Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Adventure, detective, 2D, indie games, urban fantasy, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
An adventure game about Azami Fukurai - a girl working for an agency focused on solving supernatural cases, while trying to learn more about her own powers at the same time. Each case in Urban Myth Dissolution Center requires extensive fieldwork, as well as conducting investigation using the office computer, finding information and clues on the Internet.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a retro-styled adventure game. It was developed by the Japanese studio Hakababunko, which also has Makoto Wakaido's Case Files in its portfolio.
Story
The game's action takes place in contemporary Japan. The plot revolves around the titular Center. It serves as a detective agency that deals with solving supernatural cases that ordinary law enforcement agencies cannot handle.
We take on the role of a girl named Azami Fukurai, who gets a job at this agency. She wants to learn about her own extraordinary powers which allow her to perceive remnants of human intentions and thoughts.
Mechanics
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a classically executed adventure game. We explore locations, conduct conversations and solve puzzles.
The campaign consists of a series of problems to be resolved. In each of them, not only conducting an investigation on the spot plays a crucial role, but also the investigation from behind the desk, during which we browse social media and other internet services in search of clues and witness accounts.
Game modes
The game only supports singleplayer.
Technical aspects
The Urban Myth Dissolution Center has a pleasing two-dimensional graphic design made in a heavily pixelated retro style.
Videos and Screens
[0:44] Urban Myth Dissolution Center Urban Myth Dissolution Center - Trailer #1
Twisted Voxel: 7 / 10 by Salal Awan
Urban Myth Dissolution Center offers a visually striking and intriguing mystery-solving experience with its nostalgic pixel art and modern twists. While the gameplay loop is engaging and the social media integration adds a fresh layer, the slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent case quality hold it back.
Niche Gamer: 8 / 10
Quote not yet available
GameLuster: 10 / 10 by Kate Mitchell Jewett
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a chilling, gripping paranormal mystery visual novel that challenges you to research and identify some truly memorable urban myths.
The main pros of the game
- Visual Style: The pixel art and overall aesthetic are frequently praised for their charm and quality, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- Engaging Story: Many players find the narrative compelling, filled with twists and turns that keep them engaged throughout the gameplay. The overarching themes related to urban myths and social media are noted as particularly interesting.
- Character Development: The characters are well-received, with many players expressing a strong connection to them and appreciating their depth and interactions.
- Atmospheric Soundtrack: The music complements the game's tone and enhances the overall experience, with specific tracks being highlighted as memorable.
- Length and Value: Players feel that the game offers good value for its price, providing a substantial amount of content (around 10-25 hours of gameplay).
The main cons of the game
- Pacing Issues: Several reviews mention that the game can feel slow or tedious at times, particularly during dialogue-heavy sections or repetitive investigation mechanics.
- Linear Gameplay: The game is criticized for being overly linear, with players unable to fail puzzles or make significant choices that affect the outcome, which can diminish engagement for some.
- Weak Puzzle Mechanics: Many players feel that the puzzles are too simplistic and do not provide a real challenge, leading to a sense of frustration or boredom during investigation segments.
- Translation Quality: Some users pointed out that the English translation is clunky and contains awkward phrasing, which can detract from the immersion.
- Final Twist: The ending twist is polarizing; while some players appreciate the surprise, others feel it undermines the story or creates plot holes, leading to mixed feelings about the game's conclusion.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Chapter Select and Save Options: Users express disappointment over the lack of a chapter select feature and the inability to maintain multiple save files, making it difficult to revisit earlier parts of the story without replaying the entire game.
- Voice Acting: Some players wished for voice acting to enhance character interactions and emotional moments, feeling that it could further immerse them in the experience.
- More Complex Puzzles: There is a desire for more challenging puzzles and investigation mechanics that require deeper thought and engagement, rather than relying on basic interactions and multiple-choice questions.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions include implementing text speed controls and reducing the frequency of repetitive dialogue or commentary during investigations to streamline the experience.
Summary
- Overall, Urban Myth Dissolution Center is recognized for its artistic and narrative strengths, though it faces criticism for pacing, gameplay mechanics, and the execution of its ending.
Summary generated on:
Urban Myth Dissolution Center Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Switch
Developer: Hakababunko
Publisher: Shueisha Games
Age restrictions: 16+
Urban Myth Dissolution Center System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3, 4 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD 4000, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10
Recommended: Intel Core i7, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060, 4 GB HDD, Windows 10