Root Double is probably not a name that a lot of gamers would have recognised before Sekai Project launched a Kickstarter to bring it to the West. I’m a big fan of visual novels, particularly the more cerebral ones, but I must confess that I hadn’t heard of it before either. Originally developed as a collaboration between Regista and Yeti, the game was first published in 2012 for Xbox 360 and Windows. Subsequently, the Xtend edition, featuring a new ending, was released for PS3 and PS Vita. Now Sekai Project are localizing the PC version of that Xtend Edition, providing their campaign is successful.
The game is the brainchild of veteran visual novel producer and director Takumi Nakazawa. Nakazawa was the director of Never 7, Ever 17, and Remember 11, also known as the Infinity Trilogy. Thanks to a fan translation of Never 7 and Hirameki International, who published Ever 17, the series built quite a following among western VN fans. It’s perhaps worth pointing out that these games were written by none other than Kotaro Uchikoshi, the much-lauded creator of the Zero Escape VN series for handhelds. If you’re a fan of the mind-bending, time-travelling, puzzle-solving mysteries of any of these games, Root Double is a game which should definitely be on your radar.
The story begins shortly after a series of explosions rock a nuclear research facility, causing it to go into meltdown. Rescue squad leader Watase Kasasagi wakes up in the facility without his memories and with no way out of the facility. Unable to recall any of his training, he must lead the team deeper into the facility in the hope of finding survivors and a way out. At the same time, Natsuhiko Tenkawa, a quiet schoolboy who was investigating the facility in the days leading up to the meltdown is also trapped inside. You must play through both protagonists’ stories, set in the past and the present, in order to solve the mystery and save the day.
Instead of typical dialogue choices, Root Double uses the Senses Sympathy System (or SSS for short). Using SSS, you project your emotions onto the characters around you in order to win their trust and inspire hope. Quite how that works in practice, I’m not sure, but it sounds like an interesting twist on the standard VN gameplay.
If successfully funded, Sekai Project expects to ship Root Double in March of this year. This seems remarkably ambitious, given that the Kickstarter campaign is not due to finish until February 4th. According to the funding breakdown, they’re going to spend $36,450 on translation and editing. I’m inclined to wonder whether the staff at Lemnisca Translations could possibly deliver so much work in such a short space of time. I can only assume that they’re working from a partially completed fan translation.
Sekai Project does not make any mention of a PS Vita port this time around. As a huge PS Vita fan, that’s disappointing but understandable, considering their well-publicized problems with that platform.
For visual novel fans like me who prefer a good sci-fi, crime or mystery VN, the game marks a promising new direction for Sekai Project. All of their official crowdfunded games to date have had dating elements or some kind of adult content. If Root Double meets its goal, I hope it encourages Sekai Project to bring more such VNs to market. I’ll be backing this campaign for the digital game and you can do the same via their Kickstarter page. If you’re interested but not yet ready to commit, you can still support their Steam Greenlight campaign.
Very mix feelings on this campaign, I didn’t like how SP handled their Prefundia page, and their didn’t seem to be any major hype following the first three days after the Kickstarter launched. Not sure if I’ll back this one or not, I guess we’ll see what happens.
I didn’t see the Prefundia page. What was wrong with their handling of that?
You’re right about the hype dropping away after the first few days. I initially thought it was going to succeed but it’s really slowing up. They’re going to need a strong surge to get over the line this time.
Sekai Project has gotten in the bad habit of creating Prefundia pages and barely interacting in the comment section when people bring up grievances or complaints they have with the planned campaign. Whats the point of creating a Prefundia page if you aren’t going to make any major changes based off of feedback?
I see. That’s a shame. As you say, Prefundia is the perfect opportunity to build and interact with your audience. Using it as a simple promotional tool and not asking for (and listening to) feedback is definitely a missed opportunity.
Well, compared to Libra campaign, it had way more enthusiasm. Both backers and creator, when reading the comment on Root..i find that very professional and it lack that hype..it’s very business-like.
Besides..i really think that the fact that they launch and publish so much VN without releasing them yet is hurting them. Kind of sad to say but i used to like Sekai Project..now..sigh. I am not sure i’ll back them ever again.
That + The Vita release issue (that a lot of peps are still waiting..) …no Early Bird..When you start treating KS like a store..it’ll bit your ass.
Sekai Project had received criticism from some fans for offering early bird tiers in CLANNAD’s Kickstarter, so we decided against including any.
As for the lack of a Vita version, the related parties are currently looking into the possibility of making one. Though at this point, nothing’s set in stone yet.
Not every criticism is good to take advice from.
Early Bird is a good thing, not only for those who can catch it.
But it also brings more people that wouldn’t pledge at a 30$ but might if they get an Early Bird at 25. It also shows that the creator is ready to make an effort.
Those that criticize it are probably the lazy bird that never caught one..Aka sore losers. I hardly caught one in all the things i backed but i can only find advantages to it.
I disagree, early birds tiers are important!
Minor correction: 12Riven is not part of the Infinity series. It was intended to be the first part of the so-called Integral series which takes place in the same universe. However its planned sequels never materialized.
Fixing it now, thanks for the heads up!