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HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014

Your Turn To Die - Death Game By Majority - (Kimi ga Shine) is a freeware game by Nankidai made in RPG Maker MV. The first two chapters and the first half of the third and final chapter are complete. elease dates for additional characters in Your Time to Shine and the second half of the final chapter are currently unknown.

Your Turn to Die has been translated into English by VGPerson (with the permission of Nankidai) and be found here. Please note there have been reports of music issues when playing from a browser; I've used Chrome before with no issues.

Notes about the LP:

This will be a screenshot LP using the downloadable version of the game.

No spoilers, please. Speculation is always welcome and does not need to be tagged. Spoilers for any other game should be tagged and marked with the game/s your spoiler pertains to.

Characters:

- Sara Chidouin - Student at Sonobeno High School and the playable character.
- Jou "Joe" Tazuna - Student at Sonobeno High School.
- Keiji Shinogi - Policeman.
- Kanna Kizuchi - Middle school student.
- Q-taro Burgerberg - Baseball player.
- Sou Hiyori - Job hopper.
- Reko Yabusame - Singer-songwriter.
- Nao Egokoro - Student at art college.
- Kai Satou - Homemaker.
- Gin Ibushi - 6th Grader.
- Kazumi Mishima - School teacher.

Chapter One, Part One:

- Sue Miley - First and second floor support.

Chapter One, Part Two:

- Gonbee Yamada / Alice Yabusame - Serving time for larceny murder.

Chapter Two, Part One:

- Sara's adoptive father.
- Rio Ranger - Third floor support.
- Tia Safalin - Vice Floor Master for the third floor.


Chapter Two, Part Two:

- Gashu Satou - Researcher into negative emotions and Floor Master for the third floor.
- Megumi Sasahara - Detective.
- Shin Tsukimi - Job hopper.

Your Time to Shine:

- Jin Mutou - Engineer.
- Touko Rikuno - College student.


Chapter Three, Part One.

- Ranmaru Kageyama - High school student.
- Hinako Mishuku - Middle school student.
- Naomichi Kurumada - Boxer.
- Mai Tsurugi - Baker.
- Anzu Kinashi - High school student.
- Shunsuke Hayasaka - Office worker.
- Sou Hiyori / Komaeda - Floor Master for the fourth and fifth floors.

- Mr. Policeman.
- Maple - Discussion partner and Obstructor.
- Michiru Namida - Researcher.
- Emiri Harai.

- Shinobu Gokujo - Participant in the Hades Incident.
- Meister - Game Master of the Russian Roulette games.

Chapter One, Part One.


Majority Votes.
The First Trial.
Introductions.
Exploration.
Exploration, part two.
Majority Vote - The Challenger.
Russian Roulette.
Assembling the doll.
The Second Trial.
Character Summaries.

Chapter One, Part Two.


Divide.
The hidden room.
The red room.
Nao's flight.
The Birdcage.
Man in Stripes.
Symmetry.
Black and White.
Roles.
The Main Game Begins.
Gin's Value.
Murderer.
Mishima's Lie.
The one who cried wolf.
Majority Vote - The Five Candidates.
A Sage Debate.
Final Vote.
Execution.
Defiance.
End of chapter summary.

Chapter Two, Part One.


Guardian from the shadows.
Crimson Dreams.
Warmth and lament.
The Trust Barter Game.
Journey of the Sacrifice.
Day One, Morning.
Day One, Afternoon.
Stay on Target.
Memento from a Sacrifice.
Day One, Night.
Day Two, Morning.
Room of Lies.
Room of Rubble.
A traitor's loyalty.
Warped Message.
Ghost in the Medical Office.
Day Two, Night.
Breaking Trust.
Day Three, Morning.
Insanity.
Trust Barter Game - Results.
The Final Attraction.
Web of Happiness.
A plea and a wound.
Exposed lies.
Reprieve.
Extra - Bad Ends.
Extra - Personal Information.
Extra - Victim Videos.
Extra - Sibling Wrath.
Recap.

Chapter Two, Part Two.


Eye Dream.
Trading Phase.
Newfound Insight.
Venting in the darkness.
Retrace.
Reconciliation.
Electronic Legacy.
Clutches of Madness.
Regrets of a Floor Master.
Revival.
Memories.
Memories - Alternate.
Memorandum.
Stairs to Hope.
Video malfunction.
Hindrance.
Puppet Show.
Corrupted Benefactor.
Majority Vote - The Four Candidates.
Trading Accomplices.
Lethal Protection.
Transgression.
Outsider.
Majority Vote - Logic or Emotion?
Salvation of a Sacrifice.
Vice.
Flower of logic.
Emotional Hindsight.

Your Time to Shine - Kazumi Mishima.


Welcome to the Island.
Day 1 - 5.
Day 5 - 10.
Day 10 - 15.
Day 15 - 20.
Day 20 - 25.
Day 25 - 30.
Decision.
Normality Regained.
Extra - Alternate endings / Artwork / Fondness Events.

Chapter Three, Part One.


Therapy Session.
Dummy Support.
Obstructor.
Ring of Fire.
Mr. Blue and Ms. Red.
Reflection.
Consent.
A promise from childhood.
The one who was abandoned.
Disturbance in the forest.
A stab in the dark
Unkept promise.
A Madman's Truth.
Extra - Alternate path.
Return to therapy.
Resolve.
Red thread.
Maple syrup...
Rampage.
Replacement.
Asunaro influence.
Sins of the past.
Depths of betrayal.
Sibling wish.
Asunaro vow.
Shock.
Invitation.
Call of a shadow.
...And melon soda.
Fair Play.
Desperation.
The price of a wish.
Russian Roulette - Banquet Edition.
Red light, blue light.
Fingerprint.
Mutilation.
Renewed guilt.
Enemy within.
Deception.
Blackout.
Alternate endings.

Your Time to Shine - Kai Satou.


Return to the island.
Day 1 - 5.
Day 5 - 10.
Day 10 - 15.
Day 15 - 20.
Day 20 - 25.
Day 25 - 30.
Day 30 - 35.
Isle of Cooking.
Isle of Study.

Past Episodes.


Unconverging Views.
Clown Master.
The Young Assassin.

HydroSphere fucked around with this message at 00:07 on Apr 11, 2023

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HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014



  • Quick overview of the title screen.




    Chapters are split into two parts.






No music.






  • A quick recap can't hurt.

“How unusual!”

“It's when people are deciding something, and the choice that gets picked by the most people is what gets used... Yeah, that.”





“Sigh. Sounds like they're having some tedious argument.”



  • Hard to say... I think it partially depends on how the majority vote is carried out. I suppose I'll go with Blue.



“But good for you! Your opinion had more supporters!”

“In the end, the majority is absolute! That's how it goes when you live in society!”

“...Hmm? What's with that look? If you'd known the other person would die, you wouldn't have voted?”

“Sheesh... That won't get you anywhere, okay? It's what the game is all about. ...You don't look pleased, huh?”



“Okay then... Let's go.”






  • The scene changes to a pair of hands slowly moving towards a girl, who seems completely unaware of whoever it is coming up behind her.

Bell rings.



I had a weird dream... My jaw is sore... Because I was sleeping with my head on my desk...

This late already...? I have to go home...Better hurry...




  • Before we start investigating, let's take a quick look at the Data card.



  • We get a bit of basic information about Sara, our protagonist. There's also a Glossary...



  • Which is currently blank and save our game.



  • Back to investigating.



There's a rumour that if you look into it at midnight, your reflection will talk to you.

(...Could be a great thing for a loner.)



(Thanks for your tireless service.)

(Seeing the school like this... It feels totally different at night.)

The light goes off.

(The lights... I have to walk home when it's this dark...?)



(I don't... want to leave yet.)

  • Check the gate again and....









“You stuck around this late for clubs?! I was gonna wither up from waiting!”



“Well, it's fine! Listen! There's something I wanna tell you!”

“Something to tell me?”

“My thanks!”

“Thanks...? For what, I wonder...”



“Right...”

“She's such a good girl! I'm moved!”

“Cute, huh?”

“Adorable! She ate a doner kebab in one bite today! She's a real glutton!”

“A whole doner kebab...”

“Wait... You went on a date?!”

“Wahaha... Was on it 'til just a second ago!”



“You should have just gone home...”

“Alright! Bragging complete...! Let's go home, Sara!”



