Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet
- September 12, 2014
- VisualArts/Key
- 4h median play time
This one is a must-buy for Key supporters, and visual novel lovers, just be prepared.
Get on SteamIn Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet, you explore a post-apocalyptic world as a wounded soldier seeking shelter. You stumble upon a planetarium and its malfunctioning robot, who still carries out her programming to share the wonders of the cosmos. Together, you'll navigate the desolate world and uncover the story of the planetarium's past. This visual novel combines elements of drama, mystery, and narrative-driven gameplay to create a memorable experience.
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Reviews
- The story is beautifully written and emotionally impactful, leaving a lasting impression.
- The character Yumemi is endearing and her interactions with the Junker are charming.
- The music and voice acting enhance the overall experience, making it a memorable journey.
- The game is very short, taking only about 3-5 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
- There are no choices or branching paths, making it feel more like a book than a traditional game.
- Some players may find the pacing slow, especially in the beginning.
- story1,058 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of *Planetarian ~the reverie of a little planet~* is a poignant and emotional journey set in a post-apocalyptic world, focusing on the relationship between a scavenger and a robot named Yumemi in an abandoned planetarium. While the narrative starts slowly, it builds to a deeply impactful conclusion that resonates with themes of hope and humanity amidst despair. Despite its short length of about 3-5 hours, the storytelling, character development, and atmospheric elements create a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression on players.
“Even in its shorter than usual runtime, Planetarian absolutely nails its atmosphere and setting to the point that it creates such a down-to-earth story in its post-apocalyptic setting, making it feel so interpersonal and connected to you.”
“This is a path well-trodden in science fiction, but the heart with which it is expressed in Planetarian, with the story able to swing the reader's emotions between irritation and empathy, despair and hopefulness, is truly special.”
“Planetarian is a short story yet a great story on its own.”
“The story is short, sweet, simple, and tells a great message.”
“The story is completely linear and has not many characters, but that makes it very beginner friendly.”
“The story is a simple one, a junker found a robot in a planetarium that has been long abandoned.”
- emotional364 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Planetarian" is overwhelmingly praised, with many players reporting intense feelings of sadness and connection to the characters, often leading to tears during key moments. The game's short length does not detract from its ability to deliver a powerful, heartfelt narrative that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout example of emotional storytelling in visual novels. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a touching and memorable experience, with many reviewers noting it as a must-play for fans of the genre.
“This game made me cry enough that I had to take a pause and wipe away my tears.”
“Planetarian presents a touching view in contrast to its bleak setting, all from a girl that isn’t human, but is the true idealism of humanity.”
“I cried so much and it was wonderful.”
- music257 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Planetarian" is widely praised for its emotional depth and fittingness to the story, with standout tracks like "Gentle Jena" resonating strongly with players. While some reviewers noted a lack of variety and occasional repetitiveness, the overall soundtrack effectively enhances the narrative experience, contributing to the game's poignant atmosphere. Many players appreciate the dedicated music mode, allowing them to relive the emotional impact of the soundtrack even after completing the game.
“The music chosen was so fitting for the story, and the game feels so right.”
“The music is fantastic, the writing is easy to analyze yet always provides something new to think about, the art is pretty old but not bad at all, and the voice work is amazing.”
“The music, particularly 'gentle jena', does a fantastic job at tugging at the heartstrings and making one want to look to the night sky.”
“If you can get over a very aged UI, lack of a proper options menu, and overused repetitive music, this is an emotional visual novel you may enjoy.”
“The music, much like the art, is mostly mediocre. I believe that the music in visual novels should be more ambient than this, not exist for the sake of existing but as a way of highlighting the mood of the scene.”
“The OST only has 13 tracks in total, a little over 35 minutes, so don't expect a long session compared to other modern visual novels that fill their scenes with a multitude of tunes.”
