Rakuen
- May 9, 2017
- Laura Shigihara
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"Rakuen" is a single-player fantasy RPG with a beautiful story, splendid visuals, and delightful soundtrack. The game follows a little Boy in the hospital who, with his mother, seeks to complete challenges in a fantasy world to grant his wish. Players will interact with hospital neighbors and their alter-egos, uncovering emotional stories and secrets. With good gameplay, humor, and some grinding, "Rakuen" offers a unique and highly emotional experience.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Beautiful story that explores themes of loss, hope, and the importance of relationships.
- Gorgeous artwork and a stunning soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience.
- Engaging characters with well-developed backstories that resonate with players.
- Gameplay can feel tedious with slow walking speed and excessive backtracking.
- Some puzzles are overly simplistic and may detract from the overall experience.
- The emotional weight of the story may be overwhelming for some players.
- story2,347 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "Rakuen" is widely praised for its emotional depth and heartfelt narrative, exploring themes of loss, healing, and connection through the experiences of a hospitalized boy and the patients around him. Players appreciate the intertwining character arcs, which are both touching and relatable, often leading to tears as the story unfolds. The game's charming visuals and beautiful soundtrack further enhance the storytelling, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven games.
“Blending heartfelt storytelling with charming visuals, it takes players on an emotional journey through a whimsical yet touching narrative.”
“The story is so beautiful that this is one of the best story-based games I've played.”
“The story highlights the struggles of fellow patients in the hospital, but it also explores their relationships with the people around them and the unique challenges each of them face, whether it be the patients themselves or their loved ones dealing with the situation.”
“I liked the world of Rakuen, but I didn't like the story it told.”
“The story is well written and you can really feel how the characters feel.”
- music1,318 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Rakuen," composed by Laura Shigihara, is widely praised for its emotional depth and beautiful composition, enhancing the game's storytelling and atmosphere. Players highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke strong feelings, with many noting that the vocal tracks and instrumental pieces are particularly memorable and impactful. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's narrative and emotional resonance.
“The music is phenomenal, it really blended well with the atmosphere of the game or scene.”
“Beautiful story enhanced by the simple design and outstanding music.”
“The music, the visuals, and the amazing story make this game one of my favorites!!”
“In a game that's otherwise silent, voice-wise, the songs (which are a key part of the story) feel like they come out of nowhere.”
“I found the repetition of the vocal song(s) in the game really way too cheesy for me and wished there was a way to skip the singing parts which were really unnecessary and boring.”
“The first and the last credit song is good but the rest really ruins the mood.”
- emotional1,155 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Rakuen" is overwhelmingly praised by players, who describe it as a deeply touching and heart-wrenching experience. Many reviewers report crying multiple times throughout the game due to its poignant storytelling, relatable characters, and beautiful soundtrack, which together create a powerful emotional journey that resonates with players on a personal level. The game balances moments of joy and humor with profound themes of love, loss, and healing, making it a memorable and impactful experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games.
“The art is well-done, the story is charming and emotional.”
“Blending heartfelt storytelling with charming visuals, it takes players on an emotional journey through a whimsical yet touching narrative.”
“This game is an emotional roller coaster - in a good way.”
- gameplay392 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Rakuen" is generally described as simplistic and heavily focused on narrative, with many players noting that it primarily consists of walking, talking, and solving basic puzzles or engaging in fetch quests. While some appreciate the emotional depth and storytelling, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in challenge, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize story over gameplay mechanics, as the emotional narrative and artistic elements are seen as its strongest features.
“It's definitely a lesser-known game from a small team, but those that are familiar with Rakuen know that it is known for its emotional narrative, touching story, and unique gameplay mechanics.”
“The gameplay is pretty good, too, though it might not be everyone's cup of tea as it is in essence a puzzle game.”
“The gameplay is simple, but the story is layered.”
“Gameplay was really clunky.”
“Many of the items you need to progress (keys, notes, etc.) are found by searching bookshelves and so on, so there's a lot of rather dull talk-to-every-object-on-the-screen gameplay.”
“The gameplay is monotonous, the controller support is strange (no d-pad controls, no button remapping), there is no options menu to adjust screen resolution.”
- graphics316 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, charming visuals, and vibrant environments that enhance the emotional storytelling. While some reviewers note that the graphics may not be cutting-edge or highly detailed, they effectively complement the game's heartfelt narrative and whimsical atmosphere. Overall, the artwork and design are considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's overall appeal and emotional impact.
“Blending heartfelt storytelling with charming visuals, it takes players on an emotional journey through a whimsical yet touching narrative.”
“The graphics are absolutely beautiful and pleasing to the eye; it perfectly fits that '2D cozy' vibe.”
“The visuals and audio are delightfully charming, with a cute pixel art style that complements the atmosphere.”
“I have played through quite a few indie RPG Maker games and felt the need to point out the amateurish art style this game employed.”