No music.



(How long even is this story...)

“You listening?! We made huge progress!”



  • Joe might be a bit annoying, but he seems pleasant enough, no reason to be rude to him.



“Doing that on the first date... They call people like that monsters!”

“We held hands! Outrageous progress, right?!”



“For how gaudy you look, you're awfully shy...”

“Huh?! Gaudy this ain't!”

“I'm hurt, man... That seriously gets to me...”



(And now he's started moping.)

  • We can investigate the area now.



“...”



(I've rarely ever walked home at this hour... It feels really dark...)

“What's up? Wanna hold hands?”



“I'm just kidding! Don't actually get mad at me.”

  • If you do select Yes here, Joe will refuse to hold Sara's hand.

“But real talk... Wouldn't it help things if you got a boyfriend?”

“...”

“...”



“Is that... why you always go home with me?”



“For what, man?! Well, if you just feel like bein' grateful, I won't stop ya!”

“Heehee...”

Alright... Let's mosey along now. Your parents'll be worried if you're late.”

“Right...”



  • Even though the move option is available, we can't currently leave the area.

    Click on the figure and...



HydroSphere fucked around with this message at 23:59 on Dec 11, 2019

Doopliss
Nov 3, 2012
It's fun to see a game so incredibly up-front with its gimmick. It'll be interesting to meet the rest of our murder-voters.

Jadecore
Mar 10, 2018

They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure does help.
Awwwwwww yeah. Your Turn To Die. Stumbled across this earlier this year, shortly after the English translation was released, and was seriously surprised by just how all together good it is for what feels like it should be a very amateur and mediocre product.

Looking forward to following this. Word of advice to OP though: looks like you didn't select a thread tag.

The Flying Twybil
Oct 20, 2019

So what? You can't prove I posted that.
I've never seen this before, but I'll admit I quite like the artstyle for some reason. I find I quite like games like these that are especially obscure thanks to late localization, especially when they turn out to be surprisingly good. The premise is a lot darker than I'd usually like, but I'll probably stick around to see this.

I can say in all honesty that Joe acts just like a guy I used to know; unusual fashion, holding hands, and all. It's uncanny.

BrightWing
Apr 27, 2012

Yes, he is quite mad.
You have my attention Your Turn to Die

Chatrapati
Nov 6, 2012
Game seems pretty cute so far. :)

FishOnAPiano
Oct 9, 2012
Joe's cute, and wonder what the heck is happening at the end there; looking forward to the next update and seeing how this game goes!

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014

Jadecore posted:

Word of advice to OP though: looks like you didn't select a thread tag.

Thanks. :) Fedule has very kindly corrected the tag.

zA Zombie
Dec 31, 2011
I stumbled across a manga of the same name and didn't realize it was based on this game. The manga isn't too far in, but it does have spoilers for where the LP is right now. Either way, I'm quite interested in seeing where this game goes.

limeicebreakers
May 1, 2017

Hell yes, ground floor. This game is a treat to experience. I love the juxtaposition of old adventure game-style pixellated backgrounds with properly drawn character models - the models can show great detail in character design and expressions, while the backgrounds are creepy in their abstractness and force our minds to fill in the blanks. When I first saw the figure standing under the streetlamp I got properly spooked.

Gloomy Rube
Mar 4, 2008



I know nothing about this other than that VGperson translates lots of games I liked, so I'm totally on board to experience this, thanks for starting up this LP!

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014





“Huh...?!”

No music.



“Hahh... phew... We made it home...”

“...”

“I-It's okay. Should be fine now that we're here.”



I'm relieved... If I'd gone home by myself...”

“Heheh...”

(That guy was staring... And it seemed like...)



“Well, your parents are waiting, Sara!”

“...Yeah.”



“It's all good!”

“See you tomorrow... At school!”



“...Hm? The house lights aren't on...?”



...So it's not a power outage?




But...the lights aren't on.



... The door's unlocked...!




“Mom! Dad! Are you not home?”



(Something's weird about the house...)

  • The door on the left is the bathroom. The first door on the right is the living room (the only room we can go into right now) and the second door is Sara parents room. Sara's room is upstairs, but it's been locked by an unknown person.





“This is bizarre...There can't be no one here!”

(I'll turn on the lights...!)”


(I have a bad feeling.)

(…Okay, turning them on!)



“Mom!!”



“Mom! Mom!!”

“Mom! Hang in there!”

...She's breathing. It looks like she's fainted.

“What do I do... What do I do...”

  • When in doubt, poke around and investigate.





“Why is this here...?”

  • Nothing else to do here, so we go back into the hallway and...

No music.



“Joe! Please help! My mom's collapsed!”

“Stay calm! Did you call the hospital, the cops?!”

“Not yet...! I need... I need to call...”

“I'll handle it! Listen, Sara! You need to be calm!”

Joe started to make a call.

(What am I doing...? I'm all out of sorts... But I need to do something... Something...)

  • The key we just picked up is for Sara's room.



(I'll open it...)










No music.




Am I looking at the ceiling...? Why am I sleeping here...?



(Err... I think I went home...)

(Right, and then mom...!)

“Mom!”

I quickly tried to sit up, but I couldn't.

Is there something on my head...?




I fearfully touched my head. It was some kind of belt...or machine...

(Am I tied to it...? It's like I'm being restrained...)

“No way... Ack... What's the meaning of this?!”

My temperature rose... Suddenly fear awakened in me.

“No!! Where is this?! Somebody!!”

I had no freedom to move. Besides my head, my left arm, torso, and legs also seemed to be restrained. All I could move was my right arm.

“Someone...!”

I was about to scream, then went quiet.



He'd... harmed my mom... And he'd brought me here...


(I wonder, am I... going to be... killed...?)

“Sara! Are you there?!”

(That voice...)

“Joe! Is that you?! Are you next to me...?!”

“Yeah...! But I can't move! Can't you do something?!”

(Joe's in the same situation?!)

Phone rings.

“A phone...?”



I searched my pocket with my free hand, but found nothing.

“Joe! Is that yours ringing?!”

“Eh...?”

“You're right... Something in my pocket's...! Here...!”

“Hello?! Whoever you are! Help us!”



“Huh...?”

“The First Trial will now begin.”

“Sara and Joe. Find the key hidden in this room. Then remove your restraints.”

“If you cannot do so before the time limit expires, the device on the beds will activate...”



“By all means, please enjoy this thrill with all your body and soul.”

“The time limit is a healthy 5 minutes.”

“And note that there is only one key, so please discuss who will use it.”

What... the heck is this...






“Waaaagh?! Whadd're we gonna do?!”

(There's no time to fret about that...!)

“Joe! Check your clothes!”

“Yikes... When I took the phone from my pocket... I might've dropped somethin'...!”

“N-No way! Pick it up!”

“Got it...! It's the key!!”

“All right!”



  • We have to tell Joe to use the key to proceed.

“Hurry and use that key!”

“You sure...?! If I do, you'll...”



(But...!)

“Joe, I'm sure you can figure something out!”

“.... Got it... I'll use it...! Then I'll save you too!! Definitely!!”

  • The POV changes to Joe for this section.



My best friend Sara is tied down with green belts.

I...Is this the right time to be gazing at me?

Look at the numbers on the wall.

3141 is written on the wall.

(What are these numbers...?)

Check the dial on the wall.

There's a dial to enter a 4-digit number.



A chiming sound is heard.

(...Does it just make a sound...? What's the point in that?!)

  • It does just seem to make a sound, the door is already unlocked and it doesn't free Sara.

Checking the lock on Sara's bed.

A green lock.

(What should I do?!)



The key seems too big to fit.

(Stupid key... Is it just useless?!)

Checking the sandpaper by the door.

Sandpaper hangs from the ceiling.

(What use is this stupid thing...?!)



(Why doesn't this key fit, anyway?” Should I look at it again...?)

A red key. I unlocked my restraints with this.

(Hm...? Did a bit shave off the end of the key?)

A bit of green is showing through at the scraped end.



(If I had something to scrape with, maybe I could revert it to the green key!)

Check the sandpaper again.

(Aha! I can whittle the key with this!)

(I scraped off the red resin, and a thinner green key showed itself!)

Check the lock on Sara's bed again

No music.



“Really?!”

“I'll remove these now!”

  • We return to Sara at this point.

