Urban Myth Dissolution Center Steam Charts & Stats

This is one of those games you go into blind! Only 20hrs or so, but it doesnt feel wasted or dragged out.

The presentation is very good and the animations are really fun. I really enjoy the hand-drawn pixel style and the characters are colourful and energetic. However, the positives slip a little. Unfortunately, this is a visual novel disguised as an adventure game. Now, if this is what you're looking for, this may be something good for you. But the problem is that a lot of the busy-work of investigation and putting things together ultimately end up nowhere since the game is completely on rails and all you really have to do is to click on everything and exhaust all dialogues. There's no inventory management, no way to really 'fail', and the story itself is not even something you can really 'figure out'. This takes the whole detective element away from the game. A key example, is in case #2, [spoiler] whereby the truth of the case that someone you thought was dead did not actually die comes in literally at the very last second, through actions that come out of nowhere, not prompted by any logical deduction nor through your own actions. There was absolutely no mention of anything about this when suddenly, right at the 'revelation' portion of that case, the boss just asks your teammate to go check up a name and they instantly come up with this twist answer that would legit make the entire investigation redundant had they just done that from the start. [/spoiler] In the end, it feels like nothing you do in the game really ultimately matters because you're strung along and while certain plot beats are good, the writing is very deus ex machina and frankly, it's quite boring and sloggy since a lot of the investigation portions simply loop over and over again with barely a trickle of information. Not that it matters, anyway, since the truth comes out from a completely external source that had nothing to do with any investigations you did yourself. This robs the experience from the 'detective' element in the first place. The game is also badly paced. The pacing makes it feel way too long than it really is. If you go by 'actual story content', you could summarise all IMPORTANT things on a single page. But the way it is dragged out is what makes the game a slog. It is simultaneously too short and too long, ironically. I think this could be improved if the chapters actually had legwork that amounted to something that you felt you were a part of, rather than just having the mysteries kind of solved FOR you. For the writing and the experience, I expected much more and was left disappointed. I feel that this format does have a bit of potential, though, so if there ever is a sequel, hopefully it can be positioned like an actual detective game with proper twists and narrative beats, and a different way of 'solving' the mystery that makes use of your actual skills. Otherwise, just make it a visual novel fully and take away the busywork in the first place.

TLDR: I recommend the game. Pros: Great pixel art, awesome music (there is only one song in the game with lyrics, but it immediately joined my "favourites" playlist), plot is quite interesting but... Cons: ...very last plot-twist is not good. It is somewhat predictable, but it really spoils the feeling from the game and creates quite a few plot holes/inconsistencies. Also gameplay, while somewhat enjoyable, gets really repetitive very quickly, I had to make quite a few breaks from the game to finally finish it. And remember kids: ACAB! Always and in any country.

Roses are red Urban myths are fake If you're seeing ghosts Maybe you just need a break? [h1]From chapters 1 to 5[/h1] Honestly, in the beginning of the game and until chapter 5, I was just "enjoying" the game like you can enjoy a good movie. It was nice but nothing transcendent. I found the gameplay pretty simple (I mean it in a good way) but sometimes it was tedious (the social network researches were not in my taste mostly). Each chapter from 1 to 5 is well written and the resolutions of the cases are all satisfying. I also really enjoyed the artistic direction (including the musics), the characters and the general writing. If I had to highlight one drawback, it would the pacing. The game is too long to reach its conclusion and some segments could be easily removed from the game. [h1]Chapter 6[/h1] And then came the chapter 6 which connects the whole game and skyrockets it [b]from enjoyable to masterpiece[/b] IMO. I really loved the last chapter and it's conclusion. For the chapter 6 itself, this game enters my favorite games of all time and is a 100% recommendation. Some people found the last chapter rushed, but I honestly did not feel that way. it's true that we can see some minor plotholes, but it did not stop me from finding the ending very satisfying and bold. To the devs: keep up the good work!

7/10 - Good game that could have been great. But poor UI and the plot derails completely in the final moments and isn't as clever as the dev seams to think, lowers the score a few points. Really cool visual novel with some light deduction parts. Sort of a Ace attorney and X-files mashup where you go investigating various urban myths with a overlapping story-line in-between cases. The artstyle and music is great and I liked almost everything. Like with the devs previous game the writing and cases are good (even if i think this goes a bit too far with the final twists, it really doesn't make much sense in the end and there are so many plot holes). Like the previous game, the UI and controls are also ridiculously convoluted and slow (even if it's a lot better) and there's really no reason why. It feels like a horribly ported phone control system. There is also a little too much backtracking to my taste, you keep running between characters and intractable objects and your "ghost vision" in circles to get all the clues. That said, up until the last minutes, it's a very compelling narrative. I wasn't as kind to their previous game, but this get's a pass.

I played this game a few months ago and was ultimately disappointed by it, but at the same time found myself inexplicably drawn to it, so I'm writing this to arrange my thoughts as succinctly as I can. No explicit spoilers, but some things I mention may skew your expectations of how the story unfolds so be warned. I agree with many points argued in multiple reviews: 1) the pixel art and cutscene direction is the game's strongest suit by far (alongside the OST) 2) the gameplay is aggressively streamlined and you don't get much satisfaction, if any, out of attempting to solve the mysteries in each case, making the game feel like a chore to progress through at times 3) the case-by-case mysteries themselves aren't particularly interesting or memorable (same for the side characters that show up in each) 4) the overarching plot that the game builds up ends in a twist that drags the reader's suspension of disbelief to the extreme What has kept me emotionally invested in UMDC long after I'd finished it, though, was its main cast. I think, conceptually, all 3 of them have a lot of appeal, and seeing them talk about one another or directly interacting with each other is the best part of the game in terms of its writing. For me the game jumped in quality whenever Meguriya was on screen. His interactions with Azami can be entertaining because you have a guy who basically has Evil Autism (this is a compliment) and a girl who's not into the occult at all who is kind of scared and confused all at once but during the actual mystery solving bits he's the one who helps her when she's in a pinch. Similarly, I like how Jasmine starts off indifferent towards Azami because of how airheaded she can be but she gradually warms up to her and is fond of working together with her and seeing her grow as an investigator. To me, this game's fatal flaw is that it's presented as a mystery-solving game when it really should've been more of a character-centric story instead. I may like the idea of these characters but I can't say anyone in this game is fleshed out enough for my liking, as someone who enjoys visual novels. UMDC is pretty obscure in English-speaking online spaces to the point where I don't think it even has a proper fandom, but it's very popular in Japan. I think the reason for that (besides Shueisha's marketing prowess) is that the devs made this cast of likable characters with cool designs that made fans want to come up with all sorts of headcanons and fanwork ideas for them. I find it really fun looking up fanart in the game's JP hashtag on Twitter. But I feel a little empty knowing that in spite of whatever cool scenarios fans want to imagine for these characters, it does not make up for superficial characterization in the game itself. For instance, the social media segments could've been a great opportunity to make Jasmine and Azami show off some aspects of their worldviews or personality, or just to have some funny dialogue, but 99% of the time their comments on what they see are repetitive and dry. A lot of dialogue from them throughout the game is just stating straightforward facts about the case and what they need to do and not much else. It's frustrating. Ultimately, there's way too much left for the player to extrapolate on their own about the characters. I can forgive mystery games that have plot holes to an extent as long as they're at least entertaining or have fun banter, but this game doesn't really deliver on either enough. Which frustrates me because I can easily imagine it otherwise! Without actually revealing what happens, the game's ending, while nonsensical from a mystery standpoint, does open up some avenues that I'd find interesting to explore in a future installment. So right now, my remaining good faith in UMDC relies heavily on whether or not we'll learn more about the main cast and get to see more of them later on. I sincerely hope Hakababunko delivers on that at some point. Otherwise, I feel like it's a huge waste to have created a game with such beautiful art and designs but such a shoddy mystery and paper thin character writing.

