Info about Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus:

Official game description:
Notice
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\*A patch that includes support for English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish was released on October 1st, 2024.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus Lucid-Noir Limited Edition!
=====================================================================
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus Lucid-Noir Limited Edition for Steam is available from Spike Chunsoft, Inc.!
The limited edition includes the following:
*   Steam code
*   SteelBook case
*   6.5" Shinigami plush
*   Noise of Neon CD
*   Halara Nightmare novel
You can purchase it from Spike Chunsoft, Inc.'s storefront while supplies last.
About the Game
==============
Enjoy a brand new dark fantasy detective action game from the minds behind the Danganronpa series!
A city of rain is gripped by innumerable unsolved mysteries, under the complete control of a megacorporation. Master Detectives from around the world, each possessing unique powers, must rise to the challenge of uncovering the truth. With Shinigami by his side, Yuma joins the investigation as a trainee of the detective agency.
The story progresses through investigation in the "real world" to collect clues needed to solve a case, then conquering the "Mystery Labyrinth" with the clues gathered.
Uncover the truth by making full use of your evidence in the Mystery Labyrinth.
\[Investigation\]
Take control of Yuma and explore Kanai Ward. Talk to people in the city and investigate crime scenes to collect "Solution Keys".
\[Forensic Forte\]
The detectives who investigate with Yuma have "Forensic Fortes," like "Postcognition" and "Disguise". They'll help find hidden clues and testimonies by utilizing these special abilities.
\[Mystery Labyrinth\]
As the investigation progresses, the "Mystery Labyrinth" will appear. The mysteries of the case materialize in the form of gimmicks and traps to attack you. Dodge them with the clues collected in the form of "Solution Keys".
\[Reasoning Death Match\]
In the Mystery Labyrinth, a "Mystery Phantom" appears to prevent you from finding the truth of the case. Fight back in fast-paced action sequences and slash through with a "Solution Blade"!
\[Additional Content Outside the Main Story\]
Obtain "Memory Shards" hidden in Kanai Ward to view secret memories between Yuma and the detectives. Enjoy substories and help people in need by fulfilling special requests.
"Plus" features:
\- 4K compatibility & improved overall performance
\- New gallery mode to enjoy cinematics and BGM
\- 5 substories featuring different Master Detectives
Ch. Desuhiko: Charisma Killed the Cat
Ch. Fubuki: Fubuki's Luckiest Day
Ch. Halara: Raining Cats & Dog
Ch. Vivia: The Near-Death Detective
Ch. Yakou: Thank You, My Detective
\[Languages\]
Interface: Japanese / Traditional Chinese / Simplified Chinese - Audio: Japanese
\*There is also Digital Deluxe Edition which contains digital art book and digital soundtrack. Please be mindful when purchasing.

Release date: 17 Jul, 2024

Categories: Narrative Adventure, Investigative Gameplay, Deductive Reasoning Puzzle, Single-player Story, Exploration, Real-time Combat, Visual Novel


