Mayjasmine Episode01 - What is God?
- December 2, 2015
- Erotes Studio
"Mayjasmine Episode 01 - What is God?" is a 2D, side-scrolling platformer game featuring Erote, a character in search of the true meaning of God. The game combines philosophical themes with fast-paced combat and exploration, while offering a unique blend of adventure and self-discovery. As players progress through the game, they must overcome challenges and defeat enemies to unlock new abilities and uncover the mysteries of existence.
Reviews
- The game provides a deep and emotional narrative based on the real events of the 1998 Indonesian riots, offering players a unique perspective on a dark chapter in history.
- The artwork and character designs are praised for their quality, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the visual novel.
- Despite its flaws, many players found the story compelling and impactful, leading to a greater understanding of societal issues and human morality.
- The English translation is poorly executed, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that detracts from the overall experience.
- The game contains graphic violence and disturbing themes that may not be suitable for all players, leading to mixed feelings about its portrayal of sensitive subjects.
- Some players felt that the narrative was overly preachy and forced, with a lack of character development and meaningful choices throughout the story.
- story67 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story is a dark and emotional narrative based on the true events of the 1998 Jakarta riots in Indonesia, exploring heavy themes such as racism, violence, and human suffering. While the initial character's perspective may feel slow and lacking depth, the second character's viewpoint adds complexity and richness to the narrative. Overall, the story is compelling and thought-provoking, though it may not be suitable for all players due to its intense and disturbing content.
“The story starts with an introduction to Indonesian culture and everything begins nicely, with great artwork. However, as the story progresses, it becomes darker, especially when the riots begin, and there is no more humanity left.”
“Came for the badge, stayed for the compelling narrative, interesting characters, and historical event-driven story.”
“It wasn't at all the kind of story I expected; it's based on a true story and deals with really heavy subjects.”
“The more the story goes on, the darker the tone becomes… and it becomes very, very, very dark when the riots finally begin, when strong hate, racism, insane barbarity, and gruesome violence take place.”
“I understand the need to dramatize the story, but the extreme violence and the demonization of the rioters seems to work against it.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their initial charm and quality, featuring beautiful artwork that captures Indonesian culture and stylized visuals, particularly in darker moments of the story. However, the contrast between the cute graphics and the heavy themes of violence and trauma is noted, with some reviewers suggesting that the later parts could benefit from more artwork. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the narrative despite the graphic content.
“The story starts with an introduction to Indonesian culture and everything begins nicely, with great artwork. Everything looks good and normal, but as the story progresses, it becomes darker, especially when the riots begin, and humanity is lost.”
“Don't be fooled by its cute graphics; this visual novel contains very heavy themes, so be warned before you dive in.”
“Loved the writing, graphics, and voice acting. Good job to the writers, artists, and voice actors.”
“Don't be fooled by its cute graphics; this visual novel contains very heavy themes, so be warned before you get into this.”
“I was told it was pretty 'graphic' and serious.”
“When I say 'violence', it is not only about graphic gore content but also concerns themes like murders, torture with details, rapes, killings of innocents like children… if you are somehow sensitive, I am not sure it’s a good idea you get into this story.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding the soundtrack fitting and enjoyable, though some note it lacks standout moments. Voice acting is also praised, while sound effects occasionally feel mismatched. Overall, the music contributes positively to the gaming experience, enhancing the atmosphere without being overly memorable.
“The backgrounds and character art are really nice, the music and soundtrack are pretty good, and the voice acting was good (I think, I don't speak Chinese so I might be wrong on that).”
“They are long enough; it lasted 13+ hours for me, knowing that I took my time watching the artworks and listening to the voices/music.”
“The music is quite good, except for several parts where sound effects seem a bit off.”
“Music is fitting but nothing special; sounds are basically non-existent, and the voice acting is good.”
“The soundtrack fits in and is fine.”
“Music.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a touching narrative that resonates deeply with players. A particularly impactful moment involves the capture of a character named Miao Pin-Hong, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and connect with players on a personal level. Overall, the emotional storytelling is considered a key strength of the game.
“The story is cute, but it is also the hardest emotional game I have ever played in my life.”
“I liked it for how touching it is.”
“To me, a game that's really emotional and touches my heart means that it has a really good story.”
- character development3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally seen as insufficient, with some players noting that while certain routes offer well-defined growth, others, particularly the character Zi-Jin, feel flat and underdeveloped. Overall, the lack of depth in character and relationship development detracts from the game's overall experience.
“Character development was well defined in both routes, though I was hoping there would be more on Zi-Jin, as his character seems to remain flat compared to others.”
“There is a lack of character development and relationship development.”
“There are many flaws with this game (such as the bad translation and insufficient character development), so I can only recommend buying it on sale.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its misleading advertising, which does not accurately reflect the game's content, leading to a jarring experience for players. However, this issue does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without constantly being bombarded by ads and in-game purchases.”
“The game is fun, but the aggressive monetization tactics really detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine product.”
“I was disappointed by how much the game pushes for microtransactions, which takes away from the immersion and enjoyment of the gameplay.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game to be enjoyable, with some noting that it can be quite funny at times, despite potential issues that may bother others.
“If it really bothers you so much, I'm certain there's a fan patch out there, but personally, I thought it was pretty funny at times.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the atmosphere of the game is reminiscent of "Swan Song," particularly as the narrative progresses towards its conclusion, suggesting a deep, immersive experience that resonates emotionally.
“The closest visual novel to capture the atmosphere is 'Swan Song', in my opinion.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world.”
“Every scene is filled with a haunting beauty that enhances the overall experience.”
“The closest visual novel about the atmosphere, especially towards the end, is 'The Swan Song', I think.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
“Despite the potential, the game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”