Anyone who has ever played and enjoyed a video game, especially during their teenage years, knows that the game itself is only part of the overall experience. Community plays a major role in the enjoyment of games. We actively seek out other players through forums, message boards, and social media platforms. Sometimes, these connections go beyond a shared interest in the game and turn into friendships, support networks, and even romantic relationships. Videoverse, the latest visual novel from Kinmoku, the creators of the critically acclaimed game One Night Stand, is a captivating and emotionally-driven exploration of these digital relationships and the games that bring them together.
The game is set in 2003 and follows the story of Emmett, a 15-year-old video game enthusiast who spends hours each day playing the Japanese role-playing game Feudal Fantasy on his Shark games console. When he’s not playing, Emmett engages with the console’s online service, Videoverse, which combines a discussion forum and instant messaging platform. Emmett is part of a vibrant and mostly supportive community of gamers and artists. However, when the console’s manufacturer, Kinmoku, announces that Videoverse will soon be shutting down as they transition users to their new Dolphin console, the community is thrown into an existential crisis.
As players assume the role of Emmett, they experience the game primarily through his retro-style console. They can post Feudal Fantasy fan art, comment on posts, and chat with friends using a multiple-choice textual interface. Emmett’s friends include Zalor, who is caught in an unstable relationship with Lorena222, a fellow player; MarKun666, a quiet gaming enthusiast; and Vivi, a talented artist who mysteriously enters Emmett’s life and immediately captures his attention. The relationship between Emmett and Vivi unfolds entirely through their instant-message conversations, with players choosing between game-related topics and personal details. The dialogue feels authentic, relatable, and often reveals anxieties and secrets.
The visual design of Videoverse perfectly replicates the pixelated, lo-fi aesthetics of early online platforms like Wiiverse, AOL instant messenger, and ancient message boards. This design choice symbolizes the themes of the game and immerses players in the nostalgic atmosphere of these influential spaces. Each chapter intercuts cinematic sequences from Feudal Fantasy with interactive chat sessions, drawing parallels between the epic tale of feuding ninjas in the game and the everyday worries and excitements of the young fans. The limited multiple-choice dialogue accurately reflects the struggles of teenagers who may struggle to express their emotions fully. Sometimes, players are unable to select certain options because previous interactions didn’t shape Emmett’s character appropriately, leaving them feeling almost helpless.
However, Videoverse is not solely a game about teenage relationships. It specifically explores how these relationships intertwine with commercialized environments in the digital era. The Videoverse community relies on servers maintained by a faceless corporation, and as advertisements for the Dolphin console begin to infiltrate the Shark’s title screen alongside messages about the online service’s closure, players realize the ephemeral nature of these spaces and the lack of control teenagers have. Within the community, users exchange concerns and rumors on message boards, while individuals like UnclefromKinmoku claim to have insider information, mirroring the dynamics of Reddit-based fandoms. Videoverse highlights the detrimental impact of planned obsolescence on digital communities. As Kinmoku pulls resources from Videoverse and potentially lets go of moderators, the community deteriorates. People start posting explicit images, and abusive messages become more frequent. The game prompts players to question if problematic users were always present or if they are like vultures, taking advantage of a dying platform.
The game also explores various aspects of gamer culture, including expos, games magazines, format wars, and the costs associated with buying and playing games. As the story progresses, Emmett, who comes from a relatively privileged background, is forced to confront his privilege, especially when he realizes how Vivi’s life intersects with his perception of Videoverse as an online utopian society. Through it all, the group finds camaraderie and strength through their shared passion for games.
There are moments in Videoverse that are profoundly honest and thought-provoking about digital relationships and the value of gaming. They are so touching that they brought me to tears. The day after I completed the game, I couldn’t help but start over because I missed the characters and their world. It reminded me of the incomparable experiences I’ve had with games, whether it’s connecting with my family, bonding with my friends, or creating lasting memories. Videoverse evoked happiness, sadness, introspection, and an overwhelming wave of nostalgia that only the most masterfully crafted art can achieve. It can be likened to Adrian Mole for the digital age – a comparison that I consider the highest compliment. If you have ever played and loved a video game, you will undoubtedly understand what I mean.