So, I finally finished the visual novel/ boys’ love game, DRAMAtical Murder, published by Nitro+CHiRAL. And I have to say that I am overjoyed with the game. I was really just expecting some weak storyline with a lot of gay sex thrown into it, since this is marketed in the yaoi genre, but there was some significant plot and character developments!
I want to first praise the gorgeous art style that the game features. If you’re going to be marketing a product that features still images a lot, then the best way to keep the audience’s attention is to make the images beautiful and engaging, and DRAMAtical Murder delivers. Not only are the characters themselves intriguing to look at, the background work is phenomenal and detailed beyond belief. I could never get tired of looking at this game.
Then there are the characters and their personalities. The player makes choices for the main character, a Mister Aoba Seragaki. He’s a likable enough character to run along the story with, and I personally find him adorable to shadow around and easy to empathize with. But the real satisfaction and appreciation for this character comes at the very end of the game, after you’ve played through every route possible. After so many twists and turns (there must be around 12 different endings total for the game), you develop a very strong attachment to Aoba. And I think I can honestly say that I love every single one of the characters that Aoba interacts with. Everyone has their distinct flaws and personalities, and some of them I didn’t even like in the beginning, but after playing through their separate routes, it was very hard not to empathize and love them in the end. I did end up feeling a little confused and unfulfilled at the end of Mink’s route, but I can’t even say that I hate him. His story and personality were really hard for me to get into and understand, but by the end I just felt happy and a little sad for him.
And speaking of confusion, I would have to say that this has some complex themes for a sex game. Not that the actual plot itself is difficult; Aoba is ultimately trying to save everyone on his home island Midorijima from being brainwashed (to put it in an oversimplified nutshell). But the conversations between the characters and the decisions they make are some pretty serious ones. In one route, Aoba is basically explaining what it means to be alive, what to live for, and the meaning of life. Then there is the over obvious theme of self-conflict that drives the story. The resolution reached can be really inspiring if the audience can see it.
But I was really surprised by the range this game took in its genre as well. Right from the beginning, the setting is full of color and energy with an upbeat vibe to it. As the main conflict arises though, the air gets understandable darker but balances out with a literally all-white setting for the final conflict. Now, there are good endings and bad endings. Good endings are just what they sound like; they give you a warm feeling in your heart at the end and you smile at your victory. And bad endings are the opposite and way worse than they sound. On one hand, you have an adorable protagonist with bright blue hair, but if you pick the bad choices you end up with a really graphic, heartbreaking ending for him. The images shocked me, to say the least (and satisfied the sadist within me).
Then there is the amazing and iconic music that is present throughout the game. Even the background music that plays through certain scenes is easily recognizable. I’m hardly an expert in music, but to me, the music for DRAMAtical Murder is very unique to this game and I could easily pick it out. Every song accompanies their scene so beautifully and never fails to elicit an emotion out of me. It really gets the player involved and excited, in my opinion.
I really hate to be so vague, but I really don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t played/watched the game, because every decision and ending is so satisfying to stumble upon. That, and as a Japanese game with no official translated release, there is a small English-speaking audience who even knows the storyline intimately.
In conclusion, if you love shonen-ai/yaoi and visual novels, then this game is a must play. It’s one of a kind.
… God, I want to cosplay Aoba so bad now too…
H. B. Fox 