“Pant...pant... Thank you... Joe...”

“...Can you stand?”

“There's a door here... Let's get outta here, pronto!”

“Ah, wait! Joe!”




  • Staying put won't solve anything.

“Left is a dead end... Seems we can only go right.”

“I mean it, Sara, don't let us get separated.”

“Right...”

We kept going straight ahead... But as far as we walked, we didn't see any light. It seemed to be a very... very long hallway. Or maybe we weren't advancing much at all...



“That phone you used earlier... Could you try using that to light the way?”

“Nice one, Sara! Man, you're smart!”

“Did you bring it?”

“Ah... I left it back there...”

“...Guess that's that, then.”

“Hm... What can give us some light...?”

We were searching ourselves, when suddenly...

“Wha... Whoa?!”

“...Waaah?!”

Wind blowing from underneath...?! My feet left the ground. Am I flying up...?

“No!! We're falling?!”

The floor gave way...!

“Eek...!”

How long...? How high...? How far are we falling...?



OOrochi
Jan 19, 2017

On my honor as the Dawnspear.
Man, this game escalated quickly. Looks really interesting though!

The Flying Twybil
Oct 20, 2019

So what? You can't prove I posted that.
Well, that was fast! I can't say I didn't see something like this coming, but they sure didn't wait to do it.

Joe's a good kid, and I've gotta say I always like it when these adventure games put so much detail into inspecting the environment, even if it doesn't mean much in the long term.

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014



"Eh...? Where is this?"

"Beats me..."



I'm alive... I'm not even hurt...







They seem too distracted to take any notice of me.

(What in the world... is happening?)



Investigating the groups of people.



Some slightly calmer people are talking on the left.

"What’s goin’ on…? Feels like we’re wrapped up in somethin’ outrageous."

"Yes… It would appear so."

(Huh… Have I seen this person somewhere?)



The girl squatting seems terribly frightened.

(Did something happen…?!)

In the center, there’s a discussion happening centered around a single man.

"Now hold on a second! We should confirm what each of us knows."

"That’s all well and good… But I don’t even know where this is!"



They seem pretty confused.

(Huh…?)



(He’s also wearing… one of those collars…)

With a shiver, I touched my own neck. There was… something…



(Can’t… get it off…!)

Everyone here had a collar put on them…!

Looking right, I notice an especially restless woman.

"Graaaah!! We’ve been abducted! By some crazy assholes!!"




I could feel the tension in the air.

(There’s even a grade-school-age kid…?)

Check the group in the centre again.

Their discussion was still going on. Finally, my head was starting to clear.



(All of us are wearing collars…)

No music.

(...Why isn’t Joe coming over to me? Has he not noticed I’m awake?)





  • Sara's in a precarious situation, thumping Joe isn't going to help.

"Joe!"



"Good... So you're okay."



No music.



"Wh…!!"

What kind of joke was that…

"What are you saying?! I’m Sara! Did you forget your own friend’s face?!"



(Don’t tell me… He’s seriously saying he doesn’t know me or something…?)

"…"

"Could you be the Sara who’s a terrible swimmer?"

"Whuh…"

"J… Joe! This is not the time for jokes!!"

"My bad, my bad! Hahaha!"

"Hmm… Joe and Sara, eh…You two are friends?"

"Eh…? Y… yes, we are…"

"Thanks for that. Joe here wasn’t speaking up, see…"



"…"

"Alright, everybody, listen up. I bet we’re all thinking the same thing."

"What is this place? Why was I brought here? And about all you know is who you are."

"What are you getting at, I wonder…?"



"Introductions, you say…?"

"Not a whole lot else can we do. Am I right, Sara?"



  • "Blond man" does make a good point.

"True... I want to clear up out situation."

"…See, the calm ones know what to say."

"Okay, once you’re ready, it’s introduction time. Just tell me when, Sara."

Check the centre group for the third time.



Okie-dokie.








"Ahem… So then, I think we should all get to know each other a li’l more."

"Myeow so? Mom tells me not to give personal info to strange guys I don’t know, woof!"

"Stupendous! A level-headed child who does as his parents teach him! Yet, this is indeed an emergency… Hrmm."



"Waugh… Super suspicious, woof."

"Nothing for it. Well, where should we start?"



"That’s the ticket."

"…"

"Mm, got it. The wary ones can be for later. Raise your hand if you don’t mind blabbin’."






"Ehh…? You’re a school teacher, woof? The world’s going to the dogs, meow."

"Boohoohoo…"



"Oh! I think I’ve seen you in magazines! You’re THE Reko Yabusame?!"

"…Dude. Is this the time?"

"Sorry…"



"What’s with the stuff behind you…?"

"It’s a frying pan… and a ladle… and a spatula."

"I… I didn’t mean like that…"



"Hwoooah… That’s why you’re so big!"

"193 centimeters! And strong to boot, y’hear!"

"…Seems no one else wants to talk. Well then, Sara, how about you try asking things to people you wanna hear from?"

"M-Me?"



"I understand."

(I do want to question people, but…)



(I’ll start with who I’m most concerned about.)




  • If a character is greyed out, it means they're unwilling, or unable to give a statement.



(She's not in a condition to talk...)



"Are you okay...?"

"Aaaaa... oooh..."

"Don't be afraid. I won't do anything..."

I gently place my hand on her trembling back...

"Aah...?"



It seems she calmed down a little.

(I'll try talking to her again...)

  • "Frightened Girl" is still not up to talking, so we'll try get some more information from the ones who are ready to talk, starting with the "Blond Man".




"Huh?! Police?!"

"You got it. So don’t trouble your friendly policeman. …Well, not that I’m really that sort of cop."

"T… Then you should have mentioned that sooner!"



"Shouldn’t have been wary… Dammit…"



  • This is enough to make Joe change his mind about not introducing himself.



  • We need any potential leads we can get about the kidnappers.

"A group of petty thieves. I doubt they're related to this, honestly."

"Is your coworker not here?"

"Sure isn't."

(So it's not like everyone came in pairs...)

"I'm Q-taro Burgerburg! Baseball player!"





"Still, my nationality's Japanese! Dunno about the dialect, but it's a mix."

"Ain’t nothin’ can’t be fixed if you talk it out!"

"Incidentally, I believe baseball has positions…?"

"I’mma pitcher. Confident in my batting too, an’ I was lucky enough to go to Central League."

"I don’t really follow, but… Does that mean you’re good at both throwing the ball and hitting it with the bat?"

"W-well… yeah, tha’s right."

(I don’t know baseball either, but he seems pretty proud of his strength.)



"Then when I wake up, I got a collar on in this place. Like I’m a dog or somethin’! Such a bummer! Can’t believe I can’t get this thing off!"

(Even his strength can’t remove it…)

"...Reko Yabusame. I'm a singer-songwriter."



"Don’t call me "the gaudy guy"…"

"We’d finally made it to the starting line. The whole future stretched ahead of us…"

"Um… is that makeup… for performances?"



(That’s "plain"?)

"I finished a new track, so I had plans to meet with my bandmates… and then this poo poo happens!!"

(A session, I guess…?)



"...Naturally, all my stuff's gone."



  • If we'd asked about her instrument being taken, Reko only mentions her Bongos.

(Bongos…)

"Goddamn kidnappers! If you threw out my stuff, I’m gonna beat your rear end so hard…!"

"I-Is now the time to worry about belongings…?"

"Some of that stuff’s as important as my life!!"

"I-I’m sorry!!"

(All her stuff was taken, huh…)

"I am Kai Satou. A rather unremarkable homemaker."



"A chef, eh?"

"No, not a chef, but a homemaker. Akin to a house-husband."

"Same difference if you both make tasty food."

"I suppose so…"

(I feel like… I’ve met this person somewhere.)



"Oh, the frying pan and whatnot. They were in a room I was in earlier."

"So you got them after arriving here."

"Yes, that’s correct. I felt they could offer protection."

"Ah… It didn’t even occur to me. Would you… like to use one?"

"Huh…? For protection?"



"Then I’ll pass."

(I felt like I’d met him somewhere… But talking to him, it doesn’t feel that way at all. Is it just my imagination?)

"Perhaps… I should discard my cookware."

"Hmm… But it could be useful for something."

"At the least, I bet I could make Eggs Benedict."

(Yeah… I’d remember it if I met such a weirdo...)

