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 an honest sufficient entry general, however it wants to enhance in a number of key areas.
The story includes the titular Ranko Togawa, a 17-year-old woman touring together with her prep college classmates on the maiden voyage of the submarine prepare, the Marine Specific. A enjoyable area journey quickly results in a homicide thriller, one Ranko takes upon herself to analyze and discover the wrongdoer for unclear causes. The lead is an enormous a part of the success of visible novels, and Ranko doesn’t do it for me. Extra profitable is her good friend, 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. In reality, despite the fact that 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 only 2 hours. Had I turned off the sluggish auto advance and manually flipped pages, I ponder if I’d’ve even hit that quantity. This makes lots of the characters not get sufficient growth time. Most are teen women with acquainted drama, gossip, munchies, and so forth. 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 may view contacts on Ranko’s telephone for a refresher.
A minimum of the quick 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 fascinating conclusion. Alongside the best way, you’ll uncover battery, extra demise, and a few themes that undoubtedly earn the Teen score.
The ending is a bit preachy, however the general sport did simply sufficient proper that I’d be keen to entertain a while with Ranko once more. I’d prefer to see her develop extra maturity (she’s not practically as sensible as she might imagine), so maybe a sequel will be set when she is an grownup. It might have some decisions as effectively. It is a straight visible novel missing any actual participant enter, which is a disgrace since it might actually match the story.
Concerning presentation, I somewhat dig the “Retro-feel graphics with pixel artwork within the fashion of outdated textual content journey video games.” Sadly, the quick size means you will note few locales outdoors the eating corridor, related rooms, and walkways. In reality, the ocean setting is underused, principally an excuse to maintain the ladies contained within the underwater sub so the authorities can’t intervene. The academics 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 finances worth, style followers can wishlist it and hope for a extra developed sequel.
