Go For A Punch! Saki Sanobashi
- September 14, 2023
- Veratrum
Get on Steam"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.
Reviews
- The game effectively captures a sense of unease and claustrophobia, enhancing the psychological horror elements of the story.
- The art style and music are praised for their unique aesthetic, contributing to the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the narrative.
- The characters are well-developed with relatable motivations, making their tragic fates resonate more deeply with players.
- The game is criticized for its short length and linear story, leaving players wanting more depth and multiple endings.
- There are significant issues with translation and grammar, which detract from the overall experience and immersion.
- The handling of sensitive topics, particularly suicide, is seen as problematic, with some players feeling it lacks appropriate warnings and context.
- story63 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story closely follows the original anime and urban legend, centering on a group of girls trapped in a bathroom who descend into madness and contemplate suicide, with the player embodying Saki. While some reviewers appreciated the psychological horror elements and character differentiation, others criticized the linearity, pacing, and lack of depth in character backstories, feeling that it missed opportunities for greater emotional impact. Overall, the narrative is seen as a compelling yet flawed reimagining, with mixed opinions on its execution and adherence to the source material.
“The story is faithful and compelling, while still bringing in new story elements to pull it together and make it a cohesive and chilling narrative.”
“The found footage/lost media feel is nailed, the OST is great, the art style is great, and the story was very enjoyable.”
“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 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 by taking some pieces from the 4chan post, and ends up failing to be either of the two things.”
“Many of the English lines are jumbled, the plot progresses too quickly, and the game doesn't prompt you when to type towards the end, so you'd think the game is frozen.”
“I think one fatal flaw in this game's story is that it removes one of the creepiest elements from the urban legend.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally 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 combination of a dreamlike aesthetic with darker elements contributes to a compelling and immersive experience, despite some critiques regarding the graphic content and lack of depth in certain aspects.
“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 OST 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.”
“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 creates a really depressive ambiance too.”
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, complementing the art style and contributing to a haunting, nostalgic atmosphere. While some reviewers found the soundtrack solid but not exceptional, others highlighted its effectiveness in creating a dark and immersive ambiance that aligns well with the game's themes. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout elements that elevate the visual novel's aesthetic and storytelling.
“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, reminds me of dreamcore/weirdcore in a way, the background also gives off a liminal space vibe which I think adds to the forgotten and lost vibe, like it's a burning old memory.”
“The soundtrack was very nice, and the deaths were interesting to see happen.”
“The sound design is surprisingly well done, and the music adds to the experience.”
“The music is solid, but nothing special.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet repetitive exploration mechanic, where players navigate a bathroom to rescue characters, culminating in a button-mashing finale. While the dialogue and last words mechanic are enjoyable, the overall experience is limited to about 40-50 minutes, leading some to feel that the price does not adequately reflect the content, suggesting a lower value for the game.
“I enjoy the dialogue style, and the last words mechanic it has.”
“The gameplay is simple but somewhat strange, as you explore all parts of the bathroom where the girls are trapped, returning to the center repeatedly. It doesn't vary much except in the ending where you have to press a button for a certain amount of time.”
“The gameplay is pretty much what you'd expect from a visual novel; however, I think expanding the story with multiple endings would have been nice.”
“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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a wholesome overall tone, yet it includes unsettling moments that evoke strong feelings, with one particular section noted for its ability to create discomfort, a rarity in gaming experiences.
“There are certainly some unsettling parts; one section in particular made me feel uncomfortable, which is rare for games to do.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novel is highly praised for its effectiveness, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“One of the things I like about this visual novel is how effective it is at creating atmosphere.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as exploitative, with many users labeling it a blatant cash grab based on its initial pricing.
“If you judge it by the initial price, the game would classify as an audacious cash grab.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases makes it feel like the developers care more about profits than player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding for minimal rewards.”
