Nightshade: Chojiro

Masterlist

I knew going in that a lot of people dislike this route. I have complicated feelings, but I'm glad I played it. The lowered expectations helped.

This game is all about how various characters deal with the trauma of being raised to murder from childhood. How Chojiro copes is by doing his best to be a perfect part of the system, even when it is clearly hurting both himself and those he cares about. Which is by turns tragic and frustrating, and while he is 100% Team Enju by the end, he doesn't really apologise.

The route also leans super hard into the "older male relative" incest vibes (cousins don't always feel super incestuous to me but these two do)

Also, for a romance, a surprising amount of the plot involves them not being together. I saw one reviewer describe it as like watching Naruto: lots of ninja drama, not much romance. Some of the tragedy is a bit gratuitous, too.

But I managed to roll with all that and enjoy it.

Content Note: Suicide

( A little more detail on the incest vibe, no spoilers )

My reactions, includes spoilers:
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