Homicide on the Marine Specific is one other visible novel in an more and more rising area on the Nintendo Change. I’ve reviewed a number of titles on this style, one which continues to intrigue me whereas additionally failing to reside as much as my expectations. Marine Specific is a good sufficient entry total, however it wants to enhance in a number of key areas.
The story entails the titular Ranko Togawa, a 17-year-old woman touring together with her prep faculty classmates on the maiden voyage of the submarine practice, the Marine Specific. A enjoyable area journey quickly results in a homicide thriller, one Ranko takes upon herself to research and discover the wrongdoer for unclear causes. The lead is a giant a part of the success of visible novels, and Ranko doesn’t do it for me. Extra profitable is her buddy, Astrid, in a Dr. Watson-type position.
Ranko is aware of she’s sticking her nostril the place the police would, however she doesn’t appear to care. All through her investigations, we see her being a little bit of a bully, disrespectful, and extra. Whereas a assured newbie sleuth, Ranko lacks the life expertise to warrant such a excessive opinion about herself. The truth is, although her hubris led me to imagine this launch was a part of a collection, that is evidently the primary one. It’s one instance of my having early expectations that weren’t met.
One other is size. Marketed as “providing 3-4 hours of studying,” I completed it in just 2 hours. Had I turned off the sluggish auto advance and manually flipped pages, I’m wondering if I might’ve even hit that quantity. This makes most of the characters not get sufficient improvement time. Most are teen women with acquainted drama, gossip, munchies, and so on. There are simply shy of twenty, many showing too briefly to make a lot of an influence, which led to my struggles in remembering some intimately. Fortunately, you possibly can view contacts on Ranko’s cellphone for a refresher.
No less than the brief size (three in-game days) limits pacing points widespread to this style. Though the mid-game part can drag a bit, a minimum of when in comparison with the fast opening and considerably charming conclusion. Alongside the best way, you’ll uncover battery, extra demise, and a few themes that positively earn the Teen score.
The ending is a bit preachy, however the total sport did simply sufficient proper that I’d be prepared to entertain a while with Ranko once more. I’d wish to see her develop extra maturity (she’s not almost as sensible as she might imagine), so maybe a sequel may be set when she is an grownup. It may have some decisions as effectively. It is a straight visible novel missing any actual participant enter, which is a disgrace since it will actually match the story.
Relating to presentation, I relatively dig the “Retro-feel graphics with pixel artwork within the type of previous textual content journey video games.” Sadly, the brief size means you will notice few locales outdoors the eating corridor, related rooms, and walkways. The truth is, the ocean setting is underused, principally an excuse to maintain the women contained within the underwater sub so the authorities can’t intervene. The lecturers are however little obstacles to Ranko roaming about.
Homicide on the Marine Specific has loads of points, an unlikeable lead being chief amongst them. However, for higher or worse, it doesn’t overstay its welcome as a result of its two-hour size. For the funds value, style followers can wishlist it and hope for a extra developed sequel.