Crime Opera Butterfly Effect is a great visual novel on the Switch. It is a Crime Opera, as the title describes, a crime opera starring a mob family. The kids are not aware that they are part of a mob family. They constantly wonder why so many people come into their homes and why their fathers are often angry or at wit’s end. But they are sure to learn a thing or two about the world when the facade comes crashing down. One event can change everything; this butterfly effect can set events down a path no one expects.
The Gallo children lose their Grandmother; her death is a catalyst. Without her guiding things behind the scenes, the family can’t function as it used to. Her sons Gerald and Xander try to keep things together, but they don’t have the wherewithal; to do things the right way. They, like the rest of the family, have been assisted by her for years, and her sudden death hasn’t prepared them for all the inevitabilities that come with a death. It’s always terrible when the rug is pulled from underneath you, and being in a mob family, it’s dangerous.
These families are going to have to work together, and that includes the kids, who don’t necessarily always get along. In 24 chapters, these kids are going to become privy to things that will shake them to their core. There are murders, kidnappings, and all sorts of crimes in store for these poor boys and girls.
There’s one scene early on that shakes one of the younger children to her core. She sees an altercation that results in a shooting and can’t help but think it’s pretend. She talks about how her father and his friends are horrible actors and that she could teach them how to play pretend. Her young brain can’t come to terms with what she sees and to cope she imagines her bear can talk. Seeing things through her eyes is poignant because it’s a side of things adults have lost.
Crime Opera is a fantastic visual novel, because the reader gets enveloped in the story. Some visual novels aren’t so intricate, but this one has quite the story to tell. It does start off slow, but that’s to introduce the characters and bring the reader into its world. It’s a story worth reading, and even though voice acting would have been nice, the story flows well.
There are two ways to play through the story. The standard mode has no choices, but there is a second mode with choices. These choices change the story and give the reader options. Visual novels often have set paths, which are often perfect, but this game went a different direction, and I can appreciate that.
Players have a hand at guiding how events turn out, and they do change the story as a whole. While it might be a little long-winded, the story is worth reading through even if only once. The choices aren’t necessary but it does spice things up because there is a lot of reading. I haven’t read many books as I’ve gotten older, but I can appreciate the time it took to write this story.
The character art and backgrounds are also superb. The characters show a good amount of emotion, and it’s easy to feel what they might be feeling moment to moment. The backgrounds are well designed and bring the reader into the world. It’s a simple game, but there is love put into it, and it’s obvious playing through it that they cared for the process.
Crime Opera The Butterfly Effect is a stellar visual novel that tells a story of family, death, and the chaos involved in keeping a family unaware of the deadly dealings that keep it afloat. The kids might be in for a world of change, but they all become stronger: and learn that they will have to do more for themselves.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided