This is an introduction and review article for Kemco's feature-length suspense horror game, "Raging Loop" (Steam version).
I'd heard rumors about how fun this game was, and I'd always wanted to play it.
It was released as a mobile game in 2015, and in 2017 it was expanded to include PS Vita, PS4, Switch, and PC versions.
Since it was on sale on Steam, I bought and played it.
It's easy to see why it has such overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam; it's incredibly fun.
The completion time was approximately 25 hours.
Game Overview
system
To borrow the description from the official website, this game is a "werewolf x Japanese-style fantasy horror novel adventure" type of game.
Since it involves reading text and choosing options, it would be classified as a visual novel according to the categories used on this blog.
Some choices in the game can only be selected if you have a KEY (similar to a flag) which can be obtained by following a specific route.
In so-called bad endings, you often obtain a KEY, and seeing a bad ending is essential to progress in the game.
Although there are choices to be made, how the player progresses through the main story is largely controlled by KEY, so in effect, it can be said that it is a game that is almost entirely linear.
In this game, the system is designed to be easy to understand, with progress clearly displayed using charts.
Since you can move freely on the chart at any time, it's easy to return to an option or find a new option unlocked by the KEY.
There are 20 save slots available, but you won't really need them since you can move to any location at any time using the chart.
If you reach a bad ending, you'll be guaranteed to get to read a lighthearted hint section.
In the hint section, you can get explanations of the ending and direct strategies, so you shouldn't get stuck.
Synopsis
The main story is told from the perspective of a young man named Haruaki Fusaishi.
While on a solo motorcycle trip to mend his broken heart, Yangming stumbles upon a village called Yasumizu, where wolf worship still exists, and becomes entangled in a ritual known as the "Feast of the Underworld."
And even after dying, Yangming somehow "returns to the first day"—will he be able to unravel the village's mystery and break free from the loop?
The story begins with the introduction described above.
Impressions and highlights (with minimal spoilers for those who haven't played yet)
The "mysterious death game" mentioned in the synopsis is based on the game "Are You a Werewolf?", also known as the Werewolf game.
In the story, it's called the "Feast of the Underworld," and the terminology used in the game has been changed to reflect the atmosphere of a ritual passed down in the village.
Whether you're completely unfamiliar with the Werewolf game or a seasoned veteran, I think you'll enjoy this suspenseful story.
There are four main story routes in the game.
There are three routes that thoroughly depict the content of the werewolf game, and one route that serves as a culmination of the events leading to a fundamental resolution of the incident (4-5 hours x 4 routes).
After clearing those, an extra scenario and an "exposure mode" will be added, which contains more text revealing each character's inner thoughts (approximately 5 hours).
Personally, I found the atmosphere of the first three routes, which meticulously depict the werewolf game, incredibly interesting, so much so that I ended up playing them even at the expense of sleep.
I felt that the game effectively portrayed the political aspects of the Werewolf game, where "who you trust" is everything, including the suspicion that someone is definitely lying and the way the conversation is steered during discussions.
Unlike the Werewolf game, players actually die in this story, so the game's rules don't always apply, and unexpected events occur outside of the game itself, keeping the story engaging until the very end.
Another highlight is the actions and words of the protagonist, Fusaishi Yomei.
Initially, the character acts as an avatar for the player, portraying an unfortunate traveler who has wandered into a village from a dark mountain path, thus helping to immerse the player in the game's world.
Using his natural intelligence and eloquence, he acts as the protagonist of a time loop story, performing actions that meet (or exceed) expectations without causing any stress.
Therefore, players rarely feel stressed during the game, thinking, "I wish I had acted this way instead."
On the contrary, as the story progresses, it gradually starts to show moves that surpass the player's.
Their extraordinary ability to adapt to situations and their quick understanding of circumstances cause them to diverge from being the player's avatar, and their character undergoes significant changes from the beginning to the end of the game.
Of course, there are good reasons for this, so the protagonist's behavior is one of the highlights of the story.
In terms of its appeal, it shares some of the same elements as works like "STEINS;GATE" and "Higurashi When They Cry," so I think it's a work that people who enjoy those series would find even more recommendable.
