

Allmates are a type of mechanical companion, available in a wide range of models including various common pets such as dogs, cats, and birds. The game’s concept of Allmates also deserves a special shoutout. His dialogue displays a grandiose sense of overblown self-importance and penchant for tempting God and fate that rings true for a Lex Luthor type, even if he is unbelievably competent in comparison to real world equivalent dipshits like Musk, Gates, and Bezos. Personally I’m mostly just impressed by the atypically high level of thought put into DMMD’s setting, and I liked Tatsuo Toue (the figurehead after whom the corporation is named) as a villain a lot more this time around than I remembered from way back when. Your mileage may vary on if this is disappointing or if you’re content without that level of socio-economic commentary in your anime gay sex simulators. With that said, this isn’t a game that truly dives into the difficulties of poverty and real-world oppression. The economic rift between Platinum Jail and the rest of the island could not possibly be more blatant. The game’s bright colors and tendency to lean into extravagance rather than generic dark grittiness also resonates well with contemporary dystopia: a world in which innovation is promised while human rights and basic privacy are stripped back regardless of the general populace’s disapproval. The focus on tech giants’ abuse of genetic data as a means of empowering corporate-government surveillance feels particularly relevant. The class divide is enforced by literal gigantic physical walls separating Platinum Jail from the rest of the island, and the premise of Toue’s entire plan comes down to profound social control concurrent with the subjugation and elimination of undesirable factions. While the focus remains prominently enough on the characters and romances that the game never descends into extended social theory territory, there aren’t any punches pulled about the economic state of Midorijima and its residents. (JAST USA)įortunately, the cyberpunk themes are integral to DMMD’s story and aren’t just used as a lazy aesthetic shorthand. The Old Residential District feels wonderfully lived in. Platinum Jail is the crowning achievement of Toue Inc., the corporation responsible for literally every bad thing that happens in the story. The setting design ramps up to a further level of extravagance in the second half of the game when Aoba and his flamboyant would-be-harem enter Platinum Jail, a city accessible solely to the rich and initiated. are just some of the people hustling and bustling around this isn’t an empty world desterilized of any human presence save the core cast. The inclusion of unnamed passersby in most of these backgrounds also goes a long way in reminding the player that Aoba and co. There’s a good variety in architecture and billboards and shop signs jut out in all different sizes, fonts, and colors. Most of the early game takes place in the Old Residential District, where the background art really captures the sense of a living community. Midorijima, the fictional island where the game takes place, is also very well-designed. Speaking as an avid Digimon fan, this unapologetically over-the-top approach to character design hits all the right buttons for me (and I haven’t even gotten to the love interest who walks around wearing a gas mask 24/7 yet). Even the more comparatively understated characters like Koujaku and Mink would stand out as flamboyant in a less visually loud game. Ren’s human form, meanwhile, is a perfect ridiculous mix of beefcake and early ’00s. Then there’s the resident hacker bachelor Noiz, who looks like he fell on three racks of Hot Topic merch at once and said “I’ll take it.” Aoba himself leads the ensemble in bright blue, with a jacket instantly recognizable for its puffy sleeves and weird brain motif. The art is gorgeous, with an aesthetic that’s just plain pleasing to look at: bright, poppy colors and general a sense of excess define the characters and what they wear.

One look at any trailers or promotional materials makes it clear why this game created such an instant splash. I’ll start by discussing this glossy sheen. The choices you make will shape the path of Aoba’s journey into the dark secrets lurking beneath the glossy sheen of the city. Aoba’s vibrant cyberpunk world is one of contrasts: high-tech virtual reality battles versus street gang turf wars, ultra-exclusive luxury resorts and tiny junk shops.
