Urban Myth Dissolution Center

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a chilling, gripping paranormal mystery visual novel that challenges you to research and identify some truly memorable urban myths.

81%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

90% User Score Based on 511 reviews

Critic Score 73%Based on 18 reviews

Platforms

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About

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a single player action game. It was developed by Hakababunko and was released on February 12, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a psychedelic pixel art mystery adventure where you play as Azami Fukurai, solving cases involving cursed relics, monsters, and urban myths. Investigate clues from social media and client backgrounds to uncover hidden truths. Each case unravels deeper mysteries with unexpected consequences.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player

Urban Myth Dissolution Center screenshot

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 511 reviews

story164 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

The pixel art and visual style are stunning, creating a captivating atmosphere throughout the game.
The story features intriguing twists and turns, keeping players engaged and invested in the mysteries.
The soundtrack is excellent, enhancing the overall experience and complementing the game's themes.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and tedious, with a lack of meaningful choices and consequences.
The ending is polarizing, with some players feeling it undermines the narrative and introduces plot holes.
The translation has issues, with awkward phrasing and grammatical errors that can detract from the experience.

story
465 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The story of the game is a complex and engaging narrative that intertwines urban myths with a central mystery, featuring well-developed characters and unexpected plot twists that keep players on their toes. While some reviewers noted plot holes and a divisive ending that may detract from the overall experience, many found the storytelling compelling and immersive, likening it to an interactive anime or visual novel. Overall, the narrative is praised for its depth, atmosphere, and ability to provoke thought, making it a highlight of the game despite its linear gameplay and occasional pacing issues.
- “The characters were all well-written and lovable (or hateable in certain cases...), the story was engaging and extremely relevant (and a real gut punch for the terminally online) and the overarching mystery had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.”
- “The story is easily the strongest part of the experience: sharp writing, intriguing characters, and a genuinely compelling mystery that kept me hooked from beginning to end.”
- “The plot is one of the game’s strongest aspects, weaving together urban myths and legends into a series of intriguing mysteries.”
- “The localisation is abysmal, and the story is poor.”
- “The plot continuously shoots itself in the foot, the writing is sloppy at best and outright detrimental to the game at worst, and the narrative beats you over the head with the themes it's trying to impart only to do a complete 180 with the ending that completely invalidates all of the story beats and moral grandstanding that they've tried to impart on the reader.”
- “The plot holes don't affect the ending at all, so you could probably explain them away.”
gameplay
157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
67%
15%
The gameplay in "Urban Myth Dissolution Center" is primarily a straightforward visual novel experience, characterized by repetitive mechanics such as clicking on objects and dialogue options to gather clues. While the integration of social media elements and the narrative presentation are praised, many players find the gameplay lacking in depth and challenge, often feeling tedious and overly guided. Overall, the game is more focused on its story and aesthetics than on providing engaging gameplay, leading to mixed reviews regarding player satisfaction.
- “The gameplay, with scene investigations, interviews, and then the analysis of clues inside of the character's mind, really reminds me of Ace Attorney investigations.”
- “Gameplay flowed perfectly with the story, making progress feel natural and smooth overall.”
- “I appreciate the fact that the game mechanics are varied between social media investigations, fill-in-the-blank puzzles, multiple choice deduction quizzes, and more stereotypical adventure game point and click mechanics.”
- “Such a mind-numbing detective gameplay, go left click or go right click in the same scene or even the same spot over and over.”
- “The gameplay is a chore, and the writing is genuinely insipid.”
- “Gameplay is repetitive and doesn't have any challenge or variety to it, but is fun at least for the first few episodes.”
music
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
38%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its modern and engaging compositions, with many players highlighting specific tracks like "kikikaitai" as standout favorites that enhance the overall experience. While the soundtrack is described as fitting and atmospheric, some reviewers noted a lack of variety, leading to repetitiveness during extended gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its immersive storytelling and emotional impact.
- “Great soundtrack, my favorite being 'kikikaitai' being played towards each episode's ending, really capturing the game's essence and themes.”
- “The music absolutely slaps and the visual art style is out of this world.”
- “The art style, music, and overall vibes are great and what initially drew me in.”
- “As for the music, there isn't a lot of it, but it's decent and fitting.”
- “My only complaints, which are minor, is that the soundtrack becomes very repetitive really fast, and that the actual gameplay elements are weak.”
- “While the OST is a bit sparse, the music manages to usually fit the atmosphere pretty well.”
graphics
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and unique aesthetic, which many players describe as a blend of anime and retro styles. The visuals are noted for their vibrant colors, detailed character sprites, and atmospheric design that enhances the storytelling experience, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and pacing. Overall, the art style and accompanying soundtrack significantly contribute to the game's appeal, creating an engaging and immersive environment for players.
- “The graphics are a huge part of the appeal here: there's elaborate pixel art everywhere you look, from the characters' dialogue portraits to the 'dissolution' segments at the very end.”
- “Absolutely stunning graphics, great mysteries.”
- “The visuals and sound and overall atmosphere are all amazing.”
- “The art style - this might be contentious since the pixel art is one of its major selling points, but I feel that on a higher resolution monitor, the game really looks too zoomed in to the point where the pixel art looks really ugly.”
- “The minimalist art style and 8-bit color scheme contrast starkly with the identification and dissolution sections, with huge lurid graphics flashing across the screen to the sounds of pounding techno.”
- “I am conflicted about this game; it has its strengths (art style, mood), but I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t have a very specific taste.”
atmosphere
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
32%
