Info about PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse:

Official game description:
A brand new PARANORMASIGHT tale begins in Ise-Shima, Japan - a region rich in mermaid legends.  
Join a cast of fascinating characters investigating the mysteries of the Mermaids of Ise. Unravel their different perspectives on the case and guide the story to its thrilling conclusion.
Story:
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The remote island of Kameshima sits nestled in Ise bay.  
Yuza Minakuchi is a young pearl diver who lives on the island and spends his days underwater gathering, together with his best friend Azami Kumoi. After he has a bewildering supernatural experience encountering another version of himself on the ocean floor, a series of curses start to befall the island...  
A girl of unknown origins, a treasure hunter from a foreign land and a mysterious housewife investigating a drowning. Paths cross and destinies collide as they come closer to the secret of the Mermaids of Ise, a legend that has been obscured by the fog of history for so long.
Features:
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\- A brand-new story that starts with a new location, new supernatural legends and a new cast of characters.  
\- Faithful reproductions of real locations and vistas in collaboration with Mie prefecture. Investigate stunning 360 degree backgrounds for clues.  
\- Numerous new gameplay systems and mechanics, including a new Diving mini game.  
\- Play as multiple characters to unravel the mystery in this supernatural visual novel.  
\- Unearth the truth by your own hand!

Release date: Feb 19, 2026

Categories: Visual Novel, Puzzle Solving, Choice-based Narrative, Multiple Perspectives, Mystery, Narrative-driven Gameplay, Historical Simulation, Mini-games

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless; summary: The game appears to run well on the Steam Deck according to user feedback. There are no significant technical barriers or issues reported, indicating a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Compelling and well-crafted story (weight 0.63): The storyline is praised for being easy to follow, logical, and well-crafted. The narrative structure is engaging and the story is considered solid and enjoyable.
- Engaging and innovative puzzles (weight 0.56): The game features a variety of interesting and well-designed puzzles that make effective use of game mechanics. Players appreciate the innovative and reasonable puzzle-solving elements.
- Unique and immersive meta elements (weight 0.42): The game includes interesting and engaging meta-fiction elements that enhance the overall experience. These meta elements are well-integrated and have reasonable explanations.
- Well-developed characters and interactions (weight 0.36): Characters are well-developed and their interactions are well-balanced. The character stories and relationships are engaging and emotionally resonant.
- Integration of local history and legends (weight 0.28): The game cleverly integrates local history and legends into the story, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative that connects modern and historical elements.
- Improved and stable storyline (weight 0.26): The storyline is noted for being more polished and connected to the predecessor, maintaining the quality of the previous game and being more acceptable compared to it.
- Consistent and engaging suspense (weight 0.21): The game maintains a consistent atmosphere of supernatural suspense, which is well-executed and engaging throughout the gameplay.
- Satisfying true ending (weight 0.16): Players find the true ending of the game to be satisfying and well-executed, providing a fulfilling conclusion to the story.
- Relaxed and accessible gameplay (weight 0.16): The gameplay is noted for being more relaxed and accessible, including a variety of elements that make it engaging and enjoyable.
- Recommended for fans of the first game (weight 0.15): The game is recommended for fans of the first game, as it is seen as a fantastic follow-up that maintains the quality and storyline of the previous game.

Common complaints:
- Reduced horror elements (weight 0.43): The game has significantly fewer horror and dark elements compared to its predecessor, leading to a lighter atmosphere and less suspense.
- Difficult true ending (weight 0.41): The conditions for achieving the true ending are considered too difficult and hidden, making it hard to obtain without external guides.
- Shorter gameplay duration (weight 0.35): The game is perceived as shorter compared to the first game, leaving players feeling it is less deep and substantial.
- Puzzle design issues (weight 0.32): Puzzles are criticized for being either too difficult, too simple, or not as cleverly designed as in the previous game, affecting overall enjoyment.
- Weak character development (weight 0.31): Character development is criticized for being shallow, lacking depth, and having unclear motivations.
- Motion sickness in diving sections (weight 0.15): Some players experience motion sickness during the free-diving sections of the game.
- High initial price (weight 0.11): The initial price of the game is considered a bit high or expensive by some players.
- No voice acting (weight 0.1): The game lacks voice acting, which some players find disappointing.
- Abrupt love story (weight 0.1): The love story in the game feels ham-fisted and abrupt, detracting from the overall narrative.
- Predictable plot twists (weight 0.1): The game lacks surprise due to familiarity with the previous game and predictable plot twists.
- Easily identifiable villain (weight 0.1): The villain is easily identifiable and too easy to guess, reducing the suspense.
- Weak villain portrayal (weight 0.1): The portrayal of the villain is unsatisfactory and weak, affecting the overall story.
- Slow narrative pacing (weight 0.1): The narrative pacing is slow, leading to issues with the overall flow of the game.
- Fewer curse battles (weight 0.1): There are fewer curse battles compared to the previous game, which some players find disappointing.
- Less surprising meta elements (weight 0.1): The meta elements in the game are less surprising compared to the predecessor and can be misleading.

