Riddle Joker
- December 18, 2020
- YUZUSOFT
- 14h median play time
In Riddle Joker, a visual novel adventure game, uncover a conspiracy at your academy as you play as Azumi Rosa, a student with the ability to see glimpses of the future. Navigate complex relationships and make choices that affect your path, revealing one of multiple endings. With striking illustrations and a captivating soundtrack, immerse yourself in this thrilling supernatural story.
Reviews
- Riddle Joker offers a charming blend of light-hearted romance, engaging characters, and a unique sci-fi premise involving superpowers.
- The game features beautiful art, a well-crafted soundtrack, and a user-friendly flowchart system that enhances the reading experience.
- Each heroine's route is enjoyable and provides a satisfying conclusion, with standout characters like Ayase and Mayu receiving particular praise for their depth and development.
- Some routes, particularly Hazuki's and Chisaki's, feel underdeveloped and lack the same level of engagement as the others.
- The story can be predictable at times, and certain plot points may feel forced or clichéd, detracting from the overall experience.
- There are technical issues, such as crashes and minor translation errors, that can disrupt the flow of the game.
- story323 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Riddle Joker" is a blend of light-hearted romance and spy-themed intrigue, featuring a cast of charming characters and engaging plot twists. While some routes are praised for their depth and character development, others are criticized for lacking substance and coherence, leading to a mixed reception overall. The narrative is described as enjoyable and entertaining, particularly for fans of the visual novel genre, though it may not offer groundbreaking storytelling or worldbuilding.
“A marvelous visual novel with a great story, lovely characters, awesome illustrations, and a nice soundtrack.”
“Players follow the protagonist as they unravel the mysteries behind different heroines, gradually revealing a captivating story that keeps players on the edge of their seats.”
“The overarching story is really captivating and drives the story forward.”
“Oddly enough, while actively reading this visual novel, I didn't have these thoughts—it was engaging moment to moment—but looking back on what I read now that I've finished, I see that the story was all bone, with at most a few neglected pieces of meat that barely amount to ten calories.”
“The story is definitely well written and the art is beautiful; however, I just didn't feel my kind of vibes with it.”
“The story not at all revolutionary; it is your standard romcom, school life, slice of life, supernatural genres.”
- music56 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement various scenes, from romantic to action-packed. While some tracks are memorable and catchy, others are described as generic, lacking standout qualities. Overall, the soundtrack is considered enjoyable and fitting for the game's themes, contributing positively to the immersive experience.
“The background music sets the mood appropriately for different situations, contributing to the immersive experience.”
“Music and the opening theme are amazing, and every soundtrack fits their intended atmosphere perfectly.”
“In addition to the opening theme, which is my favorite, the theme songs of the five heroines and their instrumental adaptations all accompany each character nicely, adding to the colorful personalities of each of them.”
“I can't say anything special about the music.”
“Don't expect any bangers from this soundtrack, as most of it sounds pretty generic.”
“The soundtrack of this title, however, is fine.”
- graphics33 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their beautiful execution, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning character illustrations, detailed backgrounds, and overall art design, often rating it around 8 to 10 out of 10. The visuals are described as high-definition and engaging, providing a captivating experience that enhances the storytelling, despite some minor critiques regarding the adult content presentation. Overall, the game's art style and graphical quality contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
“The graphics and art design of the game are beautifully executed.”
“Character illustrations, background scenes, and UI design showcase high-quality artwork and attention to detail.”
“With its solid art style, native 1080p resolution, and highly detailed CG artworks, smooth transitions even without animated sprites, the game offers all the eye candy you need.”
“With only really the visuals, price, and some plot moments holding back the novel.”
“Almost all visual novels do not require a graphics card to run the game; a processor is more than enough. However, let's not exaggerate, 2000s PCs are not going to run the game.”
“I don't know what to say about this, but some of the artworks and CGI really seem similar to each other for some reason, for example, like the girls kissing scene.”
- humor27 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke genuine laughter and smiles, with characters that are both charming and relatable. While some jokes may feel repetitive or cliched, the variety of comedic styles and situations keeps the experience fresh and entertaining. Overall, the balance between humor and plot adds to the enjoyment, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a funny anime game.
“Made me laugh and smile like a deranged person quite a few times.”
“The plot wasn’t something astonishing but the balance between humor and seriousness was really nice.”
“There's a ton of humor all throughout the story, with different characters providing different styles of humor.”
- character development17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Character development in "Riddle Joker" is generally praised, with many reviewers highlighting its engaging progression and emotional depth, particularly in romantic contexts. While some players noted inconsistencies across different story routes, the overall character arcs and interactions are seen as a strong point, contributing to the game's replay value. The blend of character design, worldbuilding, and relationship conflicts enhances the experience, making it appealing for fans of visual novels.
