Mysteries of Old Tokyo

I write this after having finished the game with 100% of the achievements: Mysteries of Old Tokyo was a thoroughly enjoyable time. It is an absolute gem of an educational game, written and designed in an engaging and memorable way. I would describe it as a lovingly compiled encyclopedia which has been thoughtfully gamified and integrated into an interesting story. (As someone who cares deeply about archivism, I found this game especially touching.) If you already spend your time getting lost down Wikipedia rabbit holes, love amassing all sorts of knowledge, and want to feel rewarded for that, then chances are you will love this game.

loved it, need more!!

An edutainment style game that once in a while gives you the impression it is more than that. I want to give a big disclaimer that this game is precisely what it claims to be and not much more. In this age with meta narratives, subvertion of expectations and various twists. It is easy to be fooled that we are building towards a narrative payoff. In this case temper your expectations and realize. Just learning about stuff is worthwhile on its own. You are given postcards and are asked to fill in the blanks of various trivia related to them. While doing so you will travel around Tokyo using a strikingly accurate simulation of the Tokyo train lines. Once in a while you will do ace attorney style interrogations where you are tested on your knowledge. To me it is a similar satisfaction as solving a weekly crossword puzzle. The format of the game is paced across multiple weeks where you explore various parts and eras of Tokyo. The game is at its strongest when it presents an compelling story and asks you to draw conclusions to fill in the trivia. It is at its weakest when the trivia you are asked to fill in is either. An excessive box of blank spaces where if you speak English as a second language you will struggle. Asking you to recall obscure details, or asking you to basically just orient yourself with the cardinal directions on a photo. that said the good outweighs the bad. If this appeals to you at all. This is all there is to the game. Buy it. You will enjoy it. I did. Don't overthink it. If this game is appealing to you. Just buy it.