A Collection Aside
Each of this month’s games messes with reality, in one way or the other, and MEGHANN O’NEILL has become wary of falling asleep. She’s also been trying to find shortcuts on her daily walks, by clawing at the steeper hills, to no avail. And she’s been buyin
What kind of game would you expect the Plants vs Zombies composer to make? A game with great music, right? I’ve been listening to Rakuen’s soundtrack for a year already. So, it was pretty special when I solved an early mystery and was rewarded by my favourite track (Fish Heads) being the character theme for the person I’d found. I’d previously had no context for that piece, I’d just really liked it, texturally and harmonically. Every moment of music, familiar or otherwise, lends great depth to both this amazing world and its wonderful people.
Beyond being great, the music actually isn’t the point of the game. You begin as a boy in hospital, not well enough to leave, but allowed to explore the corridors. A nurse mentions recent reports of theft and tasks you with investigation, so you take this role quite seriously, by questioning people and sneaking into places you probably shouldn’t be. As with any good RPG presented in this GameMaker/visual novel style, I immediately got a crush on several cutely written characters, especially the nurse who is incredibly passionate about taking blood.
The first complication is that the thief has stolen Rakuen, the book your mum reads to you. I don’t want to spoil too much content, but magical places to explore soon open up, beyond the confines of the hospital setting. The structure reminds me of how the
story moves sequentially between parallel worlds in Dreamfall, by Red Thread Games. You’re seeking something important and, in doing so, learn a lot about the people and creatures inhabiting these places, and what has happened here.
Most amazingly, you sometimes get to adventure with your mum. She largely functions as an in-game hint system, but it’s a lovely experience, mostly because she’s kind and she doesn’t take even the most terrifying moments too seriously. Although this may not initially seem like a difficult game, some of the puzzles require a lot of thought. Many play out in one room, but others require traversing larger spaces, speed and understanding how to use objects/codes. You will be provided with helpful maps and instruction, however.
In a way that’s similar to To the Moon, new levels are introduced to support the narrative. There are a few hubs you’ll return to and, sometimes, you’ll be swept into someone’s flashback, or a side story. Narrative progression never feels illogical, however, and you’ll find yourself always returning to the sick girl when you find marbles, for example. She believes they’re little worlds and elaborates about them endearingly. Rakuen is a surprisingly long game and certainly value for money. I never stopped wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Rakuen has a few idiosyncratic moments, like when I couldn’t progress because I hadn’t thought to try using someone else’s bathroom, but it excels at being what it is; cute, engaging, clever and deep, set in a recognisable, but also quite unique, style. I would recommend having a listen to the soundtrack if you’re on the fence. Hearing the game’s world gives a sense of how much depth of character is to be found within. As for me, I now have the groovy, blues-modal village theme permanently stuck in my head. Not complaining.
every moment of music lends great depth to this amazing world and its people