Livestream 2: Escape from Togaezuka Happy Place
- October 5, 2023
- Orgesta Inc.
Get on SteamIn "Livestream 2: Escape from Togaezuka Happy Place" , players must navigate a side-scrolling survival action-adventure game set in an abandoned shopping mall. As one of three streamers, you must evade a mysterious mascot, explore the mall for clues, and make choices that will impact the girls' fates. The goal is to reunite and escape the mall without leaving anyone behind. This game features mature content, with all characters over 18 years old.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features significant improvements over the first installment, including better character development and distinct roles for each of the three heroines.
- Puzzles are more intuitive and the game allows for item transfer between characters, enhancing gameplay mechanics.
- The voice acting and character arcs are well-executed, making the story engaging and enjoyable.
- The horror elements are lacking, with predictable jump scares and a monster that feels more like an annoyance than a real threat.
- The game can be confusing due to its three-floor layout, making it difficult to know where to go or which character to use for certain tasks.
- Some puzzles are overly simplistic, and the lack of an in-game hint system can lead to frustrating moments of wandering without guidance.
- story28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story in the game has improved by giving each of the three main characters a distinct purpose and personal issues to resolve, enhancing character development and player investment. However, while the narrative is stronger than in the previous installment, it lacks the same level of impact and intrigue, with some players feeling that the overall plot and supernatural elements are less engaging. Additionally, the game's structure can lead to moments of aimless wandering, detracting from the storytelling experience.
“I like the story in that it helps develop the characters; it felt that the characters gained something from this.”
“I also believe the story is a bit stronger this time around since each girl has her own issue to resolve and - depending on the player's actions - they either succeed or witness one of the bad endings.”
“They even include optional story segments that further flesh out each of the girls, which made me more invested in their fates.”
“Some parts of the game lack guidance and require some random wandering around before you trigger the story continuation.”
“The story, on the other hand, is a little lacking in my opinion.”
“I know I said it's better in that regard, but story-wise it's not that impactful.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The gameplay features slight mechanical improvements over its predecessor, including a more forgiving death mechanic and intuitive puzzles, though some players find it too easy due to an item transfer system that simplifies problem-solving. While the game retains its horror-themed visual novel essence, it introduces a livestreaming and character-switching mechanic, which some feel enhances the experience, while others criticize it as generic and lacking depth. Overall, the three-floor structure adds complexity, making it challenging to achieve all six endings.
“Slight mechanical improvement; you no longer get instantly killed once caught. The puzzles are quite intuitive, and there isn't any moment I felt that an alternate solution should have clearly worked but the game refused to let me do it.”
“The sequel preserves the core experience and expands it with the neat livestreaming and character switching mechanic.”
“It's a horror-themed visual novel with clocktower-like gameplay where you try to escape the mall.”
“I felt that it was too easy; there is a mechanic where you can pass items from one character to the next. Since it automatically selects the right character, you can just spam and get it right, rendering it useless.”
“A big one: due to the three-floor mechanic, it's super hard to get all six endings.”
“It's just a boring visual novel with the most generic 'clocktower but garbage' gameplay.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a creepy and eerie ambiance, enhanced by intricate villain backgrounds and a gradual build-up of tension as players delve deeper into the mystery. The design of the monster contributes significantly to this unsettling environment, making it a standout feature of the experience.
“The puzzles are cool, the design of the monster and the atmosphere is pretty creepy.”
“The original was focused more on the horror aspect, with an intricate villain background and a progressively more eerie atmosphere as you got closer to the roots of the mystery.”
“The game fails to create a truly immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
“Despite its potential, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the tension and suspense that the genre demands.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is enhanced by the inclusion of three playable heroines, each of whom is essential for progression, encouraging players to experience different perspectives and strategies in subsequent playthroughs.
