What is the consensus on Kara no Shōjo? I love it because it was THE game that got me into the murder mystery genre
It’s strange because I was never a big fan of mystery/ detective shows or movies. could watch them but I’d never call it my favorite genre. It’s something I got broken into through visual novel(s) - because it’s just one really! that kind of loosened something in my brain. In case you couldn’t guess, I’m talking about Kara no Shōjo of course (yes I will be using the o with the macron because it looks cool)
Something about Kara no Shōjo was just so different from the starting scene in “purgatory”. I think it was the Divine Comedy references that frame the story throughout, that “unearthly” feeling it gives the whole drama, like it’s universal in some way can’t quite pinpoint. The story is also way out there, by the end, but appropriately messed up just as much as it needs to be. It drew me in so bad. Even the bad endings, I had to get them all even though a couple are major spoilers in essence. It was great, that first game.
As for the sequels, the second felt too drawn out and ultimately unsatisfying in micro ways that added up, and the third, the finale was alright. Good series on the whole, but the first game is the only must play in my opinion. You can play it and leave it there and the story’s mystery lingers on, without everything being quite explained, which I liked.
In the years after I have also played Umineko and Higurashi and many others, but none have stayed with me as long as Kara no Shōjo. I have just it to thank for being interested in this type of storytelling.
PS talking about murder mysteries in general, what are you all playing/ looking forward to play? I’m in a dry spell right now looking forward to [Psycho Sleuth](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3432860/PsychoSleuth/) (releasing next month, interesting plot revolving around mental illnesses that shape gameplay) and [Unmasked Truths](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3512720/Unmasked_Truths_Shattered_Dreams/) next year. Which means I’ll probably just replay Kara no Shōjo. Something calls me to it again, now that I rambled about it