“Character development in the game is a highlight.”
“The character development and the way you interact with them will make you fall in love with the visual novel itself.”
“Yuzusoft always manages to blend in the right amount of worldbuilding, character development/engagement, and conflict; mixing in some classical moe tropes with intense/stressful in-game situations.”
“I found Riddle Joker to be somewhat lacking in terms of engaging plot and character development across certain story routes.”
“Or the character development becomes stale or is non-existent.”
“Yuzusoft always manages to blend in the right amount of worldbuilding, character development/engagement and conflict; mixing in some classical moe tropes with intense/stressful in-game situations.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching plot and wholesome romance, which resonate deeply with players, often evoking feelings of loneliness and nostalgia. While some moments may feel tropey or lack the drama of previous titles, there are still several heartfelt scenes that leave a lasting impact. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create a satisfying and emotionally engaging experience, making it a recommended choice for fans of emotional storytelling.
“The touching plot is a captivating part of visual novels, and the lingering charm that remains after reading the story, as well as the faint sense of loss, must also be savored.”
“I got really emotional when she told us about her childhood because she experienced it much worse than Satoru, and I felt that really hard because I've experienced something similar.”
“We are given her backstory shortly after, which was very emotionally powerful as we learn about her heartbreaking childhood with parents that did not give her any affection, only provided the bare necessities, and on top of all that, used her to gain money.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily text-based and focuses on storytelling, offering a pleasant experience with engaging themes. While the mechanics are simple and allow for easy backtracking to explore different routes, the impact of player choices is minimal. Overall, it provides around 20-30 hours of gameplay, but lacks complexity and interactivity typical of more dynamic games.
“The themes are all nice to listen to, overall a very nice gameplay.”
“While the game mechanics aren’t overly complex, they are engaging enough to captivate players who enjoy being immersed in the story.”
“Additionally, the route locks until you choose another choice, which is a pretty cool mechanic.”
“However, there's not really that much to do within this game: choices don't make a big impact on gameplay, as it's extremely easy to backtrack to unlock different routes.”
“In a visual novel, there is no gameplay to speak of other than clicking.”
“Riddle Joker’s game mechanics are relatively simple, primarily based on text-based storytelling.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Riddle Joker" is generally well-received, with players appreciating its performance and features that align with its predecessors. The advanced settings menu allows for fine-tuning, catering to those who seek additional customization, while the voice performances and dialogue enhance the overall experience, despite some subjective preferences.
“If that still is not enough content bait, the Kirikiri advanced setting menu is accessible for all that unnecessary performance finetuning.”
“This is partially thanks to the amazing performance done by sawasawa sawa, with a more well-written dialogue serving as the cherry on top, making some of the key moments memorable.”
“If that still is not enough content bait, the Kirikiri advanced setting menu is accessible for all that unnecessary performance finetuning, and another new gimmick Riddle Joker tries its hands on are... kissing POV CGs?”
“And if fancy looks aren't all you want, don't worry, for Riddle Joker delivers in terms of features and performance just like its predecessors.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly immersive, enhanced by well-designed levels that deepen character understanding and storytelling. The music subtly supports this experience, effectively blending into the gameplay while adding to the overall ambiance. Additionally, the presence of humor throughout the narrative creates a relaxed and lively environment, making the characters feel more relatable and engaging.
“These level designs create an immersive atmosphere that complements the story and allows players to deepen their understanding of the game’s characters.”
“While playing, you don’t notice the music much and completely immerse yourself into the game, which means that the music has done its job adding to the overall atmosphere.”
“Music and the opening theme are amazing, and every soundtrack fits their intended atmosphere perfectly.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to truly engage players.”
“Despite the game's setting, the overall ambiance fails to evoke any real sense of tension or excitement.”
“The environments are dull and lifeless, making it hard to feel immersed in the game's world.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
While "Riddle Joker" has a lower replayability score of 7.5/10 due to its visual novel format, it offers enough incentive for players interested in exploring different endings and character development to revisit the game.
“Game replayability: 7.5/10”
“Due to being primarily a visual novel, Riddle Joker might have lower replayability.”
“However, for players who enjoy chasing different endings and character development, the game still holds some replay value.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding in the game can become tedious and detracts from the overall experience, particularly as the story progresses. While initial gameplay holds interest, it eventually leads to a repetitive and frustrating grind that diminishes enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“From there on, the game holds interest and is quite alright up to a certain point, and from that point on, the story becomes tedious again and just terrible.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report excellent stability, noting that the game runs smoothly without any bugs.
“No bugs at all, runs great!!!”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
“I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime.”