Boarding a plane with a heavy heart, return home for the holidays after an intense break-up ending a 3-year-long relationship. The world feels like it’s collapsing, and it somehow gets smaller surrounded by estranged loved ones. Secrets seem to loom around the corners once held at bay by distance, ready to be revealed. Old flames flicker as new ones start to burn. One week to figure life out, it doesn’t sound like enough time, but it’s all there is. I played the demo of Merry Crisis. I can’t wait for the full release!
Merry Crisis is a visual novel where you assume the main character’s role at the height of chaos. While running late for the airport, you run into your recent ex, who offers you a lift. It was a painfully mutual breakup. Personally, I turned down the offer and put up a wall, deciding to try my luck with a taxi. Making decisions in this game will trigger a note to be written in your character journal detailing your game route so far. I thought that was a nice touch if you happen to put the game down for a bit and return to it. It will also help with replays, so the player can be sure they see a different ending. I liked how natural the game’s opening felt. Who doesn’t reflect on things when they’re in the passenger seat, especially solo traveling? Learning your character’s story doesn’t feel like an information dump; flashbacks are handled well, which is important.
There are a few flashbacks in the demo that I’m glad the player can actually play through; they’re not just vaguely explained through dialogue. Being a part of the flashback scenes gave the characters history and depth before the romance even started. The narrative of this game plays with complex romantic feelings. The options are the ex who isn’t really over you, the old flame that let you down and you never spoke to again after you moved, or someone you just met who feels like a fresh whirlwind. I almost feel like it’s unfair to the character you just happen to meet because they’re your parents’ neighbor. There is so much history to unwrap and feel your way through with the other two romance options. Do you return to something familiar or take a chance on something brand new and unruly? I thought at first I was falling for Shay, the neighbor, but knowing the history with Qiu made me melt a little when I learned how they felt. I didn’t think I’d fold, but I did agree to have lunch with them. The week at home suddenly got busier, and I worried about sharing the time with my family.
Family felt just as important as the romance in the Merry Crisis demo, and I’m expecting a family crisis. A big question in the main character’s mind is whether New York is still worth it, trailblazing alone without a partner, or whether returning home would be better. Spending time with family before the romance starts lays down some bread crumbs, parents are older, siblings you hardly know are starting to succeed. Important foreshadowing starts in the kitchen as the main character’s mother expresses how much they wished you’d stay longer than a week. That they’re getting older. A comment is made about your dad, but it’s not elaborated on; it sent red flags and warning sirens up immediately.
Your choices in this game matter, as you will unlock story events for the full game from the demo save. The demo teases future events by revealing a bit about the possible scenes you’ve unlocked. You can play the demo multiple times and set up multiple play-throughs using different saves.
This game is extremely inclusive, allowing players to choose their pronouns and sexual identities at the start of the game. Players will also be able to choose the identities of the romance options, which is something I’ve never seen before in a visual novel. The player can choose to make all romanceable characters female, male, or a mix of both. It’s one way to shake up your gameplay.
Merry Crisis is scheduled to come out this year, but does not yet have an official launch date. I think it has an interesting story concept, letting the player choose between past and future romance options. I think it’s also dangling the huge choice of moving back home or staying in New York in front of players. I can feel the drama bubbling under the surface of the demo, and I recommend checking it out! Would you give someone a second chance at romance?
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