- graphics96 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Planetarian" are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2004 release, but many players appreciate the art style for its charm and ability to complement the emotional storytelling. While the visuals are sparse and primarily consist of still images, they effectively set the mood and atmosphere of the narrative, with some reviewers noting that the artwork holds up surprisingly well over time. Overall, the graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they serve their purpose in enhancing the game's poignant themes and character connections.
“The artwork is very nicely done, but there are very few actual scenes within the game, and there is only one character drawn.”
“The visuals were beautiful when Planetarian released over ten years ago and they hold up to this date.”
“The artwork is lovely, 'Yumemi's' personality and character is so innocently endearing, and the music is beyond perfect.”
“The visuals are rather dated by modern anime standards, but they're good enough to be enjoyable and even take you back some years, even if you weren't there yourself.”
“The graphics seem a bit dated and there is not much to see at all; Planetarian is mostly story-driven with only a few depictions of landscapes and characters.”
“Everything about this, from visuals to options, just feels old.”
- gameplay36 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this visual novel is minimal, primarily consisting of clicking to advance the text, with no choices or interactive elements. While it lacks traditional gameplay mechanics, the focus on storytelling and emotional depth compensates for this absence, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games. Players seeking engaging gameplay should look elsewhere, as this title is purely about the story.
“This game made me bawl my eyes out; the voice acting and background music really immerse you into the gameplay.”
“A short visual novel with no gameplay or choices, but it's exceedingly charming and expresses the hopes and despairs of a post-apocalyptic world beautifully.”
“There might not be much gameplay - in fact, there's no gameplay unless you think clicking to advance the plot counts - but the strength of the plot and character development for the protagonist left such an emotional impact on me as to make the entire experience worth it.”
“If you're new to the visual novel genre, this one's pretty much a linear story where the only gameplay is progressing the text.”
“There is no gameplay, or even dialogue choices, to be found here, but the story contained within is absolutely beautiful.”
“There might not be much gameplay - in fact, there's no gameplay unless you think clicking to advance the plot counts (in other words, like most JRPGs) - but the strength of the plot and character development for the protagonist left such an emotional impact on me as to make the entire experience worth it.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "planetarian" is widely praised for its ability to create a deeply immersive and melancholic experience within a post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers highlight the effective combination of visuals, sound, and storytelling that evoke a bittersweet, nostalgic vibe reminiscent of early 2000s anime, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative. Despite its shorter runtime and limited interactivity, the game successfully captivates players with its poignant atmosphere and worldbuilding.
“Even in its shorter than usual runtime, planetarian absolutely nails its atmosphere and setting to the point that it creates such a down-to-earth story in its post-apocalyptic setting, making it feel so interpersonal and connected to you.”
“A melancholy 3 hours, atmospheric and moving in its storytelling.”
“The music is well done and adds to the atmosphere and complements the game quite well; it really helps to immerse yourself in the story.”
“And that's the opening of it, I'd say the opening is pretty interesting if you don't know what you're getting into because everything just felt very desolate and was purely served to accompany the story with its dramatic and again desolate atmosphere it brought itself in.”
“The atmosphere built visually rarely ever attempts to be unnerving or post-apocalyptic, unless you consider the abundance of empty places a sign of the upcoming Armageddon.”
“It's set in a post-apocalyptic city and really nails the atmosphere and mood.”
- character development14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews praise the emotional depth and transformation of the protagonist and the heartwarming relationship with the robot girl, others criticize the lack of thematic buildup and the predictability of the plot. The short length of the game limits character exploration, but those seeking a strong focus on character interactions may still find it rewarding. Overall, the character design is highlighted as a strong point, contributing to the overall experience despite some narrative shortcomings.
“If you’re looking for a visual novel that focuses more on character development rather than plot, this is definitely a must-have!”
“Amazing short story which, despite its length, delivers superb character development.”
“Fantastic character development and interactions between the two unique characters - the junker guy and Yumemi the gentle robot.”
“It doesn't have enough thematic buildup or character development to warrant its predictable ending.”
