1 
0 SHUTEN ORDER is an Adventure game with the developer being Nelo inc. With the backing coming from Spike Chunsoft, which in a moment will make a lot of sense. Reason for that last statement is because the whole game has the whole Danganronpa vibe. From the art style, the game’s execution, to even the pacing of the game will make you think so. I honestly had a complete blast playing detective through out the entire journey.
The only thing to keep in mind is, the game will continue to change into something different when hunting down your killer. So, lets pray to God and use the power of said God and start the review.
When using God’s Power, always have your QTE skills sharp as a knife.
Gameplay
You start as Rei, someone who was resurrected to discover their killer and to get their body back. Two Angels break-in to our room to tell us all this information. We’re in a temporary body and the only way to get our original body, we’ve got to do God’s Trial. They say that one of the Ministers of the SHUTEN ORDER could be our killer.
After going to the SHUTEN ORDER‘s HQ because the Angels said to, we end up breaking in. Yet there is a meeting being held behind closed doors with no method of eavesdropping. We use our Power of God, to take over a little bot and sneak into the Minster Meeting. From which we learn that the we’re the Founder of the Order.
Yet for some reason, we have to get away with the only way out is by dying. And with that, we completed the 1 hour Prologue. With this we wake up on the second day of January where we really start the game. Basically we get to choose which Minster to go after and which gameplay style to play in. You could choose whomever you want of the five.
However, I think my route made the perfect way to absorb the lore of the land. That would be Manji Fushicho, Honoka Kokushikan, Teko Ion, Yugen Ushitora and lastly Kishiru Inugami. Or an easier way to remember the order is by choosing from right to left. Basically, the amount of lore you get from completing each on in that order.
I also fell in love with the fact that each Minister gives you a different gameplay element, which kept me on my toes a lot.
Graphic and Audio
I know I said this earlier, that SHUTEN ORDER is just like Danganronpa, yet it really is like their successor for the game. With the way the world’s environments was made and how they have the character’s design even gave the same vibe. Basically, if you’re into Danganronpa, then this game will give you the similar vibe minus the pink blood since this one is red.
There is also the crazy amount of the glitch effect that happens during certain scenes. But, hooo boy does that effect create the most panic mode in my brain. Their execution of these effects are done perfectly and even makes my brain slightly react to that moment in the game.
Now the OST for the game has amazing timing with crafting the perfect environment for drama. We can go from having a nice conversation to me getting goose bumps from the sudden epiphany from the new information. Especially when I finally was piecing together who my killer really was to cause my body to become chicken skin. Basically, the music is extremely well made and perfectly executed when the scenario demands it.
Just a quick heads up though, the whole game’s voice acting is in Japanese. There is no other audio options to change it to, but at least you’ll have your monthly reading.
Longevity
You can finish the game in about 30-40 hours if you’re going to get both endings. Each attempt on a Minister takes about a good five hours or more depending on you. You could try to fast forward the whole thing, but it will take about a couple of hours to skim through it. However, to fully appreciate the game and the lore, I advise to just read as you go. Just save the fast forwarding for when you attempt to get the other ending.
Final Thoughts
SHUTEN ORDER was honestly under my radar until Stu gave me a heads up about it. The game having so many different genres that falls on each Minster member which I completely love about it. Going from a survivor game to a slight dating sim really was breath taking for me. It keeps itself separate from any other game in the same genre wheelhouse.
Basically, the game has it’s unique charm and story that will either have you already guess the plot of each attempt or open up more of the game’s lore to you. Honestly, when you learn that everyone is a █ █ █ █ █, God is really █ █ █ █ █, and that God’s power is █ █ █ █ █ █ █. It feels good getting all that off my chest. Either way, this game is really worth the pick up and see if you will also figure out who the murderer is.
One piece of advice, always check the setting to see if auto-save is active or not. Because auto-save will literally be your godsend.
I give SHUTEN ORDER the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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