pure shock factor without substance.”
    • “They're miserable, worn out, graphically 'ugly', already dead inside, and all of that makes them rather unappealing.”
    • “Something that I do admit I liked is that the girls have something that differentiates them from each other in their appearance and personality, something that was not clear in the original story. Also, I would like to say that the art style, while not amazing, is quite decent and clearly made by someone with talent and experience in art, but beyond that, there really is nothing good to highlight.”
  • music
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the dreamlike and atmospheric qualities of the experience, contributing to a sense of nostalgia and unease. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack is solid, they felt it lacked uniqueness, it still effectively complements the art style and overall aesthetic. The combination of sound design and music creates a haunting ambience that aligns well with the game's themes, making it a notable aspect of the visual novel.

    • “The soundtrack was very nice, and the deaths were interesting to see happen.”
    • “Great short story, it gets really dark at moments, it lasts around 40 minutes but the artwork along with the sound effects and the music forms a nice and disturbing experience, the storytelling mixed with the sounds makes a really depressive ambience too.”
    • “The music is solid, but nothing special.”
    • “The sound design is surprisingly well done, and the music adds to the experience.”
    • “For 3 bucks this is a decent story, the art combined with the music makes it seem almost dreamlike, but just like a dream it was too vague.”
  • gameplay
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized as simple and somewhat repetitive, primarily involving exploration of a bathroom setting with limited variation, culminating in a button-mashing ending. While the dialogue and mechanics like the "last words" feature are appreciated, players feel that the overall experience, lasting around 40-50 minutes, does not justify the price, suggesting it would be better suited for a lower cost.

    • “I enjoy the dialogue style, and the last words mechanic it has.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but at the same time somewhat strange, in the sense that in terms of exploration you have to explore all the parts of the bathroom where the girls are trapped until eventually returning to the center again and again.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but at the same time somewhat strange, in the sense that in terms of exploration you have to explore all the parts of the bathroom where the girls are trapped until eventually returning to the center again and again. It doesn't vary much except in the ending where you limit yourself to smashing a button for a certain amount of time.”
    • “This game has about 40 - 50 minutes of gameplay, which is fine, but I think the price (10 USD by default but I got it on sale for 6 USD) should reflect what you get. Maybe 5 USD at most, but probably around the 2 - 3 USD range.”
    • “And the gameplay is pretty much what you'd expect from a visual novel; however, I think expanding the story with multiple endings would've been nice.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized as wholesome, with moments that evoke strong feelings, including discomfort in certain unsettling sections. This blend of warmth and unease creates a unique emotional experience that stands out in gaming.

    • “There are certainly some unsettling parts; one section in particular made me feel uncomfortable, which is rare for games to do.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the visual novel is noted for its effectiveness, incorporating slight horror elements that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate how the atmospheric effects contribute to the tension and emotional weight of the narrative.

    • “One of the things I like about this visual novel is how effective it is at creating atmosphere.”
    • “It has some slight horror aspects to it when it comes to effects and atmosphere, especially regarding the acts committed.”
    • “It has some slight horror aspects to it when it comes to effects and atmosphere, as well as for the acts committed.”
    • “One of the things I dislike about this visual novel is how ineffective it is at creating a compelling atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, failing to engage the player in any meaningful way.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game is widely criticized, with many users labeling it as a blatant cash grab based on its initial price.

    • “If you judge it by the initial price, the game would classify as an audacious cash grab.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, often likening it to needing a second life to manage the demands.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”

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