A masterfully written game that was crafted in memorial of the singer for the classic butterfly dream song. Easily the best digimon game in the entire franchise, with an amazing soundtrack, additional Kowloon stages, more variety when it comes to sidestories and quests, as well as more character development and lore that was absent from the first game.
Far superior to the original cybersleuth, and in my opinion, a standalone that makes the previous game obsolete. The first installment of cybersleuth was erroneous and set up a premise that would not allow you to fail since your powers in cyberspace relied on being an anomaly (a glitch that could easily access anything and everything, making the tension very slim). I personally think you can always make up bullshit to get your characters into trouble, but you should never make up bullshit to get them out of trouble. Cybersleuth (the original) set up a world where the main character simply could not be defeated, which ruined any stakes and allowed us to only experience the plot because the main character became a glitch (gathering information otherwise inaccessible, meaning it would be impossible to reach the ending unless you became a glitch).
This time around, we are playing a regular every-day character with a lively and expressive personality. Instead of being the only source of power and acting alone, you join a team and work together with characters that eventually become your family.
The interesting thing is that every character in this circle cares deeply for one another, but each and every one of them is keeping secrets in hopes of protecting the other. This is where our protagonist (Keisuke) becomes a pivotal part to the story, bridging gaps between characters and allowing us insight into how some characters view each other and what their dynamics are. By Keisuke's help, each character is allowed to flourish and blossom, or crash and suffer- depending on how he acts (and both cases are true- giving the scenario more weight by showing that you can not always succeed even with the best of intentions).
I think what this game excelled in the most is communication. It allowed us to see when communication failed, was avoided, or misunderstood or kept secret, and how it impacted the plot and characters. There are numerous instances where a simple glance or quiet dialogue spoken in mere expressions can mean so much when you replay the game. The very first scene with Yuu and Keisuke in the cafe shows us a silent conversation that consists of nothing but nods and expressions. Upon first playthrough, it seemed just like any normal conversation. After having finished the game and replayed it, I now know what Yuu was feeling when he was trying to convey his feelings to Keisuke about how "he should be enough".
Having 100% completed cybersleuth, and knowing the ending, I can safely say I was aware what would happen, but was not prepared for just how the game tore my heart out and ruined me. Thinking about it now makes me feel all types of emotions.
The appeal of this game is not just in the battle system (although it's addicting and fun) nor in the areas, the music, or even the lore in the end- it's about a journey to complete a puzzle that no one knew was missing a piece. The group was one as a whole at the start of the game, united, but distant because of their traumas and hardships. Keisuke becomes the piece that no one knew was missing, allowing the puzzle to finally be completed.
I love this game. It's the only game I replayed immediately as I was done going through the end credits. My tears had not even dried before I was back at the start of the game, eager to go through the story yet again just to catch all the hints and foreshadowing added to the story.
If you want a meaningful game that will capture your heart and make you understand what it means to mend a friendship no one knew was broken and grow closer because of it, this game is 100% going to satisfy you.
And if you just care about a guy being obsessed with the protagonist so much he wants to kiss him on the mouth, don't worry, this game is also 100% for you.
Basically, if you breathe, this game is for you.
Far superior to the original cybersleuth, and in my opinion, a standalone that makes the previous game obsolete. The first installment of cybersleuth was erroneous and set up a premise that would not allow you to fail since your powers in cyberspace relied on being an anomaly (a glitch that could easily access anything and everything, making the tension very slim). I personally think you can always make up bullshit to get your characters into trouble, but you should never make up bullshit to get them out of trouble. Cybersleuth (the original) set up a world where the main character simply could not be defeated, which ruined any stakes and allowed us to only experience the plot because the main character became a glitch (gathering information otherwise inaccessible, meaning it would be impossible to reach the ending unless you became a glitch).
This time around, we are playing a regular every-day character with a lively and expressive personality. Instead of being the only source of power and acting alone, you join a team and work together with characters that eventually become your family.
The interesting thing is that every character in this circle cares deeply for one another, but each and every one of them is keeping secrets in hopes of protecting the other. This is where our protagonist (Keisuke) becomes a pivotal part to the story, bridging gaps between characters and allowing us insight into how some characters view each other and what their dynamics are. By Keisuke's help, each character is allowed to flourish and blossom, or crash and suffer- depending on how he acts (and both cases are true- giving the scenario more weight by showing that you can not always succeed even with the best of intentions).
I think what this game excelled in the most is communication. It allowed us to see when communication failed, was avoided, or misunderstood or kept secret, and how it impacted the plot and characters. There are numerous instances where a simple glance or quiet dialogue spoken in mere expressions can mean so much when you replay the game. The very first scene with Yuu and Keisuke in the cafe shows us a silent conversation that consists of nothing but nods and expressions. Upon first playthrough, it seemed just like any normal conversation. After having finished the game and replayed it, I now know what Yuu was feeling when he was trying to convey his feelings to Keisuke about how "he should be enough".
Having 100% completed cybersleuth, and knowing the ending, I can safely say I was aware what would happen, but was not prepared for just how the game tore my heart out and ruined me. Thinking about it now makes me feel all types of emotions.
The appeal of this game is not just in the battle system (although it's addicting and fun) nor in the areas, the music, or even the lore in the end- it's about a journey to complete a puzzle that no one knew was missing a piece. The group was one as a whole at the start of the game, united, but distant because of their traumas and hardships. Keisuke becomes the piece that no one knew was missing, allowing the puzzle to finally be completed.
I love this game. It's the only game I replayed immediately as I was done going through the end credits. My tears had not even dried before I was back at the start of the game, eager to go through the story yet again just to catch all the hints and foreshadowing added to the story.
If you want a meaningful game that will capture your heart and make you understand what it means to mend a friendship no one knew was broken and grow closer because of it, this game is 100% going to satisfy you.
And if you just care about a guy being obsessed with the protagonist so much he wants to kiss him on the mouth, don't worry, this game is also 100% for you.
Basically, if you breathe, this game is for you.