- 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 mystery, strong narrative (weight 0.96): The game delivers a captivating mystery narrative with well-developed characters, intricate plots, and surprising twists. Many reviewers compare the game favorably to the Danganronpa series, citing similar themes, art style, and overall feel, with some considering it an improvement. The game's story, characters, and world-building are consistently praised.
- Visually appealing, stylish design (weight 0.86): The game features appealing visuals, including character designs, art style, and environments. Reviewers highlight the game's aesthetic qualities, noting the improved graphics and art direction compared to previous titles. The unique and stylish character designs are frequently mentioned as a strong positive.
- Engaging mysteries, clever cases (weight 0.7): The game features engaging mysteries and well-structured cases that require players to think critically and deduce solutions. Reviewers appreciate the unique detective abilities and the way the game avoids withholding information, allowing players to solve cases based on the clues provided. The cases are creative and interesting, with some reviewers highlighting specific cases as standouts.
- Outstanding, atmospheric soundtrack (weight 0.67): The game boasts an outstanding soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and complements the gameplay. Many reviewers note the music's quality and its ability to heighten both emotional moments and the sense of mystery. Some reviewers note the music has a similar vibe to Danganronpa.
- Enjoyable story, satisfying ending (weight 0.65): The game's story is generally enjoyable, with a satisfying ending and well-developed characters. Reviewers appreciate the plot twists and turns, as well as the emotional depth of the narrative. Some reviewers note that the later chapters are particularly engaging.
- Well-developed, likable characters (weight 0.6): The game features well-developed and likable characters, including both the main cast and the supporting characters. Reviewers appreciate the unique personalities and relationships between the characters, making them endearing and memorable. Even some antagonists are well-written and sympathetic.
- Specific chapters are well-executed (weight 0.59): Several reviewers highlight specific chapters as being particularly well-executed or enjoyable, with the prologue, Chapter 2, and Chapters 4 and 5 frequently mentioned. These chapters are praised for their strong writing, scenario building, and emotional impact.
- Diverse, balanced mini-games (weight 0.54): The game includes a variety of mini-games that add diversity to the gameplay and are generally considered to be well-designed and balanced. The game's difficulty is generally easy, making it accessible to beginners.
- General enjoyment, positive experience (weight 0.18): These points reflect general positive sentiment and enjoyment of the game. While these points are positive, they lack specific details about gameplay or mechanics.
- Shinigami: standout, endearing character (weight 0.18): The character Shinigami is a standout element, with reviewers praising her design, personality, and interactions with the protagonist. Many find her amusing and endearing, with some stating that she significantly enhances the overall experience. Some reviewers also appreciate the character's design.
- High-quality voice acting, localization (weight 0.07): The game features high-quality voice acting and localization, enhancing the overall immersion and enjoyment. Reviewers praise the English dub and the localization team's attention to detail. The game's accessibility in multiple languages is also appreciated.
- Immersive cyberpunk, rainy atmosphere (weight 0.06): The game's cyberpunk aesthetic, particularly the rainy city setting, creates a compelling and immersive atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the visual design of Kanai Ward, with its neon lights and unique technology, which contributes to the overall enjoyment of the game.

Common complaints:
- Inferior to Danganronpa series (weight 0.68): Many reviewers express disappointment with the game's characters, story, and mysteries when compared to the Danganronpa series. They find the characters underdeveloped, the plot predictable, and the cases less engaging.  The game is seen as lacking the depth, emotional impact, and originality of its predecessor, with some reviewers even calling it a low-budget or boring imitation.
- Repetitive side quests and padding (weight 0.53): Many reviewers found the side quests and open-world elements to be repetitive, tedious, and ultimately unfulfilling. These aspects feel like filler, adding length without meaningful content or connection to the main story.  The game's pacing is also criticized as being slow and drawn out, contributing to a sense of boredom.
- Tedious and repetitive Mystery Labyrinths (weight 0.21): The Mystery Labyrinths are criticized for being tedious, repetitive, and disconnected from the story. Reviewers found the mini-games uninspired and the overall experience to be a chore, with the solutions often being obvious before even entering the labyrinth. The labyrinths feel like unnecessary padding, artificially extending the game's length without adding meaningful content.
- Easy, hand-holdy deduction (weight 0.17): The game's deduction and mystery elements are criticized for being too easy and hand-holdy, with the game often providing obvious clues and solutions. The action elements feel out of place in a mystery game, and the game sometimes penalizes good deduction skills.  The game's logic is also inconsistent, and the solutions to cases can feel contrived.
- Slow character movement/pacing (weight 0.08): The character's movement speed is too slow, making exploration and traversal feel tedious and frustrating. The fast-forward function is insufficient to alleviate the slow pace, and the game's tempo is generally poor. This contributes to a feeling of the game dragging on and wasting the player's time.
- Too many Quick Time Events (QTEs) (weight 0.07): The game features an abundance of Quick Time Events (QTEs) that are often considered disruptive and poorly integrated into the gameplay. These QTEs can be challenging for players who struggle with reading quickly and thinking under pressure, and they sometimes feel out of place in a mystery game.
- Game is too easy (weight 0.06): The game's difficulty is too low, making it nearly impossible to lose and removing any sense of challenge. The puzzles are too easy, and the game provides excessive guidance, making the experience less engaging for experienced players. The game lacks a proper difficulty setting to adjust the challenge.
- Too many unskippable cutscenes (weight 0.06): Reviewers express frustration with the excessive number and length of unskippable cutscenes. These cutscenes disrupt the game's flow and contribute to a feeling of the game being padded out. The inability to skip dialogue is particularly frustrating when replaying sections for completion.
- Cases feel inconsequential (weight 0.05): The cases leading up to the final one feel inconsequential, with little tangible progress towards the main mysteries until the very end. The mystery dungeon segments can feel like a slog once the culprit is figured out, and some cases are easily solvable without even needing the Mystery Labyrinth.
- Slow start/long prologue (weight 0.04): The game starts slow, with the prologue being particularly long and tedious. The initial chapters serve as an introduction to the universe but can feel boring and drawn out. The chapter design is also criticized as being problematic.
- "Reasoning deathmatch" is flawed (weight 0.04): The "reasoning deathmatch" mini-game is criticized for being repetitive, slow-paced, and having unclear solutions. The bullet hell-style gameplay makes it difficult to understand where to input keys, and the sidekick character provides unsubtle hints, making the mode too easy.

