KARAKARA2

About

"KARAKARA2" is a visual novel set in a harsh, arid landscape during the "Age of Dusk." The game follows the story of two people running a small diner, focusing on their daily lives and the challenges they face in a world reshaped by the existence of hybrid beings known as the "Others." Faced with the responsibility of keeping their customers fed, they strive to maintain their business amidst the harsh realities of their world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 132 reviews

story20 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Karakara 2 continues the charming story from the first game, introducing new characters that add depth and variety to the narrative.
The art and character designs are cute and well-executed, maintaining the visual appeal of the series.
The game features a dual-language option, allowing players to toggle between Japanese and English, which is a great learning tool.

The game ends on a significant cliffhanger, leaving many plot points unresolved and frustrating players who are eager for closure.
There is a lack of meaningful choices, making it feel more like a kinetic novel than a traditional visual novel, which may disappoint some players.
Many assets, including music and character models, are reused from the first game, leading to a perception of laziness in development.

story
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
8%
The story of the game continues from its predecessor, introducing new characters and plotlines while maintaining a character-driven narrative. However, many players express disappointment with its pacing, abrupt cliffhanger endings, and a sense of unresolved story arcs, leading to concerns about the long wait for a potential sequel. Despite these criticisms, some reviewers appreciate the engaging elements and character development, suggesting that the story, while flawed, still holds charm and potential for future installments.
- “The story of this game is much better than the first one because it is kind of tragic because of the life of the two added characters.”
- “The story, the music, the characters, the UI, and the amount of care this game has is incredible.”
- “Karakara 2 continues the story of our family in the diner, that huggly puppy, and their curious life together.”
- “However, part 2 ends on a major cliffhanger, and part 3 has been delayed over 5 years at this point, so we may not see closure to the story.”
- “I expected more; what I got in both games was a boring story that goes nowhere.”
- “The story is very bad - the stakes are too low and the topic is, simply put, too simple.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it largely recycles tracks and sound effects from the previous installment, resulting in a somewhat forgettable soundtrack. While some appreciate the familiar tunes and fitting background music, others express disappointment over the lack of new and memorable compositions, deeming the overall musical experience as "alright" but not as strong as the first game. Voice acting is praised for its adorability, adding a charming layer to the overall presentation.
- “The story, the music, the characters, the UI, and the amount of care this game has is incredible.”
- “Lovely background music and super adorable voice acting.”
- “The soundtrack is great as usual and so is the artwork.”
- “There's one or two new music tracks, but they're just as standard as the rest, so I don't even remember them honestly.”
- “The presentation is pretty much the same, same music with maybe a few new songs and the art is still nice, kinda disappointed about the music but ehhh not too important for a game of this length I guess?”
- “The soundtrack is the same as the previous game, and so there's not much to write home about.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The graphics in the game are praised for their high quality and aesthetic appeal, maintaining a consistent art style with reused models and backgrounds from the previous installment. While some players appreciate the familiar visuals and clean UI, others find the reliance on recycled artwork and the introduction of new characters somewhat jarring. Overall, the graphics receive a strong rating, reflecting both the charm of the character art and the effectiveness of the visual presentation.
- “The artwork is still pretty and of high quality.”
- “Top-tier voice acting, character art, and visuals.”
- “The graphics are very similar to the first game, with many of the same backgrounds and mostly the same poses for returning characters.”
- “Karakara 2 continues right after the first one and lots of exactly the same art and music is being used again, as well as a couple of new visuals and audio tracks in the same style.”
- “- reused models and artwork”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
43%
Reviews highlight a mix of emotional experiences across the games, with some players finding them heartwarming and wholesome, while others express disappointment in the storytelling. Notably, one game introduces darker themes such as abduction and racism, adding complexity to its emotional landscape, yet still manages to deliver a joyful and engaging experience overall.
- “A surprisingly wholesome and well-paced visual novel.”
- “I really enjoy the game, creating a lot of tension and made me emotional most of the time considering I'm 2 years late to write this review. I hope there will be another one that comes out soon.”
- “There's a little less cliché things happening this time, but it's still heartwarming to see the family get bigger and bigger the more people Leon meets.”
- “I expected more; what I got in both games was a boring story that goes nowhere.”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and lacked genuine impact.”
- “I was hoping for a deeper connection to the characters, but they felt flat and unrelatable.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with a score of 8/10, but some users feel it lacks depth, citing minimal decision-making and limited gameplay elements compared to its predecessor. Players are advised to purchase during a sale to mitigate concerns about the game's brevity.
- “Gameplay: 8/10”
- “Still, get this during a sale to avoid feeling cheated by how little gameplay there actually is if that sort of thing is a concern of yours.”
- “That's it; there are no decisions or any other gameplay elements.”
- “Other than that, there are a couple of changes to the gameplay from the first game.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a notable amount of humor, particularly in chapter 3, where the introduction of the character Mari adds a fun and likeable dynamic. Players find moments that are intended to be dramatic often turn out to be hilariously cringeworthy, leading to unexpected laughter.
- “Speaking of fun, there's still a fair amount of humorous moments to be had, especially in chapter 3.”
- “Mari, who appears in the second half, is a fun and likable character, and it's mostly because of her that the game becomes even more cringeworthy than the first one and downright hilarious.”
- “It was supposed to be quite a dramatic scene, but I was laughing for 5 minutes straight!”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Character development in the game features the introduction of two new characters, with one, Rebecca, initially perceived as bland but later gaining depth through revelations that enhance her appeal and integration into the story.
- “Two new characters are introduced, and even though I found Rebecca a bit bland and boring at first, there are some revelations and character developments that make her a lot more interesting later on, and she fits right in.”
- “This could be considered 'offline character development', but let's be honest.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
- “I expected more depth in the characters' backstories, but they all seem one-dimensional.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, leading users to recommend avoiding the game altogether.
- “Bottom of the barrel cash grab, avoid.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative and ruins the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's replayability is rated moderately, with a score of 5 out of 10, indicating that while there may be some elements that encourage players to return, overall, it lacks significant incentives for repeated playthroughs.
- “The replay value is only 5 out of 10.”
- “I found the game lacks enough variety to keep me coming back for more.”
- “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to replay.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere and writing in this game are perceived as inferior to its predecessor, with players noting that while the fun increases with more participants and quirky identities, the overall ambiance does not meet expectations.
- “I enjoyed this game more for the fun it brings with more people and wacky true identities, but I find the atmosphere and writing lacking compared to the first.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
- “Despite the interesting premise, the overall atmosphere fails to engage, leaving the experience feeling hollow.”