Aiko's Pavilion of Thoughts

As an ex-Love Nikki player, and still a Shining Nikki player, you can say I'm quite invested in this series at this point. I saw it myself when Infinity Nikki was first announced, to the surprise and delight of everyone. I've been looking forward to it so much, and finally, it has arrived!! This is actually my first time playing an open world game (yes, I never even touched Genshin Impact), so I was keen to find out how it goes. Here's my impressions after a day of playing.

"Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II" (Shinigami: Shibito Magire) is a supernatural horror visual novel developed by Experience, Inc. for the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and PC (Steam). It is the third installment in the "Spirit Hunter" series and the direct sequel to "Spirit Hunter: Death Mark", released in Japan in 2022 and worldwide in 2024.

SPOILERS ALERT.

Synopsis

The game returns to H City, Tokyo, this time at Konoehara Academy. Strange rumors circulate about "The Departed", who posts ominous notices announcing a student's death at the hands of a spirit. Not long after these notices appear, the student in question vanishes. The protagonist of the first game, Kazuo Yashiki, is called in to investigate these rumors and find the true culprit. But it will not be easy, for he will have to face off against several new spirits haunting the academy, and rumor has it that the Departed is hiding among the students, disguised as one of them - and they also seem have a particular fascination with Kazuo. Accompanying him will be old friends and new faces, including the two mysterious students Himeko Douryou and Michiho Kinukawa. (From TVTropes)

I might hate gacha games with mixed genders, actually. "Actually" because I believe I didn't feel that way before, but some things happened that left me disillusioned. I'm no longer the bear I once was.

What happened exactly to shift my feelings and perception like this? That is what I'd like to talk (rant) about in this post.