MAGES’ romantic slice of life SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky will make a play for the PS4 from 23rd October.
This is significant because the Memories Off series dates all the way back to the PS1 in 1999, but has never received an English localisation before. This particular entry first launched on 16th September, 2021 in Japan, so it’s taken a good three years to launch overseas.
While it may feel daunting playing a new game in a long-running series, it’s important to note that the story here is set 10 years after the previous Memories Off titles, in a contemporary setting.
As you’d expect of a visual novel, you’ll find largely text paired with beautiful artwork here. However, there are branching paths and decisions to make to keep the gameplay fresh and interesting. It’s also fully voiced in Japanese.
“Junya Mizumoto, a university student, is mourning the loss of his brother from a tragic accident only a year prior, when he encounters a mysterious girl who tells him he should have been the one to die, before disappearing,” the blurb reads.
“Carrying the weight of those terrifying words alongside the memories of his brother, Junya finds himself taking on an unexpected project with his childhood friend, Chihaya Hojo. The Hojo manor, a traditional Japanese house, needs renovating and it’s Junya’s first big job to undertake. But it is a job he cannot undertake alone.”