MAMIYA
- April 30, 2021
- Kenkou Land
- 60h median play time
Get on Steam"MAMIYA" is a single-player Horror Visual Novel game set in Tokyo during the prophesied end of the world. The game follows a group of young men struggling with existential dread, until they meet Mamiya, a mysterious child who becomes their emotional support. With 6 different endings and 83 illustrations, MamiYA offers a captivating, dark mystery with sensational music and a highly emotional story.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- MAMIYA features a deeply engaging and emotional story that explores complex themes of trauma, loneliness, and human connection, making it a thought-provoking experience.
- The character development is exceptional, with each character feeling realistic and relatable, allowing players to become emotionally invested in their journeys.
- The art and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game and contributing to its hauntingly captivating narrative.
- The story can be confusing at times, especially with its non-linear structure and multiple character perspectives, which may require patience from players.
- Some players may find the pacing uneven, with certain parts feeling rushed or lacking resolution, particularly in the cliffhanger ending that sets up for a sequel.
- The game deals with heavy and potentially triggering themes, which may not be suitable for all players, especially those in a vulnerable mental state.
- story268 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Mamiya" is a complex and emotionally charged narrative that explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and the struggle for self-acceptance in a dark, post-apocalyptic setting. Players delve into the intertwined lives of four characters, uncovering their traumatic pasts and relationships, while navigating a non-linear structure that can be both confusing and rewarding. The narrative is deeply impactful, with significant content warnings, and is best experienced in its entirety, including the essential DLC for a complete understanding of the story's conclusion.
“As you play through the story, you uncover the traumatic lives of these four characters and their complex interpersonal relationships, their fights against the world and their inner demons, and the growth of their bonds.”
“Mamiya, at heart, is a story about finding, accepting, and loving yourself in a chaotic world.”
“It’s a very unique masterpiece with unmatched depth, intricate story, and complex characters, that never uses its heavy themes as shock value, or tries to push anything onto its players; it goes strong from start to finish, keeps true to itself, and manages to tell a story that is thought-provoking and touching in many ways.”
“The mystery starts out interesting enough, but winds up bogged down by annoying tropes and overcomplicating the story without really meaning to say anything with it.”
“I was really enjoying this until starting the DLC and then you could kind of feel the story collapsing under its own weight.”
“The story was all over the place and the transition between scenes felt a little too fast for my comfort.”
- music100 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game, primarily composed of royalty-free tracks, has received high praise for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. Many players were surprised by the quality and curation of the soundtrack, noting that it fits seamlessly with the game's themes and moments, often evoking strong emotional responses. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the immersive experience of the visual novel.
“Despite the music being all freeware/royalty free, I found each track to fit the atmosphere perfectly, especially during particularly impactful moments.”
“The stunning OST serves to heighten the sense of loneliness that is woven tightly into the story.”
“I rarely think so highly of the music in a game; I would buy a soundtrack if I could. Every track matches the moments it’s used in, and many played a big part in why I cried my eyes out.”
“I can't understand why this game doesn't have a dedicated soundtrack.”
“All of the game's music consists of non-copyrighted obscure tracks found in weird corners of the internet.”
“Even though the music and drawings are a little sloppy, the story is just too good, so it compensates for all.”
- emotional40 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional depth of the game "Mamiya" resonates strongly with players, who report being deeply invested in the characters and their arcs, often leading to tears throughout the experience. The narrative intricately weaves complex themes such as personal struggles, trauma, and interpersonal connections, creating a heartfelt yet bleak atmosphere that leaves a lasting impact. Players appreciate the genuine portrayal of emotions and the evocative music, which enhances the overall emotional experience, making it a memorable and thought-provoking visual novel.
“This game made me feel many, many things... each character made a place for themselves in my heart, and this is a story that will stay with me for a long, long time <3”
“Not only that, Mamiya does a great job portraying each of the characters' emotions: when a character is having a wholesome moment, it feels genuine, even the sprite of them smiling is heartwarming and you smile with them; but also, when a character feels that there isn’t a way out and gives up, you can also feel it and it will convince you that there is nothing they can do at that point.”
