Anyone who has experienced the joy of playing video games, particularly during their teenage years, understands that the game itself is just a part of the overall experience. The sense of community is equally important. We connect with other players through forums, message boards, and social media, and sometimes these connections develop into friendships, support networks, and even romances. Kinmoku, the creator of the highly regarded relationship drama “One Night Stand,” captures the essence of these digital relationships and the games that serve as their foundation in their new visual novel, Videoverse.
The story is set in 2003, where Emmett, a 15-year-old video game enthusiast, spends countless hours each day playing the Japanese role-playing game Feudal Fantasy on his Shark games console. When he’s not immersed in gameplay, he engages with the console’s online service called Videoverse. It’s a combination of a discussion forum and an instant messaging platform. Emmett is part of a thriving and mostly supportive community of gamers and artists. However, their world is rocked when the console’s manufacturer, Kinmoku, announces that Videoverse will be shut down in favor of their new Dolphin console. The community is faced with an existential crisis.
As the player takes on the role of Emmett, they primarily experience the game through his retro-style console. They post fan art, comment on posts, and chat with friends using a multiple-choice textual interface. In this virtual world, there’s Emmett’s buddy Zalor, whose relationship with fellow player Lorena222 is on shaky ground. There’s also the quiet game nerd MarKun666. And then there’s Vivi, a mysterious newcomer and a talented artist who immediately captivates Emmett. Their relationship unfolds through instant message interactions, with dialogue options that alternate between game-related discussions and personal details. The conversations are authentic, relatable, and often poignant as fears and secrets are revealed.
Seasoned gamers will recognize elements of platforms like Wiiverse, AOL instant messenger, and old-school online message boards in this fictional digital environment. The visual design perfectly captures the pixelated, low-resolution feel of those early online spaces. However, what sets Videoverse apart is how the format symbolizes the game’s themes. Each chapter features cinematic sequences from Feudal Fantasy intercut with interactive chat sessions. This juxtaposition draws parallels between the grand saga of feuding ninjas in the game and the everyday excitements and anxieties of the young fans. Furthermore, the limited multiple-choice dialogue mirrors the struggles of teenagers who often find it challenging to fully express their fears and desires. Sometimes, certain dialogue options are closed off to the player because Emmett hasn’t displayed enough compassion or confidence in previous interactions, mimicking the feeling of being lost for words.
Yet, Videoverse is more than just a game about teenage relationships; it explores how these relationships have become intertwined with commercialized environments in the digital age. The Videoverse community relies on servers maintained by a faceless corporation, and as ads for the Dolphin console infiltrate the Shark’s title screen along with sanitized messages about the impending shutdown, the ephemeral nature of these spaces becomes evident. Teenagers lack agency and control within these systems. On the community message boards, concerns and rumors run amok, while an individual named UnclefromKinmoku claims to have insider information, reflecting the dynamics of Reddit-based fandoms. Videoverse presents the insidious impact of planned obsolescence on digital communities. As Kinmoku diverts resources from Videoverse and potentially lets go of moderators, the community deteriorates. Explicit images and abusive messages become rampant. The game prompts us to question whether problematic users were always lurking in the shadows or if they are akin to vultures feasting on a dying platform.
Within the game, there are also delightful explorations of gamer culture, including expos, games magazines, format wars, and the financial implications of buying and playing games. As the story progresses, Emmett, a relatively well-off gamer, confronts his privilege, especially when the reality of Vivi’s life intersects with his perception of Videoverse as an idealized online society. Through it all, the group finds camaraderie and strength through their shared passion for games.
Throughout this visual novel, there are moments of raw honesty and subtle profundity that moved me to tears. After finishing the game, I immediately started playing it again because I missed the characters and their world. It reminded me of the irreplaceable moments and connections I’ve discovered through gaming, from bonding with my dad and sons to making lifelong friends. Videoverse brought me joy, evoked sadness, provoked introspection, and conjured aching nostalgia in a way that only masterfully crafted art can. It is the Adrian Mole of the digital era, and for me, there is no higher praise. Any video game enthusiast will undoubtedly resonate with this sentiment.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
