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Sweet Love, Cruel Love
Kylaila- 05/18/2015 05:34 PM
- 1591 views
Dear Mariko is a 10-minute short adventure-esque games with horror elements and three different endings to the relationship of Mariko and Darien.
All is well in the life of Mariko, until something starts bothering and separating Darien from her. On you go to find out what that might be, and how to go about it.
You will spend the entire 10 minutes in two small rooms, namely the house of you both. It is a simple and intuitive gameplay, and to get an ending, you merely need to find a key in the room you are in. The bookshelf contains multiple books referencing the creator's work and some amusing additions to this game.
However, getting the true ending takes a little bit of smart thinking and remembering the descriptions, which is fairly nice.
Now, the story premise, and the story itself is cringeworthy at times and falls very flat. To be perfectly honest, I found it hard to relate to the situation and found the characters' initial reaction both unreasonable and clichéd. There are many different solutions to the problem, and they should have been taken into consideration. The situation feels very forced.
There is a twist at the end, but while I initially did not "get it", it still has some contradicting and jarring points.
No. Just no.
The "normal" outcome also seemed completely out of place - not because of what Mariko does, but how she describes it. It is a strong contrast to previous feelings, although it makes more sense with the true ending revealed.
Yes, there are a couple of twists involved, none of which make too much sense, but they are interesting nonetheless. You do not see it coming.
What makes this game good is how well the mood is set.
The music has a nice melancholic tone to it and fits the situation splendidly. Sound, too, is used very well later on to convey the change of atmosphere and possible danger.
The lack of visuals later on helps, too.
What is jarring are the cutesy-big-headed portraits - the style itself is very nice, but the character seem to be much older than the portrait indicate and it feels out of place.
It certainly is well worth a play, which means most people will have a blast!
But please do not look deeper into it.
All is well in the life of Mariko, until something starts bothering and separating Darien from her. On you go to find out what that might be, and how to go about it.
You will spend the entire 10 minutes in two small rooms, namely the house of you both. It is a simple and intuitive gameplay, and to get an ending, you merely need to find a key in the room you are in. The bookshelf contains multiple books referencing the creator's work and some amusing additions to this game.
However, getting the true ending takes a little bit of smart thinking and remembering the descriptions, which is fairly nice.
Now, the story premise, and the story itself is cringeworthy at times and falls very flat. To be perfectly honest, I found it hard to relate to the situation and found the characters' initial reaction both unreasonable and clichéd. There are many different solutions to the problem, and they should have been taken into consideration. The situation feels very forced.
There is a twist at the end, but while I initially did not "get it", it still has some contradicting and jarring points.
Why is the only solution to separate from your loved one? I have seen stories like that before and it is ridiculous. Besides, it will not make that stalker any happier, because she still knows that the love is there. Even without reading the letter.
.. why not call the police first, you know?
Why in the world would Darien not tell his girlfriend that she might be in danger? The game even confirms this, as you are slaughtered just as he left you "to safety".
And then leave her alone in this danger?
Why does Mariko seem to know the girl in question at some points, when she actually does not know her, or should, at least? (Okay, that cleared up with a different view of the endings)
And why did Mariko not notice the stalker or gotten any threats when she is living together with Darien? He obviously seemed to notice and had good reason to assume the stalker might get violent.
.. why not call the police first, you know?
Why in the world would Darien not tell his girlfriend that she might be in danger? The game even confirms this, as you are slaughtered just as he left you "to safety".
And then leave her alone in this danger?
Why does Mariko seem to know the girl in question at some points, when she actually does not know her, or should, at least? (Okay, that cleared up with a different view of the endings)
And why did Mariko not notice the stalker or gotten any threats when she is living together with Darien? He obviously seemed to notice and had good reason to assume the stalker might get violent.
No. Just no.
The "normal" outcome also seemed completely out of place - not because of what Mariko does, but how she describes it. It is a strong contrast to previous feelings, although it makes more sense with the true ending revealed.
Yes, there are a couple of twists involved, none of which make too much sense, but they are interesting nonetheless. You do not see it coming.
As in, she has an insane-switch. So a love turning cold is quite possible as well.
What makes this game good is how well the mood is set.
The music has a nice melancholic tone to it and fits the situation splendidly. Sound, too, is used very well later on to convey the change of atmosphere and possible danger.
The lack of visuals later on helps, too.
What is jarring are the cutesy-big-headed portraits - the style itself is very nice, but the character seem to be much older than the portrait indicate and it feels out of place.
It certainly is well worth a play, which means most people will have a blast!
But please do not look deeper into it.
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