I have never seen a game fail this spectacularly at getting you invested in its story and mysteries. Let's get the positives out of the way first. Yes, the artstyle and overall presentation is very good. That is one of the main contributing factors to my buying this game in the first place. The soundtrack and sound design are also more than competent. I would also like to emphasize how much I love the idea of a paranormal/urban mythology detective game. That base concept was my main draw towards Urban Myth Dissolution Center. The actual execution of said concept is wanting to say the absolute least. First of all, you don't actually solve mysteries. The game solves them for you. There is never a point in the game where you can figure out a case on your own by looking at the evidence. This is because, in order to reach the final solution, you often either need information which is unvailable to you until the very end, or you are required to make such enormous leaps in logic that no person would ever make on their own. Immediately, this sets UMDC apart from "fair" mystery games such as Ace Attorney, where the whole point is for the player to crack the case on their own merits. The ultimate solution to any given case in this game comes right after the "Dissolution Phase", where the Director just casually pronounces one person the bad guy through the phone, prompting them to have a mild breakdown over it before giving a cartoon villain speech. This whole schtick already makes it really difficult for the audience to actually engage with the mystery, since they know that the answer will be simply given to them once they've clicked through enough dialogue. Speaking of the dialogue... it's not very good either. It all feels dry, robotic and unpolished. The personalities of each individual character don't really shine through in their dialogue, except maybe that of the protagonist, Azami Fukurai. The rest of the cast always seem to be simply and coldly stating facts, and they end up sounding more like Jarvis than any real character. I hear people say that this is an issue specific to the English translation of the game, and while I can neither confirm nor deny this, it doesn't matter much, as it is the English translation that most people will experience anyway. The actual cases always come off as drab and uninteresting. The stakes feel low, the mysteries weak and the intrigue just isn't there. This is mostly a result of the overall writing of the game being dull to the point where it hurts, but another major factor is the awful, awful gameplay. Now, of course, UMDC is an adventure game. No one came into it expecting the gameplay to match that of Titanfall 2 or something. However, the gameplay here is so bad, it's frankly insulting. It consists of two parts: clicking on things and people to get (poorly written) dialogue and exposition, and solving """puzzles""". The first scale of gameplay should be farly self-explanatory, and evident as to why I consider it poor. The second scale, the """puzzles""", is where this game genuinely begins to get on my nerves. These """puzzles""" are for the most part the game asking you a simple multiple choice question, the answer to which was not only given to you upfront mere seconds ago, but is also so agonizingly obvious that even on the occasion that you didn't actually read any of the expository dialogue that gave you the answer, you could probably instantly single it out as the only one that would actually make sense. There are also """puzzles""" that technically require a modicum of consideration. But really, only a modicum. And yes, only technically. These """puzzles""" typically come in the form of a fill-in-the-blanks multiple choice question, which asks you to draw a very surface level, self evident conclusion about something or someone. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that these """puzzles'"" belong in a Dora the Explorer edutainment game. To put it simply, Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a cool idea that never really managed to be put into practice. The gameplay is a chore, and the writing is genuinely insipid. I really wish someone out there would take the idea of a paranormal detective video game and turn it into something actually worth sitting through. I'm not being mean on purpose, but this is just not it.

So, uhhh... Urban Myth Dissolution Center. This game has an art style and UI that are really nice looking! The gameplay and story, however, just aren't very engaging. During the two-ish hours I played, information was drip-fed to me with little opportunites for engagement. It was an endless cycle of "talk to this person in this order" without much room for player expression. My interest died very quickly once I passed the tutorial and realized that this railroading was the game's entire structure. The mystery-solving mechanic has you plugging missing words into a sentence to form the solution to the mystery, and the correct words are pretty obvious so there isn't much player engagement there either. Don't go for this if you're a mystery fan- you won't get much of a chance to solve anything yourself. The story was interesting enough on paper, but the characters weren't expressive or interesting enough to hold my attention. Maybe I didn't play far enough in, but my backlog is too big for me to sink hours and hours into a game that I'm not enjoying because it MIGHT get better later. Having read other reviews, it sounds like I dodged the bullet while I could. Also, in my experience, adventure games tend to pride themselves on their puzzles, branching choices and puzzle solving. Given that precedent, it's a bit odd that this game seemingly has none of those. Definitely messed with the experience for me. That all being said, just because it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean it won't be yours. If you like Japanese urban legends or spookyish anime you might enjoy this. As for me though? I'm just hoping it's not too late to get my cash back.

