Summary
- Release Year: 2012
- Genres: Adventure, Visual Novel
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita
- Developers: Frontwing
- Publishers: Frontwing, PROTOTYPE, Sekai Project
The Labyrinth of Grisaia: A Haunting and Unforgettable Visual Novel
Introduction
The Labyrinth of Grisaia is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Front Wing and released in 2012. It is the second installment in the Grisaia series, following The Fruit of Grisaia. The game continues the story of Kazami Yuji, a young man who transfers to Mihama Academy, a prestigious all-girls school with a dark secret.
Story
The Labyrinth of Grisaia picks up where The Fruit of Grisaia left off. Yuji has now fully integrated into Mihama Academy and formed close bonds with the five main heroines from the first game: Amane Suzuha, Michiru Matsushima, Sachi Komine, Yumiko Sakaki, and Makina Irisu.
However, the peace is short-lived. A new threat emerges in the form of a mysterious organization known as “Chronos,” which seeks to exploit the girls’ latent abilities for their own nefarious purposes. Yuji and his friends must band together to protect the girls and uncover the truth behind Chronos.
In addition to the main storyline, The Labyrinth of Grisaia also features five “After Stories” that delve deeper into the heroines’ backgrounds and relationships with Yuji. These stories provide a more intimate and personal look at the characters and their struggles.
Characters
- Kazami Yuji: The protagonist of the story, a young man with a mysterious past who transfers to Mihama Academy.
- Amane Suzuha: The student council president, a kind and caring girl who is secretly harboring a dark secret.
- Michiru Matsushima: A cheerful and athletic girl who is always looking for a good time.
- Sachi Komine: A shy and reserved girl who is struggling with her own self-esteem issues.
- Yumiko Sakaki: A mature and intelligent girl who is often seen as the voice of reason.
- Makina Irisu: A mysterious and enigmatic girl who is hiding a powerful secret.
Gameplay
The Labyrinth of Grisaia is a visual novel, which means that the gameplay primarily consists of reading text and making choices that affect the story. The game features a branching narrative with multiple endings, depending on the choices the player makes.
Themes
The Labyrinth of Grisaia explores a number of mature themes, including:
- Trauma and Loss: The game delves into the psychological trauma experienced by the heroines, and how they cope with their grief and loss.
- Friendship and Love: The game emphasizes the importance of friendship and love, and how these bonds can help people overcome adversity.
- Sacrifice: The characters in the game are often forced to make difficult sacrifices in order to protect the ones they love.
- Redemption: The game explores the possibility of redemption for even the most troubled individuals.
Critical Reception
The Labyrinth of Grisaia received critical acclaim upon its release, with many reviewers praising its well-written story, complex characters, and beautiful artwork. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 200,000 copies worldwide.
Conclusion
The Labyrinth of Grisaia is a haunting and unforgettable visual novel that explores mature themes such as trauma, loss, friendship, love, sacrifice, and redemption. With its well-written story, complex characters, and beautiful artwork, the game is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
