Basically Slow Damage is the latest Nitro+Chiral BL R-18 game released on February 25th, 2021. I think this is the longest interval between N+C new games since DMMD was released 8 years ago???
For more info, check out their website here: “その場所”へ堕ちていくADV『スロウ・ダメージ(スロダメ)』発売中 - ニトロプラス キラル (nitrochiral.com)
Even though not in a super hype way, I myself was quite anticipating the game, but the thing that got me immediately hit the preorder button was this teaser CG of Fujieda:
(I mean, damn)
And so on February 25th, my copy of the game arrived!
After getting my way around the game, I can understand why it took so long for them to develop Slow Damage: There are a lot more interactive menus and gameplay compared to DMMD. It's more like detective game where you goes around the city, meeting people and talk to them, collecting clues, and use that to solve the current "cases". It's more complicated than just usual branched VN.
I won't get too detail into the plot and characters since you can check it out on their website, in this blog I'll only write my personal impressions of it as I progress through the story.
(Ah yes what a beautiful view)
Let's get into the gameplay review!
Slow Damage has two main gameplay: "Exploration" part and "Psychological" part.
To put it simply, you need to collect clues (called "Inspiration" in this game) with Exploration so you can use it during Psychological part.
When going to different places, you can talk to different people and collect clues from them. When you talk to people, an hourglass will appear, which represents the respective person's mood (called "Euphoria" here). Your response to their conversation will affect their Euphoria level. However, during normal conversations it doesn't matter much to the endgame, since the purpose of Exploration is to collect Inspiration.
You can check the Inspirations you've acquired by clicking the palette icon.
After you've finished the Exploration, the story will continue and at some point you'll encounter the Psychological part. This is where you have to interrogate your opponent and make them spill their true color, twisted desire. Aside from usual controlling Euphoria level, you also have to play around with their "Wound" level. During Psychological, you can use the Inspirations to continue digging deeper about the opponent. After the said opponent's wound reach the required level, you have to pick what is their "true desire" or "truth" by choosing the clues you've collected in the story.
Depending on whether you choose the correct answer or not, a CG event will appear and you can progress further with the story. If not, you have to start over the Psychological part again... Sometimes you even have to start over when you're in the middle of interrogation, just because Towa lost interest in them.
Personal review of the Psychological part:
While it's unique and interesting, IT'S SO DIFFICULT. It really is simulating situation when you talk about sensitive issues with real people, you have to be tricky and choose the correct reactions that would make your opponent open their heart and willing to spill their dark truth to you.
I think this part is also considered the R-18 aspect because the conversations require a mature mind, either from the topic or choosing the right reactions.
Regarding the main character, Towa, I have to admit that most of the time I got irritated over how unmotivated he is LMAO... He's a total nihilist who only got motivated when it's about looking for inspiration for his new painting, which sadly I could probably relate. Obviously not to the level of self-harm that he often does though...
That being said, I have to agree with Rei's remark here about Towa being similar to stray cat. Because Towa indeed often stroll around into danger, that people around him couldn't just left him alone, resulting in him getting spoiled by them.
Trigger warnings for chapter 1-2 (common route) (as far as I remember):
Self-harm, wound, blood, skin stitches, scars, knife play, alcohol, flower, plants, trauma, and obviously some twisted thoughts borderline mental problem such as wanting to see what's under people's skin...
That's all for the week 1 log!
For next week's post, I'm going to write about Taku's route, but I don't know yet if I could reach one of his ending by then LOL... Let's just see how it goes!
Thank you for reading!
(Bonus image: Sakaki, the current possible successor of the yakuza group Takasato, who is quite close to Towa and kind of look after him. It's unfortunate that he isn't one of the love interest, really...)
*UPDATE: I just finished the true route and AND I TAKE BACK MY WORDS HOLY SHIT SAKAKI WHAT THE FUCK
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