PQube and MAGES have once again expanded their iconic Memories Off series with SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky. This captivating new addition to the beloved franchise, which has its roots in the original PlayStation from 1999, serves as a fresh spin-off. Anticipation continues to build as fans eagerly await the next major installment, set to debut on the Nintendo Switch in Japan next year, with hopes of an international release. This narrative transports us a decade beyond the main series, centering on Junya Mizumoto, a college student grappling with profound loss.
A year following the heartbreaking death of Junya’s brother in a tragic accident, he encounters a mysterious girl who delivers a chilling message: it should’ve been him. Such an unsettling encounter would leave anyone bewildered. Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, an unexpected opportunity arises. Junya reconnects with his childhood friend, Chihaya Hojo, to embark on a meaningful project. The task? Revamping the historic Hojo manor, a property of great significance to Chihaya’s family. This project is just the beginning of an intriguing journey. But rather than spoil the twists and turns that lie ahead, I’ll let you explore them yourself. The game features a myriad of story paths, influenced by the choices you make, affecting how you relate to characters like Chihaya, Hinata Ise, Azusa Satomi, Chunyu Huang, and Yuriko Oyama.
For those new to visual novels, think of them as intricate tales that can span from short stories to epic sagas, all vividly brought to life with visuals. In some cases, these games also include voice acting, a costly venture in game production. SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky boasts a fully voice-acted experience, though it’s worth noting the performances are exclusively in Japanese, which may require some reading for those unfamiliar with the language—a fitting aspect given the genre’s emphasis on narrative.
The experience is rich and engaging. This game artfully interweaves drama with an evocative narrative, beckoning you to shape the course of Junya’s life. As you navigate the repairs of Hojo manor alongside Chihaya, the story deepens in complexity and sentiment. Although there may be a few minor oversights in the localization, these are small quirks in an otherwise smooth narrative. Priced at $39.99, SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky is currently available on the Nintendo Switch, offering an enticing addition to any visual novel aficionado’s collection.
Please note that this review was composed based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by PQube.
