SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, brought to us by PQube and MAGES, marks the latest installment in a well-regarded visual novel collection. This entry stems from the beloved Memories Off series, which originally debuted on the PlayStation in 1999. Acting as a spin-off, this game sets the scene a decade after the main series, placing players in the shoes of college student Junya Mizumoto. Next year promises a new release for the Nintendo Switch in Japan, which fans hope will also make its way worldwide.
The game begins with Junya grappling with the sorrow of losing his brother in a tragic accident just a year earlier. Enter a mysterious girl who tells you, rather ominously, that you should have been the one to die. Facing such a challenge, life takes an unexpected turn as you reunite with Chihaya Hojo, a childhood friend, for a shared project. The task at hand? Restoring a traditional Japanese house, the Hojo manor, which holds significant sentimental value for Chihaya’s family. To preserve the element of surprise, I won’t spoil the rest, but know that your choices will intricately shape your journey as you build connections with characters like Chihaya Hojo, Hinata Ise, Azusa Satomi, Chunyu Huang, and Yuriko Oyama through various narrative pathways.
Visual novels can be quite an experience if you’re new to the genre, presenting compelling stories through both text and imagery. Many of these games feature full voice acting, and this one is no exception, though the voice-overs are in Japanese. So, English speakers will be doing a fair bit of reading, but that’s all part and parcel of this immersive genre.
Rewinding a bit, SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky doesn’t stray far from its roots. You’re still Junya, still dealing with your past, and still facing the repercussions of meeting that strange girl. But let’s not forget the heartening news of teaming up with Chihaya on the renovation project at Hojo manor. This endeavor reveals much about your character’s legacy and opens up new horizons—if you’re up to the task.
On a different note, aside from minor hiccups like the occasional typo or grammatical mishap in the game’s localization, there’s little to criticize. The title is available for the Nintendo Switch at a price of $39.99, offering both engaging content and a nostalgic touch for fans old and new.
To wrap it all up, the version of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky reviewed here was provided by PQube for the Nintendo Switch, bringing a vibrant narrative experience to visual novel enthusiasts.
