KARAKARA2
- November 10, 2017
- calme
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features cute characters and engaging music, making it a wholesome experience.
- The ability to toggle between Japanese and English is a great addition for language learners.
- The story, while short, introduces new characters and expands on the previous game's narrative.
- The game ends on a major cliffhanger, leaving players frustrated with the lack of closure.
- There is a noticeable lack of achievements and choices, making the gameplay feel linear and less rewarding.
- Many elements, including character models and music, are recycled from the first game, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness.
- story62 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a continuation from its predecessor, featuring new characters and plot developments, but it often leaves players feeling unsatisfied due to its brevity and unresolved cliffhangers. While some appreciate the character-driven narrative and emotional depth, others criticize it for being shallow and lacking logical coherence. Overall, the story is engaging yet flawed, with many players expressing hope for a more conclusive sequel.
“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.”
“I went into the first game of this series expecting another cheesy and shallow 'catgirl' type visual novel, but it surprised me with the depth of its story.”
“Its a great story-driven visual novel and that's all I can say to avoid spoilers about the new additions, the new faces that are refreshing, the new environments, and the story that shocked me at the end.”
“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.”
- music11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming background tunes and adorable voice acting, while others criticize the heavy reliance on recycled soundtracks and character models from the first game. Although some find the returning music enjoyable, the new content is deemed forgettable and lacking in originality, leading to an overall impression that the soundtrack does not stand out.
“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.”
“I was watching a Vsauce video when I started up this game, and the music in the beginning fit with it perfectly.”
“Mostly recycled character models, backgrounds, and soundtracks from the first game.”
“They reuse the first game's same material, same music, same sound effects, and same character CG.”
“The soundtrack is the same as the previous game, and so there's not much to write home about.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their high quality and charm, with top-tier voice acting complementing the character art and visuals. However, some users noted the reuse of artwork and sprites, which detracted from the overall experience, and expressed mixed feelings about the introduction of new characters that disrupt the established aesthetic.
“Top-tier voice acting, character art, and visuals.”
“Ok voices and art (artwork/sprites are re-used).”
“While they're both charming and fit the aesthetic of the VN's story and setting, adding more new characters that weren't present at all in the first VN is slightly off-putting the whole way through, and sticks out as a strange change to the story.”
“The artwork is still pretty and of high quality.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience across the games, with some players finding the stories lacking depth and direction, while others appreciate the wholesome and heartwarming elements. The emotional impact is noted to be significant, with moments of tension and darker themes such as abduction and death, which add complexity to the narrative. Overall, the games evoke a range of feelings, from joy to contemplation, leaving players eager for more.
“A surprisingly wholesome and well-paced visual novel.”
“Really nice, heartwarming, and joyful 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.”
“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 didn't connect with the characters at all; their struggles felt superficial.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
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.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game often subverts expectations, turning potentially dramatic moments into sources of laughter, as evidenced by players finding themselves laughing uncontrollably during serious scenes.
“It was supposed to be quite a dramatic scene, but I was laughing for five minutes straight!”
“The witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions kept me entertained throughout the game.”
“I couldn't stop chuckling at the clever puns and unexpected jokes sprinkled throughout the storyline.”