“Likewise, the protagonist and the robot girl's relationship can be summed up as 'robot girl acts like robot, man is annoyed at her repetitive antics,' so when the obligatory tragic event happens, even when they try to squeeze in some character development at the last second, it falls flat.”
“The story is a bit short, lasting about 3-5 hours, so there won't be too much character development, and the ending is a cliffhanger.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a well-balanced mix of funny and sad moments, effectively enhancing the emotional depth of the story. Players appreciate the blend of humor and pathos, with memorable character interactions that evoke laughter and tears alike. While some may find the humor predictable or cloying, it contributes significantly to the overall narrative experience, making it both touching and entertaining.
“It is interesting, funny, and sad, all in the right quantities.”
“With a pleasant companion by your side in the form of Yumemi, it's a story that has made me laugh, cry, and think a lot.”
“There were funny moments (I loved the interactions between the characters), and there were serious moments also.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, primarily due to its linear narrative structure and lack of decision points, resulting in a consistent experience with no variations upon replay. While the story is engaging, the short duration of 3-5 hours and the $10 price tag make it feel steep for a game that offers little incentive to play again. Overall, players can expect minimal replay value, as the experience remains the same with each playthrough.
“The art and music are serviceable, but not spectacular; as a visual novel with no decision points, there is no gameplay whatsoever, and the only replay value is whatever you'd get out of reading the same story twice.”
“For a visual novel, while not extremely short, it does have a pretty limited duration; no alternatives for replay value, what you see for the first time is what you'll see every single time with no variation.”
“It costs next to nothing, and although it is short (3 hours maybe if you are a quick reader) and has limited replay value (you can't influence the story), it is still worth the money.”
“For a visual novel, while not extremely short, it does have a pretty limited duration, no alternatives for replay value; what you see for the first time is what you'll see every single time with no variation.”
“As much as I recommend this story, $10 is a really steep price for something that lasts all of 3-5 hours with very little replay value.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can feel tedious and disconnecting, particularly in the early stages, which may detract from the emotional impact of the story. However, players who persevere often find the experience rewarding, with a significant payoff that evokes strong emotional responses by the end.
“Some of what was done at the finale could have been done earlier in the story, instead of dragging out an otherwise emotional moment that shouldn't have felt tedious.”
“Sometimes boring, sometimes disconnecting, sometimes tedious. This can get boring, but if you stick to it, it will be worth it in the end. I found myself caring with tears in my eyes for this novel.”
“I will admit that the first hour or so (on auto) can be a bit tedious, but playing through is worth it more than I can explain.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for being poor, leading to issues such as excessive sound levels that are difficult to manage, especially for headphone users. While the performance of other elements like music and voice acting is praised, the overall experience is marred by frustrating interface problems and a lack of effective sound control options.
“The performance is excellent, the music, the dubs, etc.”
“Atmospheric and wonderful soundtrack that sets the mood the moment you reach the menu.”
“The humanoid robot girl wouldn't let something as insignificant as the end of the world get in the way of delivering the best possible experience to her customers.”
“Very poorly optimized; it was blasting my ears off with sound like all games do because I'm a headphone user. I had to alt-tab to my sound mixer, but nothing could override the game. I ended up having to alt-enter it into windowed mode, which worked so I could use the mixer. However, there was this weird option window that I've never seen in any other game that popped up, and no matter how many times I clicked cancel, it wouldn't go away, so I had to click ok.”
“The optimization is a mess; the game frequently stutters and lags, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I encountered numerous bugs and performance issues that detracted from the overall experience, making it frustrating to play.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users expressing concerns over the presence of advertisements, loot boxes, and microtransactions, suggesting that these elements detract from the overall experience.
“I've seen some really poor monetization strategies, especially those that include loot boxes or microtransactions.”
“The monetization model feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience of the game.”
“It's frustrating to see a game that could be great hampered by aggressive monetization tactics.”
