The Shell Part II: Purgatorio

This experience was phenomenal, I could share countless impressions yet also struggle to even begin expressing any of them. My expectations were already high after the first part, and they got exceeded as well! No idea how the writer does it, but reading the story simply felt so smooth and nearly addictive, it was hard to stop at times (>u<). I find the writing of the series incredible as a whole; the way the plot is structured feels well balanced and manages being engaging all along. The mystery is very intricate and multidimensional - I particularly adore the fact it's not linear with one climax, and instead encompasses several intertwined mysteries that stretch throughout literal generations too, making it satisfying to continue reading even after the seemingly main reveal (I guessed a certain part in advance but still felt clueless due to the remaining unsolved questions lol). I also love how the grotesque scenes are described so ornately, which paired with the unsettling atmosphere perfectly nail at being beautiful in a gruesome and desperate yet vain manner. Despite my fondness of the dark elements of the story, I actually like how the plot doesn't entirely rely on constant tension and suspense - the breaks into casual slice-of-life provide the story with a pleasant balance and a more realistic feel, plus expand the characterizations and help the cast appear more lively. Even though I'm generally not a fan of slice-of-life, the writing entertained me even during most casual scenes and invited to keep reading. Moreover, the art, music and atmosphere are gorgeous and immersive, the presentation didn't disappoint in the slightest. Additionally I felt that getting the endings is a bit easier and less ridiculously specific here compared to the previous game (still didn't dare to dig in without a guide though..). Overall I find this to be a very poignant, clever, well-written, and stunningly executed story and am excited for the final~

那只不知所踪的、自由的琉璃之鸟，究竟要多么偏执才能找到你？ 我们回家吧，终于找到你了。冬子，你幸福吗？

“我们回家吧，冬子，这里太冷了，你会感冒的……” 虚少见证一场民俗与偏执的碰撞，跨越了两个时间段的人联系在一起，最后两个结局连在一起杀伤力还是太大了。婚礼结局玩泪目了，真结局打完心里空落落的......

-[spoiler] 承自前作的猎奇，程度更甚的乱伦以及精神恶化和偏执驱动下的滥杀，辅以落后山村对虚伪邪教的淫祀 ，一步步揭露了前现代宗族体制下精心编织的谎言[/spoiler] -相较于前作优化了叙事节奏，对游戏达成真结局的难度条件做了减法 -主角团之间的多线叙事和情报交换在剧情推动中观感颇佳 -后期收尾对于一些角色的心理侧写不够完善留白过多 -二周目新添加的一些细节完成了一定程度的伏笔回收 -真结局衔接该系列第三作 7.5/10

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here

A noticeable improvement over the first game. A sequel that decides to tell it's own story but succeeds in avoiding pitfalls from the previous game. For the uninitiated, the Shell is a murder mystery VN set in 1950s Japan, where we follow Reiji, an ex-cop turnt PI as he investigates a series of gruesome murders. You can check out my Part I review to get the gist of what the Shell series is about. My review for Part II is mainly going to be a response to all the critisms I had for Part I as well as some parts that I really enjoyed. For starters, the game plays like an actual modern VN now. Instead of having to go through hell and retrace your choices as you grind through multiple bad ends to get to the true end, there's an option to just skip through read dialogue now. Secondly, the investigations are less of a PITA than they were in the first game and they don't directly impact your route, which is a much welcomed change. And finally, a writing issue that plagued the first game is finally gone, [spoiler] where important/ plot-relevant characters finally don't get killed off for shock value, which surprised me towards the end. [/spoiler] Finally, I only had to go through 1 normal end in order to get to the true end for Part II, which was infinitely less tedious than going through 5+ bad ends in the first game. As such, I've witnessed alot less questionable character decisions and forced adultery scenes from Reiji, which I absolutely loathed in the first game. On it's own, the pacing in Part II is much better than the first game. Despite presenting us with 2 separate stories set in different times, each section feel just right. It gave me more time to ponder and connnect storylines that ultimately came together into a satisfying climactic end. Instead of rushing to deliver exposition by killing off characters towards the end like in the first game, I went into the end properly shocked and impressed by how the writer took time weave plot points together. Character motivations and interactions are even better than they were in the first game, Ayato's plotline had me genuinely invested. On a final note, if you're someone whose taken high school biology, you'll encounter some basic principles of genetics- particularly Mendel's law of inheritance, where the game deduces the identity of parents by comparing blood types, which would make alot of sense since the game takes place in the 1950s, where full DNA forensic analysis had yet to be adopted by law enforcement. The game makes it sound more complicated than it actually is but I appreciate the grounded approach the game decided to take. TLDR: Part II is alot more playable in almost every aspect when compared to the first game. Whereas the first game was a flawed game with some promise, Part II left me satisfied and impressed. If you've wanted more from the first game, you should really give Part II a shot.

推到结局真的很难受，虽然早就做好心理准备了但在看到的那一刻还是心脏骤停，冬子没有你我怎么活啊！ 不过牢心也没了确实大快人心，不得不说尚志老先生还是传奇（ 总体评价一下本作案件，跟前作一样推理出犯人不难，看点主要是本作复杂的多线叙事和家庭伦理剧，个人觉得水平还不错大概有海猫四成功力 音乐水平一般，美术个人看来不如前作，画风有点怪 期待天少能给一个hd 个人评分8.4/10

看得我想把这帮神人全突突了 依旧祖传“偏执” 我将退学在家仔细研究人偶村这十几号人的血缘关系

国产有警匪偏远山村打拐邪教虐待内含n个解密 ；日产有偏远山村/岛邪恶家族传统 刑侦，内含n个人名因为必涉及改名乱伦 不建议再steam买，要打补丁补全剧情。 观后感：1.日系邪教派黑残深主题男都好初生 （。 . 算了 都这要啥正常道德.）。 2.幼女和大二十岁爹系在一起是传统吗。

心里空空的，你个狗