PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 83 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness Game Cover
Psycho-Pass seems like a re-run of the first anime season, but that was enjoyable so it works out okay.
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In the futuristic world of Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness, individuals are evaluated by their Psycho-Pass, which measures their mental and emotional state. When someone's Crime Coefficient is too high, Enforcers and Inspectors work together to maintain order and peace. As an Enforcer or Inspector, players will make challenging decisions in this visual novel adventure based on the Psycho-Pass anime series.

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  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 83 reviews
story22 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features good writing and a solid story that aligns well with the Psycho-Pass universe, making it enjoyable for fans.
  • The voice acting is well done, with original cast members reprising their roles, enhancing the immersion in the Psycho-Pass world.
  • There are multiple endings and choices that impact the story, providing replay value for players who enjoy exploring different narrative paths.
  • The gameplay can feel tedious due to repetitive routes and a flawed skip feature, making it difficult to progress through multiple playthroughs without experiencing the same scenes repeatedly.
  • Many choices in the game feel inconsequential, leading to a sense of minimal deviation in the story despite the illusion of choice.
  • The game may not be enjoyable for those unfamiliar with the Psycho-Pass series, as it relies heavily on prior knowledge of the characters and plot.
  • story83 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting its predictability and repetitiveness across multiple playthroughs, which can make the experience feel tedious. While some appreciate the writing and the emotional depth, particularly fans of the "Psycho-Pass" anime, others criticize the lack of meaningful choices and the failure to fully explore character development. Overall, it serves as a decent side story to the anime, but it may not satisfy those looking for a fresh or deeply engaging narrative.

    • “Another cool story set in a far-out crazy sci-fi world where people live lives controlled by algorithms and mental illness is weaponized against the vulnerable.”
    • “Very interesting story that does tug at your heartstrings quite a bit!”
    • “It tells an engaging and thought-provoking story that deals with some heavyweight and uncomfortable subjects, and one that poses plenty of ethical dilemmas along the way.”
    • “The story could be written better, but it seems they just wanted to advertise how many choices there are. They also put a 2048 game into a visual novel for some reason.”
    • “Unfortunately, I was presented with a poorly made game with a disappointing story.”
    • “No matter what you do, no matter what path you take, 90% of the story is identical every time.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music and voice acting in the game have received high praise, with many reviewers noting that the soundtrack effectively captures the essence of the anime while also feeling unique to the game. The sound design enhances the atmosphere, contributing to an immersive experience that aligns well with the series' themes. However, some players mentioned a lack of new music, relying heavily on existing tracks from the anime.

    • “I love the soundtrack and the voice acting, though.”
    • “The voice acting is really good as well as the music; all of the anime characters have their traits, and nothing feels off or like they won't say or do. The UI is pleasant and true to the anime.”
    • “The story is top-notch and co-written by Gen 'the butcher' Urobuchi, but the music is sadly a minus point since I could not detect that much new music. It primarily uses the top-notch instrumental music of the series.”
    • “The locations, sounds, and music feel very Psycho-Pass-y in a way that doesn't make it feel as though it were extracted from the series, but more like it's a unique blend that creates another part of the universe.”
    • “~ music ~”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally considered low-resolution, but they effectively contribute to the atmosphere, especially for a visual novel. While not on par with AAA titles, the artwork is deemed satisfactory, with some minor inconsistencies noted. Overall, the graphics are not a primary focus for players, as the story and music take precedence.

    • “The graphics, while not being the level of full-blown AAA productions, are excellent in comparison for a visual novel, and they really do the atmosphere justice.”
    • “Artwork is fine; Karanomori looked a little off, but it's been a while, so I can't remember how she looks anyway.”
    • “The graphics are good and contribute positively to the overall experience.”
    • “Graphics are low-res.”
    • “Artwork is fine, Karanomori looked a little off but it's been a while, I can't remember how she looks anyway.”
    • “The graphics, while not being the level of full-blown AAA productions, are excellent in comparison for a visual novel.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability due to multiple character choices, various endings influenced by player decisions, and achievements linked to these outcomes. Players appreciate the engaging mini-games and the mix of humor and moral choices, making it enjoyable to revisit despite some feeling satisfied after completing the true ending.