“It’s a very unique masterpiece with unmatched depth, intricate story, and complex characters, that never uses its heavy themes as shock value, or tries to push anything onto its players. It goes strong from start to finish, keeps true to itself, and manages to tell a story that is thought-provoking and touching in many ways.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Mamiya" are praised for their emotive art style and beautiful character sprites, creating a dream-like atmosphere that complements the game's dark themes. While the backgrounds may not be particularly striking, the overall presentation, combined with a compelling soundtrack, enhances the storytelling experience. However, players seeking detailed and flashy visuals may find the art style less conventional than expected.
“The accompanying music and graphics create an atmosphere that is simply impossible for me to describe in any words in any language.”
“The entire experience is almost dream-like with powerful visuals, dark and disturbing themes, and an extremely unusual and interesting soundtrack.”
“Mamiya is just so good; I'm continuously impressed by the huge amount of character sprites and CG. Kkrtn's art style is beautiful and so emotive that everything fits together perfectly in presentation.”
“The story is generally dark in subject matter, but it is only described through text, and there are no graphic cutscenes.”
“If you play visual novels mainly for their visuals and expect detailed, flashy art, then you might want to look for a different one – Mamiya isn’t that kind of game.”
“[b]Visuals[/b]: the backgrounds are nothing special, but they get across what they need to.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is deeply immersive, characterized by a stifling sense of existential dread and a dark post-apocalyptic setting that effectively conveys themes of suffering, mental health, and human connections. The thoughtful integration of royalty-free music enhances the experience, with tracks that resonate perfectly during key moments, while the sepia-toned visuals contribute to the overall haunting ambiance. Reviewers unanimously praise the meticulous attention to detail that makes the atmosphere both impactful and difficult to articulate.
“The accompanying music and graphics make for an atmosphere that is simply impossible for me to describe in any words in any language.”
“So much thought is put into every detail in the game, and it is outstandingly atmospheric.”
“A place near its inexplicable end, an atmosphere stifling with existential dread and suffering no analgesic can soothe.”
“Well from the basic looks you can't expect much from the cover of this one, but within the dark post-apocalyptic atmosphere lies a very dark story about bonds, mental health, sexuality, and friendships.”
“The atmosphere totally hits the mark with the one-color sepia-toned backgrounds; it feels like the world has ended.”
- character development16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Character development in "Mamiya" is noted for its potential but ultimately feels unfinished and lacking depth. While the character designs and varied facial expressions are praised, contributing to an engaging visual experience, the narrative hints at deeper connections that invite player theorization, suggesting that the story could benefit from more robust character arcs. Overall, the art style is appreciated, but the character development leaves some players wanting more.
“For a project of its scale (mostly developed by one person), Mamiya has great character designs and wonderfully constructed CGs.”
“I really like the character designs, as well as how varied everyone’s facial expressions are!”
“The story is very nice to reread, as it puts subtle hints to many of the plot twists and character development, which is very entertaining and allows your brain to theorize and connect things together.”
“Character development, though, feels unfinished and kind of lacking.”
“The art is rather minimalistic; character design is diverse and in a style I personally like, but the backgrounds are just blurry images of a handful of different environments.”
“I appreciate the slight change in character designs/sprites during or after significant scenes, but it doesn't feel enough to enhance the overall character development.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a blend of quirky and dark elements, often highlighting relatable and absurd situations, such as the comedic fallout of personal relationships. Reviewers appreciate the cleverness of the humor, which adds depth to the multi-layered narrative without feeling exploitative.
“Honestly, I bought the game just because I saw another review saying something along the lines of 'gay people break up and make it everyone else's problem' and thought it was funny.”
“You already know what to expect—a multi-layered story full of twists and reveals, quite on a darker side (which never feels exploitative), at times interspersed with quirky humor and zaniness.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a basic user interface, which has received minimal commentary from users, suggesting a lack of complexity or standout features.