  • If you talk to Kai again, he comments that he's concerned about having been kidnapped while his laundry was out drying.

"I am Kazumi Mishima. I teach at a certain high school… Mwahaha…"



"Huh, a school teacher? Can’t picture it."

"Indeed, I hear that often…"

"I’ve got no right to say it, but you’re suspicious from every angle."



"Whoa now. What’s this, little miss?"

"Pardon… You see, she is a former student of mine. Please forgive her..."

"He’s a really good teacher! Please don’t judge a book by its cover!"



"Well, don’t have much else to judge on. Dunno much about you either, little miss."

"I’ll introduce myself…! There’s nothing guilty about us!"

  • We can get a statement from the "Woman in Overalls" after questioning Mishima.

"…Well, excuse me."

"It’s time to cool down, yes…"

(Should I ask Professor Mishima something?)



"Hrrrrmmm… I don’t… recall earning anyone’s ire…"

"I see…"

"Of course, surely there have been times I’ve been disliked by students… but..."

"No, no student would cause such an incident. So I’d like to believe…"

"For after all, as you can see, I even have students who come to visit me after graduation… Mwahaha."

"I believe we made it through the First Trial thanks to our combined knowledge, as well."

"Me and Sara are high school classmates."

  • Joe doesn't give his name, he launches straight into his relation to Sara.

"Sara was being harassed by a stalker, so I went home with her that day. Then there was an incident, so I called the police, but… I heard Sara screaming, so I ran upstairs."

Music stops.



(Huh?!)

"That’s the first I’ve heard of that!"

"Heheh… Didn’t have a chance to mention it."

"So, I worked up all my courage to punch the guy."

"‘Course, I’m awful at fighting, so… Since I don’t remember winning, I’m guessing I lost."



"…Interesting. Go on."

"Sorry, but that’s all I got. Since I fainted…"

"Then again… This isn’t a stunt just one jerk stalker could pull by himself. It’s an organized crime. Right, mister cop?"

"…Could be."

"…"

"Wonder if there’s one among us…"



"…Eh?!"

Hearing Joe say that… I understood.

Why he’d been so wary… and acting so strange.


"Hahahaaa!"





(A collaborator with the culprit…? Maybe there could be something like that…)



"I-I’m a former student of Professor Mishima’s! Currently at an art college!"



"The professor’s a good person! Please believe me! Saraaaa!!"

"I-I’m not especially doubting it…"

"Yep, just Mr. Policeman here who suspected him."

"Then please, repent!"

"Sure. Professor Mishima’s not suspicious."

"S… So you understand...! In that case, my work here is done…"

(I should ask Nao something too…)



"My memory of being brought here…"

"Sorry… It’s the same story as the professor’s. I lost consciousness in the car at a security checkpoint…"

No music.

"Other than that… About all I remember is the First Trial."

"It was a game where we were tied to beds… and we had to escape with just one key…"

(That’s the same thing we did!)



"Honestly… it was thanks to him I was able to stay calm…"

(Trust… Was that a game that evaluated trust…?)

(Why… would the culprit make us do that? Were they watching? Watching a despicable game… that toys with people’s lives…!)

"Sara… Are you okay? You look angry…"

"Ah… I’m fine…"



"Eh…?"

"Please take good care of your friend...!"

"...S-sigh."

"Ah… I should introduce myself too soon, huh."

"Fine, I can read the room, woof! It’s, you know, the mature response, meow!"



"Well then, should I introduce myself too?"



"So living hand-to-mouth, meow?"



"Why wouldn’t you introduce yourself at first?"



"Plus, saying I’m a job-hopper… is a little embarrassing. Ahaha…"

"Just make up some lie, meow! You’re honest to a fault, woof!"

"H… Hey now, I dunno about that… You can’t trust people like that, right?"

(He’s always smiling… He seems kind… or maybe more timid.)



"Sara, you seem steadfast and strong. I’m jealous."

"Actually, I wanted to ask something…"



"Gosh… feels like you’re asking in such a "first things first" way."

"I was on the way to my usual part-time job at a convenience store. It’s a bad part of town… and I was aware of how dangerous it could be at night… But the night shift wages are good… so."

"Suddenly, someone attacked me. I can’t remember what else happened then."

"Uh, sorry… I can’t remember anything much."

"…Well, neither can we."

"…Right."

"Don’t sweat it!"

"Once you get home, go find a job, meow!"



(Looks like he’s being crushed under not only the immediate fear, but an uncertain future…)

"I can read the room too, meow!"



"Great introduction, kiddo."

"Don’t call me a kid! I just introduced myself ‘cause you guys don’t seem like anything special, woof!"

"Do you remember anything about why you were brought to this place?"

"Woof… nope."

"Mom was late coming home, so I stayed up to wait… And I heard the intercom, so I thought she was back and opened the door, meow."



"I see…"

"Gin…"

"Don’t give me those looks, woof! I’m a strong boy, meow!"

(He’s acting tough, but he must be scared…)



"Of course, meow! Don’t think I’m just a regular kid, woof! I’ll definitely make that kidnapper pay, meow!"

"Hm… You might just be right, Gin. We’ll have them make up for what they did."

I gave him a pat on the head.

Music stops.

"...Woof! You seem nice, big sis Sara! I’m okay trusting you, meow!"

"B…Big sis…?!"



"That’s not the problem!"

(If I had a little brother, I wonder if he’d talk to me like that…)





"Are you okay…? If you’ve calmed down, could you talk to me?"

"…Um…"



(She’s able to talk now…?)

"Kanna, could you tell me more about yourself?"

"…Okay… Uh… I’m… in middle school… And… erm, um…"

"It’s okay, you don’t need to rush."

"…I was coming home… with my big sister… We were eating ice cream… We were just walking along and talking… about what to have for dinner…"



"I see… that must have been frightening."

"Yes…"

(Her sister…What she just said makes it sound like the two of them were both kidnapped, but…there’s only Kanna here…)



Music stops.

"…Could you tell me about what happened after you arrived here?"

"...Here?"

"After... I came here… My sister… My sister..."










"It looks like she’s passed out…"

"Dammit, this is some messed up poo poo! She DIED…?! What the hell’d this poor girl do, huh?! Does this culprit even got a heart?!"

"Seems like… this isn’t some joke or a prank."

"I… I don’t like this… This is too awful… just too…"

"Hey now, everybody, don’t lose your cool. You’ve got your friendly policeman here."

"Hey, Keiji! You’re the reliable one here! What should we do?!"

"…You’ve sure changed your tune."



"Well, first things first. Why don’t we confirm what each of us has found in this place?"

"That sounds like a good plan."

"Zat’s just what I was thinkin’ of saying! See, I picked up this thing."



"Bet you could fit a whole watermelon in there…"

"Was this… from the First Trial?"



"Say what?! Did some people have different First Trials?"

"We can discuss that later. First off, let’s open up this box."

"It ain’t gonna. It’s got these keyholes, see?"

"Sara, do you have any ideas?"

"Wha…! Me?"

"I just like catching you off-guard."

(That’s a lousy reason…)

Investigate box.

A large box, big enough to fit a watermelon.

(It’s pretty heavy… Maybe 20 to 30 pounds? And there are 3 keyholes…!)

Use the key from the first trial on the box.



The key fits perfectly in the hole.

(There are 3 keyholes. Which means…)

"Can we use our key, too?!"

"Let’s try it! Oh… and I wonder if Kanna…"

Took a red key from Kanna’s clothes.

(It’s not whittled down, but I’ll give it a shot!)

The other two keys also fit perfectly.

"Alright, this might be dangerous, so leave it to the policeman."

"And it’s open."

"What’s inside?"

"Ahh… you might not want to look."

Unfortunately, I saw before Keiji could speak. Inside was…





"Waaah!"

"Noooo!!"

"F-For real…?!"

"…!"

Music stops.

"Wait… isn’t it just a doll?"

"Huh?!"

"Oh, you’re right."

"Hm? A letter?"





"Find her body…?"

"Where could the body be?"

"Do we even need to find it, meow? This could be a trap, woof!"

"That’s true. I don’t think there’s any need to do what the letter says…"

"Think it’s about time we search outside of this room?"

"I… Isn’t that dangerous?"

"I wanna get back home… Can’t stand to jus’ sit still here."

"L-Let’s move in groups!"

"So that no one does anything suspicious… Right?"

