[Nintendo Switch] Review of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky

SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, developed by PQube and MAGES, is the latest installment in a well-established visual novel series. Let’s dive into what makes this game tick!

This game is part of the cherished Memories Off franchise, which has delighted fans since its debut on the original PlayStation back in 1999. The newest addition is a spin-off set a whole decade after the events of the main series, offering a fresh perspective. It follows Junya Mizumoto, a college student grappling with the loss of his brother from an unfortunate accident a year prior. Just when Junya thinks he’s starting to cope, he encounters a mysterious girl who bluntly tells him it should have been him instead. Talk about unsettling! However, life doesn’t stop there for our protagonist, as he soon becomes entangled in a project with his childhood friend, Chihaya Hojo. The task involves restoring a traditional Japanese house, the Hojo manor, a cherished piece of her family’s heritage. I won’t give everything away—you’ll have to play to discover how Junya’s choices shape his relationships with characters like Chihaya, Hinata Ise, Azusa Satomi, Chunyu Huang, and Yuriko Oyama.

If you’re new to the world of visual novels, they essentially do as their name suggests. They deliver engaging narratives that can vary in length—some are as long as novels—in a beautifully visual format. Occasionally, these experiences are enhanced with voice acting, although this feature can be quite costly. In the case of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, you’ll find fully voiced characters, all in Japanese. But worry not if Japanese isn’t your forte, as reading, an integral part of this genre, will guide you through the captivating story.

Returning to the tale of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky, we reiterate that a decade has passed since the main storyline, introducing Junya Mizumoto into the mix. Dealing with the sorrow of his brother’s untimely demise is no easy feat, especially when a stranger implies he should have been the one to meet such fate. Nevertheless, before long, Junya immerses himself in the renovation of the timeless Hojo manor, a family treasure to Chihaya. The adventure that follows? You’ll need to seek that out for yourself!

Despite a few minor localization hiccups like grammar mistakes or typos, there isn’t much to gripe about with this release. SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky is now available for the Nintendo Switch, priced reasonably at $39.99.

This review is crafted based on a Nintendo Switch copy of SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky provided by PQube.