Murder on the Marine Express
- July 30, 2021
- 1564 Studio
Get on Steam"Murder on the Marine Express" is a kinetic novel and the first entry in The Mysteries of Ranko Togawa series. When a teacher is found dead on a submarine train voyage, Ranko Togawa and her friend Astrid investigate and try to clear the main suspect's name. As more victims pile up, Ranko must work against the clock to uncover the truth and prevent further deaths.
Reviews
- Charming visual novel with a nostalgic detective flair and a memorable cast of characters.
- Engaging mystery with well-written dialogue and a light-hearted approach to serious themes.
- Great value for the price, offering a fun and enjoyable experience that leaves players wanting more.
- The game is quite short, which may leave players wanting more depth and pacing.
- There are several grammatical errors and flow issues in the writing that can disrupt the reading experience.
- Lack of gameplay choices may disappoint players looking for more interactive elements in a visual novel.
- story6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story features well-written and unique characters, with Ranko and Astrid serving as engaging leads in a detective visual novel that balances lightheartedness with discussions of sensitive topics. While the main murder plot is intriguing, the game's strength lies in the memorable interactions among its quirky cast, making it a promising start to a mystery series. Overall, it offers a compelling narrative at an accessible price.
“Ranko and Astrid are wonderful leads, and every character is well-written and unique in the story, even if some of them are archetypes: it's a detective visual novel after all!”
“Some sensitive topics were discussed in the story, but it was pretty light, and the moral was very clear.”
“A nice and intriguing short story with a memorable, quirky cast, 'Murder on the Marine Express' is a good starting point for a very promising series of mystery novels.”
“The story felt shallow and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“Despite some interesting concepts, the narrative was poorly executed and left many plot holes.”
“The pacing of the story was inconsistent, leading to moments that felt rushed and underdeveloped.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics of the visual novel are praised for their unique retro aesthetic, which is both appealing and detailed, effectively complementing the memorable cast and enhancing the overall experience, particularly during key scenes.
“A solid visual novel carried by a memorable cast, with a simple but appealing, unique art style.”
“I personally dig the retro aesthetic, and it remains detailed enough for the murder scenes to be shown.”
“The graphics are nice throughout.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and lack any real depth or detail.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, making exploration feel tedious.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively addresses complex themes with a balance of seriousness and accessibility, leaving players with a positive emotional experience by the end.
“It handled some complicated themes in a very serious but also easy to digest manner, which made me feel good at the conclusion.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its humor, providing a lighthearted take on a mystery narrative, despite addressing serious and heavy themes. It is recommended for those seeking a brief yet amusing experience, with a cautionary note regarding its sensitive subject matter.
“This game is a hilarious blend of humor and mystery, making it a unique experience that tackles serious topics with a light-hearted touch.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me laughing throughout the game, even when dealing with heavier themes.”
“I loved how the game balanced humor with serious issues, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for its lack of interactivity, with users noting that there are no choices to make, resulting in a passive experience.
“There is no gameplay, and there are no choices to make.”
“The mechanics are clunky and make the game frustrating to play.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks any real challenge.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered adequate and fitting for the overall experience, though it may not stand out as exceptional.
“The music is quite fitting and enhances the overall experience.”
“The audio quality is impressive, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay.”
“The soundtrack is engaging and adds a lot of depth to the game's atmosphere.”
“The music is just okay; it fits the game but doesn't stand out.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety.”
“I found the music to be quite forgettable and uninspired.”
