Memories of East Coast
- June 1, 2021
- Roomah Gaming
Get on SteamLo-fi music. Immersive story. Psychological advice. Memory-trigger moments. Ice cream!
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a beautiful hand-drawn art style and a calming lo-fi soundtrack that enhances the nostalgic atmosphere.
- The story explores deep themes of guilt and acceptance, providing an emotional experience that resonates with players.
- As a debut project, it shows promise and potential for growth, with heartfelt moments that can evoke strong feelings.
- The writing suffers from poor English translation and grammatical issues, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The story is criticized for being unrealistic and nonsensical, with plot inconsistencies that can break immersion.
- Many choices in the game feel unnecessary and do not significantly impact the story, making it feel more like a kinetic novel.
- story33 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Memories of East Coast" is a short, emotional narrative centered on themes of guilt, loss, and acceptance, revolving around two characters whose lives intersect due to a tragic accident. While some players appreciate its simplicity and emotional depth, others criticize the poor English translation, unrealistic elements, and lack of meaningful choices that affect the story's progression. Overall, the narrative has potential but suffers from inconsistencies and cringe-worthy moments, making it a mixed experience for players.
“I think that it could definitely be improved upon, but the story was quite emotional for me, and I can tell that there was heart put into it.”
“This short visual novel brings a very good story about 'releasing' guilt in someone's heart that has been trapped for so long, whether you are willing to accept your fate or not.”
“Memories of East Coast strives to tell a simple and grounded story about guilt, loss, and acceptance.”
“I can forgive the weird English and the cringe additional commentary the developer makes, but the story is absolutely way too unrealistic and so nonsensical that I just can't get behind it.”
“I can't recommend this - it's a cringe-inducing and often perplexing story that feels like it was written by someone unfamiliar with HIPAA laws and the expression of basic human emotions.”
“Memories of East Coast is a badly written visual novel with a somewhat milquetoast story.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and immersive qualities, featuring a varied lo-fi soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate how the music complements the art and contributes to a nostalgic and relaxing experience.
“Also, there's a varied (mostly calming) soundtrack.”
“Regarding the music, I liked the lo-fi soundtrack.”
“The background music adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
“The immersion is strongly amplified by the beautiful artwork and relaxing lo-fi, chill music.”
“It's like the type of music you'd hear when trying to remember a good memory.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful digital artwork and unique art style, which enhance the overall immersion of the game. While the visuals may not be as polished as those in more established titles, they effectively complement the relaxing atmosphere created by the accompanying music.
“I appreciate the art style, though.”
“Great digital artwork.”
“It's a 1-2 hour sweet read, and the immersion is strongly amplified by the beautiful artwork and relaxing lo-fi, chill music.”
“It's expected from a debut to lack the thrill, the expensive visuals, all the sparkles and golden dust but it still feels underwhelming.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish that modern games offer.”
“The character models look stiff and lifeless, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players who found it to be a deeply moving experience, evoking a range of feelings from happiness to sadness. While some believe there is room for improvement, the heartfelt storytelling has left a lasting impact, with at least one player noting it as the only game that made them cry. Overall, it is regarded as a beautiful and emotionally resonant visual novel.
“After reading the store description page for this visual novel, I figured that I'd be in for an emotional experience, and I sure wasn't wrong.”
“I think that it could definitely be improved upon, but the story was quite emotional for me, and I can tell that there was heart put into it.”
“It was truly a beautiful game that made me feel happy and sad at the same time.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Memories of East Coast* features multiple choices that can unlock Steam achievements; however, some players feel these choices lack significant impact on the story's direction, suggesting that a more linear approach might have been more effective.
“As for the gameplay, 'Memories of East Coast' has several choices presented, and many of them will unlock Steam achievements.”
“For the gameplay, despite that there are choices, I felt like they didn't make a difference in regards to the story direction, so it might have been better if there had been no choices and the story played out as more of a kinetic novel.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The background music significantly enhances the game's atmosphere, contributing to an immersive experience that draws players deeper into the game's world.
“The game's visuals and sound design create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you in.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after playing.”
“The background music adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
“The game lacks any real sense of immersion, making it hard to feel connected to the world.”
“The environments feel empty and lifeless, which detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels to be tedious, likening the experience to a frustratingly slow reading process where players must click to progress through text, detracting from the enjoyment of the narrative.
“Visual novels are tedious at best. Imagine the best novel you ever read, whether it's 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', '2001: A Space Odyssey', or 'Twilight' (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
“Grinding in this game feels like an endless chore. The repetitive tasks drain the enjoyment out of what could have been a great experience.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming. It turns what should be an engaging journey into a monotonous slog.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express concern that the game's monetization strategy feels exploitative, suggesting that it prioritizes quick profits through cheap bundles rather than delivering a polished experience.
“The monetization strategy feels like a cash grab, especially with the game being bundled into cheap deals on Steam.”
“It seems like the developers prioritized profit over player experience, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“The in-game purchases are overly aggressive, making it difficult to progress without shelling out more cash.”