Review (contains spoilers)
Overall impression
It took me about 25 hours to mark all the unread texts as read.
I skipped the "exposure mode" section at the end, leaving only the parts I had already read.
To put it simply, I think it was one of the most engaging visual novels I've played in the last few years.
In particular, the three scenarios—the Underworld, Wit, and Darkness routes—felt like reading a replay of a werewolf game, and I was completely engrossed and couldn't stop reading.
Unlike simple deduction games, what makes this game interesting is that even if you know who the werewolf is through the loop, it's useless if you don't have convincing evidence to make others believe you.
If you act poorly, you might be suspected of lying and get yourself targeted.
However, Yangming is quick-witted in those situations, so he never made any clumsy moves that would frustrate the player.
The mythological route, which delves into the truth behind wolf worship, didn't captivate me as much as the previous three routes.
It was fun getting to flirt with him to the point where it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the Nori route, but that might be because the werewolf game itself was just too interesting, rather than the folkloric elements.
The process of uncovering the true origins of place names was exciting and interesting.
The scene where Yangming, disguised as a god, speaks to the villagers felt like the curse placed on Kyusui was being lifted and purified.
Instead of simply discarding the ending, which only the player and Yangming knew, as a failed conclusion, I felt that everything wasn't in vain because it was transformed into something that benefited the villagers.
I was a little confused by the discussion about the sheep's abilities.
I understand that another person with time-looping abilities is needed besides the mastermind to solve the case, but I couldn't help but feel that it was a bit too convenient.
In any case, the way the protagonist, an unreliable narrator, fully utilizes his dubious nature to deceive even God was exhilarating, and I thought, "I've been tricked!"
After learning about his catchphrase, "Um," I reread the book from the beginning and made some interesting new discoveries.
Below, I will write my impressions of each route and character individually.
Yomi Route
Since it was the first route, you could say that the entire route was essentially a large-scale tutorial.
I realized that this was different from the original Werewolf game, as many of the human players died outside of the rules.
The protagonist is far too brilliant, yet he can't seem to get involved in the feast, so I watched with frustration as everyone was killed off one after another.
The scene at the very end where a completely mysterious being (a god) appears felt like the climax, deepening the mystery to its absolute limit.
To use a term from "Kamaitachi no Yoru," I felt a sense of being stuck, similar to the "survival game" route.
The story ends with the protagonist being unable to escape the village, but the final line, "If only I could have at least participated in the Yomi-no-Imi banquet as a member of Kyusui," left me with an overwhelming sense of excitement for the next route.
Witty Route
I really enjoyed the route where the protagonist truly shines in subsequent playthroughs.
In the early stages, in order to keep the two reporters alive, there was just so much to do!
However, it was unfortunate that, despite all their efforts, Hashimoto was the first to die from the corruption.
Since the cast was different from the Yomi route, I was able to play it with a fresh perspective.
It was interesting to see how much was revealed when Yangming was assigned an important role in the Werewolf game.
When I joined the banquet, I could really feel that Yangming was in full swing, like a fish in water.
However, as a newcomer, even knowing the answers, I felt frustrated that I couldn't proceed as I wanted, and I was tense, feeling like I was being held back.
I loved the scene where they voted for the craftsman to earn his trust, and then had a heart-to-heart talk the next morning.
Lee Hwa-jaChoroIt was a cute route, so I found it quite relaxing.
The two wolves were both perfectly cast in their crazy roles.
I really like the illustration of Mocchi holding a shotgun while wearing a school uniform, which he doesn't wear very often. It looks really cool.
In the scenario where they win, I remember the scene where Yangming suggests cutting off the wolf's limbs, which shocks everyone around him.
I got the feeling that they'd gone through too many loops and their sense of ethics had become completely loose.
Just when you think it's going to end on a happy note, it suddenly turns into a genocide, and the scene where you're thrown into the depths of despair was very memorable.
The feeling that there's still a long way to go in this game sent shivers down my spine with a pleasant sense of despair.
Playing in Exposure Mode gave me a general understanding of how the situation came about after Yangming left.
Dark Route
In the clever route, I was able to maintain a significant advantage as a human and clear the game.
