Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet (2004)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet is a Japanese post-apocalyptic visual novel developed by Key and released for Windows in 2004. The story centers on a middle-aged man who comes across a malfunctioning robot in a dead city. The man, known simply as “the junker”, stays with this robot for a time and attempts to fix the projector of the planetarium where the story takes place.

Gameplay

Planetarian is a kinetic novel, meaning that the player has no choices to make and simply reads through the story. The game is divided into three chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the relationship between the junker and the robot.

The first chapter, “The Stargazer”, introduces the junker and the robot, and explores their initial interactions. The junker is a cynical and world-weary man, but he is slowly drawn to the robot’s innocence and optimism. The robot, for her part, is curious about the junker and his world, and she begins to learn about human emotions and relationships.

The second chapter, “The Starlit Sky”, focuses on the junker’s attempts to repair the planetarium’s projector. The junker is determined to give the robot a chance to see the stars, and he works tirelessly to fix the machine. The robot, in turn, is grateful for the junker’s efforts, and she begins to develop feelings for him.

The third chapter, “The Starry Heavens”, is the climax of the story. The junker finally manages to repair the projector, and he and the robot watch the stars together. The robot is overjoyed, and she confesses her love for the junker. The junker is touched by the robot’s feelings, but he knows that their time together is coming to an end.

Themes

Planetarian is a story about love, loss, and the meaning of life. The junker and the robot are both survivors of a world that has been destroyed by war. They have both lost everything, and they are both searching for something to give their lives meaning.

The junker finds meaning in his life through his relationship with the robot. He learns to care for her, and he begins to see the world through her eyes. The robot, in turn, finds meaning in her life through her love for the junker. She learns about human emotions and relationships, and she begins to understand the value of life.

Planetarian is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about the power of love to overcome even the most difficult circumstances. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish playing it.

Characters

  • The junker: A middle-aged man who scavenges for supplies in the ruins of a dead city. He is cynical and world-weary, but he is also kind and compassionate.
  • The robot: A malfunctioning robot who is trapped in a planetarium. She is curious about the world and eager to learn about human emotions and relationships.

Setting

Planetarian is set in a dead city in the aftermath of a war. The city is in ruins, and the only remaining inhabitants are robots. The planetarium where the story takes place is a symbol of hope and beauty in a world that has been destroyed by war.

Reception

Planetarian was released to critical acclaim. The game was praised for its beautiful visuals, its heartwarming story, and its well-developed characters. Planetarian has won numerous awards, including the Visual Novel of the Year award at the 2005 Dengeki PlayStation Awards.

Legacy

Planetarian has had a significant impact on the visual novel genre. The game’s success helped to popularize the kinetic novel format, and it inspired other developers to create similar games with heartwarming stories and well-developed characters. Planetarian has also been adapted into an anime television series and a manga series.

Conclusion

Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about the power of love to overcome even the most difficult circumstances. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish playing it.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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