The Silver Case welcomes you into a realistic and neutral world and slowly unravels it to reveal a surreal backdrop with multiple pillars holding its secrets and themes together. It takes its sweet time to build up to a grand revelation and then it diverges into multiple paths, philosophies and twists that elevate The Silver Case above any other game of its type, that is if there's anything that is even comparable to it.
Side 1 of this story, Transmitter is an avante garde mystery thriller that takes a deep dive into a complex and profound concept that follows themes of the malleability of information, the dangers of the internet and what it means to be the self. This game has simply put, the most realistically written characters in gaming history. From Tetsugoro Kusabi to Sumio Kodai to Kamui Uehara. Each character represents distinct ideas and have personalities that feel so real, it's almost like you're taking part in the mystery. That last part is true, as the silent protagonist of Transmitter is a surrogate for the player and as the story develops, so does the player's perspective on the themes of the game. It even goes meta, with the game toying with what your character truly represents. Whatever it means, the focus of Transmitter is developing the themes, world and how the characters in that world react to the events. The style is ever so present in every single one of these mysteries, with even the text boxes being resized turning into a story device for reveals and style-bending sequences. It's all topped off with a cerebral yet bittersweet ending that leaves some if not most questions up to the interpretation of the player. Some of the questions, though, are left up to Tokio Morishima.
Side 2 of this story is Placebo, which follows the aforementioned Tokio Morishima, a freelance reporter investigating the events and aftermaths of the events in Transmitter. The writing and art-style shift, as not only are these chapters written by people other than Suda51, but they also have a different idea. They not only aim to explain some of the questions and events in Transmitter, but it also tells a story with similar themes but with new, more profound ideas. What Transmitter lacks in development of a protagonist, Placebo makes up for with Tokio, who is the best written character in the game. Placebo has purposeful monotony to develop Tokio's themes of loneliness and cynicism. These chapters have some of the funniest, most profound and emotionally potent moments of the game. I can't shower Placebo with enough praise, as it elevates the overall experience by a large margin.
These two sides come together to form a melody of a surreal crime thriller that achieves everything it sets out to do. It excellently constructs a complex, yet realistic world with its slow-pace, excellent music and poignant character development and it lays the groundwork for Suda's main concept all throughout his career. The SIlver Case is about letting go of your past, to face a better future. We sulk in the mistakes and events that drag us down and prevent us from moving forward. To fully become yourself, you must accept your identity, face the music and KILL THE PAST to work towards a better future. This is the message that The Silver Case wants to push forward and it not only does it excellently, but in a wonderful, entertaining and poignant way which makes it one of the most profound and memorable games I've ever played.
Side 1 of this story, Transmitter is an avante garde mystery thriller that takes a deep dive into a complex and profound concept that follows themes of the malleability of information, the dangers of the internet and what it means to be the self. This game has simply put, the most realistically written characters in gaming history. From Tetsugoro Kusabi to Sumio Kodai to Kamui Uehara. Each character represents distinct ideas and have personalities that feel so real, it's almost like you're taking part in the mystery. That last part is true, as the silent protagonist of Transmitter is a surrogate for the player and as the story develops, so does the player's perspective on the themes of the game. It even goes meta, with the game toying with what your character truly represents. Whatever it means, the focus of Transmitter is developing the themes, world and how the characters in that world react to the events. The style is ever so present in every single one of these mysteries, with even the text boxes being resized turning into a story device for reveals and style-bending sequences. It's all topped off with a cerebral yet bittersweet ending that leaves some if not most questions up to the interpretation of the player. Some of the questions, though, are left up to Tokio Morishima.
Side 2 of this story is Placebo, which follows the aforementioned Tokio Morishima, a freelance reporter investigating the events and aftermaths of the events in Transmitter. The writing and art-style shift, as not only are these chapters written by people other than Suda51, but they also have a different idea. They not only aim to explain some of the questions and events in Transmitter, but it also tells a story with similar themes but with new, more profound ideas. What Transmitter lacks in development of a protagonist, Placebo makes up for with Tokio, who is the best written character in the game. Placebo has purposeful monotony to develop Tokio's themes of loneliness and cynicism. These chapters have some of the funniest, most profound and emotionally potent moments of the game. I can't shower Placebo with enough praise, as it elevates the overall experience by a large margin.
These two sides come together to form a melody of a surreal crime thriller that achieves everything it sets out to do. It excellently constructs a complex, yet realistic world with its slow-pace, excellent music and poignant character development and it lays the groundwork for Suda's main concept all throughout his career. The SIlver Case is about letting go of your past, to face a better future. We sulk in the mistakes and events that drag us down and prevent us from moving forward. To fully become yourself, you must accept your identity, face the music and KILL THE PAST to work towards a better future. This is the message that The Silver Case wants to push forward and it not only does it excellently, but in a wonderful, entertaining and poignant way which makes it one of the most profound and memorable games I've ever played.
3 Comments
you should . . .
@Baka_Ouji Absolutely.
Baka_Ouji
2 years ago