Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Hey! Have you ever heard the ghost story about the "Bansh-Otome Ghost"? They say she roams web forums for victims. If you stay up too late at night on the computer, scrolling through your favourite game reviews, you might catch a glimpse of her stalking you in the reflection of your screen. If that happens, I'm told you should NEVER stare her in the eyes, for if you do... She'll curse you, leaving you itching to read her future content... forever! But that's just a silly ghost story! *Laugh* There's no such things as gho---
[You happen to catch your reflection on a nearby screen as you're PM-ing to your friend online and notice a person standing behind you: a woman peering menacingly. Your eyes lock and you can feel a cold hand on your shoulder. Gulping, you turn around to find no one, but as you hear your friend PM chime you turn back only to come face to face with that horrifying smile. Your blood turns ice cold. As a ghostly whisper of a voice says...]
"Let me show you another world. A world where your choices could find you a handful of lovers. An Otome experience that could change you *She licks her lips* forever!" She reaches past your head and pulls out...
A Switch!
~
Welcome to the Hidden Realm
9 R.I.P is a roller-coaster of an adventure that throws our lovely high school protagonist, Misa Isshiki, into a paranormal world of Ghosts, Wraiths, Spirits and Demons. Bad enough that our sweet heroine is conflicted about her life goals like choosing the right career path, but having an over-bearing mother, that has control over her every choice, she ends up getting entangled with the dead on the other side. She'll have to be quick on her feet and smart to survive the threat of those who wish to steal away the warmth of a living human being. Will she manage to resist the allure of the other side, or will she drown in the temptation of handsome individuals with tortured souls?
A Cast to Die For
I had to brace myself for the sheer size of available bachelors that 9 R.I.P had to offer. As the title implies, there are 9 gorgeous guys that come with their own troubled past. Depending on your choices, there are four available story-lines that will have two LIs (Love Interests) per story arc! Buckle up and remember to bring your love busting gear, because this game doesn't hold back with its dearly departed bachelors.
Kureha (VA: Masuda Toshiki) {My Hero Academia}
Reliable Cinnamon roll
Afraid of Ghost Stories (Even though he's a ghost)
Murderously Good Looking
Appearance: 5'9. Young-Adult. Black, short, spiky bang hair, with a highlight strip of red in the front. Red eyes. Wears a fancy white kimono and sports a katana.
Known as one of the school's Seven Wonders, Kureha, or Kara Kara, is rumoured to wander the halls in search of other wandering individuals. If you hear a voice and a cold presence, don't turn around, for you might end up his next victim... Is what everyone is fooled to believe, but really, Kureha is nothing more than a sweet bundle of nerves who's sole purpose is to regain his lost memories. How did he die and why does everyone call him a murderer?
Hibiki (VA: Toki Shunichi) {Piofiore, Dairoku, Virche}
Suicidally Protective
Dangerously Cuddly
Dandere Boy
Appearance: 5'4. Highschooler. Short black hair, parted in the middle. Grey eyes. Wears a school uniform dating back to 1940's with a noose around his neck.
Another one of the school's Seven Wonders, Hibiki is known as 'Grasp in the Mirror', a boy who lives within the second floor stairwell landing mirror and is desperate for the warmth of others. If you linger too closely to his mirror you might be dragged in and trapped FOREVER! OR perhaps you can save him by offering the one thing he truly needs: Good companionship! Hopefully you can balance his extreme loneliness with your love!
50 First Dates
Pretty Boy Popstar (Who doesn't sing)
Love at First Sight
Appearance: 5'5. Young-Adult. Short blond hair parted to the side. Amber eyes. Wears a white long-sleeved shirt, jacket, ankle high boots, jeans, sporting necklaces and multiple ear piercings.
Sena is the town's local rumoured ghost who appears at the beach-side park. Titled “The Boy who Gazes at the Stars” our young idol has no idea that he is dead. He thinks he's being sneaky by visiting his childhood hometown and avoiding his rabid fans by being 'Incognito'. A member of the hit J-Pop group S-Crown, our poor boy has a bad case of memory reset, trapping him in a groundhog day scenario, except his brain rewinds to the day he arrived in town, forgetting anybody or any place he visited before. Can you help our lost starry eyed celebrity come to terms with his reality?
Koyo (VA: Suzuki Ryota) {Jack Jeanne, Tengoku Struggle}
Modern Day Youtuber
A Masked Sweetheart
Killer Followers
Appearance: 5'6. Young-Adult. Light brown, bowl cut hairstyle with green undertones. Amber eyes. Wears baggy pants, bracelets and ear piercing, black t-shirt with a vest and sports a bandana.
Ever hear of the folklore about “Merry Mary”? A local legend about a ghost who calls upon you from the beyond through your cell phone, leaving you connected to your loved ones who have departed to the afterlife. Koyo keeps himself busy by trying to dissuade those who may have suicidal thoughts. He never imagined he'd have such an important job to fulfill when he crossed over. Before, when he was alive, he would connect to the world through online streaming. Going by 'Yozora', he played through horror games to keep people connected. But, one day, one of his fans got a little too obsessed with him. What better way to make him all yours then to end ones life?
