7 Years from now ~ RIEview

Unlike other games, allow me to begin by recommending this game with the following pros and cons. Yes, usually I will list out whether the game is worth playing or no after the review. But ‘7 years from now’ is no ordinary game. To begin with, it is a visual novel with minimum game mechanics but a heavy storyline. To some, the pixel art is an additional nostalgic touch to the game. Without further ado, let’s begin with the review!

Game Plot

You play as the protagonist, Haruto, who travels back to his hometown. 7 years ago he made a promise. But who was the person he made the promise with? Why can’t he remember anything from 7 years ago? Only having a dream to guide him, Haruto will make the journey of his lifetime to discover the truth behind the dream.

Verdict (5/5)

Absolutely beautiful, heart wrenching storyline. While you can’t control the narrative, the twists and turns in the plot will have you so hooked that all you want to know is what happens next. The story falls into the ‘Time-Travel/Groundhog’ genre, so if you’re a fan of these genres keep an eye out to guess how it ends! In addition there are side stories that will become available when you complete the main story; some can be unlocked by watching ads, while others can only be unlocked by paying (and thus support the developers).

Character Diversity & Personality

Throughout the plot, as the protagonist journeys in search of his missing memories, the cast of characters he meets are nothing short of interesting. From reconnecting with old friends to suspicious strangers, each character plays an important role in unlocking Haruto’s past.

Verdict (5/5)

The characters deserve high ratings. The writers have done an excellent job in showing not everything is as it seems, with good and evil separated by a thin line. One key takeaway from the story is that misunderstandings definitely played a major role for sure.

Game & CG Art

I will be honest that pixel art isn’t my favourite medium, after being spoiled by beautiful graphics like Ayakashi or the latest Genshin Impact. However, pixel art is an intricate art form in itself, and also brings the retro feel of nostalgia to old players.

Verdict (4/5)

Game Mechanics

There’s a lot of clicking to move the protagonist to where he should go, but usually you get a solid hint of the next location from the previous conversation. No combats, minimal control of narrative and few sentences available on the NPCs (Non-Playable Characters).

Verdict (4.5/5)

Very simple to master, but it can quickly become tedious. Remember, the game’s key feature is its fantastic storyline, which means the player’s sole goal is getting to the next point of the plot. It would be great if the developers give an option to speed up walking, or some hidden achievements/side quests.

In-Game Events

N/A

To do a brief recap (and not spoiling too much of the plot), this game is suitable for people looking for a good plot with not too complicated gameplay to distract from the story. Yes, I mean what I said. There are times that good games started out with a solid and interesting plot, but the plot disappears not even midway with the game shifting gears to focus solely on combat/gameplay. Nothing against that; but sometimes players also want to know what happens next, you know? 

The cherry on top? The game is free! Show your support to the developers by watching the ads (an option for F2P players) or by purchasing the packages to unlock all side stories. The developers definitely deserve all the support, so give this gem of a game a go!

Happy Gaming!

~ RieRie