Hikikomori No Chuunibyou
- May 13, 2016
- Blaze Epic
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Hikikomori No Chuunibyou" is a visual novel game where the player assumes the role of a hikikomori, a shut-in with chuunibyou syndrome. The game follows the protagonist's journey to overcome his social anxiety and delusional fantasies, while interacting with a diverse cast of characters. Throughout the game, players make choices that affect the story's outcome, leading to multiple endings. The game explores themes of mental health, social isolation, and self-discovery.
PC
Windows
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a unique blend of parkour and martial arts mechanics, which can be enjoyable when executed well.
- The minimalistic aesthetic and jazzy music create a charming atmosphere that some players appreciate.
- Despite its flaws, the game offers a challenge that can be rewarding for players willing to invest time in mastering its mechanics.
- The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making the parkour elements frustrating and often leading to cheap deaths.
- The level design is repetitive, requiring players to backtrack frequently, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The story and dialogue are poorly written, lacking coherence and failing to engage players, which diminishes the game's appeal.
- story18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it cute and self-aware, while others criticize it for lacking structure and coherence, often comparing it to amateur fanfiction. Although there are moments of humor and references to anime, many reviewers describe the plot as boring, nonsensical, and filled with fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. A few players note that it follows a three-act structure with minimal plot holes, but overall, the narrative fails to engage or resonate with the audience.
“The plot is actually cute and even includes a bit of self-awareness, as expected from a game with this title, and has some mildly funny parts.”
“The story isn't anything to write home about, but seems to take a lot of cues from anime like 'Welcome to the NHK' and really enjoys making references to other anime.”
“At its heart, it is a classically inspired platform game with retro graphics and outstanding storytelling.”
“Lastly, the plot is like if someone from Wattpad or fanfiction net were hired to make the story, as it has no structure; as if each part was made on a whim, after they finished their homework.”
“The story makes no sense, as a hikki would not go outside for some manga.”
“A boring and extremely stupid plot that makes no sense, and repetitive gameplay that makes me wanna punch myself in the nose.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for being janky and unsatisfying, with a lack of polish in the control scheme that detracts from the overall experience. Players noted a mix of parkour and brawler elements, but found the mechanics, particularly combat, to be poorly executed and repetitive. While some aspects, like the pole standing mechanic, were seen as fresh, the overall fluidity and enjoyment of the gameplay were lacking compared to similar titles.
“The gameplay is a mix of parkour with occasional slight stealth elements (read: there's patrolling robots which more or less instakill you if they spot you) and brawler sections.”
“Sure, the pole standing mechanic is a breath of fresh air, and it isn't the same wall jumping, pixel nightmare like the last three, but the whole game is still a 2D/platformer/beat 'em up.”
“The achievements are fairly easy, and the gameplay of the game is nothing to shy away from.”
“It's janky and unsatisfying to play... and any experienced gamer will tell you, the handling, responsiveness, and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“Unfortunately, this is something the developer seems to have phoned in, with little to no apparent gameplay testing.”
“A boring and extremely stupid plot that makes no sense, and repetitive gameplay that makes me want to punch myself in the nose.”
- music13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game features a minimalistic jazzy aesthetic that some players appreciate, particularly during character banter in cutscenes. However, many reviewers note a lack of variety and engagement, with repetitive tracks that can become monotonous, especially during tense moments. While the overall sound design is not unpleasant, it often fails to enhance the gameplay experience, leading some players to seek alternative music for focus.
“I liked the minimalistic aesthetic, the jazzy music, and the not too serious banter of the characters during the cutscenes.”
“The style and Tokyo music dragged me in.”
“If the music used in the trailer appeals to you, then you’ll find the same type of music utilized in the game.”
“The soundtrack... smooth jazz in the rain is great, but for some reason it’s really grating here, and all of the tracks seem to merge together after a while.”
“I didn't hear a lot of different music within the different levels; actually, during some cutscenes, there wasn't any music at all.”
“As the game gets more and more tense, the music starts to lull me to sleep, and it just tenses my mind, to the point that I actually had to start listening to classic rock music just to be able to focus.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a retro pixel art style that some players appreciate for its minimalistic aesthetic, while others find it outdated and lacking in resolution options or customization. Overall, the visuals are considered acceptable but not groundbreaking, with opinions divided on their appeal depending on personal taste.
“I liked the minimalistic aesthetic, the jazzy music, and the not too serious banter of the characters during the cut scenes.”
“At its heart, it is a classically inspired platform game with retro graphics and outstanding storytelling.”
“If you enjoy the artwork that is demonstrated in the screenshots, then you’re going to enjoy the in-game art.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a cute and self-aware plot, featuring mildly funny moments and amusing fetch quests that add to the overall charm.
“The plot is actually cute and includes a bit of self-awareness, as expected from a game with this title, and has some mildly funny parts.”
“Some of the fetch quests are legitimately funny.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that Gamemaker Studio is often associated with the creation of low-effort, retro-style games that are perceived as cash grabs, suggesting a negative view of its monetization practices.
“Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight the importance of crafting a heartfelt story in RPGs, suggesting that emotional depth can significantly enhance the gaming experience. Players express a desire for developers to either focus on meaningful narratives or explore innovative approaches to evoke emotions.
“The game weaves a heartfelt story that truly resonates with players, making every moment feel significant.”
“This RPG captures a range of emotions, allowing players to connect deeply with the characters and their journeys.”
“The emotional depth of the narrative leaves a lasting impact, making it a memorable experience that stays with you long after playing.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and excessively repetitive, often exacerbated by simplistic controls that contribute to the monotony.
“The grinding is tedious and exceedingly repetitive, with simplistic controls.”
“I find the grinding to be mind-numbing and lacking any real engagement.”
“The constant need to grind feels like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
