PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse Game Review

PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse - A Review

Story and Setting

PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse, the successor to PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, transports players to the Ise region of Japan. The game centers around Yuza Minakuchi, an orphan residing on Kameshima Island with his grandmother. Yuza dreams of becoming an ama diver, facing prejudice from islanders who blame his mother for a past tragedy. During his diving practice, he encounters a spirit, unveiling local folklore, the truth about his mother's death, and an impending disaster he must prevent.

Narrative Influences

The game weaves together elements from Japanese folklore, including The Tale of the Heike, the story of Urashima Taro, mermaid myths, and influences from Hans Christian Andersen. This blend creates a fantastical narrative, though the reviewer notes a slight departure from the spookier elements of the first game.

Gameplay and Structure

Similar to its predecessor, The Mermaid's Curse employs a dual timeline and the ability to switch between character perspectives. Players navigate the story through Yuza, paranormal investigator Yumeko and her assistant Kiryu, folklorist Arnav Barnum and his guide Circe Lunarlight, and newcomer Sato Shiranami. Each character's motivations are linked to mermaid legends, and the game features real locations on the Ise Peninsula, with the fictional Kameshima Island as a primary setting.

Location Integration

The reviewer observes that the Ise locales, while charming, feel more like overt promotion compared to the previous game's Sumida area. Both games were created with tourism bureaus, but the reviewer found the first game's less-than-flattering descriptions of the area amusing. The Ise area, with its fishing villages and beaches, is presented attractively, but the extensive encyclopedia entries and character discussions about the region verge on advertising.

Interactivity and Gameplay Mechanics

Despite devouring the game upon arrival, the reviewer felt constrained by a linear path. Many chapters offer minimal interaction, primarily involving observation and dialogue. Gameplay differences between characters are underutilized, with limited inventory access and a second sight ability that rarely reveals interesting environmental details. The diving mini-game, while fun, lacks variety and remains confined to its starting zone.

Missed Opportunities

The reviewer expresses disappointment with the limited opportunities for alternative outcomes and character exploration. A desire for more interaction with Yumeko and Kiryu, as well as Arnav and Circe, is voiced. Much of Yumeko's backstory is confined to encyclopedia entries, requiring players to delve into these entries for a comprehensive understanding. The lack of a search function within the encyclopedia makes it time-consuming to find specific information needed for answering questions.

Characters and Humor

Despite the gameplay limitations, the reviewer praises the game's characters and humor. The cast is described as quirky and engaging, with genuinely funny reaction faces and interactions. Arnav's "dad energy," Yuza's overreactions, and Sato's '80s TV drama-inspired perspective add to the game's comedic appeal.

Technical Considerations

The reviewer highlights a potential issue for PC players, specifically the need for a functioning microphone. The reviewer's lack of a microphone setup on their PC may have hindered their ability to achieve the "true" ending, requiring them to invest in new equipment.

Overall Impression

The reviewer expresses a fondness for the PARANORMASIGHT world, its myths, and characters. However, a desire for more depth and development is articulated. The foundation is present, but the reviewer believes that Xeen needs to further expand upon it.

Final Grade

The game receives an overall grade of B. Graphics and sound/music are also graded B, while gameplay receives a C+. Presentation is rated B. The reviewer praises the great humor writing and the adept blend of folklore and myths that enrich the story. However, the minimal interactivity and underdeveloped gameplay ideas are noted as drawbacks. The game contains language, blood, and murder.