Summary
- Release Year: 2010
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: PlayStation Portable
- Developers: Imageepoch
- Publishers: Nippon Ichi Software
Criminal Girls: A Unique and Twisted JRPG
Criminal Girls is a Japanese role-playing game developed by Imageepoch and published by NIS America. It was released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan in 2010 and in North America and Europe in 2011. The game is the first in the Criminal Girls series and was followed by two sequels, Criminal Girls 2: Party Favors and Criminal Girls: Invite Only.
Gameplay
Criminal Girls is a dungeon crawler RPG in which the player takes on the role of a warden in hell who has been assigned to a group of female criminals. The player must then guide the girls through a series of dungeons, fighting monsters and completing puzzles.
The girls are all unique characters with their own strengths and weaknesses. The player must carefully choose which girls to bring into each dungeon, as their abilities will determine the party’s success.
The combat in Criminal Girls is turn-based. The player can choose to attack, use skills, or defend. The girls can also use a variety of special abilities, which can be powered up by using “torment points.” Torment points are earned by punishing the girls for misbehaving.
Story
The story of Criminal Girls is set in hell, where the player character is assigned to a group of female criminals. The girls have all been convicted of various crimes, ranging from petty theft to murder. The player’s job is to rehabilitate the girls and help them to atone for their sins.
The story is told through a series of cutscenes and dialogue sequences. The player will learn about the girls’ pasts and their motivations for committing their crimes. The player will also witness the girls’ struggles to change their ways and become better people.
Characters
The cast of Criminal Girls is composed of seven female characters:
- Alisa: A shy and timid girl who was convicted of murder.
- Chelsea: A strong and independent girl who was convicted of robbery.
- Hannah: A kind and caring girl who was convicted of fraud.
- Leticia: A proud and arrogant girl who was convicted of treason.
- Maria: A cheerful and optimistic girl who was convicted of arson.
- Mikoto: A intelligent and resourceful girl who was convicted of hacking.
- Ren: A mysterious and aloof girl who was convicted of multiple murders.
Themes
Criminal Girls explores a number of dark and mature themes, such as crime, punishment, redemption, and the nature of evil. The game asks the player to question the morality of their actions and to consider the consequences of their choices.
Reception
Criminal Girls received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the game’s unique premise and characters, while others criticized its repetitive gameplay and lack of challenge. However, the game has since gained a cult following among fans of JRPGs and dungeon crawlers.
Legacy
Criminal Girls has spawned two sequels, Criminal Girls 2: Party Favors and Criminal Girls: Invite Only. The series has also been adapted into a manga and an anime series.
Conclusion
Criminal Girls is a unique and twisted JRPG that explores dark and mature themes. The game features a compelling story, well-developed characters, and challenging gameplay. If you’re a fan of JRPGs or dungeon crawlers, then you should definitely check out Criminal Girls.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
