Let’s Play – Rakuen

What was it about?

Down the street, there exists a hospital in which a boy lives. This particular boy has been living here for quite sometime. He spends his days exploring the hospital, checking in on fellow patients, and delving into the dark recesses that no one dares to tread. His mom often comes to visit. And when she visits, they read their special book together, Rakuen.

One day they decide to take a trip into Rakuen. What will they discover along the way?

What I loved

The music. Rakuen‘s score is beautiful. While a few tracks loop per level, at no time does it over stay its welcome. It’s chill.

What I didn’t like at all

Everything else.

The story and the individual characters are held back by a game that does not embrace the video game medium. Instead of focusing on Rakuen’s strength, which is its story, the game focuses on needless puzzles mixed with random fetch quests. Puzzles are the main culprit though, that feel like they are there just to frustrate. I found myself wanting to progress with the games story only to find myself stuck, checking a walkthrough.

What got me thinking

Oftentimes, we can think that something is amazing only to find out that someone else didn’t have the same experience. Art is subjective; video games are subjective too. Rakuen wanted to be meaningful, heart-felt even, but fell flat due to the way the game chose to tell its story. At times, it felt less like a fully realized game and more like an early student project that needed more feedback and playtesting.

I feel bad for not liking Rakuen. It’s the first game Josh recommended.

At the same time though, I figure I can experience my own Rakuen in a decade or two.