Info about Memories Off:

Official game description:
\*This game is only available in Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.  
「メモリーズオフ」シリーズ1作目  
1999年に登場した恋愛アドベンチャーゲーム「メモリーズオフ」をフルＨＤ移植。  
ストーリーを読み進め、選択肢を選んでいくシンプルなアドベンチャーゲーム方式を採用。  
選択肢でストーリーが分岐。複数のエンディングへと進んでいきます。  
収録シナリオ  
本編  
Pure  
AfterStory  
Introduction  
かけがえのない想い…みつけた  
季節は秋……。  
主人公「三上智也」は、私立澄空学園に通う、17歳の高校２年生。  
日常の中で智也は、騒がしくも優しい幼なじみや気さくで明るい転校生など、様々な女の子たちとのふれあいを通して、自分の中の本当の想いを見出すことになる。  
彼女たちとの出会いは、智也の心に何をもたらすのだろうか？  
しかし、そんな彼の心の奥底には、胸を締め付けるような、辛い過去が秘められていた……。  
様々な想いと共に、秋は深まっていく……。  
STAFF  
キャラクターデザイン：ささきむつみ  
シナリオ：打越鋼太郎、佐々木智宏、安部理一郎、日暮茶坊、TAS（柴田太郎）、高瀬伸  
キャスト  
桧月彩花：山本麻里安  
今坂唯笑：那須めぐみ  
音羽かおる：田村ゆかり  
双海詩音：利田優子  
伊吹みなも：河合久美  
霧島小夜美：浅野るり  
稲穂信：間島淳司

Release date: Jan 31, 2024

Categories: Visual Novel, Dating Simulation, Multiple Endings, Branching Story, Anime Aesthetic, Single-player Story, Romance

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Playable with Save-Sync Friction; summary: The Steam Deck port is largely functional and well-adapted to controllers, with multiple users reporting smooth handheld play. The main friction is save-data reliability: cloud saves are absent or fail to sync between PC and Deck, and uninstalling on Deck can delete saves. No Proton toggles, external launchers, crashes, or unreadable UI are reported.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $12.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently frame this title as a budget-priced nostalgic release: 1,600 yen is called good value, and one reviewer says a full-price release would feel lacking. Others describe the series pricing as reasonable and this entry's value as acceptable for returning fans. This supports a fair base-game range around the current $9.99, with room slightly below or above it but not near full-price expectations.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 5.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: For gameCompletion, multiple reports point to roughly 20 hours for the main game plus post-clear content, and one report cites about 35 hours for full clearing, so 20 hours is used as the typical full-game figure with noted variance. For storyCompletion, the first route is reported at about 5-6 hours; separate route reports of 2-4 hours or about 2 hours after the common section suggest shorter individual routes, but the first complete route is the clearest single-story figure. No separate session length is reported, and post-clear content is included in the total rather than given its own hour count, so sessionLength and endgame are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Memories Off Collector (buy)
    - Motivation: Reconnecting with childhood and series memories while supporting and collecting a landmark visual novel.
    - Playstyle: Replays familiar routes, purchases collections or bundles, and values preservation and nostalgia over modern polish.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old fans; old players; Memories Off fans
    - Reference games: N/A
  - First Memories Off Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Finding an accessible first step into visual novels or the Memories Off series.
    - Playstyle: Follows a chosen heroine route with simple choices and reads the plain daily-life story as an introduction to the series.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Pure-Love Slice-of-Life Reader (buy)
    - Motivation: Emotional immersion in pure first love, friendship, and campus nostalgia.
    - Playstyle: Reads for atmosphere and character relationships, savoring daily-life scenes and romantic route endings.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: pure love warriors
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Critical Series Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: Completing the series and judging its historical and route-level quality with a critical eye.
    - Playstyle: Checks translations, endings, after stories, art age, and port quality while completing routes for series coverage.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Yui route standout (weight 0.35): Yui's route is often cited as the best or most emotionally satisfying, resolving the protagonist's emotional arc. Her true ending is particularly well-written.
- Minamo route moving (weight 0.35): Minamo's route, especially the 'Golden Sea' ending, is frequently mentioned as tragic but deeply moving. Her character portrayal is strong and memorable.
- Well-written classic story (weight 0.33): Reviewers consistently praise the main story as good, well-written, classic, and flowing naturally. The narrative is emotionally moving and timeless.
