I’ve always been a fan of good mystery and thriller visual novels or point-and-click games, and Urban Myth Dissolution Center delivers exactly that. It’s a brand-new game from developer Hakababunko, who previously released a lesser-known game similar to this one, at least in terms of art style. I didn’t actually know about their earlier work, but while researching for this review, I discovered they worked on MAKOTO WAKAIDO’s Case Files TRILOGY, which shares a very distinct art style that’s also present in Urban Myth Dissolution Center.
As for the game itself, it focuses on solving urban myths that occur in the world. The main theme revolves around the Urban Myth Dissolution Center, an organization tasked with uncovering the mysteries behind these myths. This involves investigating locations for clues, uncovering the truth behind the myths, and learning about the history of the individuals who report encountering them. The narrative has a fantastical element, with the main character having the ability to wear special glasses that reveal dimensional anomalies. The psychic Director of the Urban Myth Dissolution Center also uses his powers to guide the main character, who starts as a new trainee, in solving the various urban myths throughout the game.
The biggest positive for me personally was the game’s fantastic art style. It has a very distinct pixelated look that feels nostalgic, like old-school games, while still managing to appear modern. As a visual novel with point-and-click gameplay, it also has excellent controller support. The game runs beautifully on the Steam Deck, where every pixel looks sharp and perfect on the screen. I was really impressed with how the developers chose to present the cutscenes and overall art style. The color palette mostly relies on a mix of blue and red to provide visual cues, which I found interesting and unique.
The main story is intriguing, especially since I’m a big fan of solving mysteries and hunting for clues. However, I feel like the pacing drags a bit in Urban Myth Dissolution Center. The main character doesn’t get much development or a chance to truly shine, and the side characters, while interesting, often feel like they’re just there to move the story forward. That said, the writing itself is excellent, but it’s held back by the slow pace of the story, which might be a turnoff for some players.
The gameplay is mostly fun. Investigating a scene usually involves moving around to examine points of interest, talking to NPCs, using the special glasses to uncover dimensional anomalies, and piecing together the chain of events. Each urban myth starts with figuring out its identity and then leads to its resolution. During investigations, you can also check social media for clues, which I liked since it reflects how prevalent social media is in today’s world.
Gathering clues can feel a bit cumbersome at times, and while the game isn’t particularly difficult, it often requires a trial-and-error approach. The story is mostly linear, so there isn’t much replay value, but the budget-friendly price makes it worth the money if you enjoy the subject matter. The art style is fantastic, and I loved solving the mysteries and gathering clues. However, the pacing of the narrative felt too slow, and the characters didn’t resonate with me as much as those in other games, like the Ace Attorney series.
The game handles its urban myths well, but the quality of the cases doesn’t feel consistent. As I mentioned earlier, the gameplay loop is straightforward, so if you’re not a fan of it, chances are you might get bored by the end. I always enjoyed unlocking new clues, especially through the ability to deduce information from social media. I also liked how the developers tapped into the modern social media mindset, offering a somewhat accurate representation of how people react to these mysteries being posted online. It added a realistic touch to the game.
While there aren’t as many twists as I expected, I feel like games like this are rare, so I’m more than happy to see more of them being made. If the developers can polish the gameplay loop, deliver a tighter-paced campaign that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and focus on creating more interesting characters with better development, they could create an experience that rivals some of the genre’s finest, like Ace Attorney. For now, though, this is a good game with flaws, but it’s definitely worth giving a chance.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center Game Information
- Price: $17.99
- Publisher: Shueisha Games
- Developer: Hakababunko
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