[h1]An interesting detective gameplay with some mix of Urban Myth[/h1] This game is a captivating detective RPG that masterfully combines nostalgic pixel art with subtle yet effective animations, particularly in the opening and closing sequences of each chapter. The visual style is both charming and atmospheric, enhancing the game’s eerie yet engaging tone. While the animations are sparingly used, they serve as impactful narrative bookends, drawing players deeper into the story without overshadowing the core gameplay. The plot is one of the game’s strongest aspects, weaving together urban myths and legends into a series of intriguing mysteries. Players take on the role of Akami, a detective tasked with unraveling crimes inspired by these supernatural tales. The storytelling is well-paced, with each chapter introducing fresh twists while maintaining a cohesive narrative. The writing is sharp, and the characters are memorable, each with distinct personalities that add depth to the experience. Among them, Jasmine stands out as a particular highlight—her sharp wit and sassy demeanor make her an instant favorite, providing both levity and intrigue throughout the investigation. In terms of gameplay, it leans more toward accessibility than complexity. The mysteries, while engaging, are not overly difficult to solve, and the culprits are often telegraphed early on. This may disappoint players seeking a deeply challenging detective experience, but the game compensates with its strong atmosphere and character-driven storytelling. Unlike many RPG horror or mystery titles that rely on convoluted puzzles or obscure clues, this game keeps its investigations straightforward, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer narrative immersion over frustration. Despite its relatively short length, and only six chapters at this stage, the game delivers a satisfying experience that justifies its price. The achievements, though limited, feel rewarding, and the overall polish suggests a labor of love from the developers. While there is certainly room for expansion, what is already here is well-crafted and highly enjoyable. [h1]Final Thoughts[/h1] It is a delightful indie gem that excels in storytelling, character design, and aesthetic appeal. Though its puzzles may not challenge seasoned mystery fans, its engaging plot, charming visuals, and memorable cast make it a worthwhile addition to any detective game enthusiast’s library. If you appreciate atmospheric narratives with a touch of supernatural flair, this game is an easy recommendation. [h1]Rating[/h1] [list] [*]Art: 8.9/10 [*]Plot: 6.5/10 [*]Controls: 10/10 [/list] [h1]Would I recommend it at full price?[/h1] A hard yes if you want to play it badly at this moment, absolute 0 regrets for me here.

Honestly, the only redeeming quality of this game is its art style. My disappointment runs deep enough that I felt compelled to write this review. I should note that I played the game in Japanese, so poor localisation isn't a factor in my criticism of the story's execution. When it comes to detective games, I'm typically looking for one of two things (or ideally both): 1) interesting and creative puzzle mechanics 2) a game with mediocre puzzles but an excellent story, something that's satisfying with minimal plot holes. Unfortunately, this game delivers neither. This is the type of story that relies heavily on a supposedly massive plot twist while completely disregarding everything (internal logic, plot details, and foreshadowing... etc.) that should build up to it. The worst part is that these sacrifices amount to nothing, as everything unfolds as predictably as a sitcom. The "Urban Myth" element feels completely disconnected from the actual story. I genuinely don't understand the point of identifying one for each case. The game essentially serves as a commentary on social media, but the perspective is nothing new and rather one-dimensional. When you take such an extreme stance, there's no real depth because it leaves no room for nuanced discussion. The irony is that despite the author's heavy criticism of social media, the gameplay constantly requires you to take social media rumours at face value to progress the story (these rumours often turn out to be true). I'm not sure if this was an attempt to balance the criticism, but it feels like it undermines the game's central message. As for gameplay, it's repetitive in the worst way. You're forced to click on the same items multiple times for no apparent reason other than padding. The game offers no deduction, just some multiple-choice comprehension quizzes. There are chapters where I barely read any text, yet I can answer every single question correctly. That's how clichéd and predictable it is. So no, I would not recommend this game. But I don't regret buying it solely because the art is genuinely excellent. I look forward to the developer's next project if they improve on the storytelling.