- Excellent music and BGM (weight 0.32): The soundtrack, including the OP and character themes, is widely praised as memorable and fitting the atmosphere. Takeshi Abo's music is a highlight.
- Helpful choice hint system (weight 0.32): The option hints with cute chibi icons indicating affection changes are a thoughtful and convenient feature. They help players navigate routes easily.
- Pure and realistic romance (weight 0.32): The game depicts high school romance without fantasy elements, focusing on pure emotions and realistic daily life. The innocence and shyness are well captured.
- Charming old art style (weight 0.31): The original art style is considered beautiful and nostalgic, holding up well despite its age. The HD remaster preserves the classic feel while improving resolution.
- Rich content and multiple routes (weight 0.31): The game offers multiple heroine routes, prequels like Pure, and after-stories, providing substantial playtime and replayability. Choices meaningfully affect the story.
- Shion route appealing (weight 0.28): Shion's route is praised for its gentle and intellectual atmosphere, with a good contrast between her cold exterior and gradual warming. It is considered one of the standout routes.
- Ayaka highly praised (weight 0.28): Ayaka Hizuki is frequently cited as a favorite character, with her route considered the most exciting and emotionally complex. Her ending feels like the true ending to many.
- Likable and distinct heroines (weight 0.26): Each heroine has a clear personality and background, making them memorable and endearing. Ayaka, Yui, Minamo, Shion, and others are frequently mentioned as favorites.
- Themes of loss and growth (weight 0.25): The story explores moving on from loss and grief, with a strong thematic core about memories and growth. The theme of 'when will the rain stop' resonates emotionally.
- Delicate emotional portrayal (weight 0.24): The game excels at depicting character emotions delicately, with nuanced writing that makes the romance and drama engaging. Jealousy and growth are shown subtly and realistically.
- Nostalgic 90s atmosphere (weight 0.23): The game captures the feel of the late 90s with its setting, phone booths, and anime-style art. This nostalgic appeal is a major draw for many players.
- Koyomi and Yue liked (weight 0.22): Koyomi and Yue are frequently mentioned as cute and likable characters, with their routes being enjoyable. Koyomi's mature appearance and childish personality are appealing.
- Protagonist personality appreciated (weight 0.2): The protagonist's eccentric behavior and hidden depth are seen as a major appeal. His flawed but growth-oriented character is well-received.
- Good value and historical significance (weight 0.2): The game is considered a classic worth experiencing at a low price, with historical importance as the start of the Memories Off series. It is recommended for fans of the genre.
- HD remaster improvements (weight 0.18): The HD remaster provides higher resolution, convenient controls, and modern features while retaining the original charm. The system is easier to play than before.
- Controller and Steam Deck support (weight 0.15): The game offers excellent controller support and runs well on Steam Deck, making it accessible on modern devices. The port is clean with no issues.
- Shin well-liked (weight 0.13): Shin Inaho is praised as a well-liked supporting character who, despite minimal screen time, significantly influences the plot and provides normalcy.

Common complaints:
- Poor translation quality (weight 0.29): Reviewers consistently complain about mistranslations, untranslated lines, typos, and guesswork, severely impacting story comprehension and overall experience.
- Routes too short and abrupt (weight 0.29): Many heroine routes, including Sayoko, Shion, and Sayomi, feel too short and end abruptly without satisfying conclusions, with Sayoko's route being the most severe example.
- Dated art style (weight 0.18): The art style feels old and dated, with some drawings being poor compared to later games and even the HD port unable to match modern visual quality.
- Protagonist unlikeable (weight 0.14): The protagonist's flippant and frivolous attitude annoys players, and his unfair treatment and disparagement of Yui in other routes makes the experience uncomfortable.
- After Story poor quality (weight 0.14): The After Story is criticized as long, poorly written, and not worth recommending, detracting from the overall experience.
- Language settings issues (weight 0.13): Players report that the game cannot be switched to Chinese in-game despite store page claims, and there is no in-game language switching option.
- No cloud save support (weight 0.13): The game lacks Steam Cloud support, preventing players from syncing saves between PC and Steam Deck, which discourages purchasing the full series.
- Translation text-voice mismatch (weight 0.11): The Chinese translation has inconsistencies between text and voice acting, with some lines not matching the audio and strange behavior in the text-voice sync option.
- Story feels cliché (weight 0.1): From a modern perspective, the story is bland and cliché, lacking originality by today's standards.
