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.
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Reviews
- The art style and music create a unique and unsettling atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience.
- The game offers a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that explores heavy themes of suicide and mental health, making it relatable for some players.
- The characters are well-developed with distinct personalities, making their struggles feel genuine and impactful.
- The game is very short, with a playtime of around 30-50 minutes, which may leave players wanting more content and depth.
- There are significant issues with translation and grammar, which can detract from the overall experience and immersion.
- The handling of sensitive topics, particularly suicide, is criticized for lacking adequate warnings and support resources, potentially making it harmful for vulnerable players.
- story70 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Saki Sanobashi" revolves around four students trapped in an abandoned school restroom, exploring heavy themes of isolation and madness, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes. While the narrative is a reimagining of an old 4chan urban legend, it struggles with pacing and character development, leaving some players wanting more depth and clarity. Despite its unsettling atmosphere and artistic presentation, the linear storytelling and lack of meaningful choices may disappoint those seeking a more interactive experience.
“The story itself is pretty short, but very well thought out.”
“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 create a really depressive ambience.”
“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.”
“There are details like what seems to be the story of one of the protagonists and why she wants to commit suicide, but these things end up not being explained or clarified at all.”
“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 the narrative.
“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 complements 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.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the dreamlike and atmospheric qualities of the experience, complementing the art style effectively. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack is solid but not particularly standout, others highlighted its contribution to creating a haunting and immersive ambiance that aligns well with the game's themes. Overall, the sound design and music are considered strong elements that elevate the storytelling and emotional impact.
“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.”
“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 music is solid, but nothing special.”
“I did enjoy it, like I said earlier, even if it was mostly for the game's art, music, and a kind of connection to the characters.”
“The sound design is surprisingly well done, and the music adds to the experience.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and repetitive exploration of a bathroom setting, culminating in a button-mashing ending. While the dialogue and mechanics are appreciated, the overall experience is limited to about 40-50 minutes, leading some players to feel that the price does not adequately reflect the content, suggesting a lower price point would be more appropriate.
“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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized as wholesome, with moments that evoke strong feelings; however, it also includes unsettling elements that can create discomfort, highlighting the game's ability to provoke a range of emotions.
“Wholesome”
“Very wholesome!”
“There are certainly some unsettling parts; one section in particular made me feel uncomfortable, which is rare for games to do.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novel is noted for its effective use of slight horror elements, enhancing the overall experience through impactful effects and the gravity of the acts depicted. Reviewers appreciate how these elements contribute to a compelling and immersive ambiance.
“It has some slight horror aspects to it when it comes to effects and atmosphere, as well as the acts committed.”
“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 in-game purchases are so aggressive that it feels like the developers are more interested in making money than providing a good experience.”
“The constant push for microtransactions ruins the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, akin to needing a second life to complete it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
