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

SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, brought to us by PQube and MAGES, marks the latest entry in an enduring visual novel series that’s captured audiences for years. It’s a new chapter in the well-loved Memories Off saga, which first appeared on the gaming scene in 1999 on the original PlayStation. This installment acts as a spin-off, unfolding a decade after the main storyline, just as we eagerly anticipate a new addition for the Nintendo Switch, set to debut in Japan next year. Step into the shoes of college student Junya Mizumoto as you navigate this intriguing tale.

Junya’s life has been overshadowed by the sorrow of losing his brother in a tragic accident just a year prior. A startling encounter with a mysterious girl, who throws a chilling accusation that it should have been Junya who perished, adds a layer of tension and intrigue. How does one even begin to process such a harrowing claim? Despite this unsettling start, a ray of positivity shines through as Junya takes on a renovation project with his childhood friend, Chihaya Hojo. What’s the task at hand? Restoring the traditional Hojo manor, a significant piece of Chihaya’s family heritage. What lies ahead for Junya and Chihaya? I’ll leave that for you to discover, but I can tell you that the game offers diverse narrative paths that hinge on your decisions, influencing how relationships unfold with characters like Chihaya, Hinata Ise, Azusa Satomi, Chunyu Huang, and Yuriko Oyama.

If you’re new to visual novels, think of them as interactive stories that unfold visually, hence the name. These narratives range significantly in length, sometimes spanning the equivalent of a full-fledged novel. Often, they incorporate voice acting—a costly endeavor in video game production. SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky is no exception, featuring full voice acting in Japanese. While it means you’ll be engaged in quite a bit of reading if you’re not fluent, it aligns perfectly with the genre’s essence.

SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky invites you back into its timeless universe, picking up a decade after its predecessor and placing you squarely in Junya Mizumoto’s narrative. Much like before, Junya grapples with the aftermath of his brother’s untimely death. The unsettling encounter with a girl who tells him he should’ve died instead catapults him into an emotional whirlwind. Amidst this, he teams up with his childhood friend, Chihaya Hojo, on a renovation project.

Hojo manor, with its age-old charm and familial significance to Chihaya, demands attention. Naturally, she enlists your help, and the rest, as they say, is history—but that’s a history you’ll need to explore for yourself through gameplay. Aside from the occasional hiccup in grammar and typos, the localization holds up well. You can dive into this visual novel on the Nintendo Switch, retailing at $39.99.

For transparency, this review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, generously provided by PQube. Happy gaming!