The friends of Ringo Ishikawa

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 493 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
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

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 493 reviews
story68 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of open-world exploration, life simulation, and beat 'em up mechanics, providing a refreshing experience.
  • The characters are well-developed and engaging, with a story that resonates emotionally and captures the essence of youth and friendship.
  • The pixel art style and soundtrack create a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game lacks clear guidance and tutorials, which can lead to confusion about objectives and mechanics.
  • The combat can feel repetitive and simplistic, especially when facing multiple enemies, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • The ending is abrupt and may leave players feeling unsatisfied, as it doesn't provide a sense of closure or multiple outcomes based on player choices.
  • story214 mentions

    The story of "The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, presenting a poignant coming-of-age narrative that explores themes of friendship, existentialism, and the struggles of youth. Players appreciate the game's unique blend of life simulation and beat 'em up mechanics, allowing for a self-driven exploration of the protagonist's life, though some criticize its vague structure and pacing. Overall, the storytelling is considered the game's strongest aspect, with many finding it both relatable and impactful, despite some frustrations with its execution and lack of clear guidance.

    • “The story is incredibly powerful.”
    • “This game is a heartfelt story about a few delinquents trying to find their places in the world.”
    • “The story is introspective and heartfelt.”
    • “The indie-persona charm is lost after the halfway point; eventually you're just repeating the same activities over and over again, for little reason, just hoping that the story will progress, that the game will end.”
    • “The ending felt rushed and there are a lot of loose story threads we never get to finish.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay117 mentions

    The gameplay is a blend of choice-driven mechanics and beat-em-up action, reminiscent of classic titles like Final Fight and River City Ransom, while incorporating RPG and life simulation elements. While many players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and engaging story, criticisms arise regarding clunky controls, vague mechanics, and a lack of clear guidance, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game offers a unique and enjoyable gameplay loop that resonates with fans of the genre, though it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Incredible atmosphere, simple and complete gameplay, and an immersion that I haven't had playing in a long time.”
    • “The gameplay is a fun mash-up of River City Ransom, Yakuza, and the day-to-day choices of Persona.”
    • “The beat 'em up mechanics are fun, but this is a game about the story of life.”
    • “The gameplay is too vague, and the story is too vague, and you feel hopeless and lost because of these two, yet, it all just works together, it feels very real, very human.”
    • “However, the mechanics are a bit stilted and the game’s utter lack of any explanation is distinctly annoying.”
    • “This game is not better than the sum of its parts, which is a shame, because some of those parts are really good, but the lackluster gameplay - both combat and sandbox design wise - ultimately makes the game feel like it overstays its welcome, and a good ending doesn't really fix the game's problems.”
  • music111 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising its beautiful, lo-fi, and melancholic tunes that perfectly complement the game's atmosphere and narrative. While some noted occasional abrupt stops in the music, the majority found the soundtrack to be a standout feature, evoking nostalgia and setting the tone for various scenes. Overall, the music is described as a significant element that contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.

    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal.”
    • “The music is subtle, moody, sometimes upbeat, sometimes offbeat, always appropriate to the scene.”
    • “The music provides a nice sense of serenity.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music in particular is a standout, with some acoustic guitar and piano for the melancholy or bass-y or electric guitar tracks that at least get you pumped to run through a rather boring town.”
    • “Another bug completely stopped the music and crashed my game.”
  • graphics56 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, reminiscent of classic 1980s and 1990s aesthetics, which effectively captures the essence of Japanese delinquent culture. While some users noted minor graphical bugs and a lack of options, the overall visual presentation, including animations and backgrounds, is described as engaging and atmospheric, enhancing the gameplay experience. The combination of nostalgic visuals and a compelling soundtrack contributes to a unique and immersive environment that resonates with players.

    • “The pixel graphics and location are just beautiful.”
    • “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 graphics and sound -- and most especially the awesome soundtrack -- are hugely nostalgic without being held back by the unkempt trappings of the past.”
    • “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, dude... classic graphics.”
  • atmosphere39 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its immersive and unique qualities, combining beautiful graphics, a captivating soundtrack, and well-crafted dialogue that create a chill, melancholic vibe. Players appreciate the slow-paced, atmospheric experience that encourages exploration and emotional engagement, making it ideal for those seeking a mellow gaming experience. However, some reviews note that the game's marketing may mislead players expecting a stronger narrative focus, as the true strength lies in its atmospheric elements.

    • “Incredible atmosphere, simple and complete gameplay, and an immersion that I haven't experienced in a long time.”
    • “This game is incredibly effective in its storytelling and atmosphere; I am on my second playthrough.”
    • “The atmosphere is awesome; I can say that it's the best yankii simulator available today.”
    • “But after a couple of months, my frustration had passed and I felt drawn to replay the game, to experience its atmosphere again.”
    • “And finally, after combining all these elements together we receive a damaged atmosphere.”
    • “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 (you can even make your character do the classic 'squatting' delinquent pose, smoke a cigarette and just chill on a bench, plenty of objects are interactable just for the sake of immersion) but, unfortunately, there's not that much to do.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The game delivers a deeply emotional experience, intertwining relatable life themes with a heartfelt coming-of-age story that resonates with players. Its introspective narrative and character development evoke nostalgia and emotional investment, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a reflective and poignant gaming experience. While it may not cater to everyone’s desire for escapism, its emotional weight and relatable tone leave a lasting impact.

    • “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.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it engaging and immersive, others describe it as tedious and lacking direction. The absence of modern conveniences like quest markers can exacerbate feelings of monotony, and some feel the game is overly grindy, contributing to a sense of emptiness in the world. Overall, the grinding aspect seems to polarize players, with enjoyment hinging on personal preferences for gameplay style.

    • “I found it very tedious.”
    • “Sometimes, without direction, it can feel tedious, wondering what will happen, if anything at all.”
    • “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.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for being both hilarious and sincere, enhancing the overall experience without feeling forced. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and comedic elements woven into the gameplay, which contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere. The blend of humor with the game's themes and mechanics creates a uniquely enjoyable and euphoric experience.

    • “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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game is generally described as unstable, with numerous bugs and game-breaking glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly during combat and looting. While some players appreciate the story and art style, the frequent technical issues, including crashes, detract from the overall experience.

    • “Really buggy and the fighting doesn't feel good.”
    • “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.”
  • 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.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game is criticized for its linear structure, resulting in a lack of replayability after completion. While it has potential for multiple narrative experiences, the current design limits players to a single playthrough without significant incentive to revisit.

    • “This game has so much narrative content that it would be impossible to experience it all in just one or two playthroughs, making it highly replayable.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, enhancing the game's replayability.”
    • “With multiple story paths and character interactions, this game invites players to return and explore different experiences, significantly boosting its replay value.”
    • “It's very linear, and once you complete the game, there is no replayability and nothing you can do.”
    • “After finishing the game, I found no incentive to play again; the lack of choices really limits replayability.”
    • “The game feels like a one-time experience; once you've seen everything, there's no reason to go back.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization includes a hunger mechanic that impacts the player's academic performance and other activities, adding a layer of realism and challenge to the gameplay experience.

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

Critic Reviews

50% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
2-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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