Sob Story

Japanese Gamers will soon be experiencing the restorative effects of a good cry with the new DS title 99 no Namida or 99 Tears.

In theory, being moved to tears can have a relaxing effect on people which means a good blub relieves you of stress. It doesn’t at all bring on suicidal thoughts as you might imagine but I’ll keep one eye on the Japanese suicide rate just out of interest.

The idea behind 99 no Namida is that you read through a fifteen minute graphic novel, everyday. Each one is written to tug at your heartstrings. The game also analyses the player’s personality by asking a series of questions. A series of questions devised by university professors no less. This will probably help the game to decide which stories you are most likely to break down to and which ones will most quickly turn you into a quivering wreck.

It’s unlikely we’ll see a UK release, phew, but if you like a weepy movie you might want to check out your local importer. Alternatively you could spend 15 minutes chopping a bucket of onions. A Kanji to English dictionary is not supplied with 99 no Namida or the bucket of onions. Personally I’d rather buy a few beers, recommended in Gameov3r’s Real Ale thread, and get quietly sozzled while I play a game designed for the sheer fun of it.

The smell from the cellar on the Gameov3r FORUM is enough to make most gamers cry.