The Shell Part II: Purgatorio

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 42 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
The Shell Part II: Purgatorio Game Cover
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"The Shell Part II: Purgatorio" is a historical detective visual-novel set in Japan's pre-war and post-war eras. This sequel to "The Shell Part I: Inferno" features a decades-spanning mystery, with multiple endings and full Japanese voice acting. The story revolves around Reiji Tokisaka and his sister Yukari, as they uncover the truth behind a curse and its connection to Toko Kuchiki's disappearance.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews
music4 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • The story is captivating and emotional, with a strong conclusion that makes the lengthy chapters worthwhile.
  • The game features excellent music and artwork, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Improvements over the first game include better character development, a more cohesive narrative, and engaging gameplay mechanics.
  • The pacing can be slow, especially in the first half, which may deter some players.
  • The mystery elements are less ambitious compared to the first title, making some plot points predictable.
  • Players may find it challenging to achieve 100% completion without a guide due to the complexity of the multiple routes and endings.
  • story27 mentions

    The story is generally praised for its captivating and intense narrative, with many players feeling deeply invested from start to finish. While some found the pacing slow, particularly in the second chapter, the overall plot is considered an improvement over its predecessor, featuring a mix of dark themes and complex character development. However, opinions vary on the effectiveness of new characters and the horror elements, with some feeling the sequel lacks the same ambition as the first installment.

    • “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 of this installment takes place 10 years after the events of the previous game, but still keeps certain characters seen in the last installment, the owner of the bar, the detective's companions, among others, but also adds a host of new characters. The development of the story focuses mainly on the investigation of a murder case with a very peculiar modus operandi, and the game has a variety of flashbacks and backdates to achieve a more realistic and detailed investigation.”
    • “Missing a lot of the 'horror' from the first title, replacing it with a more standard detective story.”
    • “I was not especially interested in one of the central plot lines/characters.”
    • “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, the music isn't as good as well... yet ultimately I find it a much more enjoyable read.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality, with some reviewers noting it as phenomenal and deserving of a vinyl release. While comparisons to the prequel suggest a slight decline in musical impact, the overall sound design, including excellent voice acting and well-suited background music, significantly enhances the gaming experience. The combination of stellar music and art contributes positively to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “The music is also phenomenal, and I'd buy the soundtrack on vinyl if it was available.”
    • “On the other hand, the sound aspect of the game certainly deserves all possible praise. It has full voice acting for all the dialogues of the characters (male and female), and the quality of this voice acting is excellent, giving them personality and making them seem like real people. The selection of background music for each scene also fits perfectly and enriches the scenes at all times.”
    • “In comparison to Inferno (Part I), Purgatorio (Part II) is better in terms of story, soundtrack, narrative/storytelling, character design, and things to do.”
    • “In terms of being a murder mystery, this game definitely has a weaker and less ambitious plot than its prequel. The music isn't as good as well.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The game's graphics are praised for their attractive anime style and beautiful artwork, maintaining a characteristic cold atmosphere that enhances immersion. The character design is stylized yet realistic, avoiding overt sexualization, while the overall visual presentation effectively supports the game's narrative and themes. However, some users noted the need for external patching to access explicit content.

    • “Tremendously cute and beautiful artwork by popular artists.”
    • “Graphically, the game is quite attractive; it maintains that characteristic depressing style of the artist from the other games and that cold atmosphere that immerses you fully in the game world. The character design is quite stylized, with realistic bodies that never try to be sexualized.”
    • “Attractive anime-style graphics.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in "Purgatorio" is noted to be an improvement over "Inferno," with enhanced storytelling and character design that features stylized yet realistic bodies, avoiding sexualization. The game's atmospheric graphics contribute to a compelling narrative experience, immersing players in its distinct, somber world.

    • “In comparison to Inferno (Part I), Purgatorio (Part II) is better in terms of story, soundtrack, narrative/storytelling, character design, and things to do.”
    • “Graphically, the game is quite attractive; it maintains that characteristic depressing style of the artist from the other games and that cold atmosphere that immerses you fully in the game world. The character design is quite stylized, featuring realistic bodies that never try to be sexualized.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed with their growth throughout the game.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to evolve in a meaningful way.”
  • humor2 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.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay is perceived as simpler compared to the first installment, yet it offers a more impactful story. Players appreciate the long gameplay duration and the inclusion of replayability options.

    • “The gameplay is simpler than in the first part, but the story has a more significant impact on my feelings.”
    • “The game features a long gameplay duration with replayability options.”
    • “In this game, I think the gameplay is 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 repetitive and lacks innovation compared to previous titles.”
    • “The controls are clunky and make the gameplay frustrating at times.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as both impactful and tear-jerking, with users praising its well-written narrative.

    • “It was both emotional and tear-jerking, well written!”
    • “The story resonated with me on a personal level, evoking deep feelings.”
    • “I found myself completely immersed in the characters' struggles and triumphs, which made the experience incredibly moving.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is marked by a visually appealing yet melancholic style that immerses players in its cold, immersive world. Character designs are stylized and realistic, avoiding sexualization, which contributes to the overall somber tone.

    • “Graphically, the game is quite attractive. It maintains that characteristic depressing style of the artist from the other games, creating a cold atmosphere that fully immerses you in the game world. The character design is stylized, featuring realistic bodies that never attempt to be sexualized.”
    • “The game has a visually appealing style, but the atmosphere feels overwhelmingly bleak and oppressive, which can be draining over time.”
    • “While the graphics are impressive, the cold and lifeless atmosphere detracts from the overall experience, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The character design is stylized and realistic, but the pervasive sense of despair in the atmosphere can be off-putting for some players.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users highlight that the game offers a long gameplay duration coupled with options that enhance its replayability, making it an engaging experience worth revisiting.

    • “The game offers a long gameplay duration with excellent replayability options.”
    • “I love how each playthrough feels unique, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the experience fresh, encouraging multiple runs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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