Then, the scenario culminated in me finally getting the role of the wolf, which created a dark and exciting feeling.
Basically, the character has to lie to the humans to deflect suspicion directed at them, so it was a series of thrilling, tightrope-walking scenes.
In particular, Mr. Hashimoto on the human side was a troublesome and formidable opponent; I felt like I was playing the culprit in "Columbo" or "Furuhata Ninzaburo."
The scene where they set a clever trap by asking, "Is there anyone who wants a snake to examine them?" immediately leads to a bad ending, and I thought it was truly insidious.
I think it was a clever move; if it worked, great, but even if it didn't, it didn't necessarily dispel any suspicion.
However, the route where you are the one who kills people was not exactly cheerful, and the overall atmosphere was gloomy.
It's perhaps inevitable that Youmei, who tends to leave the standards of what is right to those around him, would gradually become like a murderer (that's probably the power of "God" that Chiemi spoke of).
Towards the end, after the number of players has been significantly reduced, the number of suspects playing the werewolf narrows down, and an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust intensifies considerably.
The scene where the wolf is cornered outside the feast when his flashlight is found during a house search is a bit of a weak excuse, but it's memorable because it's the only answer he could give.
Mythological Route
This route involves seeking ways to avoid the banquet itself, rather than participating in it.
I was a little surprised because I didn't think Chiemi was also in a time loop.
This makes me think that quite a few characters retain their memories from the time loop.
There are four people involved: Yomei, Chiemi, Rikako, and Kamisama (indirectly).
The first half of the story follows Mr. Nori as he searches for documents to uncover the truth behind the wolf worship.
Since you can have a romantic encounter with Nori, you could essentially call this the Nori route.
The puzzle-solving in this section was exciting, but because the previous three routes were so interesting, it was a bit of a struggle to read through it.
The fact that the banquet was run by people might be a point of contention, but there's something unsettling about that in itself, so personally, it didn't bother me that much.
The final scene, where Yangming, disguised as Yomotsu Ookami, speaks to the villagers, was a fitting conclusion to the feast.
Instead of simply discarding it as a future where other routes weren't chosen, the fact that it was used to liberate them from the feast gave a sense of redemption for the tragic endings in each route.
I was really impressed by the last question, "Who is Fusaishi Yohei?"
I felt like I'd been tricked when they used the protagonist's true identity as their trump card right at the very end.
Subsequent extras, exposure mode, etc.
As for the extra short stories, I enjoyed them as little extras, like bonus side stories.
Since this episode is independent of the main story, it's pretty much optional whether you read it or not.
The discussion about Mitsuji's abilities seemed to be a way of promoting another work.
Since it's clearly labeled as an "extra," I'm not going to complain about anything.
The exposure mode was quite interesting.
I don't usually reread long novels like this, but it was interesting to see what each character was thinking in each scene, and I made some new discoveries.
In particular, it helped me understand the thoughts of characters whose motivations I didn't fully grasp in the main story, which deepened my understanding of the characters.
Character-specific impressions
・Yoaki Fusaishi
What I found interesting was that the characters weren't simply portrayed as avatars of the player; the more the game progressed, the more the characters diverged from the player.
Having no regard for good or evil, and being a curious monster who constantly sticks his nose into things, is probably an excellent quality for a writer.
The mythological narrative, which falsely portrays a god, has the power to make someone a cult leader if used in a positive way, but if used negatively, it could be said to have revealed their true nature as a con artist.
In the betrayal all-night ending where he is resurrected as Tsuchigumo, the additional ending where he lives on with Rikako felt innocent and very much like him.
The most common illustration of him makes his face look rather large, but I like the cheerful expression on his face when he's captured by tentacles in the betrayal all-night ending, which looks like he's saying, "Oh, hello, Rikako."
・Chiemi Serizawa
In the initial Yomi route, she was portrayed as a kind woman who helped Yangming when he got lost, giving her the feel of being the true heroine.
After that, he actually became a kind of killer whose mental balance was disrupted by repeatedly going through the time loop, and he gained a strong image as a crazy character.
Ultimately, I think it was good that she ended up in the position of being a good partner to Yomei.