Gameplay feedback:
- Similar to Danganronpa, but different (weight 0.42): The game shares many similarities with the Danganronpa series, including its structure, art style, mini-games, and focus on solving mysteries. However, it introduces new mechanics like the Mystery Labyrinth, which is comparable to Persona's palaces, and incorporates more action elements. While some find the similarities appealing, others feel it relies too heavily on the Danganronpa formula.
- Mystery Labyrinth: tedious and uninspired (weight 0.38): The Mystery Labyrinth is a core gameplay mechanic where players explore a manifestation of the case to solve puzzles, battle phantoms, and uncover the truth. However, many reviewers found the labyrinths to be linear, repetitive, and slow-paced, with uninteresting visuals and a lack of meaningful exploration. Some felt they disrupted the game's flow and didn't add much to the story.
- Pacing and RPG elements are flawed (weight 0.29): The game features a mix of investigation, puzzle-solving, and action elements, but some reviewers found the pacing strange and the RPG-like elements disjointed. Side quests are often uninspired fetch quests, and unnecessary QTEs and unskippable cutscenes disrupt the flow of gameplay. The leveling and character progression systems also lack depth.
- Open world exploration is limited (weight 0.27): The game features an open world with different city districts to explore, complete with side quests and a map for navigation. However, exploration often involves fetch quests and interacting with non-interactive NPCs and objects. The open world is segmented by loading screens when transitioning between areas.
- Unique argument counter mechanic (weight 0.03): The game features a mechanic to counter arguments, replacing the 'Truth Bullet' system with a dodge-and-weave minigame where players dodge verbal attacks and use 'Solution Keys' to counter contradictions. Combat involves identifying contradictions in enemy statements and using the correct 'solution key' to counter them, presented as a sword-swinging action.
- Focus on Yuma and Shinigami (weight 0.02): The game focuses on the core duo of Yuma and Shinigami, and the guest star party member for each chapter. The protagonist has a talkative Shinigami companion who accompanies him throughout the region.
- Later puzzles become predictable (weight 0.02): The puzzles in the last two chapters become fairly predictable with careful observation. Later chapters have more questions to answer and less clues to work with.
- Easy to get used to (weight 0.02): Once you understand how the game works, you get used to it quickly. The game adopts a new format that the reviewer found to be a good fit.
- Superpowers feel like a gimmick (weight 0.02): The 'superpower-based investigation' is more of a gimmick than a functional mechanic. Detective skills are only used to avoid enemy interference, making them feel unnecessary.
- Engaging story, linear progression (weight 0.02): The game features linear story progression with an open ending that suggests potential for a sequel. The main story is incredibly engaging, creating a strong desire to see what happens next.

Performance notes:
- Generally good performance and optimization (weight 0.09): The game generally runs well on PC, Steam Deck, and even Linux, with many players reporting smooth performance at various resolutions and settings. Some players with high-end PCs experienced occasional FPS drops, while others noted excellent optimization. Most did not encounter game-breaking bugs.
- Critical bugs cause system restarts (weight 0.01): Some players have reported a critical bug that can cause the computer to restart, possibly due to voltage overload. There's also a bug with resolution settings in multi-display environments.
- Broken Steam Cloud syncing (weight 0.01): Steam Cloud syncing is reportedly broken due to a very small quota per user. This prevents players from properly syncing their game progress across multiple devices.
- Static train window scenery (weight 0.01): A minor graphical glitch was observed in the first chapter where the train window scenery is static. This breaks immersion for some players.
- Dialogue appears slowly (weight 0.01): Even with maximum text speed, the next dialogue line doesn't appear instantly.
- Broken custom cursor on Linux (weight 0.01): The game's custom cursor didn't work on Linux, so the system cursor was visible instead.

