The friends of Ringo Ishikawa

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 438 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
The friends of Ringo Ishikawa Game Cover
An Exercise in apathy, neither solid nor liquid. Not exactly bad, but not very good either. Just a bit 'meh,' really.
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"The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa" is an open-world beat 'em up game set in Osaka, following the story of a high school gang leader, Ringo Ishikawa, during his last autumn before graduation. The game features unique brawl mechanics, yakuza-delinquent aesthetics, and various school sim elements, including exploring the town, day-night cycle, NPC schedules, and mini-games. However, the main focus of the game is the introspective story, designed to make players feel Ringo's experiences and emotions.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 438 reviews
story57 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of beat'em up mechanics and life simulation elements, creating an engaging and immersive experience.
  • The pixel art and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the game.
  • The story explores themes of existentialism and growing up, resonating with players on a personal level and prompting reflection on their own lives.
  • The game lacks clear guidance and tutorials, leaving players to figure out mechanics and objectives on their own, which can be frustrating.
  • There is only one ending, which some players feel undermines the choices made throughout the game and leads to a sense of futility.
  • Bugs and glitches can disrupt gameplay, including issues with controls and character interactions, detracting from the overall experience.
  • story185 mentions

    The story of "The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa" is a poignant coming-of-age tale that explores themes of friendship, existentialism, and the struggles of youth, often resonating deeply with players. While some find the narrative engaging and emotionally impactful, others criticize its pacing and lack of clear direction, leading to a mixed reception regarding its execution. Overall, the game is praised for its unique storytelling approach, atmospheric setting, and character development, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay.

    • “The story is introspective and heartfelt.”
    • “This game is incredibly effective in its storytelling and atmosphere that I am on my second playthrough.”
    • “The story is quite simple and straightforward, the dialogue is good.”
    • “Not only is the game not story based at all, there is no actual story that you can take part in, no narrative arc to speak of.”
    • “The ending felt rushed and there are a lot of loose story threads we never get to finish.”
    • “I was hoping for a better story in this game.”
  • music101 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming, lo-fi, and nostalgic qualities, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the experience. While some users noted occasional abrupt stops in the music, the soundtrack is generally described as beautiful and fitting, with a strong selection that complements the game's themes and visuals. Overall, the music stands out as a significant highlight, contributing to the game's charm and immersive quality.

    • “On top of the writing and gameplay, The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa contains some of the most beautiful, well-animated, and satisfying pixel art I've seen, not to mention a great soundtrack.”
    • “The music also does a good job of setting the scene; the smoky video store with its wah-wah pedal inspired tunes, and the streets with the lo-fi hip hop beats, all give the settings a distinct feel.”
    • “The soundtrack is simply delicious, the backgrounds are cozy, and there are a lot of 'useless' features that exist to contribute to the feel, for example, smoking and squatting.”
    • “Everything else - the music, the aesthetic, the writing, even the individual mechanics for all the things Ringo can do (and there's quite a bit) - they just blend together and dissolve, becoming essentially invisible to you.”
    • “There is a lot of charm with its art, soundtrack, characters, etc., but the whole experience was ruined and by the time I got to the end on day 71 (varies depending on the user and what you do), and not knowing what I was supposed to do to progress content (there aren't any guides for this game), I just felt so meh, even streaming this game (which always makes things more fun).”
    • “Another bug completely stopped the music and crashed my game.”
  • gameplay99 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fun and engaging beat 'em up mechanics, while others criticize its clunky controls and lack of clear instructions. Many players appreciate the game's immersive atmosphere and narrative integration, but find the mechanics occasionally vague and frustrating. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a blend of exploration, combat, and life simulation, offering a unique experience despite some shortcomings.

    • “Incredible atmosphere, simple and complete gameplay, and an immersion that I haven't had playing in a long time.”
    • “A great gameplay loop, and a brilliantly sharp and down-to-earth writing style which made each character feel so real and alive.”
    • “The gameplay is a fun mash-up of River City Ransom, Yakuza, and the day-to-day choices of Persona.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit clunky, but funny nonetheless.”
    • “However, the mechanics are a bit stilted and the game’s utter lack of any explanation is distinctly annoying.”
    • “The gameplay just isn't that interesting, when you get down to it.”
  • graphics52 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, which effectively captures the nostalgic aesthetic of 1980s and 1990s Japan, particularly the delinquent culture. While some users noted issues with jagged visuals at higher resolutions and occasional graphical bugs, the overall visual presentation, animations, and atmospheric design contribute significantly to the game's engaging experience. The combination of retro graphics, compelling music, and thematic elements creates a unique and immersive environment that resonates well with players.

