The Shell Part II: Purgatorio
- April 18, 2024
- Innocent Grey
Get on Steam"The Shell Part II: Purgatorio" is a historical detective visual-novel set in Japan's pre-war and post-war eras, following a decades-spanning mystery. With full Japanese voice acting, players will delve into a 5+ hour story with multiple endings, as they step in to sever the cycle of a curse's return and solve a murder from the past. The game features new HD assets in its remastered version.
Reviews
- The story is captivating and emotional, with a well-executed payoff that keeps players invested from start to finish.
- Improvements over the first game include better character development, a tighter narrative, and stunning music and artwork.
- The game offers multiple routes and endings, providing a lengthy and engaging experience for players who enjoy exploring different storylines.
- The beginning of the game is slow and features a significant amount of exposition, which may deter some players.
- Some players may feel lost regarding the plot due to references to a prequel that is not part of the main series.
- Achieving 100% completion can be challenging without a guide, as the game has multiple mysteries and routes that can be difficult to navigate.
- story18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story has received high praise for its captivating and intense narrative, with many players feeling deeply invested from start to finish. While some noted a slow start and confusion due to new characters, the plot ultimately picks up and offers a rich experience with multiple routes and endings. Comparatively, the sequel is seen as an improvement over its predecessor, featuring a darker and more complex storyline, though some feel it lacks the ambition of the first game.
“Absolutely phenomenal story.”
“I was hyper-invested into this game from start to finish and I can't wait to see how the third entry concludes the story.”
“The story is captivating from start to finish, though there is a bit of a slog in the 2nd chapter; it's ultimately worth it.”
“For some reason, I feel like I missed something regarding the plot even though I played the first game.”
“In terms of being a murder mystery, for me this game definitely has a weaker and less ambitious plot than its prequel; the new girls Yukiko and Kohane can't compare to Touko and Tsuzuriko, and the music isn't as good as well... yet ultimately I find it a much more enjoyable read.”
“But 98% of the game is about a whole new cast and story.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, with some reviewers highlighting it as phenomenal and worthy of a vinyl release. However, there are mixed opinions regarding its comparison to the prequel, with some feeling that it falls short. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
“The music and artwork remain stellar, and thankfully, the adult scenes were less intrusive.”
“In comparison to Inferno (Part I), Purgatorio (Part II) is better in terms of story, soundtrack, narrative/storytelling, character design, and things to do.”
“The music is phenomenal, and I'd buy the soundtrack on vinyl if it was available.”
“In terms of being a murder mystery, for me this game definitely has a weaker and less ambitious plot than its prequel; the music isn't as good as well.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is enhanced by the strong chemistry between characters like Masaki, Touji, and Yaginuma with the main character, Reiji, resulting in a tighter and more engaging narrative. Additionally, the inclusion of the Johren patch introduces absurdly humorous and unexpected sex scenes that further contribute to the comedic elements.
“Some of the new (and returning) characters such as Masaki, Touji, or Yaginuma have excellent chemistry with the main character, Reiji. The narrative feels tighter and is told in a more interesting way, and the humorous bits hit a lot more as well.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth and well-crafted narrative, evoking strong feelings and even tears from players.
“It was both emotional and tear-jerking, well written!”
“The story resonated with me on a deep level, making me feel a range of emotions.”
“I found myself genuinely moved by the characters' struggles and triumphs.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their stellar artwork, with a positive note on the adult scenes being less intrusive, enhancing the overall visual experience.
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that "Purgatorio" (part ii) offers superior character development compared to "Inferno" (part i), highlighting improvements in storytelling, character design, and overall engagement.
“In comparison to Inferno (Part I), Purgatorio (Part II) excels in story, soundtrack, narrative, character design, and overall engagement.”
“The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay is perceived as simpler compared to the first installment, but it is complemented by a more impactful story that resonates emotionally with players.
“In this game, I find the gameplay to be simpler than in part 1, but the story has a more significant impact on my feelings, even though I saw the true ending in 2019.”
“The gameplay feels much simpler than in the first part, but the story has a greater emotional impact, even though I saw the true ending back in 2019.”
“The mechanics are repetitive and lack depth, making the overall experience feel tedious.”
“I found the controls to be unresponsive at times, which really detracted from the enjoyment of the gameplay.”
