The WhatsNext verdict
If you enjoy supernatural mystery visual novels built around appealing characters, budding romance, and anime art, this should suit you, provided you plan to continue past Episode 1 for the larger story’s payoff.
What it does best
A cast that makes supernatural nonsense feel irresistibly personal
Sharp, playful dialogue with a surprisingly warm romantic pulse
Bright, expressive anime presentation with unusually lively character work
What might put you off
An opening chapter that feels incomplete on its own
Crude sexual humor and adolescent male banter
The setup
What you are walking into
Izumi Tsubasu x Palette 14th project. 9-nine- Episode 1 is the first volume in a series of supernatural mystery games, with Episode 1 telling a story centered around Miyako Kujo. The entries in the the 9-nine- series share the same setting and world, but each entry focuses on a different heroine. 9-nine- is a tale of the town of Shiromitsugawa, host to mysterious Artifacts and the superpowers they bestow on their Users. A tale of growing trust and budding romance between the protagonist and the heroine, and also a murder mystery where they hunt down the culprit behind a series of supernatural murders. Each game has an independent story that can be enjoyed on its own.
Where it lives
Genre
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