Gameplay feedback:
- Rich narrative and meta elements (weight 0.78): The game incorporates character perspectives, meta elements, and regional folklore. The narrative is driven by multiple storylines and character development, with meta-fiction elements that break the fourth wall, enhancing the storytelling experience.
- Historical and folklore integration (weight 0.45): The storyline is based on historical folklore and cultural background, integrating historical stories and supernatural mysteries. This adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the game's setting and plot.
- Engaging mini-games (weight 0.43): Players highlight the diving and fishing mini-games as notable features. These mini-games include diving mechanics, sea diving gameplay, and mirror puzzles, adding depth and variety to the overall gaming experience.
- Diverse puzzle-solving mechanics (weight 0.37): The game features a variety of puzzle-solving mechanics, including story-driven puzzles, meta puzzle-solving elements, and interactive puzzles. The difficulty and design of these puzzles are frequently mentioned, indicating a strong focus on mystery-focused gameplay.
- Visual novel mechanics (weight 0.21): The game includes visual novel mechanics, focusing on a core script and character-driven narrative. This enhances the storytelling and player engagement through a visual novel format.
- Suspense and horror elements (weight 0.2): The game blends suspense and horror elements, creating a supernatural mystery atmosphere. While it includes minimal horror, the focus is more on suspense and folklore-driven storytelling.
- Unique gameplay elements (weight 0.19): The game includes unique elements like curse battles, time travel mechanics, and 360-degree view mechanics. These features provide a distinctive and immersive gaming experience.
- Character interactions and development (weight 0.19): Character interactions and development are key aspects of the game. Players mention the emotional development of characters and their relationships, adding depth to the narrative.
- Historical and lore reading (weight 0.18): A significant part of the gameplay involves reading and interpreting historical materials and lore. This adds an educational aspect and depth to the game's narrative.
- Moderate difficulty with hints (weight 0.16): The game offers a moderate difficulty level with the provision of hints to aid players. This balance ensures that the puzzles and challenges are accessible yet engaging.
- Comparisons to predecessor (weight 0.11): Players draw comparisons to the game's predecessor, highlighting improvements and differences. This provides context for returning players and insights into the game's evolution.
- Game length and cost (weight 0.06): Players mention the game length and its cost, indicating considerations about the value and time investment required to complete the game.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.12): The game is compatible with the Steam Deck and plays well on this platform, providing a good gaming experience for Steam Deck users.
- Enhanced 3D graphics (weight 0.08): The game features improved graphics utilizing 3D technology, enhancing the visual experience for players.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for fans and newcomers (weight 0.26): The game is recommended for both players who enjoyed the previous game and newcomers who like similar titles such as Zero Escape or Danganronpa.
- Wait for a discount (weight 0.25): Many players suggest waiting for a discount or purchasing the game at a lower price, especially if not very interested.
- Hope for future installments (weight 0.21): Players express hope for the series to continue and look forward to future sequels, with mixed opinions on voice acting.
- More guidance for casual players (weight 0.07): Casual players request more guidance and hints to better enjoy the game.
- Appreciation for art style (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for its unique art style developed by SE.
- Support the series (weight 0.07): Players encourage supporting the series to ensure its continuation.
- Play the first game (weight 0.07): Players recommend playing the first game for a better understanding of the worldbuilding.
- Avoid spoilers (weight 0.06): It is recommended to play the game without spoilers for the best experience.
- Regulate regional pricing (weight 0.06): There is a suggestion for better pricing regulation in certain regions to make the game more accessible.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Players felt let down by the game's lack of innovation and depth compared to its predecessor. Key issues included a predictable plot, lack of voice acting, reduced horror elements, and weak character development. Additionally, the game's short length and difficult true ending conditions contributed to the disappointment.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): Players were thrilled by the game's well-written script, unique puzzle-solving experiences, and the potential for future installments. The improved horror and mystery elements, along with enjoyable gameplay mechanics like the 360-degree view and fishing mini-game, added to the excitement.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players found the game's story, characters, and meta elements highly engaging. The enjoyable gameplay, low price, and high-quality art and music contributed to a positive experience. The clever integration of local history and engaging storyline were also highlighted.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Players were satisfied with the game's storytelling, puzzle-solving mechanics, and overall quality. The true ending meta design, character designs, and regional folklore were particularly appreciated. The narrative structure and character arcs also contributed to a fulfilling experience.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Players experienced frustration due to difficult puzzles, unclear branching paths, and complex true ending conditions. Issues with the auto-read feature, save file problems, and poorly guided meta puzzle-solving added to the frustration.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Players expressed joy over the improved design, fun gameplay, and character interactions. The enjoyable fishing mechanics, descriptions of diving and marine life, and fantastic soundtrack contributed to a joyful experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciated the improved story completeness, narrative pace, and meta elements. The game was seen as a fantastic follow-up to the first game, with expanded puzzles and fun gameplay.
- Happy (weight 0.03): Players were happy about the sequel announcement, beautiful art style, and fun gameplay. Achieving high scores and leveling up, along with the overall improvement over the first game, contributed to their happiness.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Players expressed hope for the future development of the series and expectations for future sequels. They looked forward to more installments and improvements in the game.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Players were looking forward to future installments and had high expectations for the game. The anticipation was driven by the potential for new content and improvements.
- Disappointment (weight 0.02): 玩家对游戏的故事平淡和感情戏的说服力不强感到失望。
- Excitement (weight 0.02): 玩家对游戏剧情的怒涛展开感到兴奋。
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players were surprised by positive elements near the end of the game, the unexpected genre, and the creative true ending. These elements added a layer of unpredictability and excitement to the gameplay.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players were excited about the true ending requirements and new characters. The thrill of uncovering the story and character developments kept them engaged and eager for more.
- Surprised (weight 0.01): Players were surprised by the role story background and emotional line design. Discovering the game's unique elements, such as the diving simulation RPG aspects, added to their surprise.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players were disappointed with the short game length and the fact that the gameplay and story did not meet their expectations. This led to a sense of letdown and dissatisfaction.
- Hopefulness (weight 0.01): Players were hopeful for more gameplay and requested voice acting. They looked forward to future improvements and additional content.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Players were concerned about spoilers and the high initial price. These factors affected their overall experience and expectations.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players felt affection for the character relationships and storyline. The emotional connections and narrative depth resonated with them.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players were amused by the new system. The innovative gameplay mechanics and features brought a sense of fun and entertainment.}