Robotics;Notes DaSH

 Switch
Metascore
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  1. VxPASSIONE
    Nov 1, 2020
    8
    Robotics;Notes Elite is the updated version of Robotics;Notes, a Japanese visual novel made by 5pb and originally released in 2012. The EliteRobotics;Notes Elite is the updated version of Robotics;Notes, a Japanese visual novel made by 5pb and originally released in 2012. The Elite version, which has some additions compared to the previous one, was released on PlayStation Vita in 2014 and, later, on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch (in 2019). Finally, in 2020, is also released an English version on these two consoles.
    Although this video game is little known, in the West, it is linked to a much better known product: Steins;Gate, which is quite well known and appreciated for manga and anime versions, but Steins;Gate was born as a visual novel of the 5pb studio and, together with Robotics;Notes and Chaos;Head, compose the trilogy Science Adventure, which also include their different spin-offs.
    Approaching a visual novel like Robotics;Notes Elite may not be immediate. Even a person rather accustomed to graphic adventures, gamebooks and other similar stories could be disoriented by some elements of this video game. If, in fact, several other forms of interactive narration immediately propose small choices and different pathways, or some other mode of interaction, this aspect is delayed and extremely diluted, in Robotics;Notes Elite.
    In some cases, this could be a considerable obstacle, which will probably go to push away the less motivated and patient players. The first minutes of the game are quite significant, because they introduce – very slowly – the story of the protagonist, Kaito Yashio, his relationship with Akiho Senomiya (her friend and the only other member of the Robot Research Club of their school), his passion for fighting video games and his shy nature.
    The interactions are gradually added, first with some basic series of buttons to press (when Kaito plays his favorite video game) and then with some functions of his PhoneDroid, a sort of tablet that contains geolocation apps, a social network similar to Twitter and other functions that can be activated at certain times. In reality, several functions can come into play from the beginning, but no particular information is provided in this regard. It’s not the presence of interactions, however, to be decisive in raising attention to this video game, but rather the conflict. A conflict that must not be understood in terms of combat (although the competitive dimension has a certain relevance in the story), but in terms of narratology: is always essential, for the functioning of a good story, the inclusion of numerous contrasts, on several levels, between the characters involved.
    From this point of view, having overcome the first obstacles, Robotics;Notes Elite is capable to generate a certain curiosity, and to keep alive the desire to know how the story will proceed, thanks to the many small and large conflicts introduced. On the background of these conflicts there is the story of a strong passion for robots, in all forms. A long – sometimes a little too dilated but pleasant – story to follow. A story, however, which seems to arouse more interest for itself, as a possible linear narrative, than for its interactive elements. In fact, there are several reachable endings, but unlocking them is quite esoteric. Especially considering the length of the story, complete disorientation is quite possible, if the player doesn’t follow a detailed guide. So, many people probably reach one of the endings randomly, and then they abandon the experience, unless they want to carefully follow one of the walkthroughs available online. Even with the possibility of accelerating / skipping many scenes, the global length and the lack of immediacy in the interactions does not facilitate replayability.

    Robotics;Notes Elite, in conclusion, is a long history of passion, dedication and robots. A good story, capable of capturing attention once started, but in terms of 'exploration' of its interactive component is quite difficult, and requires a player who is more than willing to deal with it.    … Full Review »