Recently I had the pleasure of casting another game from my
Hall of Shame. And who’s the lucky candidate? None other than Rakuen!
I first became aware of Rakuen through it apparently being a
tearjerker that exceeds the legendary To the Moon. That sounded like a challenge
to me so I took it! But upon obtaining the game I noticed something: This was
developed and published by one Laura Shigihara – a name I recognised through
her contributions to the soundtrack of the afore-mentioned To the Moon. Well,
if she wants to take a stab at making her own game then good for her.
But perhaps the connection to To the Moon may be telling: There
are numerous similarities in both games (both made in RPG maker, both sharing a
staff name and both inspiring the waterworks) that separating them presents a
difficult prospect. So the real question here is: can Rakuen stand up on its own
two feet?
The answer is a resounding yes.
What makes this game unique for me is that it tackles a
theme rarely approached by games: The PC is a child going on a journey accompanied
by his mother. You don’t see many mothers in game (this is, after all, a medium
where its users have frequently uttered the words “Awwww Ma-ummmmm!”) so this
game is indeed trying something different. Perhaps that many gamers today are parents
themselves that we are seeing a game where a mother plays a key role - moreso considering
that the story presented in Rakuen is just as much the Mother’s as it is the
Boy’s.
Being a story-driven game, the narrative is effectively carrying
this game but never once does it crack under the weight. It is an indeed an emotional
roller-coaster dealing with issues such as loss, regret, letting go and redemption.
And the technical department is no slouch either: the graphics and world
building are indeed beautiful and the music is truly unforgettable.
Clearly Laura made this game because she felt she had a story
to tell. And so it would seem that it was the right call to make.