However, since he's a person who's stuck in a time loop, just like Yangming, there's a risk that if you upset him during the banquet, he could ruin everything, which makes him seem difficult to deal with.
・End of the episode Rikako
In the witty route, it was clear that she was completely smitten with Yangming, which was adorable.
Although he is the final boss, he is not omniscient or omnipotent, and he plays the game fairly seriously, so he is not a character that leaves a bad impression.
If a promise is broken over something like that wordplay, it's no wonder that the child might rebel afterward.
I feel that a relationship with Ms. Nori that is more like that of a doctor and his assistant (nurse), rather than a marriage or romantic relationship, would work well for a long time.
She might be my favorite female character in this game.
Haru Makishima
She wasn't exactly a tsundere, but she always seemed grumpy, so she wasn't really my favorite character.
While I understand it's unavoidable given what happened in the past, I was concerned about their emotional instability.
In the dark route, there's an even more unstable Kaori-mama, so it didn't bother me too much.
I don't dislike the calm atmosphere of the gods, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate to call it spring.
It would be interesting to see him go down the path of evil with Yangming, but I think he's a good kid at heart, so I'd rather see him end up with someone like Mocchi.
・Oribe Yasunaga
He doesn't seem to be good at lying or bluffing, but he comes across as a clever and reliable character.
In fact, in the Yomi route where Yangming is absent, he has the skill to lead the wolves to a complete victory, so he gives the impression of being competent.
I feel more alive when I'm talking about folklore than when I'm pursuing a career in law, so I hope I can pursue a path where I can do what I want to do.
In the extra episode, I thought her slightly unconventional behavior (which is understandable if she'd been in a waking zone for so long) was cute and age-appropriate.
If she were to become Ms. Mamiya's partner in the future, it could be an interesting pairing.
・Kamoda Chikamo
Even without knowing the exact path, this person possesses the extraordinary ability to intuitively know the correct answer.
However, the interesting thing about the Yomi-no-Imi Banquet is that even if you know the correct answer, it doesn't necessarily become a cheat ability in that you have to get the other party to believe it.
He has a tendency to choose his actions based on whether they seem interesting rather than the role he's been given, which is similar to Yangming's personality, so I think he would shine if he had the protection of a badger (a madman role).
In a sense, you could say that it comes with the snake's blessing by default.
He's often seen in drag, but my favorite is the one I mentioned earlier, where he's wearing a school uniform and holding a shotgun.
・Takumi Muro
While he may not be an outstanding player in the party scene, I felt he was an important character because gaining his trust allows you to gain the trust of the other members.
It might sound bad to say that I'm in a somewhat ambiguous position, with a mix of logic and emotion, but if I can successfully demonstrate a sense of balance that allows me to support both the young and the old, I think I could lead the party in a different way than Taicho.
I find it hard to imagine him being a wolf.
However, I really liked how he showed proper integrity and loyalty to Yangming, who had opened up to him through the clever route.
From a positional standpoint, he should dislike the wealthy Nori family, but for some reason, he still likes to call him "Kiyoshi."
There are descriptions of them having a senior-junior relationship in the past, so it might be a remnant of that time.
Kaori Oribe
She seemed like a gentle, easygoing mother, but when she made up her mind, she was surprisingly capable of doing anything.
However, whether playing as a human or a werewolf, they left a strong impression of being difficult and troublesome to deal with as players.
In the dark route, (due to Yangming's actions) it was incredibly difficult to calm down the son who wanted to kill himself.
I pray that you and Takumi will be happy together.
Yoshitsugu Oribe
He's a lovable delinquent character.
He was just a good-natured young man who loved his mother very much, and was simply going through a rebellious phase.
While Yangming was easily swayed by words, judging from the exposé, it was surprising to learn that his actions were based on a certain amount of reasoning.
The only time I ever felt fear towards him was during the scene in the dark route where Yangming gets beaten to a pulp.
・Hisako Mamiya
I felt sorry for the ordinary person who was forced to participate in a nonsensical party and then killed off as the werewolf.
After Hashimoto left, both the witty route and the dark route became noticeably more hysterical.
In the dark route, Hashimoto becomes a clear enemy after he's gone, so I had a strong impression of them being hostile.