Recommendations:
- Compared to Danganronpa (weight 0.65): The game is frequently compared to Danganronpa, with many reviewers recommending it to fans of that series. However, some caution that it may not live up to the standards of Danganronpa and suggest managing expectations. Some reviewers suggest that Danganronpa is a better alternative.
- Mixed feelings overall (weight 0.5): Many reviewers express mixed feelings, noting both positive and negative aspects. Some recommend the game despite its flaws, while others are more critical. Some reviewers recommend playing the game to the end, while others dropped the game before finishing it.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.48): Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing, as the full price may not be justified by the content or quality. Some feel the game is only worth buying at a significant discount, while others recommend it at full price, especially if you are a dedicated fan.
- Hope for a sequel (weight 0.14): Many reviewers express hope for a sequel that improves upon the current game's shortcomings. They are excited about the potential of the universe and characters and want to see the story continue. Some reviewers have specific ideas for the sequel's plot or gameplay.
- Generally recommended game (weight 0.1): Many reviewers recommend the game, highlighting its strengths and enjoyable aspects. Some describe it as excellent, brilliant, or a must-play, while others simply state that they enjoyed it or found it worthwhile. Some reviewers recommend the game for specific types of players, such as those who enjoy puzzle-solving or visual novels.
- Recommended for Kodaka/Spike fans (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for fans of Kazutaka Kodaka's style and other Spike Chunsoft games. Some reviewers highlight the unique art style and world view as draws for fans of the creators' previous works.
- Appeal of Little Death character (weight 0.03): Some reviewers give the game a positive review primarily due to the appeal of the Little Death character. They may recommend the game to fans of this character, even if they have other criticisms.
- Repetitive Mystery Labyrinths (weight 0.02): Some reviewers find the Mystery Labyrinths repetitive and hope for improvements in future installments. While the increased interactivity is a positive, the design can become tedious.
- Reduce sexual comments (weight 0.01): Some reviewers suggest that the developers reduce the sexual comments made towards female characters in future games. One reviewer gives a very positive rating because they found the character design appealing.
- Unnecessary side quests (weight 0.01): Some reviewers found side quests unnecessary and suggest avoiding them until clearing the main game to prevent spoilers.
- Requires extreme patience (weight 0.01): Some reviewers mention that the game requires extreme patience to fully appreciate it. Players should look past initial impressions.

Other player notes:
- Strong Danganronpa similarities/influences (weight 0.15): Many reviewers compare this game to Danganronpa, noting similarities in art style, music, character design, and narrative structure due to shared staff and the storytelling style of Kazutaka Kodaka. Some find the similarities distracting, while others appreciate the familiar feel. However, some reviewers noted that the characters' personalities are not as strong compared to Danganronpa 1 and 2.
- Sequel hinted at in ending (weight 0.03): Several reviewers noted that the game's ending and epilogue strongly suggest the possibility of a sequel. The amount of 3D assets created for the game also makes a second installment worthwhile. Some reviewers even speculate on the potential setting for a sequel.
- Shinigami is a highlight (weight 0.02): Shinigami is a highlight of the game. Shinigami character is a mix of comic relief, fan-service, sidekick, and fetish elements. Some reviewers found the little grim reaper character to be cute.
- Uneven character development/world-building (weight 0.02): Some reviewers found that the side missions expand on side characters and provide world-building, but can be skipped without missing much if not invested in the story. Other reviewers noted that the main characters are well-developed, but the supporting characters lack depth. Some found the explanations of settings unnecessary and irrelevant.
- Protagonist with amnesia/death god (weight 0.02): The protagonist, Yuma Kokohead, is a blend of Kyoko Kirigiri’s intellect and Shuichi Saihara’s charm, growing throughout the story. He suffers from amnesia and forms a pact with Shinigami, a death goddess who assists in investigations. The story begins with the protagonist waking up in an unfamiliar room with amnesia, guided by a ghost named "Little Death."
- Pink blood is explained (weight 0.02): The game features pink blood, with a reason provided for its existence. Some reviewers questioned why blood isn't pink in the game, but the pink blood is explained in the game.
- Mature rating, but tame (weight 0.01): The game is rated "mature" on Steam for blood and nudity, but it felt tame with no nudity, just light sexual jokes. The game is considered appropriate for teens and adults and does not feature fan service elements.
- Kanai Ward setting/cyberpunk aesthetics (weight 0.01): The game is set in Kanai Ward, a city where it has been raining for three years, controlled by the Amaterasu Corporation, blending cyberpunk and retro aesthetics. The PC version showcases detailed character models and overall scenery, presenting a beautiful cyberpunk "rain city" aesthetic for Kanai Ward.
- DLCs are a welcome extra (weight 0.01): The DLCs included in the Steam version are a welcome extra. The Steam version includes story DLC with five character stories and a music/art set.

Emotions:
No emotions}