428: Shibuya Scramble

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15

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  1. DrSiko
    Nov 27, 2018
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. When you make a game such as 428: Shibuya Scramble, the story should be solid since it's the only thing to keep who play this "game" engaged.

    I started playing it and was impressed by the intro with FMV cutscenes and real-life photoshoots so I expected a mature and sophisticated story line. While the direction was C-movie like, I won't mind for a good story.

    But then, from the start, I was disappointed how banal the story went when Achi, a street clan member, saved Hitomi from a criminal while cops were supposedly all over the place (40 officials I assume?) without taking action towards the criminal running behind the two, who was later blocked by a handful of bottle containers and couldn't catch with the two teens while he could easily shoot them with his gun shown several times. Here when you realize this will be a lousy anime-like story that cannot be translated into a real cast movie because it will look silly.

    I checked the game's ESRB rate and it's T-rated, which is obviously made for teens who are clearly obsessed with anime stories about teen action/thrill/love stories, so if you expect an intelligent plot with sophisticated structure and mind-blowing twists, this game is definitely not in this scope.

    Mind you, I played visual novels before and I enjoy good ones so this review is not made by an FPS fanboy.    … Expand
  2. jobran
    Oct 6, 2018
    4
    this is a very boring uninteresting game which does not deserve a perfect ten even if it has a few redeeming qualities
  3. mrmctommy
    Aug 5, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a wonderful visual novel. It ticks all the boxes that make a VN engaging and enjoyable. The characters are likeable, the plot is interesting with some wackiness mixed in, the choices often feel that they heave weight, and the soundtrack is one of the best I've ever heard. No joke, the music is a masterpiece. By the end of the game, I care for the characters' safety, and when I "won" the game, I felt as though I earned a good ending through the choices I made and my diligence in paying attention to the game.

    The only true criticisms I have are the occasional jarring tone shifts between scenes, and the chance that a seemingly insignificant choice you make now will lead to a "Game Over" in a few minutes. The latter could have been fixed by providing some negative consequences for your choices other than simply "losing" the game, and the former could be excused by the nature of the game taking on many narrative genres.

    This is why DrSiko's review is comically obtuse. If the lack of realism in a visual novel about anti-littering gangsters, people in giant cat suits, secret identical twin sisters who fool hardened criminals, and global medicine conspiracies, is almost your sole gripe, either your critiquing skills need serious work, or the visual novel is doing something seriously right. In this case, probably both.    … Expand
  4. eri41205
    Apr 4, 2022
    8
    Interesting story with interesting gameplay, your choice during one character's playthrough will affect another character's future. Full of small details for post game contents, I enjoyed my time while playing.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. CD-Action
    Feb 13, 2019
    90
    The developers did an outstanding job at fostering player’s perpetual appetite for mysteries. It makes you ask a ton of questions and from time to time offers you some hints and answers to sustain your curiosity. When I launched it for the last time, I was sure that I had all upcoming twists worked out. Two hours later I knew how mistaken I was. 428 is a game that doesn’t cease to surprise until the very last moment, so if you love chasing mysteries, don’t wait any longer. [12/2018, p.84]
  2. GameCritics
    Oct 31, 2018
    85
    Putting the requirement for a controller aside, 428: Shibuya Scramble is a thoroughly unique offering in the visual novel space, and well worth picking up for any player interested in game narrative, the uniqueness of Japanese adventures, or those who just want to get some reading done.
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  3. RPG Site
    Sep 4, 2018
    100
    It recieves such a score and such praise because of how confidently it tackles its premise. There's nothing else quite like it, and if you’re a fan of visual novels and creative storytelling in video games you definitely shouldn't miss 428: Shibuya Scramble.
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