"…"

"Sniff… I’m scared… If there’s some other horrible device like the First Trial…"

"Me and Nao can look after Kanna. If you guys’re in danger, haul rear end back here."

(Well then… Who should I go with?)

Double May Care
Mar 28, 2012

We need Dragon-type Pokemon to help us prepare our food before we cook it. We're not sure why!

Wow, this is all very dramatic and I would protect everybody in that room with my life. They definitely got that Danganronpa charm going for it.

Junpei
Oct 4, 2015

Although next time, you would be wise to heed the ancient Japanese proverb... phone first!
This game feels like the exact middle point between a Danganronpa game and a Zero Escape game.

Also if we need to vote on this I say Whatever option lets us go with Keiji. It's not that I don't trust Joe, but I think Keiji has more valuable skills and might have more insight into the situation.

ilmucche
Mar 16, 2016

Q-taro burgerberg is a great name and up there with that list of random American baseball names.

Logicblade
Aug 13, 2014

Festival with your real* little sister!
Someone to keep an eye on

hopefully it's our friend q-taro BurgerBurg.

someone awful.
Sep 7, 2007


let's go with Someone to keep an eye on, since it's too early to determine who's trustworthy and we already know Joe well enough.

Keldulas
Mar 18, 2009
Have to say that the game's writing is really nice. The bit with Kanna's reveal is incredibly well-done, where they give enough hints that you have a good idea what happened...

Also, Joe is the best kind of friend that Sara really needs.

Let's keep an eye on someone.

Lotus Aura
Aug 16, 2009

KNEEL BEFORE THE WICKED KING!
I've gotta go with someone to keep an eye on, because I'm hoping that lets us go with Sou. I can't help but notice he was the guy in the Red/Blue introductory explanation, which makes me want to keep a bit of an eye on that boy.

Obviously, I'm fully expecting there to be more to what's going on here than that, but that's as good a reason as any for him to shoot up the suspect list at the moment.

Jadecore
Mar 10, 2018

They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure does help.
Random touch I just noticed: the item button has a key on it, which is also the first important item in the game. Nice.

The cast is excellent at evoking that death game charm where you immediately find all these eccentric weirdos fun and want to avoid their demise. But Gin Ibushi is the best boy.

Randalor
Sep 4, 2011



So does the game just go to a Game Over if you gently caress up the first puzzle, or does it actually continue on with Joe as the POV character?

Jadecore
Mar 10, 2018

They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure does help.

Randalor posted:

So does the game just go to a Game Over if you gently caress up the first puzzle, or does it actually continue on with Joe as the POV character?

There's a Game Over with a unique/special art asset. Most Game Overs in this game have a short failure scene before making you retry.

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014






(Thinking like this is just going to make me suspect everything.)



"Eh?"

"S-sorry! If you can’t trust me… that’s fine…"

"It’s not anything like that, just…"

"Oh, I’m glad to hear that. I trust you too, Miss Sara."

"…But throwing around a word like “trust” just makes you look suspicious, huh…"

"No, no… It’s not like I really distrust you, Sou."

  • Regardless of what we had chosen, Sara will end up paired with Sou; if we had chosen to go with someone trustworthy, Sara internally debates going with Q-Taro, Mishima or Gin. If we'd chosen to act alone, Sara thinks that she's no good at acting in a group. If we had chosen to go with Joe, Joe refuses in favour of searching with Keiji.


"Alright, let’s get searching around. Don’t have any big spills, guys… And be sure to share any info you find."



"Alright, Miss Sara, should we go?"

(The First Trial… a doll head… and a body… Let’s try to find some kind of clue…!)



Investigate the doorways.

There are many exits out of the room. Taking a look through them, most of them lead to dead end passages.


"You see those huge cushions in the dead ends?"

"I wonder… when I fell, did I land on one of those cushions?"

"Same for me. I bet all of us fell in a similar way."

"Joe came carrying you into the hall here. Didn’t imagine you two would be friends though."

Investigate Nao / Kanna / Reko.

Nao and Reko are looking after a fainted Kanna.


"Sara, come runnin’ if you’re in danger, alright? Feel free to leave the heavy lifting to the guys. Then again, the scrawny beanie kid doesn’t look so tough himself… You better run, too."

"W… What a cutting remark… Ahaha."

"Best of luck, everyone…!"

That's everything we can investigate in this room.




"Seems to sell drinks… but I’ve got no money."

Investigate the vending machine.

A vending machine with high prices.


"Water and soda… both cost about 1,000 yen. Talk about price-gouging."




"Seems to be a lot of alcohol present… But you’re underage, so keep away, Miss Sara."

"You’d better not drink at a time like this either, Sou."

"On the other hand, some might say there’s no better time to drink."



Investigate the blackboard.

There’s a bunch of names on the blackboard.





(Our names…! And some strangers’ names, too! Don’t tell me… the people we haven’t seen are…)

Investigate the bottles on the shelf.

A variety of alcoholic drinks.


(None of the drinks seem especially notable.)

Investigate the panel on the right hand side of the counter.




Rechecking the door.




"Let’s open it, I guess."

"...Huah ...Yah!"

"...Won’t open!"



  • Discounting Gin and Kanna (the sixth-grader and middle schooler), Sou is the lightest participant at 49kg / 108lbs. Nao (the shortest and second lightest participant) is two inches shorter than Sou (Nao is 5'4 / 162.5cm, Sou is 5'6 / 168cm), but weighs 2kg / 4.5lbs more. Joe, the second lightest male participant, is 3' taller, but weighs 12kg / 26.5lbs more than Sou.

Talk to Gin.

Gin is searching at a low-eye level.


"Bars are just full of alcohol, meow. I hate alcohol, woof! And I hate my drunkard dad more, meow!"

"Your dad has a bad drinking habit?"

"He’s an annoyance, woof!"

"When you drink, you gotta be sure not to get swallowed up yourself. I’m drinking age, too… I ought to be careful."

Talk to Mishima.

Professor Mishima’s inspecting every inch of the room.


"Oh… Miss Sara. Have you encountered any dangers? Please take utmost caution… Yes…"

  • That's it for the Bar.




"I wonder if our kidnapper is telling us to eat up here?"

"..."

Investigate the dart on the table.

There’s something on the table.




"It’s small, but it looks fancy. The tip is sharp, so be careful."

Investigate the lighter on the table.

There’s something on the table.




"That’s an expensive-looking Zippo lighter."

Investigate the window.

I can see the kitchen through the glass.


Investigate the door.

The door to the kitchen is shut fast.


Investigate chandelier.

An elegant chandelier.


Investigate the doorway.

There’s a pitch black area in the back of the cafeteria.




Music stops.



"What an imposing atmosphere…That red lamp is eerie. Don’t think I have the courage to enter that door…"

Investigate red light.

A red lamp eerily illuminates the door.


Investigate the door.

"Whoa! It's not locked..."



"Here goes…!"



Investigate shelves.

There’s nothing on the shelves.

Investigate the rabbits.

Something’s sitting next to the stuffed animals.




(These feel pretty light…)

"Hey… Let me look at those... Ahh. These are dummy bullets."

"Dummies?"

"They’re like toys. If you put these in a gun, they won’t fire."

"So they’re not real bullets."

"Yeah, they’re safe, at any rate."

"I know, let’s have Keiji look at these. He should have more expertise than us, so maybe he can tell us something."

(Hope we can find clues about the culprit…)

Investigate torso.

A clothed doll torso leans against the wall.


"I...It's not gonna move, is it?"



"Do you remember that note Keiji read?"

"Find the body...! Right, there was that note in there."

"I wonder if the doll head from the box can be combined with this torso…"

"Will that make something happen?"

"It might. Which is a little scary…"

"Y-Yeah, right! Let’s search around some more first! A… Ahaha…"

Investigate the vent.

There’s a heart-shaped vent on the wall.


That's it for these rooms.






"Seems to sell cigarettes. In the back is a smoking area, I guess…? Don’t buy any if you’re underage, of course. Can’t go turning you into a delinquent, Miss Sara."

(Even lots of delinquents don’t smoke, honestly…)

Investigate the vending machine.

The vending machine is stocked with cigarettes. There’s something in the dispensing slot…




"It’s got a high-class feel, huh?"

Investigate the rear of the room.

The back seems to be a smoking area.






