Master Magistrate
- June 12, 2020
- IRODORI
In "Master Magistrate," become the Magistrate of Nakamachi tasked with upholding law and order in a picturesque Japanese town. Solve cases, pass judgment, and interact with a lively cast of characters, all backed by full Japanese voice acting and a 40+ song soundtrack. Four cases and over 150 CGs await in this indie detective game.
Reviews
- The game offers a captivating blend of visual novel storytelling and mystery investigation, reminiscent of Ace Attorney, with engaging characters and a compelling plot.
- The art style is beautiful, featuring stunning visuals and a phenomenal soundtrack that enhances the traditional Japanese atmosphere.
- The character development is well-executed, with each character having distinct personalities and interesting backstories that contribute to the overall narrative.
- The localization and translation can be confusing at times, particularly during critical moments in the story, which may detract from the overall experience.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as evidence gathering and courtroom logic, feel less intuitive compared to Ace Attorney, leading to moments of frustration.
- The inclusion of fan service and adult content, while optional, may feel tacked on and disrupt the pacing of the main storyline for some players.
- story58 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a mix of engaging murder mystery elements and character-driven narratives, featuring numerous plot twists and well-developed characters. While the main storyline is compelling, some players found the pacing inconsistent, with certain segments feeling like filler or overly reliant on anime tropes. The adult content, primarily found in epilogues, is seen as an add-on rather than integral to the main experience, allowing for a more focused narrative during the core gameplay.
“The story is really good; I did not expect it to be that good, but I was really getting invested in what was going on.”
“The writing is what grabbed me, however, with a truly engaging story and fun, interesting characters.”
“An excellent point-and-click mystery visual novel with top-tier voice acting and an intriguing story.”
“Forget exciting mysteries, the story just does a bunch of intensely boring slice-of-life (and I love slice-of-life) full of all the anime tropes, and I threw in the towel.”
“It's recommendable, it's an okay game, but the story and 'interjections' have a lot of inconsistencies!”
“The gameplay loop is essentially watching a bunch of story scenes until a murder case happens, followed by investigating areas for clues and talking to witnesses.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and beginner-friendly, featuring a mix of story scenes, investigation, and dialogue with witnesses, reminiscent of courtroom-style games. However, some players noted that inconsistent writing and contrived dialogue can detract from the overall experience, affecting the storytelling quality. While the core mechanics are solid, the initial cases may feel underwhelming compared to similar titles.
“Interesting gameplay and a nice story.”
“Great gameplay, interesting and thought-provoking cases.”
“The gameplay loop is essentially watching a bunch of story scenes until a murder case happens, followed by investigating areas for clues and talking to witnesses.”
“This doesn't mean the gameplay element is bad, but I did feel like the first two cases were a bit lackluster.”
“If you ever play any of the courtroom-style games, you will be very familiar with the core gameplay of this game.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its captivating atmosphere and beautiful soundtrack, featuring traditional instruments like the koto that enhance the overall ambiance. Reviewers note that the music complements the art and story effectively, creating a memorable experience that resonates with players. Overall, the soundtrack is described as phenomenal, catchy, and mood-enhancing.
“The atmosphere and ambiance really captivated me, and I probably spent over 10 minutes being fascinated by how beautiful the world was when I first started the game. The soundtrack is phenomenal too, with a lot of instruments like the koto being put into play, thus making the traditional aura stand out a lot more.”
“The story is very good and entertaining, the art is beautiful, and both the music and character voices complement the game.”
“The music is also great and catchy; it grabs the mood very well.”
“The characters are fine, and the cases are fine - the art and music are solid.”
“The art and music are both more than serviceable.”
“Not background music (prefer OST disc 2, track 15, Seifuumeigetsu).”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently described as funny and heartwarming, enhanced by great storytelling and well-developed characters with unique quirks. Players appreciate the hilarious responses and the encouragement to make unconventional choices, with even minor translation issues being addressed in a humorous manner.
“Funny and heartwarming.”
“A great storytelling combined with excellent characters, each with their own quirks and humor.”
“In fact, some of the responses are hilarious and the achievements encourage you to make wrong choices.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating beauty and immersive ambiance, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack that incorporates traditional instruments like the koto, creating a strong historical aura. Players find themselves deeply engaged, often spending significant time simply appreciating the world around them.
“The atmosphere and ambiance really captivated me, and I probably spent over 10 minutes being fascinated by how beautiful the world was when I first started the game. The soundtrack is phenomenal too, with a lot of instruments like the koto being put into play, thus making the traditional aura stand out a lot more.”
“I love the atmosphere of this game.”
“I like the historical atmosphere.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its blend of humor and heartwarming moments, evoking strong feelings that resonate with players, some of whom reported being moved to tears.
“It's emotional, and I even cried a little.”
“funny and heartwarming.”
“funny and heartwarming.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features impressive and relatable character development, with designs that resonate well with players, though opinions on the aesthetic may vary. Overall, the depth and believability of the characters enhance the gaming experience.
“The game features interesting character development that impressed me.”
“Excellent character development that is actually believable and relatable.”
“Personally, I liked the character design, but that is very subjective.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their stunning art style, with many users describing them as gorgeous and visually impressive.
“The art style is unique and captivating; the graphics are absolutely stunning.”
“The visuals are breathtaking, and the attention to detail is remarkable.”
“The graphics are incredibly immersive, making the game world feel alive and vibrant.”