Japanese romance visual novel Memories Off launched for PlayStation in 1999, spawning an entire series that goes by the same name. The mainline series currently includes eight games (I’m not even going to get into the extended world of direct prequels, sequels, and spin-offs). Seven of those are available in the two-volume Memories Off Historia compilations for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch that launched in 2021: Memories Off (1999), Memories Off 2nd (2000), Omoide ni Kawaru Kimi: Memories Off (2002), Memories Off: Sorekara (2004), Memories Off 5: Togireta Film (2005), Memories Off 6: T-wave (2008), Memories Off: Yubikiri no Kioku (2010). These updated titles were all updated to look and run their best on modern platforms. The latest (non-rerelease) game in the series, Memories Off: Innocent Fille, was released in 2018. Then there was no movement until 2021 when the latest entry, SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky, launched in Japan/Asia for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. That game is finally set to launch in the West about three years later thanks to PQube.
SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky is set ten years after the Memories Off series, in a modern setting. The coming-of-age visual novel is described as being full of growth, love, and healing. And healing sounds super important based on the story synopsis.
Junya Mizumoto, a university student, is still mourning the death of his brother in a tragic incident that occurred only a year ago. He is surprised to be confronted by a mysterious girl who utters “you should have been the one to die” before quickly disappearing. Those words weigh on Junya alongside his grief. So he does what anyone would do in that situation: taking on his first big job of renovating a traditional Japanese House, the Hojo Manor. He is brought on unexpectedly by his childhood friend Chihaya Hojo.
Players can explore different character routes while fostering new and old relationships. SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky includes five new heroines: Chihaya, Hinata, Chunyu, Yuriko, and Azusa. These routes are branching, and you know what that means: multiple endings! The characters are brought to life by being fully voiced in Japanese, allowing players to experience their raw emotion.
Junya will build and nurture his relationships with the women in his life while also working to restore the Hojo manor. He will eventually uncover the truth behind his brother’s tragic incident, as well as why that mysterious woman said those disturbing words to him that day.
Developed by Mages and published in the West by PQube, SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. PQube only says the game is “coming soon,” though an Amazon UK listing currently has it expected for September 24 of this year. It is already available for the same platforms in Japan and the rest of Asia.
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The disconnect between the cover and the title of this article is impressive! What’s the tone of this series?
I haven’t played any of them, so can’t answer that. However the very first game in the series was actually Kotaro Uchikoshi’s first story writing role. AI Somnium Files, Zero Escape, Punch Line guy.