Without Within 2 PC Review by Eivmoe of We Touch Games
Genre: Indie
Developer: InvertMouse Publisher: InvertMouse
Release Date: Nov 9, 2015
Without Within 2 is a kinetic visual novel released on steam, developed and published by InvertMouse, which has done multiple other games but might be most known for by the prequel to Without Within 2, Without Within. Unlike the previous game, this game is roughly 5 times the length, and is loaded with links to real life comparisons in the form of videos that the developer took.
This is a game that is not afraid to say what it is, nor its author afraid to be who they are, they follow the same silly and wall breaking attitude of the first game with better art and a nice, smooth background melody which fits great with the artstyle.
The main character is a self reflecting girl who knows her place, and is not afraid to throw punches at herself for her own weakness, which makes her joy, sadness, and self-realization of her own day dreams all the more relate-able, as many may feel the same thing or see themselves in her.
The writing may, at times, be confusing due to how it changes from in-character to a fourth wall breaking comment, as if it was the thoughts of the developer. While knowing little about the developer, I feel like the character that is written is amazingly human, even relatable to such an extent I could see most people easily fitting into the same kind of character. It is further increased with the reactions that are given to things they are not used to, from “High class food in other languages” to describing food taste as “A cockroach would risk darting past a pair of slippers to get away from.”
During multiple times of the game you have the option to press a video in the left lower corner called “video” which offer a real life comparison and where the developer went to great lengths for this project, which makes it feel like a heart-case rather than just another game, just another story. It feels like the developer really did this game for themselves and not for money or fame. Which is honestly a great + which adds heart to the story, it may even bring joy to the reader knowing they are watching/reading the story of a very passionate writer, who wants others to see what she can do.
The game has some social commentary, which is a welcoming thing in a visual novel, seeing as it is a “western” made VN. It does not try to be something it is not, as this is a warm hearted light visual novel that takes you along the trip with the main character Vinty, it all makes the character very relatable, especially if you have ever travelled out of country alone. During multiple points in this VN I felt like it was a personal diary, due to the rapid breaking of the fourth wall, yet that only helps to suck you in.
Its story is simple due to the relatable character, it makes you joyful, happy, sad, or even angry at the other characters you meet. The story, however, as mentioned takes you through a trip almost like a diary, explaining feelings, food, even how the bed feels like, which makes it a fun family-friendly read for anyone.
While the game is simple, “easy”, it has a great entertainment value which is well worth the price of this game on steam, the artwork is somewhat subpar, but it has its own style to it that the first game had which makes it fun to both read and stare at the background. It’s clear inspiration has been taken from real life which adds a level of depth into the backgrounds themselves.
Eivmoe gives Without Within 2 a Drastik Measure 4.9 out of 10 (49)
by Eivmoe
http://store.steampowered.com/app/398980/