- Yui's submissive portrayal (weight 0.08): Yui is portrayed as a submissive simp who is a loser in other routes and remains submissive in her own route, which players find off-putting.
- Boring daily life segments (weight 0.08): The daily life segments are described as watery, annoying, and boring, slowing down the pacing.
- Common route too long (weight 0.08): The common route is long and filled with many meaningless choices, making it tedious for players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Visual novel with multiple routes (weight 0.97): The game is a visual novel featuring multiple character routes and choices that lead to different endings, as consistently described in clusters 1, 2, and 3.
- Branching choices affect story (weight 0.59): The game features numerous choices that influence story direction and character affection, determining which heroine route and ending the player enters, as noted in clusters 2, 5, and 16.
- School life slice-of-life setting (weight 0.58): The story is set in a school life setting with daily slice-of-life segments, following protagonist Tomoya Mikami, as described in clusters 1, 17, and 19.
- Character routes for heroines (weight 0.54): The game includes multiple heroine routes, such as Yui, Ayaka, Otowa, Minaha, Sayomi, Shion, and others, as detailed in cluster 2 and 11.
- Romance adventure game (weight 0.29): It is a romance adventure game and visual novel, often categorized as a bishoujo or gal game with romantic storylines, per clusters 3, 4, and 13.
- Multiple endings and world lines (weight 0.16): Players can achieve multiple endings, including true and good endings, and the game includes world lines and unlockable content such as CGs and achievements, according to clusters 7 and 12.
- Includes Pure prequel and after story (weight 0.13): The package includes the 'Pure' prequel and an after-story, adding extra content beyond the main routes, per clusters 9 and 10.
- Affection indicators via chibi characters (weight 0.12): Choices that affect a heroine's affection are indicated by dynamic chibi character icons, making it easier to navigate routes, as noted in clusters 14 and 16.
- Route length 2-6 hours (weight 0.1): Each route takes approximately 2 to 6 hours to complete, with total playtime exceeding 50 hours, according to cluster 6.
- Focus on one heroine (weight 0.08): Players must focus on romancing a single heroine; attempting to romance multiple leads to a bad ending or a specific route, according to cluster 18.

Performance notes:
- Crash when opening album (weight 0.05): Clicking the album causes the game to crash, disrupting gameplay. This is a critical bug that needs fixing.
- Steam Deck cloud save failure (weight 0.05): Cloud saves appear on PC but the Steam Deck shows all saves as empty, preventing cross-device progress. This specific issue affects handheld players.
- 16:9 aspect ratio only (weight 0.05): The port supports only 16:9 aspect ratio, cropping original 4:3 CG scenes. This limits compatibility with other display formats.
- Stable on Steam Deck (weight 0.04): The game runs without issues on the Steam Deck, providing a smooth handheld experience. This contrasts with the save issue but confirms general compatibility.
- Distorted images at non-16:9 (weight 0.04): When the resolution is not 16:9, images become distorted. This visual issue affects players using alternative aspect ratios.
- Steam overlay misalignment (weight 0.04): The Steam in-game overlay displays incorrectly and the mouse pointer is misaligned in fullscreen mode. This interface bug hampers usability.
- Runs at 2K resolution (weight 0.04): The game can be rendered at 2K resolution, indicating good visual scalability. This positive point highlights performance capability.
- Minor audio bugs (weight 0.04): Occasional audio glitches are reported, though they are not severe. These bugs detract slightly from the overall experience.

Recommendations:
- Classic romance worth playing (weight 0.23): Reviewers describe the game as a classic worth experiencing, with many recommending it for fans of pure love stories and classic romance visual novels. It is praised for its pure emotion and simple story.
- Caution for outdated elements (weight 0.18): Some reviewers note that the game has an outdated protagonist and old art style, recommending it only for players who can adjust their mindset and be tolerant. Others advise newcomers to consider if the style suits them before buying.
- Recommended for newcomers (weight 0.13): Multiple reviewers recommend this game as an excellent entry point for galgame beginners or players new to the Memories Off series. It is considered absolutely suitable as the first entry.
- Recommended for nostalgic fans (weight 0.13): The game is recommended for players who enjoy nostalgic works, pure love fans, and those looking to support the series. It appeals to those wanting to revisit or catch up on a missed experience.
- Not recommended as entry (weight 0.09): A few reviewers do not recommend this game as an entry point to the series, with one stating the faults outweigh the merits. Another advises against buying it except for archival value.