    • “Definitely enjoyable if you've seen/read the series. The original voices and characterization are spot on, with a good mix of moral and seemingly meaningless choices to make. There are funny moments sprinkled throughout, and it has great replay value with two characters to choose from and several endings, plus a weirdly addictive mini-game that can either relax or distress you.”
    • “It has replay value, but a portion of that is because achievements are tied to the different endings you can achieve depending on your choices.”
    • “It has replay value, but a portion of that is because achievements are tied to the different endings that you can have depending on your choices.”
    • “I loved the true ending route, and I know there is plenty of replayability, although I am already satisfied.”
  • gameplay4 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily linear and revolves around making set choices, lacking traditional mechanics or puzzle-solving elements, which may disappoint those seeking more interactivity. While players are encouraged to explore both perspectives for a fuller understanding of the narrative, the overall experience is more akin to a visual novel than an engaging detective game, potentially leading to questions about the medium's suitability for the story being told.

    • “Even though the game doesn’t mechanically force players to read through both perspectives, it is strongly recommended because only by doing so can one fully understand the entire picture.”
    • “From a gameplay perspective, the things I enjoyed will go first.”
    • “You aren't actually doing any detective work; mandatory happiness is a traditional visual novel through and through, and one that only allows interactivity through set choices rather than play mechanics or puzzle solving.”
    • “You aren't actually doing any detective work, though; mandatory happiness is a traditional visual novel through and through, and one that only allows interactivity through set choices rather than play mechanics or puzzle solving.”
    • “If you can get past the borderline non-existent gameplay then the narrative will probably keep you entertained for a dozen hours or so, although it may leave you wondering if this story would have been better told over a few episodes of the anime instead.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with a lack of engaging story and world-building. While some moments are interesting, the excessive effort required to achieve completion detracts from the overall enjoyment.

    • “It just got extremely tedious extremely quickly.”
    • “The story is boring, the routes are repetitive, and the world doesn't get fleshed out in a satisfying way. I've finished all of the routes and am grinding out the absurd amount of minigame points you need to get the final three achievements at the time of this review. I will 100% this game, but I'm not happy about it.”
    • “It had some interesting moments but overall felt tedious.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness" is deeply immersive, effectively capturing the high-tech world of the Psycho-Pass series through its compelling story co-written by Gen Urobuchi. While the music is noted as a weaker point due to a lack of new compositions, the excellent graphics and overall presentation contribute significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere. Additionally, the game is reported to be largely free of bugs, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness is a visual novel, but it lives and breathes the atmosphere of Psycho-Pass's high-tech world.”
    • “The graphics, while not on the level of full-blown AAA productions, are excellent for a visual novel and really do the atmosphere justice.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I expected from a game set in such a rich universe.”
    • “While the visuals are decent, they fail to create a compelling atmosphere that draws you into the world.”
    • “The music is forgettable and does not enhance the atmosphere, making the experience feel hollow.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, particularly for fans of the original series, featuring spot-on characterizations and a blend of meaningful and absurd choices. Players appreciate the funny moments interspersed throughout the gameplay, along with the quirky mini-game that adds to its replay value. Overall, the humor contributes to an enjoyable and engaging experience.

    • “Definitely enjoyable if you've seen/read the series. The original voices and characterization are spot on, with a good mix of moral and seemingly meaningless choices. There are funny moments sprinkled throughout, a la Nippon style, and it has good replay value with two characters to choose from and several endings. Plus, there's a weirdly addictive mini-game of math matching that will either relax or distress your whole being—flip a coin and take your chances.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized as being a cash grab, despite the positive reception of the cast and voice acting.

    • “It was nice to see all the cast together again and the voice acting is good, but it's just another cash grab licensed video game.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers feel that the emotional depth of the character could have been more impactful if there had been a clear progression from human-like emotions to a more alien demeanor as the story unfolded. Instead, the character remains largely unchanged, which diminishes the emotional resonance of her journey.

  • stability1 mentions

    Users report occasional glitches, such as the cursor disappearing when reloading saves, but restarting the game typically resolves these issues. Overall, stability is generally acceptable despite these minor hiccups.

    • “Certain glitches exist, including the disappearance of the cursor when reloading saves; restarting the game fixes this issue.”
    • “The game frequently crashes during key moments, making it frustrating to progress.”
    • “I encountered several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience, leading to unexpected crashes.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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