Review SIGINT 5/5 · Feb 1, 2023
Touching sci-fi VN does a lot with a little
I often find myself genuinely touched by sad stories, but it's extremely rare that I actually get choked up and misty-eyed. Planetarian is one of the only games that actually did get me to that point, much to my surprise. It's a short game, but still manages to hit high points with a few really moving moments.
This is a …
I often find myself genuinely touched by sad stories, but it's extremely rare that I actually get choked up and misty-eyed. Planetarian is one of the only games that actually did get me to that point, much to my surprise. It's a short game, but still manages to hit high points with a few really moving moments.
This is a kinetic novel, so just reading with some voiceover, music, and artwork, but no choices or anything. Those presentation elements are great here, with the music and rainy vibe of the artwork doing a lot to create a melancholy atmosphere. I found it well-paced and a great fit for this more laid-back game format.
The best thing about the game is the character seen in its promotional artwork, the humanoid robot Yumemi. Her writing, character design and expressions, and voice acting are responsible for the majority of the game's emotional core (both happy and sad). Her charming quirks and relentless desire to help and be positive make her a super likable character and a ray of sunshine in the otherwise desolate post-apocalyptic setting.
Aside from Yumemi and some characters briefly depicted in flashbacks, there's just one other character present for the entire game. This story is very small-scale and character-driven from start to finish, doing a great job at that one main task. Digressions that flesh out the world and its history aren't as strong on their own, but are necessary for the pacing and as a counterpoint to the main action.
The game makes very few attempts at big twists or surprises. Read about the game online for 10 seconds and you'll already know everyone calls it a "tearjerker". It generally telegraphs where it's going pretty clearly, and despite some unique details, it is not exactly groundbreaking in its overall story outline and character archetypes. I know many people who would dislike this and pick it apart, for sure.
I find for me that all that simplicity and predictability works to its benefit. Always underneath its slightly quirky sci-fi anime exterior is a slow, inevitable build-up of emotion, ready to be unleashed. Worked very well for me as a fan of similar character-driven melodrama. I expect anyone who's charmed by the setup in the first hour will find themselves unexpectedly invested before too long.
