[Nintendo Switch] Review of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky

SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, brought to us by PQube and MAGES, is the newest addition to the beloved visual novel series that has captured fans’ hearts for years. Let’s dive into what makes this game stand out in our SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky review!

This latest entry is part of the Memories Off franchise, a series that originally launched in 1999 on the PlayStation. This fresh chapter acts as a spin-off to the main series, which is getting a brand-new installment next year in Japan on the Nintendo Switch. Fans can cross their fingers with the hope that it gets an international release. Set a decade after the main events, you step into the shoes of college student Junya Mizumoto.

Captured by grief, Junya struggles with the loss of his brother, who died in an accident a year ago. Things take an eerie turn when a mysterious girl confronts you with a haunting proclamation: it should have been you who died. Processing such a confrontation isn’t easy, but there might be a silver lining. Soon, you’re roped into refurbishing an old Japanese manor alongside Chihaya Hojo, your childhood friend. This particular manor, the Hojo manor, is a treasured piece of Chinaya’s family history, naturally drawing her to seek your help. What lies ahead in this tale? I won’t spoil it for you; experiencing the game yourself is part of the adventure! One intriguing aspect is how your choices influence your relationship with characters like Chihaya Hojo, Hinata Ise, Azusa Satomi, Chunyu Huang, and Yuriko Oyama, leading to multiple story paths to explore.

If you’re unfamiliar with visual novels, their name says it all. They present in-depth stories packed into a format that blends reading and visuals—making good use of voice acting when possible. In SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, every character is fully voiced, though in Japanese. International players will find themselves doing quite a bit of reading, which suits the nature of a visual novel perfectly!

Again taking the role of Junya Mizumoto, thrown into the emotionally charged premise, this visual novel offers a complex and engaging storyline set against the backdrop of tragedy and unexpected life choices. You’re not alone, though; Chihaya and the task at hand, the renovation of the Hojo manor, are key elements weaving into the narrative intricately. Despite some localization hiccups like minor grammar errors, the experience stays largely unhindered.

SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky is available now on the Nintendo Switch, priced at $39.99, and stands as a notable installment in the series. Gaming adventures await, and it’s undeniably worth exploring what this visual novel has to offer.

_Disclaimer: This review of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by PQube._