Jukai Maze

Jukai Maze is an ambitious visual novel that combines psychological tension, science fiction, and supernatural intrigue into a story that refuses to provide easy answers. Developed and published by 致意, the game draws inspiration from the mystique surrounding Aokigahara, the forest at the base of Mount Fuji often associated with myths and urban legends. Instead of relying solely on its infamous setting, however, the title uses it as a gateway into a much larger narrative involving the possibility of an afterlife, fractured memories, and the blurred line between reality and illusion. The story follows Haryu Ryoushi, who joins a group investigating rumors of a hidden research facility said to be studying life after death. What begins as an expedition into an unsettling woodland soon takes a dramatic turn when one of his companions vanishes. Ryoushi later awakens in a psychiatric hospital with little understanding of how he arrived there, only to discover that everyone around him offers conflicting explanations about his circumstances. This uncertainty forms the backbone of the experience, constantly encouraging players to question whether they are witnessing a dream, a fabricated rea…

I liked Kanna Maze and decided to buy this game, but I regret it. The humor in this game was ill placed. Any semblence of horror and mystic was gone the second I witnessed the first fart joke. Even worse I think there are 3 or 4 in total! The characters fell flat for me and felt even OCC at times! This time there were more concepts of physics and psychology but they were so convulated and placed there only for the sake of it. Honestly, the concept of the game itself feels a little silly, especially the ending? What do you mean that [spoiler] a vulcano erupts because of a Nazi Bell???? [/spoiler] It was so random. It made no sense! Some choices and endings also felt redudant. Like the choice to [spoiler] drink from a water bottle and then dying because the water was stale [/spoiler] or [spoiler] to fart. [/spoiler] This choice was even presented several times!! Overall I cannot recommend this visual novel.

This one is very simple and very, very earnest. It's as if 428: Shibuya Scramble was a student film project, or Kamaitachi no Yoru was directed by an impressionable teen who kitchen-sink'd the whole script over a single weekend. Still, none of what I said should be perceived as great criticism of the game. It is, just like the developers' previous game, Kanna Maze, a decent exploration of the Zero Escape: VLR-like 'flowchart with story locks and branching narrative' concept. The only questionable decision is having full 3D models for the characters instead of charming Kamaitachi no Yoru-reminiscent blue sillhouettes (this makes everything look a bit like a Western porn game...)

Another awesome upgrade comparing to authors previous games. It was really interesting, the voiseover was a great addition compared to previous games. Just like in Kanna Maze, the game features a lot of visuals. The jokes are actually funny - and they feel surprisingly natural within the rather tense plot. The Oda ending and reference to Kanna maze made me smile. The choises in the flowchart were really interesting - i felt excitement every time i stumbled upon a decision. There are only three issues (actually, just two). The pacing was good throughout the entire story, but... it did speed up too much at the very end. It’s still better than in Kanna Maze and certainly better than in Mandemon, but I still felt there wasn’t enough explanation as to why giving all of humanity access to Kanna Space is a bad thing (aside from the eruption of Mount Fuji). Plus the whole thing with nazi bell felt a bit weird without foreshadowing (the papers in german in Kisugi's office didn't quite fulfill that role). Some questions remained unanswered - like why did Shiroi killed Eren? And who is Kosakai in "Butterfly" section of the flowchart (although this name feels a bit familiar from Kanna maze..…

Another game for which I wish I had "neutral option" in Steam, but it's negatives are covered by small price (even cheaper than better Kanna Maze). If you have read first story, you probably must play this one too, but if you are just looking for interesting games in genre, I cannot recommend this one as much. Concept and story elements are quite same as Kanna Maze - your character gets into dread situation in company of few familiar faces and some random people. Learn more of your surroundings, make choices, get endings, or get plotlocked and see for endings which give your "keys" to unlock additional options. Rinse and repeat, until you reach esoteric plot twists and final climatic challenge (in-story). Usual jam for fans of old-school mystery VNs and ADVs, like Kamaitaichi no Yoru. However, like VLR to 999 before, if you'll get this comparison, Jukai Maze got somewhat radical change of priorities compared to Kanna Maze. Personal survival and detective tropes here are downplayed in favor of animesque heroics and grim humor endings. It's not bad per se, but it feels much more light-hearted and like mainstream type of thing, while Kanna Maze felt more balanced in it's dark atmosp…

From all the Reincarnation of the butterflies series, id say this one is the best at explaining the story, especially the complicated part, not once did i feel like i lost the plot, which happen quite sometime in previous games, not that its "that" bad, (its just me that stupid ig), but this game simply does it better at it. Im afraid i cant say the same for the element, one thing that keeps me interested in the reincarnation of the butterflies is the way it deliver the "mystery" genre, the suspense, the way the story turns in a direction didnt expect, etc. This one kinda feel like a hit or miss compared to the other 3, espescially after the forest part, the game kinda feel like it lost its charm, the combination of the dialogue, the 3d model, and the background, make the vibes of the game too "bright and loud" most of the time. But, all things considered, its not bad, its just different, its still a good read, its still enjoyable, and surely its not going to stop me from buying the upcoming game from the series