- Guide recommended for choices (weight 0.09): Reviewers suggest referring to a guide when making choices because the options are complicated. Specific advice includes saving Yui for last and not aiming for a harem.
- For old-school galge lovers (weight 0.09): Reviewers recommend the game for old-school galge lovers, veteran players of the genre, and fans of bishoujo games.
- Play Pure Story after (weight 0.07): One reviewer advises players to make sure to play the Pure Story after clearing the main game. Another suggests at least playing the Minamo ending even if the game doesn't suit you.
- Literary experience worth price (weight 0.07): One reviewer recommends it for those who want a literary experience worth the price, and another says the price is worth it.
- Series completionist appeal (weight 0.07): Some reviewers recommend the game for fans of the series and those who want to complete it, even if not strongly recommended as an old work.
- Buy bundle not individual (weight 0.04): A reviewer advises not to buy this game individually but to buy the full bundle instead, likely for better value.
- Good HD remaster overall (weight 0.04): One reviewer calls it an excellent HD remaster overall, though not perfect. This indicates the remaster quality is generally good.
- Skip for novelty seekers (weight 0.04): One reviewer does not recommend the game for players seeking novelty or playing it as a gal game, as it would be boring.
- Avoid epilogue (weight 0.04): One reviewer explicitly says do not watch the epilogue, indicating it may be disappointing or unnecessary.
- Select second launch option (weight 0.04): A reviewer reminds players to select the second launch option to play in Chinese, which is a technical tip for setting language.
- Short completion time (weight 0.04): A reviewer notes that the game does not take much time to complete, which may appeal to players looking for a shorter experience.
- Unique spin-off status (weight 0.04): One reviewer says it is worth playing due to its unique status as a spin-off first entry.
- Avoid as nice guy (weight 0.04): One reviewer advises not to play as a nice guy because affection points determine the ending, implying that being too nice may lead to a bad outcome.

Other player notes:
- HD remaster of 1999 original (weight 0.37): The game is a high-definition remaster of the original 1999 release, updated with higher resolution and modernized controls. It is not a new remake but an updated version of the classic title.
- First Memories Off entry (weight 0.19): This is the first game in the Memories Off series, originally released in 1999. It marks the beginning of the franchise.
- Originally released in 1999 (weight 0.19): The game was first released in 1999, making it a classic title from the end of the last century.
- Includes extra story chapters (weight 0.13): The game includes additional content such as the Pure chapter and After Story, beyond the main story.
- Old-school aesthetic and music (weight 0.13): The game features an old-school art style and nostalgic music that reflects its 1990s origins.
- Chinese title changed (weight 0.12): The game was formerly known as '秋之回忆' in Chinese but is now titled '告别回忆' to avoid copyright issues and to be closer to the original Japanese title.
- All-ages pure love game (weight 0.11): The game is an all-ages pure love story with no adult content.
- Previously available on PSP (weight 0.1): The game was originally available on the PSP and is now being replayed years later. It is also part of a 1-7 collection.
- Chinese translation has errors (weight 0.07): The Chinese localization occasionally contains errors and significant deviations.
- Available in Steam bundle (weight 0.07): The game can be purchased as part of a Steam bundle containing entries 1-7, often with a discount.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.12): Many players are disappointed by the poor translation quality, which includes errors, typos, and mismatches between audio and text. The game's short routes, lack of detailed character depiction, and an abrupt ending without a satisfying after-story further contribute to this feeling. Additionally, some expected a lighthearted galge but found the story too heavy, and the HD version's technical issues like missing cloud saves compound the letdown.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.12): The game evokes strong nostalgia through its classic, innocent romance and old-school art style, reminding players of first love and high school days. The refined music and retro atmosphere bring back memories of playing the game on PSP or during the early days of the Chinese GAL scene. Many appreciate the remaster for preserving the original's classic content and historical feel.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Frustration arises from the terrible translation that severely affects story understanding and immersion, along with technical issues like save problems and lack of cloud support. The male protagonist's outdated and unlikeable behavior, inconsistent characterization, and poor treatment of Yui also annoy players. Difficult route entry conditions and unintended affection changes add to the irritation.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the classic story that still evokes emotion, the delicate emotional writing, and the pure school life depiction. The excellent music, character designs, and subtle storytelling, including the use of rain as a poetic image, are highly praised. Many thank the development team for the game's individuality and atmosphere.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Admiration is directed at the game's excellent writing, pacing, and narrative tricks, as well as its well-rounded characters and delicate emotional writing. The music, especially the OP, and the pioneering gameplay are respected. The game is seen as a classic masterpiece that set the foundation for the series, with particular praise for Yui's true ending route.