"…Pretty lonesome, considering."

"Feels like there’d be some kind of puzzle or trick to this place."

"I’ll rely on your insight, Miss Sara…"

Investigate the red door.

The red door is shut fast.


"How curious…"

Investigate the blue door.

The blue door seems to open easily.


"Seems we can enter anytime."

Investigate dartboard.

"It’s a dartboard. How dreary… Playing here would just feel lonely."



"Hiyaaaaa!!"

I forcefully throw my dart toward the target. Suddenly, a strong wind blows from above, and the dart plummets into darkness.



"Such a shame! Zero points."

Investigate above the dartboard.

"What’s that thing above the dartboard? Seems like there’s wind blowing…"

Investigate the hole in the floor surrounding the dartboard.

There’s a very deep hole here.


"Yikes… That’s deep, all right. Seems like there’s wind blowing…"




There are human-shaped figures sitting in the chairs.

"Let’s get closer and check them out…"

Investigate one of the figures in the chairs.

Something strange is sitting in the chair.


"Looks like… it’s a doll."



"Let's take it off the chair and inspect it."

"Hm...? The doll's attached to the chair."

"It feels like there’s something to this."

"Well, that’s good, anyway. I don’t know what I’d do if it suddenly attacked!"

Investigate the figure in the upper row of chairs.

(Hm…?)

Taking a closer look, there’s something between the doll and the chair.

(Is this… a gun?)



Music stops.



"Eh…?"

"…"

"Ahh, sorry, Miss Sara."

"Hey, would you give me that?"

placid saviour
Apr 6, 2009
I feel a personal connection to this poor, underweight, job-hopping low-life.

Give Sou the gun.

limeicebreakers
May 1, 2017

Hey, we have the bullets. What's Sou going to do with a gun that we can't do? Keep the gun.

Keldulas
Mar 18, 2009
Give him the gun

I do appreciate the ominous note with there being 20 names in the bar, and only 11 people around this place.

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014

No music.



"…"

"...Ahaha, aren't you scared? Giving this to a total stranger..."

"…"

"Feeling relieved because there's no bullets?"



"I understand..."

"I'm happy you trust me, though. Ahaha."



Talk to Joe.

"Wonder what this big painting is for?"

"Finding it curious?"

"Yeah…"

"Maybe try taking it off the wall."

"I think I’ll check the easy things first, like these chairs."



"Hey, I grew a centimeter since last year. Don’t take me lightly!"

"D…Don’t put me down, man."

"I’ll be calling you “shorty” someday."

"Urgh…!"

Talk to Joe again.

"Uhh… Sou, was it?"

"Ahaha, I’m glad you remembered my name."



"...Ahaha. I think I need to worry more about not dragging her down."

Talk to Kai.

"It would appear this is a doll."

"Its placement here seems significant."

"The head has a weighty feel. When I shake it, I hear this… sloshing sound."

"Is there liquid inside…?"



"The head seems pretty solidly-built, though."

"…"

"…Apologies. I was trying to tell a joke."

"At a time like this…?"

"Truly sorry…"

Talk to Q-taro.

"Sure is a suspicious place, I tell you what."

"What are you doing, Q-taro?"

"Just gettin’ a big ol’ view of the room."



Speak to Q-taro again.

"Well now… Doesn’t seem there’s security cameras."

  • Speaking to Keiji will move the story on, so before we do that...





Professor Mishima’s inspecting every inch of the room.

"Please tell me if you need anything, Miss Sara."

"Hmm! What is that?!"

"Eh…?"

That cigar! A minor can’t be carrying around such a thing!"

"I wasn’t going to smoke it! I thought it might be a clue…

"Is that so… Apologies for my suspicion. Hm… It seems I slip into teaching mode whenever I see a student."



(I’m telling you I won’t smoke it…)

Handed the Cigar over to Professor Mishima.

Talk to Mishima again.


"Hmm? What is that?"

"Eh…? This lighter?"

"Indeed. Did you find it somewhere?"

"Yes, in the cafeteria."

"Perhaps… you mean to light up a…"

"…Whaaa?! I’m not going to smoke!"



(He’s bizarrely wary of underage smoking…)

Handed the Lighter over to Professor Mishima.



Look at the revolver.

A weapon that fires bullets. Can be charged with up to 9 bullets in its circular chamber. What's the large hole in the centre for...?




Combined the Dart with the Revolver!


(Everything’s worth a try… Can I fire the dart with this now?)

Investigate dartboard.



…!



For hitting the bullseye, you get a wonderful gift! Please look into the hole!

Exercising caution as I looked into the hole around the dartboard… I saw something within reach.

Music stops.



"Urgh… That’s the worst…!"

"...Hm? Oh… Looking closer… It’s a doll leg, huh."



"How mean to pull the same trick over and over. I’ll hold on to this."

  • Back to the blue room.

Speak to Keiji.



"Um?"

Received 3 bullets.

"These are…"

"No, they’re not mine. Found ‘em while checking the seats."

"I’ve… never seen these before. Are these real bullets?"

"Probably. Dangerous stuff. So would you take ‘em?"

"Why me…?"



"That said, I can’t give them to Joe either."

"So I’m counting on ya, Sara."

  • The next part automatically happens once you have both types of bullet and revolver.

"Hey, Sara. You found anything out?"

"No… There’s still plenty I don’t get."

Music stops.

"What’s especially strange to me is how there were a gun and bullets in this room. What meaning could there be to the kidnapper giving us a weapon…?"

"…"



"Discord?"

"A weapon that puts one person at an advantage… Who’d wanna hand that over to someone else?"

(A fight over the weapon… Yeah, that is plausible.)

"But we’ve got good ol’ Sara with us, so we won’t fall for that trap."

"…Why do you trust me so much?"

"‘Cause you’re cute."



(I wonder why…?)

"Didn’t expect you to respond to a compliment with such a dubious look."

"Oh right, Keiji. I found these dummy bullets in the cafeteria."

"...What’s that?"

Handed the Dummy Bullets to Keiji.

"Do these seem like a clue?"

"…I’ll check em out."

Now… What to do while he’s investigating?



Talk to Joe.

"I tried taking this painting off the wall earlier… But it’s stuck on there tight, so no dice."

"Can’t investigate it any more, huh…"

Talk to Keiji.

"I’ll take a close look at these dummy bullets. Just gimme a little time."

  • Q-taro and Kai have nothing new to say.

Music stops.

(I guess I’ll search elsewhere…)

"Oh, Sara. Hold on a sec…"

"Yes?"

Before leaving the room, I turned around, and…







Iron bars appeared over the door, separating me from Sou…!

Amidiri
Apr 26, 2010

Keldulas posted:

Have to say that the game's writing is really nice. The bit with Kanna's reveal is incredibly well-done, where they give enough hints that you have a good idea what happened...

Yeah, the 'don't abandon me!!!' text on her sister's image combined with the fact that her key wasn't whittled down basically tells you without telling you that SOMEONE hosed up her first trial.

(or maybe she had no sandpaper? he key fit perfectly despite not being whittled, so...)

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014





"It won’t open…! I… I’ll look for something to pry with!"



"Sara! You hurt?!"

"No… I’m okay, but…"

"Dammit, it’s a trap! Who knows what’ll happen! Stay alert!"

Music stops.



"Wha?! Whose voice was that?!"

"Ha ha ha. Don’t sweat the details. I’m the master of the room. You can call me Meister."



"Now, to get right to it, lemme explain the rules of the next game."

"T… The rules…?"

"Well, of course! You wanna stake your life without even knowin’ the rules?! You’re a real character, man!"

"Stake… my life?"

"This one’s simple! Right now, there’s you five humans in this room, right? Glance around the room…! There’s four open seats."



"Targets…? Targets fer what?!"

"Well, I gave ya that cool weapon here in this room, didn’t I?"

"W… We’re gonna be targets for a revolver?!"



"Ha ha ha! Naturally! A regular deathtrap is just old-hat, get me?"

"But, see… First you’ll have to decide who’ll be the Challenger for me."

"You’re tellin’ is to decide who’s gonna shoot without knowin’ what the game is?! Who’s gonna want to be the targets?!"

"………"

"Will the Challenger be safe?"

"Yep! Only the targets get to relish the thrill! What a shame!"

"…I see."

Music stops.



"…Wha?!"

