INSECTARIUM ALTERNATIVE MARCH

I never been into these visual novel type mystery games, but this game truly is joy to play. The characters and their designs is enjoyable and memorable. It’s not the most complex gameplay, but the story is enough to pull you through and keep you truly invested. I spent a good deal replaying the level over and over to learn more about the background of these characters and the world they inhabit. And some nice unexpected twists. It’s not the longest game, or most complex, but it’s very well executed story and concept. Please if you guys who made this game are reading. You guys made something great, I’ll be looking forward to hopefully new future titles. And I don’t say this often. Great stuff.

The first game I played from Caramel Column Inc was Alter Ego. Then it was Alter Ego Complex, then AZNANA. I’ve basically played all of their games, and all of them were wonderful, thought-provoking, and immersive with wonderful storytelling! Now I’ve played INSECTARIUM ALTERNATIVE MARCH, and it certainly stands out from the developers’ previous games, giving off a vibe that I have trouble describing. The setting is post apocalyptic sci-fi with a variety characters that are likable and that many people may relate to. It’s an easy game to get through (I knocked out all endings in one day), but the endings are worth it. One of them is even a sort of twist ending about one of the characters that I bet no one would have expected! Overall, a game that may seem simple on the outside but has a multitude of themes and lessons on the inside. I still have the extra content to go through, but I’m sure I’m going to enjoy every second of it. If anyone takes the time to read this review, please check out the rest of Caramel Column’s games! I’m quite convinced you’ll enjoy them as much as INSECTARIUM! :)

First: I just want to express how much I love this indie team’s creations. They are always unique and thought-provoking. I especially love games that are able to make me emotionally invested, hungry for more. Caramel Column’s games are able to do that: I actually feel connected with the characters, feeling like I am a real part of the story. The only complaint that I have with this particular game is that it just seems shorter than Caramel Column’s first masterpiece (Alter Ego). There are things in this game that do feel like they could have been fleshed out more deeply. For example, the story’s first chapter brings up a group that are representative of birds whereas the protagonists are bugs: I expected to see a bit more interaction with that, but they are more of just an extra detail than a plot device. (Spoiler: I would also like to know more about Sasha’s relationship with her sister. I am really lost on why Natasha ltied up her sister despite how much she loves her. And what did Natasha do to cause Sasha to have such a turbulent relationship with her sister?) Things are briefly brought up or alluded to, but I really would have liked these things to be more deeply explored. Now that I think about it, these are detials most likely unpacked by paying for the Extras, but I hate feeling like you are purposefully going to leave me in the dark unltil I do pay for it. Carameel doesn’t have to do that: I have purchased all the Extra features from each of Caramel’s games because that’s how much I want to support them: you don’t have to force me to support you. Still, I really do appreciate Caramel translating this game.