Reviewed By Arielle Danan
Here is my full playthrough! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFgWlynmlfmdTi3cpuOQ6yaPqoLXwCtoV
Writing can be the thing that makes you or breaks you they say…Just keep going until you get a strong flow in your thought process. Everything takes time, but taking your time is key when writing about the things you love! That’s Monika’s tip of the day! Dokie dokie Literature club, a psychological horror visual novel that made its debut in September 22, 2017. This game may look adorable, cute and relaxing but player beware this game slowly but surely takes you on a mental roller coaster that will make you gasp, squeal, and look around your room to make sure Monika isn’t there with a tip of the day and a fresh noose… Now, I am a bit biased towards this game since I really thought it to be an outstanding visual novel. Most visual novels that are scary don’t do well and here is why. It takes a lot of time and know-how so to speak on what really makes a good story and on top of that a good horror game. I don’t know how Team Salvato did it, but they managed to encapsulate both the true essence of what it means to have a subtle horrifying atmosphere that builds itself overtime, as well as an intriguing captivating story that flows very seamlessly without a hitch. Dokie dokie is made up of five characters in total. Your character, Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri. Now since there is allot I could write on this game including character analysis, psychological underpinnings and the secrets behind the game I will make this article a part one. This will serve as a Semi-spoiling introduction to those whom might be interested in the game but don’t want an entire book on all of the meanings theories and spoilers to what make this game what it is! Now there will be some spoilers so you have been warned. In Doki Dokie you play as you! The thing that stood out to me the most is the feeling of anticipation that I got when experiencing this game. It isn’t just a game, it’s an experience. You as the player are in a very precarious situation of being the new member of a literature club. Put aside the manga and leave your worries behind because in this game you are the man…Literally. You are in a club with your best friend Sayori and three other adorable girls whom get “the feels” for you and you charming uncaring ways. In this game your goal in the most basic of ways is to attract or swoon one of the females. Who will you pick? Monika the popular girl who is good at everything, Yuri the shy girl whom loves reading and who is a little too fascinated with knives, Natsuki the adorable Yandere who bakes the best cupcakes, or Sayori, your best friend and the one who gives her happiness away to everyone. You may think that this game is fun in the beginning (a little slow) and kind of average. But please stick it through. I promise you will not regret playing this game. Now if you have mental health issues and/or get triggered by topics such as death/suicide and/or abuse I would not in any way or form recommend this game for you. This game is a heavy dose of reality and gets to a point where there is no turning back. in the game once you get to a day before the festival (this festival will be more thoroughly explained in part too of this Doki Doki review). There will be a point in which you can either confess your love to Sayori or just remain friends. Either way she will die, but hang in there, there are other ways to save different characters as well as Sayori. In this game depending on the choices the player makes you could either save everyone, just one or more of the characters. Is it tricky? For someone who is a first-time player to this game, yes it is because there are specific ways to save every character. With every poem that is written, every turn that is taken you will find the words you need. This is a world of warped ideals and females who can’t take the hint. Would I recommend this game, yes, it is a thrilling psychological journey that will grab you in when you least expect it!