"D…Don’t kid me! Ya can’t decide that all on yer own!"

"I suppose it may not be proper to make a young girl handle a gun…"

"I’m in favor of it myself. Sara’s got a clear head."

"Well, Sara? You confident?"



  • Joe is clearly prioritising Sara's survival above all else here. Sara may well be the best person to act as the challenger, but with multiple lives at stake, we can't just make a snap decision without further discussion.

"…"

(Joe… In that trial, he did what I counted on him to do… Now, he’s making a request of me…! I can’t possibly tell him I’m not confident!!)

"…Please, let me do it."

"…"

"No way. Can’t approve’a that. ‘Snot like I don’t trust ya… Don’t think badly of me."

"… "



"Holding it to a vote… Perhaps… that is the best way to settle this."

"Why don’t we discuss it… and then hold a majority vote?"

"Yeah… Might be the only way."

"Right…!"

"…Gotcha. Let’s do it."

"Talk to me when you’re all set. I’ll be standing right here."



"I'm always on your side."





"Once we’ve settled our opinions, we’ll hold a vote at the end."

"Sara…"

"You know what’s up! Show Q-taro what makes you worth trusting!"

"…"



Music stops.

"No objections there, right? So let’s talk it out."





"Straight to the point: I got experience handlin’ guns. So leave bein’ the Challenger to me."

"Is that true?"



"So you’re saying you’ve had training?"



"…Really now?"

"Sorry."

"The mood has become tense…"

"…Hrm… I am undecided. It pains me to put the responsibility on Miss Sara."

"She’ll be fine! Sara’s got a mind of steel! Just call her Steelmind!"

"…Steelmind…?"

(Don’t get caught up on that part…)



(Rebuttals… There isn’t a lot I can say myself, is there?)

"…I’ll think about it."

"Ask me if you’re not sure! We’ll stress about it together!"

(But won’t necessarily “settle” it…)

"Don’t look so nervous! Put on your usual bigshot attitude!"

"Who do you even think I am…?"

"The Godfather of Sonobeno High School!"



"It's hard to tell everyone to trust me. I'm just... a regular high school student."

"True… Thinking about it logically, you don’t have much ground to stand on, Sara."



"Duke it out…?"

"Yeah! Pit opposing statements against each other to advance the discussion!"

"So you’re saying to borrow the words of others… I’ll give it a try!"




  • We need to extract additional statements from everyone before we can start pitting statements against each other.

Extract statement from Keiji.

"I’ll keep it simple too. Q-taro, even if you do have experience, I can’t trust you."

"We don’t have enough time. Time to build trust, that is."

"…Precisely. And yet, it appears you are very trusting of Miss Sara…"

"Oh, you can tell?"

"If I may offer my interpretation… Perhaps it’s because Sara and Joe are acquainted? Because those two can vouch for each other, you concluded they could be trusted, yes?"

"Do I look that calculating? That comes as a real shock."



"I see…"

"…However, there’s a piece missing from your story."

"…Oh yeah?"

"…"

Extract statement from Kai.

"…Hrm… I am undecided. It pains me to put the responsibility on Miss Sara."



"Of course… There is someone who would be suited to such a task… But for some reason, he is not presenting himself as a candidate."

"…"

"Whatever the case, if he refuses it, I have no desire to ask him."

"…How troubling."

Extract statement from Q-taro.

"Straight to the point: I got experience handlin’ guns. So leave bein’ the Challenger to me."

"Not a lotta people in this country who handle guns. My experience is valuable, ain’t it?"

"We don’t know what the game entails… But if it requires skill with guns, then yes."



"I’m jus’ considerin’ the best way to beat this game."

"I… I do get what you’re saying, but…"

"You guys gotta think about it rationally."

"…It’s not like we’re not thinking either, okay?"

Conflict Keiji against Q-taro.

Music stops.

"Q-taro, even if you do have experience, I can’t trust you."

"…Urk."

"Whyzat?! Ain’t experience important for this?!"



"…Say what?"

"Look at the room. Aren’t these dolls curious?"

"I’m betting… they’re dummy targets."

"Dummies…?"



"…"

"What’s important is a cool head. The targets can’t move from the chairs anyhow."

"I’m always cool-headed… Believe it or not."



"…!"

"It’s an awful thing, when the person you’re looking at could die by your hand."

"You ever experienced that?"

"………"



"… I get it."

"Maybe I might not be up for it… But still! I got more to say."

"Suppose I’ll listen…"







"You must’ve been in tons of gunfights in your line o’ work!"

"…"

"T-That is true…"

"Indeed, I was wondering about that myself. "

"Why the policeman, who would be most suitable, is not recommending himself."

"…Guess you would think so, huh…"

"If I’m gonna put my life on the line, I want the most dependable person I can get. If it ain’t me, then it’s Keiji… you’re the only one."

"Keiji… What’s the matter…?"

"…"

"We won’t know if you keep quiet!"

"If you refuse, I wish to know the reason. At this rate, it will prove an issue… "



Extract statement from Joe.

"Keiji… What’s the matter…?"

"Keiji sure is acting strange…"

"At this rate, the discussion can’t advance…"

"When that happens, try talking to people so you can extract new statements to work with! Your clingy questioning might just lead to an important statement!"

  • Not sure why the game / Joe is reminding us of this now, considering we had to extract statements to get to this point in the discussion.

"Am I that clingy…?"

"I… I’m joking! You know that, right…?"

(I was joking too… But it’s fun to see him flustered.)

"Ahh! Don’t grin at me!"

Extract statement from Kai.

"If you refuse, I wish to know the reason. At this rate, it will prove an issue…"

"Under normal circumstances, I would never press someone this deeply…"

"But our lives are on the line."

(So even Kai can’t remain aloof forever.)

Extract statement from Q-taro.

"Keiji! Doesn’t that mean we should have you be the Challenger?!"

"Ain’t it clear?! Handles guns and cool-headed! The most suitable!"



Extract statement from Keiji.

"…"



"Keiji… Why are you staying silent?"

"…"

"Keiji…"

Music stops.



"Whoa."

"We’re all being serious! If you don’t talk, we won’t know!"

"…"

"…Hahah."

"Hah hah hah hah!"

"What are you, my mom? Hahaha!"

"Ahh, that was a good laugh… All right, I’ll explain."



"…Huh?!"

"I know it’s pathetic. Should’ve been prepared for that when I became a detective."

"But… If something like that happened, wouldn’t it make the news…?"



"…That’s all. It’s the truth."



(I doubt he’ll tell me any more… But… It seems I’ve extracted a new statement out of Keiji.)

Extract statement from Joe.

"Keiji sure is acting strange…"

"At this rate, the discussion can’t advance…"

"When that happens, try talking to people so you can extract new statements to work with! Your clingy questioning might just lead to an important statement!"

"Which is exactly the thought process that let me to extract a new statement already."

"Wha?! You were just teasing me, Sara?!"

(Got ‘im.)

"Grrr… Don’t give me that cocky look!"

Extract statement from Keiji.

"…I shot a person. Since then… I haven’t been able to fire a gun."

"…Sheesh. Look what you’ve made me say. But… well, guess it’s a load off my shoulders."

  • Q-taro and Kai have nothing new to stay.

Conflict Keiji against Q-taro.

Music stops.

"…’Zat the truth?"

"…Yeah."

"…On the job, right? Did the one you shoot… die…?"

"………"

"…Traumatic, I bet…"

"…Real sorry I can’t live up to your expectations."



"…Wouldn’t wanna make you do it, then."

"S… So then you’ll count on Sara! Right, Q-taro?!"

"………"



"Huh?! Q-taro!!"

(I’ve managed to convince him this much with everyone else’s words…)

"Sara…"

(But in the end… I have to persuade Q-taro myself!!)



"Use your words… and prove to me… that you’re worth trustin’!"

"Understood…!"







  • It was already discussed that experience with a gun is likely unnecessary.

I can't trust somebody who's got no experience with a gun!

"Keiji said earlier that skill with a gun is irrelevant here!"

Urk…!

"I don’t have experience, but I can think calmly! And I’m determined to save everyone!"

"…!"



  • One of Sara's main arguments - that she has more motivation than Q-taro to win at the challenge - applies just as much to Joe as it does to her. We don't really have a good reason as to why Kai shouldn't be the challenger, but we do have a reason for why Keiji can't be the challenger.