Minami (VA: Okamoto Nobuhiko) {Radiant Tale, Cupid Parasite, Variable Barricade}
Devilishly Split Personality
Dream Eater
Sweet Tooth
Appearance: 5'2. Young-Man. Demon. Asymmetrical blunt bangs, black and short. Red eyes. Black nails. Wears loose fitted button-up white shirt, white suspenders. Ripped black legging and ankle high heels. Multiple necklaces, bracelets, chokers, flowers. Sporting horn like accessories.
Minami has no fancy lore to him as he lives within Hell itself. He's been on the search for a pure soul and just so happens to be drawn to yours. But this demon isn't any lesser being. Don't let his small stature deceive you as this Incubus craves a soul pact and can only tempt you through your dreams. Will you be able to keep your heart strong? Or will it waver under his teasing gaze and never ending sinful playfulness?
Seiya (VA: Tachibana Shinnosuke) {Piofiore, Atelier Series, Blue Lock}
Hopeless Romantic
Exorcise my Heart
Purify by Touch
Appearance: 6'2. Young-Adult. Asymmetrical blunt bangs, white and short. Blue eyes. Wears holy robes, boots, gloves, capelet and decorative pendants.
If there are Demons in Hell, then Reapers are also present. Here comes my man Seiya, who is the warden over those who have committed the most heinous of crimes in life and are due to serve their sentence in Hell. He is dutiful and serious, but can't seem to rein in his own emotions when he has such lovely company distracting him. Having never really had the time to socialize, he's a guy who easily takes a situation and turns it into the most uncomfortable of misunderstandings. Stare at him too long and he'll believe you've fallen madly in love with him. Once you've piqued his interest he'll never let you go.
Yukimaro (VA: KENN) {Cupid Parasite, Bustafellow, Sympathy Kiss}
Spirit Puppy
Endless Hunger
Resident Ikemen
Appearance: 5'8. Young-Adult. Ankle length Blond hair with a orange braided ribbon. Amber eyes. Wears a fancy orange and white kimono, sporting a decorative choker.
Pray long enough at a shrine and you may end up with your own Spirit Guardian. Yukimaro is a godling in training and has picked you to help him ascend into godhood. If he can guide you to walk down the right career path, he'll succeed in his mission. Careful, as this youthful spirit is chock full of energy that may be either comforting or annoying. Perhaps while you sit back and listen to his positive attitude you might be able to make him see humans as more then just 'A Test”!
Koharu (VA: Akazami Ryohei) {Radiant Tale}
Cooking Mama “Urgh” Daddy?
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Haunting Presence
Wax on, Wax off
Appearance: 5'9. Young-Adult. Long brown hair tied up in a ponytail, spiky bangs. Amber eyes. Right eye scarred. Wears a purple ritual style kimono, belts and hanging pendant necklace.
Ever been haunted before? Well, if you don't perform a proper ritual on a Ouija Board you'll have this heartthrob chasing after you. Goodbye? More like HELLO! Koharu will stick to you like glue so you'll learn a long hard lesson about never messing up sacred rituals again. Think no one can see him? WRONG! He can choose to live in the spirit world or mortal realm. When he's not pestering you he'll take the time to cook and teach you long forgotten spells that may just land the both of you in hot water.
??? (VA: Amasaki Kouhei) {Cupid Parasite, Piofiore}
Protector of Souls
Wearer of Pink
Not a Little Boy
Let's just say, you'll have to work hard and be patient to unlock this Lover!
Otherworldly Music
One of the many things that stood out to me in 9 R.I.P was how catchy the score was. Each character has their own theme song that really brings out each character's personality. You'll also have your basic environment and/or mood music pieces that will set the tone for the rest of the game. I admit that there were moments where I took the time to jam out to certain character's sound tracks. If I could give some examples I'd say that Sena's, Koyo's, Minami's and Seiya's have the beats that I live for.
Hauntingly Breathtaking
Artistically, the game is a visual enjoyment. The colours do a great job at setting the tone for the entire game and character designs are also no joke. Designer Yuuya graciously gave us another taste of their talent, like they did back in Cafe Enchante, so the recognition was welcoming. Even the text box and menu design were noticeably creative. The other thing that stood out to me was that each character had a floral pattern to represent where they were killed, making something like blood a little more interesting than just a normal splotch. Very unique indeed.
One way Ticket to the Netherworld
Overall, the gameplay and story were quite interesting. The entire game focuses on having to make hard life changing decisions and a huge spotlight on death and some may not feel comfortable with this kind of approach to dark romance. I wouldn't recommend this to those who have a hard time on this theme, considering most endings just end up making you feel bittersweet. Emphasis on the BITTER and SWEET!
Til Death do Us Part
To conclude, 9 R.I.P was a trip that took me down some dark narrow hallways. More risks than rewards, but I've always been one to like a story that isn't always finishing on a happy note. With the multitude of available bachelors to choose from, you should be able to connect with one of our dearly departed souls. I give this game my rating of 8 out of 10 for making me just... FEEL!
~
If you'll excuse me, I have other poor unfortunate souls to corrupt--- I mean, convert, over to the wonderful world of Otome! *Cackles wickedly before sinking into the floor*
Score: 8 / 10