    • “The pixel graphics and location are just beautiful.”
    • “The graphics, music, gameplay, and most importantly story are all well integrated.”
    • “The art style fits the setting perfectly, and I can't recommend this game enough to anyone who likes beat 'em ups or light sims.”
    • “The visuals might seem decent on screenshots but fullscreened at 4k they are seriously jagged and unpleasant.”
    • “Also there aren't really any graphics options.”
    • “The game is pixelated, classic graphics, but it feels like a duvet of what you seem to understand.”
  • atmosphere39 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and melancholic qualities, enhanced by beautiful pixel art, a captivating soundtrack, and well-crafted dialogue. Players appreciate the chill, slow-paced vibe that evokes a sense of nostalgia and comfort, making it ideal for those seeking a mellow gaming experience. While some may find the gameplay simplistic, the overall atmospheric experience is considered its strongest aspect, drawing players back for multiple playthroughs.

    • “Incredible atmosphere, simple and complete gameplay, and an immersion that I haven't had playing in a long time.”
    • “The aesthetic atmosphere of this game is its strongest aspect; while the game can feel (beautifully) monotonous, the art, music, and dialogues keep the game interesting enough for me.”
    • “The atmosphere evoked by the pixel art in each area, from the bustling school to the open fields being blown by the wind, rings true for all small towns on the verge of nowhere.”
    • “The aesthetic atmosphere of this game is its strongest aspect while the game can feel (beautifully) monotonous; the art, music, and dialogues keep the game interesting enough for me.”
    • “It honestly reminds me of one of those old-school flash game sims from Newgrounds, since there's a metric ton of atmosphere in it, but, unfortunately, there's not that much to do.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The game offers a deeply introspective and heartfelt narrative that resonates with players, particularly young adults, through its relatable themes of growth, friendship, and self-discovery. While it may lack a traditional goal, its emotional weight and nostalgic atmosphere create a compelling experience that leaves players invested in the characters and story. Overall, it stands out as a poignant coming-of-age tale that balances gameplay with meaningful emotional engagement.

    • “The story is introspective and heartfelt.”
    • “Without a doubt, this game is worth a purchase for anyone who wants a heartfelt story about a few delinquents trying to find their places in the world.”
    • “The game is quite emotionally heavy, a nice slice of life story that will enthrall you if you are looking for an emotionally charged tale of growth, learning, and friendship.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for its cleverness and sincerity, with dialogue that strikes a balance between hilarity and authenticity. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into the gameplay, which enhances the overall experience, making it both entertaining and engaging. The blend of funny scenarios and relatable moments contributes to a euphoric atmosphere that resonates well with users.

    • “The dialogue is both hilarious and sincere in turns without being cheesy or overstaying its welcome.”
    • “Gameplay is fun and the writing is often hilarious, fun, and believable.”
    • “The humor is amazing, the soundtrack is calming and mood setting; overall, the entire game feel is euphoric in the weirdest possible way.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players generally find grinding in these games to be a double-edged sword; while it can be enjoyable and immersive, it often becomes tedious due to repetitive tasks and a lack of content. Some users express frustration with the grindiness, noting that it can detract from the overall experience, especially in a world that feels sparse.

    • “It is an enjoyable experience, but the prevalent tedious tasks can easily change that.”
    • “I found it very tedious.”
    • “One big gripe would be that it's pretty short, the world feels somewhat empty with not many things to do and maybe a bit too grindy.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous game-breaking glitches, bugs during looting, and occasional crashes. While some players find enjoyment in the story and aesthetics, the overall experience is marred by these technical issues, leading to frustration.

    • “But the story kept getting in the way of the gameplay, and the messy localization and numerous game-breaking glitches did not help.”
    • “[*] Looting fallen enemies after the fight is buggy and bound to frustrate.”
    • “Really buggy and the fighting doesn't feel good.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its engaging portrayal of the punk and delinquent culture in Japan, adding a compelling layer to the overall experience. Players find the depth and evolution of characters to be particularly appealing and well-executed.

    • “The character development in the punk/delinquent culture in Japan has such an appealing factor in the game.”
    • “Wonderful character development.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game is criticized for its linear structure, leading to a lack of replayability, as players find little incentive to revisit it after completing the main storyline.

    • “It's very linear, and once you complete the game, there is no replayability and nothing you can do.”
    • “The game lacks any meaningful choices, making it feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
    • “After finishing the game, I found no incentive to play again; the experience felt too scripted.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization includes a hunger mechanic that impacts the player's academic performance and other gameplay elements, adding a layer of complexity to resource management.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

50% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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