We should leave it to Keiji!


"Keiji’s trauma means he isn’t even able to point a gun at a person!"

"But… even still…"

"Would you put your life in the hands of someone who doesn’t even trust himself?!"

"Dammit…! That’s true…"



  • The motivation angle's already been covered, all Sara can do is re-confirm that she does have the confidence.

You really got confidence?


"I do! I can say this much loud and clear! I’m confident I can save everyone!"

"…! No value in trustin’ yer life to somebody with no confidence. If even this doesn’t freak ya, that’s nothin’ to sneeze at!"



  • There's only really one statement here that's relevant to the current situation. The other two are “what-if's.”

Are you fine with puttin’ everything on Sara?!

"Joe and Keiji have acknowledged me from the start!"

"Grm…"

"And even now, that hasn’t been shaken! Q-taro, please, believe in me too!"

"Urghhh…"



  • This isn't about trust, and Sara can't say with absolute certainty that she'll win the challenge when she still doesn't know what the challenge entails.

She might even end up shootin’ her own friend!


"That’s exactly why I definitely won’t mess this up! Not only Joe, but Q-taro, Keiji, Kai… I won’t let any of your lives be taken! Q-taro, right now… You can’t possibly feel a stronger determination than me!"

"…! You got a point there. To me, you’re strangers I just met, all of ya.... Can I bet on… your desire to save your friend…?"

"Please, count on me!"

"…What a weird-rear end high school girl!"



Music stops.



(Me too… I’ve never strained my voice so much before.)

"Bein’ honest and arguin’ it out is kinda refreshing, though."

"Huh…?"

"Well, the discussion’s settled down. Shall we have our vote soon?"

"Right. Sorry, know you two are tired, but let’s get started."





  • This “War of Words” is more or less a practise; even if we'd responded incorrectly to all five of Q-taro's points, Sara, Joe and Keiji will still vote for Sara to be the challenger, giving her the majority vote. Q-taro will vote for Sara or himself depending on how many points you successfully refute. Kai always votes for Q-taro regardless.

"Well… Seems it’s decided."

"There’d be no objections, right?"

"Hahaha! Naturally!"

"Sara, hardly any kids these days can make themselves as clear as you can. I feel like I can bet on you!"

  • Even if Q-taro does vote for himself, he gracefully accepts that he lost the vote.

"Q-taro…!"

"What a cool thing to say."

"Man, just lookin’ at you guys just makes me feel like I’m bein’ selfish."

"Alright! Good luck with the rest, Sara! It’s all riding on you!"

"…Right! Leave it to me!"

"Well then, shall we take our seats?"

(Kai…)



(Things are just about to get started!)





Talk to Joe.

"Man, my heart’s pounding! I believe in you, Sara!"

Talk to Keiji

"I’d rather not die, so good luck."

Talk to Q-taro.

"I’m countin’ on ya, Sara! I’m sure you can do it!"

Talk to Kai.

"No need for panic when it’s something important."

Talk to Meister.

"Yo. That took forever."



"You found the gun and bullets in this room earlier, right?"



You’ve got 3 live bullets and 6 dummies.



"You gotta fire all 9 bullets into everyone – human and doll - in any order you like. Also, the bullets are fired in clockwise order…"



"If you fire all the bullets and all the humans survive, you win! I call it Russian Roulette! …’Cause that’s just what it is."



"Alright! Then let’s begin! First, load up the gun how you like it!"

HydroSphere fucked around with this message at 18:36 on Dec 30, 2019

The Flying Twybil
Oct 20, 2019

So what? You can't prove I posted that.
Hmm... we get a choice for this? Hell, that's a lot of pressure.

My thoughts, spoilered just in case:

Logically, wouldn't it be best to split them up as equally as possible? One live bullet and two dummy bullets, then target a doll first? The plan being that if it was a live round, you can already recognize the pattern?

There's 4 people and 6 dummy shots, so you have enough for two missed guesses. This way, if the first shot is a dummy bullet, then you target another doll to check for where in the pattern you are. From that point on, there's no guessing right?

If you didn't have enough to miss two, then... well, I guess luck would need to be in your favor.


...I've been playing a lot of Ace Attorney recently.

Junpei
Oct 4, 2015

Although next time, you would be wise to heed the ancient Japanese proverb... phone first!
This feels like a logic puzzle. There has to be some arrangement where no matter if we fire a blank or a real bullet into a dummy (because let's be real, we're going to shoot a dummy first), we can deduce the pattern.

Amidiri
Apr 26, 2010
Yeah, I'm thinking Live - Dummy - Dummy - Live - Dummy - Dummy - Live - Dummy - Dummy. It takes two shots maximum to determine where you are in the pattern (If you blow up the doll you point at first, the next two rounds are safe; if you don't blow up the first two dolls you point at, the third round is a live round) and is simple to remember because it's identical no matter where in the barrel you start.

tomanton
May 22, 2006

beam me up, tomato
Yeah the logic checks out.

HydroSphere
Feb 11, 2014

Amidiri posted:

Yeah, I'm thinking Live - Dummy - Dummy - Live - Dummy - Dummy - Live - Dummy - Dummy. It takes two shots maximum to determine where you are in the pattern (If you blow up the doll you point at first, the next two rounds are safe; if you don't blow up the first two dolls you point at, the third round is a live round) and is simple to remember because it's identical no matter where in the barrel you start.

Yep.





Music stops.

"Alright, lock in the barrel!"

"And let the barrel spin!"

Shaka-shaka-shaka-shaka…

"It’s stopped! Now fire in any order you want!"



"Hey, there’s only three real bullets. It’s simple!"



(This is one thing I can’t mess up…I’m going to do this, on my own…!)







Talk to Joe.

"I’m a little worn out… Hehehe."





Talk to Keiji.

"Your friendly policeman’s rooting for ya."

Shoot any doll except for the one that has already been shot.





Talk to Q-taro.

"Everybody gonna be okay?"




Talk to Kai.

"As expected of you, Miss Sara."

  • Even though we've already passed the challenge, the game doesn't move on until all bullets have been fired.

Music stops.

"Oh… Ohh… Ohhh!"





"No complaints here, you win! Seems a puzzle like this was a piece of cake for you!"

"Truly brilliant! You deserve a hand!"

Music stops.



"Ahhhhhhh!!"

"Hahaha! Be glad! And accept it! See ya!"

"Grr…!!"





"Thanks…!"

"I changed my mind on you! Honestly, I regret makin’ light of you!"

"Miss Sara, that arm…"

"It’s artificial. …What a cruel trick! It came falling down from above!"



"Ah…!"

"Seems relevant to that note with the doll’s head."

"So… it’d be a good idea to take this along?"

"Guess we gotta. I’ll carry it in this box."

Q-taro put the arm in the box.

(H-He stuffed it in so crudely…)

"Okay, we’ve got a clue of sorts. Let’s get out."

"Sou never came back, did he?"

"Huh… Wonder where he went."

"Did we lose ‘im…?"

"Oh well, I guess… Sara, you were with Sou, right?"

"It’s dangerous to be alone, so I’ll search together with you."



  • Under the circumstances, Keiji probably is the best person to search with.

"Ghoof…! My kindness, rejected…!"

"Ahh, you’re too good to settle for me, Sara. I’ll keep shabbily tagging with Q-taro and Kai."

"Well then, I’ll put up with Joe."

"I’m at least as good as a pebble on the ground!"

"Well, we’ll be heading out."

"Ah, hold on! You got a second…?"

Music stops.

(He left…)

"Miss Sara."

"Hm?"



"Earlier… I neglected to thank you. Allow me to state my gratitude for taking on such an important role."

"Thank you very much for saving us amid such great pressure."



"How gallant…"

"Miss Sara, you are no average high schooler. Keiji noted that you are clear-headed…"



"Indeed, you have a mind of steel. However… Overdoing it brings harm to yourself."

"…You must not shoulder too much."

"…Right."

Music stops.

"Come to think of it, Kai, why did you…"

"…Kai…"

"Ah…"

"Miss Sara…? Is something the matter…?"

Why now… Why did I only just notice…?

Why did I remember?



Jadecore
Mar 10, 2018

They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure does help.
If Kai's a homemaker, then he can probably make some very good popcorn to munch on in anticipation.

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yamiaainferno
Jun 30, 2013

Well...gently caress.

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