Monochrome -A Girl's Journey- (Free Non-Field RPG) Introduction, Impressions, and Strategy Notes

This is a review article of the game "Monochrome -A Girl's Journey-" by Midori, which was unveiled at "VIPRPG Kohaku 2022".
This is a non-field RPG full of the feeling of adventure, where you follow in the footsteps of the hero who saved the world.

My completion time was about an hour and a half (I unlocked all four endings).

Game Overview

This story follows the protagonist, Linux, as he follows in the footsteps of the hero Lilia, whom he admired.
He decides to embark on a arduous journey alone, reminiscing about the memories of Lilia, who saved the world and likely lost her life.

The game progresses as you keep moving forward.
As you walk around, you may encounter enemies or random events may occur.
If someone is standing on the map screen or a speech bubble is displayed, pressing the confirm button will trigger an event.
Keep an eye on your stamina and hunger levels as you move forward.

The battles are simple and seamlessly integrated with the field screen.
Choosing certain options may result in a decrease in stamina or injury.
You'll earn money by defeating enemies, so use it to stay at inns or buy items.
Even if it's not reflected in the numbers, improving your equipment will make battles easier.

Additionally, your Linux level will increase as you perform actions.
Since the game ends when your stamina runs out, it's best to explore using towns as your base until you become strong enough.

Events that remind you of your interactions with Lilia may occur in various locations.
Some of these items are related to events and the ending, so it's a good idea to collect as many as possible.

Review (no spoilers)

I cleared the game after seeing all four endings.
It's a game with a really great atmosphere, and I played through it all in one go.

While it takes the form of a non-field RPG, I don't think it's the type of game where you'll be thoroughly enjoying the gameplay itself.
I viewed the combat and status elements as flavorings that enhanced the novel portion, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the world of the story.
Exploring various environments such as grasslands, forests, caves, deserts, and ruins allowed me to fully experience the atmosphere of an RPG journey.
The film is permeated with a melancholic atmosphere from beginning to end, as it appears to be a journey undertaken to alleviate the loneliness of losing a loved one.

If you're interested in experiencing the atmosphere of the game, why not give it a try?

Game walkthrough (contains spoilers)

I don't think you'll need any specific walkthrough information for the gameplay, so I'll just write about information related to the ending.
Please be aware if you want to complete it on your own.
The END numbers are just numbers I arbitrarily assigned for convenience.

Try to collect as many speech bubble events as possible.
From your home in Bejif Village, take a detour to the grassland and obtain the flower (be careful, obtaining it will prevent you from seeing END 3).
Event at the noble's house → Buy information at the inn in the temporary desert village, and obtain the sword at the sacred mountain where the dragon resides.
Danuta Castle → After fulfilling the old man's request and defeating the skeletons in the fortress, give him the medal.
At the docks in the port town of Jacek, give the black-haired girl the reward (50 gold coins) for completing the old man event at Danuta Castle and hire her.
*Normal currency is "silver coins," so even if you save 50 of them, you can't give them away.

・END1
This is the ending where you share your fate by Lilia's side.
You can retrieve it if you reach the island alone without recruiting the black-haired girl as a companion.

END 2
The world is once again filled with mud in this ending.
Recruit the black-haired girl as your companion, go to the island, and choose "You should be defeated by me."

・END3
This is the ending where you continue to have happy dreams.
Recruit the black-haired girl as your companion, go to the island, and choose "Give me back my sister."
However, if you obtain the white flower in the first meadow, you will get END 4.

・END4
This appears to be the true ending.
Recruit the black-haired girl as your companion, go to the island, and choose "Give me back my sister."
Having obtained the white flower in the first meadow is also a prerequisite.