- Affection (weight 0.04): Players feel affection for the characters, especially Yui, who is seen as an irreplaceable heroine, and the supportive friend Shin. The cute Q-style expressions and the game's ability to make players yearn for romance contribute to this feeling. Personal connections to characters like Ayaka and Minamo also foster deep affection.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance stems from the protagonist's flippant attitude, irresponsible behavior, and poor treatment of Yui, as well as his lack of growth in the after-story. Ayaka's clingy and loud early behavior and system issues like fullscreen problems and language settings also irritate players. Inconsistent plot and illogical character behavior add to the annoyance.
- Sadness (weight 0.04): Sadness is caused by the emotional pain inflicted on characters like Yui and Kaori, and the tragic elements such as death, guilt, and the protagonist's closed heart. Routes involving terminal illness and the sorrowful story of Minamo leave players feeling unresolved and heartbroken. Finishing certain routes feels like a breakup, and thinking of Yui while pursuing others adds to the sadness.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction comes from the great story, characters, voice acting, and music, as well as the rich choice system and hidden content discovered on multiple playthroughs. The happy endings and memorable final CGs, along with the game's release on Steam and good bundle price, provide a fulfilling experience. Excellent character development and controller support also contribute.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from unclear route endings, such as Kaori's route and the resolution of the three-person friendship in the true ending. The poor translation makes entire sentences incomprehensible, and players struggle to change the game to Chinese despite support. Initial strange feelings in Yui's route and puzzling elements in Kaori's route also cause confusion.
- Moved (weight 0.02): Players are moved by emotional storytelling that transcends time, particularly the touching 'Golden Sea' ending in Minamo's route and memorable moments like the sunrise on the shore. The literary depiction of loss and grief, along with the BGM 'Eternity' for Ayaka, brings tears. The delicate writing and character experiences evoke deep emotions.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is directed at the protagonist's stupidity, lack of charm, and constant hurting of Yui, as well as his inhuman behavior in the epilogue. The terrible translation with mistranslated lines and tone mismatches further infuriates players. The disjointed narrative and protagonist's actions in every route cause frustration to escalate into anger.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise comes from Ayaka's route being the most exciting and elevating, and the true ending being unexpected. Discovering features like fast-forward only after completing the game, and the series being released on Steam after almost 25 years, also surprises players. The game's good depiction of high school romance for a 1999 release is noteworthy.
- Melancholy (weight 0.02): Melancholy is evoked by the protagonist's inability to move past Kaori's death and the endless rain metaphor, as well as the theme of saying goodbye and the passage of time. The beautiful yet sorrowful love story and reflections on fading memories and idealized memories contribute to this feeling. The rain imagery and sorrowful love story deepen the melancholy.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from large portions of text that are quite boring, particularly the mundane daily life and school segments in MO1. The slow and mundane early narrative pacing requires willpower to get through. Many players find these sections tedious and unengaging.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement is generated by emotional scenes and a compelling story after the slow start, as well as the amusement park scene with BGM and flashbacks. The multiple routes and cumulative choice system create tension and immersion. The realization that the game can be replayed on Steam Deck and the Memories Off series being released on Steam also excite players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.01): Enjoyment comes from experiencing a wonderful story with distinct heroines and fun daily life segments, as well as interesting daily story and delicate character emotions. The cast of characters, especially Ayaka, Shion, and Shin, and the nostalgic style and era-specific setting contribute to the fun. The game's charming elements make it a joy to play.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is caused by certain plot points, especially the two childhood friends both liking the protagonist, and the epilogue scene where the protagonist gives up his seat. Yui's routes feature Tomoya behaving completely differently from other routes, which is off-putting. The uninteresting game and annoying protagonist also lead to dislike.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is expressed for the character Yui Ayaka and the reviewer's affection for the MO series. The deep fondness for these elements drives the strong positive emotion. Players feel a strong connection to the characters and the series as a whole.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction stems from each route's ending feeling abrupt and not satisfying enough, and several endings feeling rushed. The Simplified Chinese translation needs improvement, and the terrible official translation detracts from the experience. The story feels unsatisfying overall due to these issues.}