8%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to immerse players in a spooky, engaging world, enhanced by a stylish visual design and a fitting soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the effective integration of horror elements, the charming art style, and the character-driven storytelling that collectively create a captivating and eerie ambiance. While some players may find the gameplay less challenging, the strong atmospheric narrative and emotional depth make it a standout experience.
- “It’s a smart, stylish mystery that delivers a great story and atmosphere.”
- “The visual style is both charming and atmospheric, enhancing the game’s eerie yet engaging tone.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, and I loved the characters.”
- “The monochrome graphics look excellent and cutscenes are full of remarkably detailed sprite work that manages to convey emotions and creepy atmospheres despite the limited color space and resolution.”
- “It has a kind of similar atmosphere of striding the edge between conspiracy and paranormal mystery, although I think this one is less hopeful and leans more towards the cynical side of things.”
- “If I had to divide it up, this game is 50% atmosphere, 40% social commentary, and the last 10% mystery; and even that last 10% is predicated on the player taking the time to think about things rather than just going through the motions, because there are no branching paths or bad endings.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, particularly related to the repetitive nature of social media research and the need to backtrack for clues. While some players appreciate the atmosphere and narrative, many find the gameplay tedious and lacking in engagement, leading to a sense of monotony as they progress through the episodes. Overall, the grindy elements detract from the enjoyment, making the experience feel more laborious than rewarding.
- “But time flies, and the same mechanics that were fun start becoming tedious.”
- “An incredibly tedious, repetitive game which holds your hand throughout every step and doesn't require any actual thinking or deduction.”
- “The art style, music, and overall vibes are great and what initially drew me in but the gameplay became tedious over time and by the end of the third episode it just felt like it wasn't worth my time to finish.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The game is praised for its exceptional character development, with distinct and memorable character designs that effectively convey personalities, even for minor characters. Players appreciate the storytelling and aesthetic appeal, noting that the slow story progression is compensated by meaningful character growth. Overall, the combination of unique designs and engaging dialogue enhances the emotional connection to the characters, making them memorable long after gameplay.
- “The character designs are all extremely distinct and really get the characters across really well, even for minor characters who don't appear that much.”
- “However, the story delivers up to the end; the UI, graphics, character development, and sound design are amazing, and I can't seem to stop thinking about Azami and her friends from the UMDC.”
- “The character designs are so good, you can immediately tell what sort of personality they are supposed to be a lot of times.”
- “The story progress may be slow, but there is character development.”
- “Azami even mentions that the 'director in her head' had character development or something; I don't remember the exact words.”
- “Character designs are very, well... varied.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of charming and absurd moments, with characters delivering funny and relatable reactions, though some dialogue can feel repetitive or lost in translation. While certain segments, like social media interactions, miss opportunities for humor, standout moments, such as a hilarious phone call scene, showcase the game's comedic potential. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the experience, even during slower parts.
- “The story is also mysterious, funny, and serious all at once.”
- “The characters in this game are charming and funny.”
- “It's a visual novel that's more than clicking a textbox; you actually have to interact and discern which dialogue is valuable or just funny to solve the mysteries.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the main cast keeps some players invested, others feel the story lacks the expected emotional payoffs. Additionally, the game resonates deeply with those who have experienced emotional deprivation, offering a sense of validation and connection.
- “What has kept me emotionally invested in UMDC long after I'd finished it, though, was its main cast.”
- “If you’ve experienced emotional deprivation as a child and find yourself constantly craving validation and praise, this game is tailor-made for you.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game has limited replayability due to its single ending, requiring players to replay the entire game to revisit specific chapters. While it offers a compelling story, the lack of alternative outcomes or significant variations in gameplay diminishes its overall replay value.
- “The game offers a decent length and replayability, making it worth revisiting.”
- “As a point-and-click adventure and mystery game, it provides some engaging puzzles, but it lacks significant replay value.”
- “While the game is enjoyable, revisiting specific chapters requires replaying the entire game, which limits its replayability.”
- “Since the game only has one ending, there is no replayability, unless you want to replay the story to analyze the revelation in the last chapter.”
- “- No real replay value; even if you want to revisit a chapter, you would have to replay the entire game to get to a specific chapter.”
- “As it is both a point-and-click adventure/puzzle game and a mystery game, it doesn't have a whole lot of replay value.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, with users noting that it is not resource-intensive, which is expected for a title of its nature.
- “The performance is also smooth; it would be a real surprise if a game like this ends up being resource-heavy.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how well the game runs; it feels polished and responsive throughout.”
- “The performance is also smooth, though it would be a real surprise if a game like this ends up being resource heavy.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players report a stable experience with no significant bugs or glitches encountered during gameplay.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy appears to rely heavily on marketing that suggests a more intense experience than what the game delivers, potentially leading to disappointment among players.

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73%Critics’ scoreBased on 18 critic reviews

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23h Median play time

21h Average play time

17-25h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a action game.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 21 hours playing Urban Myth Dissolution Center.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center was released on February 12, 2025.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center was developed by Hakababunko.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a single player game.

Similar games include PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane, of the Devil, Tangle Tower, Tails Noir and others.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center

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