Umineko When They Cry

Umineko When They Cry is a very popular series and one that I have been meaning to get to for quite a while. This is a murder mystery visual novel game and that right there appeals to me in many ways. I know for some people calling this a “game” is a bit of a stretch as there are certainly more interactive visual novels out there. Still, this is one that I had a lot of fun with and if you are like me and enjoy a good murder mystery, I am sure you will have fun with this.

Who Did It?

The game has a fantastic story and I do not want to spoil it for you guys so I am just going to give you the basics of what Umineko When They Cry is all about. There is a typhoon and as a result, a group of 18 people are stuck on this strange island. They are trying to get to know each other, but a series of horrific murders make their time here take a scary turn as everyone starts to wonder who the killer is. Is the killer one of these people or is there a supernatural element at play here?

Is This Art?

The presentation of the game is near flawless, it looks just like a movie (well I guess it kind of is) and it features some truly incredible artwork that will wow you one second and makes you turn your head the next. This is a game that is not shy about showing you the carnage of what the sadistic killer is getting up to. I love horror so I thought this aspect of the game was pretty damn awesome. The voice acting is all in Japanese and it works, but I do feel that if they could get some high-quality English voice actors that it would bring this game to life even more.

Follow The Clues

One thing that you may not like about Umineko When They Cry is that this is a very linear experience. While you are trying to figure out who the killer is, what their motives are, and so on.

You are not given the opportunity to radically change the story like you are in other visual novel style games. I know this is not to everyone’s taste, but I feel when the story is as good as it is here, it is ok for you not to be able to change things.

Pros:

• The story is very well written
• This is a game that is not scared to show some blood!
• Some very interesting characters
• It kept me guessing all the way until the end
• The visuals are very well done

Cons:

• It is not very interactive
• The blood might be a tad much for some people

Umineko When They Cry is a visual novel that tells the story of one family and a huge inheritance. A rich estate, a terminally ill heir to a huge fortune, and a typhoon that blocks the exit from the golden cage. The very next day the corpse of one of the estate's inhabitants is found and panic begins to drive the family apart. Who will be the next victim and where is the killer hiding?

Pros of the game:

• A detective story about mysterious murders
• Your choice may save someone's life
• An unobvious ending that could be different