The move of revealing oneself as a werewolf to deceive the madman and gain votes is a rare occurrence in the original Werewolf game, so that part of the scene was technical and interesting.
Their knowledge of folklore seemed solid, and I felt they played an important role in solving the mystery through the mythological route.
Judging from the extras, it seems that Tai and I might end up working together for a long time as his assistant.
・Yudai Hashimoto
The only time he properly participates in a banquet is in the dark route, which is the wolf route for Yangming.
Therefore, Hashimoto is strongly associated with the image of a troublesome detective, like Furuhata Ninzaburo.
I think he's the strongest character in every aspect among all the players, so his presence made things difficult for the werewolf team, but it also made the game much more tense and exciting.
In the dark route, my desire to eliminate him was so strong that I ended up with bad endings many times.
I think the verbal sparring between Yangming and Hashimoto is a major highlight throughout Raging Loop.
・Nori Seinosuke
This character could be described as a lovable tsundere type.
Although the initial impression was negative, it steadily improved from there, and by the end, it had become quite likable.
Although he's an arrogant and insufferable character, he also has a weak side, and the fact that he hasn't been told the full story by other wealthy people made me feel sorry for him quite often.
At parties, for better or for worse, he can move discussions forward, but because he is someone who easily accumulates hatred, he is often used as a fallback for voters.
In "exposure mode," it becomes clear that he actually thinks about many things before acting, but because his words and actions are easily misunderstood, it seems he had difficulty gaining understanding from those around him.
During the scene in the mythology route where you explore Nori's mansion together, it becomes clear that he has a fair amount of otaku-like knowledge, and you quickly become closer to him.
It seems Yangming sensed this as well, and he said that he now had yet another obligation to solve the mystery of the banquet.
I hope to become good business partners with Rikako.
・Tae Yamawaki
He gives the impression of being a representative figure of the wolf worship in Kyusui.
He didn't seem like a particularly eccentric person; I got the impression he was just a simple villager who cherished his faith.
I remember being struck by the way Yoshitsugu and I clashed in what appeared to be a typical conflict between an older person and a younger person.
I think it makes sense that even if you're chosen to be tied up, you can accept it as just how parties are and there's nothing you can do about it.
He's not the type of person to stand out in discussions, so I think it would be troublesome if he were lurking as the wolf, like in the Yomi route.
・Wolf old man
From the looks of it, he gives the impression of having the protection of a badger, and in fact, there were roles that matched that description.
When the information came out that he was a survivor of an old feast, I remember feeling uneasy, as if he was hiding his true nature.
In fact, he was secretly working as a purger.
If you are tied up while Kanzō is still alive, you will definitely be killed by him.
However, after Kanzo's death, he is a dangerous person who tries to escape when being taken away (victim: Mocchi).
He's quite a villain, so I suppose it's inevitable that he ends up dying.
Kanzo Makishima
As the de facto leader of the Kyu-sui group, he takes an authoritarian lead in discussions as well.
In the Yomi route, which I've just started playing, it's unclear whether Kanzou is acting more subdued than usual, but for Yasunaga, who is a wolf, it must have been obvious that something was off.
In fact, in the Witty Route and Dark Route, the feast is quite central to the proceedings, so players will later realize how unnatural the Underworld Route is.
Aside from the fact that his granddaughter, Haru, is his weakness, he is certainly someone who would be an easy target.
In the mythology route, the scene where he is deeply moved by the words spoken to him by Yangming, who is disguised as a god, really touched me.
・Meiko
Like Mr. Ookamijiji, I felt that he was a difficult player to read when considering the banquet as a game.
When it comes to important roles like the wolf or the blessed character, if I can't play them well, the game might fall apart.
In fact, it seems that even the Sansha team was hesitant to assign Meiko such a cruel role.
However, if Rikako could have controlled the situation or acted as a decoy, the role of the spider might have been a perfect fit for her.
It seems like the character is from a different game, but since I haven't played that one, the extra scenario felt like an aside.
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パッケージ版: レイジングループ – PS5(Amazon)
関連書籍: レイジングループ完全読本（ホビージャパンMOOK858）(Amazon)