“Graphic-wise, this game is bad, not only for the bad resolution when in full window, but the lack of configuration in general for the game.”
“This does not feature the highest quality of graphics or the most innovative of gameplay.”
- humor127 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of whimsical, quirky, and heartfelt moments that often juxtapose the emotional weight of the narrative. Players appreciate the clever writing and memorable characters, which provide both laughter and tears, creating an engaging experience that balances lightheartedness with deeper themes. Overall, the humor is seen as a vital component that enhances the storytelling, making the game both charming and impactful.
“The writing is amazing, and when I wasn't sobbing into a pillow, I was laughing.”
“Even though the game is incredibly emotional, there were moments when I laughed as well because situations and dialogues were just hilarious, but still fit into the world.”
“The little incidental character conversations are often hilarious, like the flower who is amused by the tree growing out of its head, and scenes burst with charm.”
- atmosphere56 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a captivating blend of cute and eerie elements, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack and charming pixel art visuals. Players appreciate the emotional depth and complexity of the atmosphere, which oscillates between relaxing and unsettling, effectively complementing the storytelling. Overall, the immersive atmosphere, combined with thoughtful level design and music, creates a unique and memorable experience that resonates deeply with players.
“The music was phenomenal; it really blended well with the atmosphere of the game or scene.”
“The soundtrack and the game's atmosphere combine to provide a whimsical and ethereal child-like experience.”
“This game has a heartwarming atmosphere, incredible storytelling, and resonated with me deeply.”
“Atmosphere/story didn't grab me, so I quit it halfway.”
“How is this overwhelmingly positive? The atmosphere isn't really there and the story is not that great (doesn't mean it's bad though).”
“Sleeping was a bit difficult afterwards with the atmosphere that it created.”
- character development45 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players highlighting the well-crafted storylines and charming character designs. The combination of whimsical visuals, engaging dialogue, and touching narratives creates a rich experience that resonates with players, making it a standout feature of the game. While some reviewers noted a desire for more extensive character arcs, the overall consensus is that the character development is impressive and integral to the game's appeal.
“The character development in the game was excellent!”
“The story, the animation, the music, and the character development was astounding.”
“The character development is wonderful and I felt myself wanting to spend more time in this incredible world after the game had ended.”
“Overall, the character development is well done, but the resolution of a patient’s problem comes too soon after its understanding, and sometimes is unclear or feels illogical.”
“A handful of character designs were so goofy, they actually spoiled certain scenes for me later on.”
“Like to the Moon, the game focuses heavily on character development over mechanical gameplay.”
- grinding36 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to slow walking speeds and repetitive backtracking between areas. While some appreciate the story and emotional depth, many feel that the puzzle-solving mechanics detract from the experience, often leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. Despite these criticisms, some players still recommend the game for its narrative, suggesting that the tedious gameplay can be overlooked for those invested in the story.
“The only complaint would be the lack of running, which makes exploration tedious and pads playtime by an hour or two.”
“I would find myself wandering a building for 15 minutes checking every object over and over until I found the one I missed; it was extremely tedious.”
“There's no sprint function, which starts to grate early on, and so many of the puzzles not only rely on tedious back-and-forth, but also seem really disconnected from what's going on in the story.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it lacks significant replay value after completing it, others appreciate the exploration and sidequests that encourage revisiting the game. A few users noted that the emotional depth and achievements can motivate them to return after some time, but many agree that it is not infinitely replayable.
“🔲 infinitely replayable”
“The game rewards you for exploring, and there's a multitude of different side quests and little things to collect and do that will keep you occupied and give a little bit more replayability.”
“If you can stand the strong emotions, then the game also has some good replayability in finding the important items and filling out the achievements.”
“There is no replayability.”
“The game is short and doesn't have much replayability; once you've completed it, it's done.”
“Not much replay value unless after a long time you feel like playing it again.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing slow performance and stuttering, particularly during dialogue scenes, despite having capable hardware. While the walking speed can feel sluggish, there are potential mods available to enhance the experience. Overall, the game's performance issues detract from an otherwise engaging narrative and beautiful presentation.
“While there are a few flaws like the speed of the walk animation, the entire game is optimized to make the walking speed acceptable, and it's possible to add a mod for a run button.”
“Sometimes the game runs slowly; I'm not sure why, as my computer is far beyond a potato. As a result, movements are a little bit delayed, and I can't tell if characters are stopping due to a delayed scene or because the controls are janky.”
“Because the game runs slowly for me, it often lingers on certain sections for too long.”
“One con I can think of is that stuttering frequently occurs in parts where dialogue appears above a character instead of the normal screen-wide box with a character illustration.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game contrasts sharply with its actual content, as users note that while the advertising presents a vibrant and magical experience, the game itself is a horror title that can be genuinely creepy. This discrepancy may lead to mixed expectations among players regarding the game's true nature.
