Each puzzle has a solution, nonetheless grisly it might be.
In 2017, Kazutaka Kodaka and others who labored on the Danganronpa trilogy cut up off from Spike Chunsoft to type Too Kyo Video games. One of many notable releases from this departure was World’s Finish Membership, a title for which I had an excessive amount of anticipation. Whereas that sport did not dwell as much as the greatness of Kodaka’s earlier works, in teaming again up with Spike Chunsoft to create Grasp Detective Archives: RAIN CODE, Too Kyo Video games have created a prolonged however entertaining darkish journey that feels deserving of being its personal collection.
RAIN CODE follows the exploits of Yuma Kokohead, a trainee detective with the World Detective Group (WDO). Yuma is shipped to wet Kanai Ward to assist remedy a world thriller, however his amnesia means he would not totally perceive his job and objective. All through the story Yuma is adopted and mentored by the loss of life god Shinigami, who facilitates most of the sport mechanics and provides up a lot of its humor. Whether or not she’s berating Yuma or appearing jealous about him giving consideration to a different lady, Shinigami provides a pleasant levity to steadiness out the darkish, drizzly setting and the homicide and macabre of every chapter. Her transformation from a small ghostly tag alongside to a chesty and uninhibited lady is an ideal instance of how RAIN CODE juxtaposes a playful temper with rigidity and loss of life.
![](https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/61545/1/3.jpg)
Throughout every of its six chapters, RAIN CODE follows the same construction. The primary third includes the arrange of a narrative and a few mild exploration. Yuma additionally has an opportunity to finish temporary sidequests right here to earn Detective Factors that may unlock quite a lot of perks. The second half sees Yuma and Shinigami conducting an investigation of the homicide scene and different areas of curiosity. The pair are usually joined by a fellow detective character who has joined Yuma in Kanai Ward, and these moments supply enjoyable dialogue exchanges that exhibit the sport’s wonderful writing and voice appearing. Trying over parts of the crime scene and amassing “keys” to make use of within the closing part is easy however stays partaking all through.
The third and customarily longest phase of each chapter focuses on placing all of the clues collectively to unravel the central homicide/thriller that has taken place. Enter the Thriller Labyrinth, a supernatural illustration of the world whereby Yuma does battle with the perpetrator or anybody standing in the best way of the reality being uncovered. Whereas lengthy strolling segments within the Labyrinth do supply an opportunity for exposition to happen, in addition they really feel like padding that may drag down the expertise. Luckily, there are a number of mini-game kind segments which might be very a lot impressed by Danganronpa. The most typical one is the Reasoning Demise Match the place Yuma squares off in opposition to a phantom intent on refuting the information of the case. Right here, Yuma makes use of the clues acquired by his investigation to slice by the phantom’s incorrect assertions in a dodge-’em-up fashion motion sequence. Different occasions embrace a Hangman-like sport with a bikini-clad Shinigami, an assortment of quick-time occasions, and a comic book ebook with panels to fill in.
![](https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/61545/1/2.jpg)
There is not any ignoring the truth that the theme of loss of life is ever-present in RAIN CODE. From the opening, tutorial-style chapter and its a number of homicides and the truth that fixing every crime ends in a punishment of loss of life for these accountable, Yuma’s detective exploits are shrouded in darkness, matching the sport’s shadowy setting. When you do have an opportunity to discover completely different districts of town, there is not plenty of visible selection to the environments. Actually, the minute-to-minute look is definitely fairly muddy and washed out; the character artwork and a few of the cutscenes are the lone aesthetic highlights. The Change efficiency is basically advantageous aside from the copious variety of loading screens, which find yourself dragging down the pacing as they continuously pop up.
Like with any good thriller story, the true pleasure comes from the unraveling of the primary plot, and RAIN CODE doesn’t disappoint on this regard. The best way wherein every chapter drops minor hints in regards to the setting, introduces new and thrilling characters, after which wraps up its personal smaller thriller culminates in a satisfying loop. Attending to the tip of the story is worth it, and I am hopeful we’ll see Kodaka and his crew think about additional Grasp Detective Archives entries.
![](https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/61545/1/8.jpg)
As we current closing arguments to a courtroom overseen by a busty loss of life god, the detective gameplay, charming characters, and attractive plot function compelling proof for recommending Grasp Detective Archives: RAIN CODE. Pacing and loading points apart, the signature model of storytelling that made the Danganronpa trilogy so refreshing is on full show right here. I genuinely grew to adore the pairing of Yuma and Shinigami by the sport’s finish, and that’s a testomony to how effectively each characters are written and voiced. There are some tough patches on this murder-filled thriller journey, but it surely’s a journey effectively value experiencing.