The Silver Case 2425 Reviews
It's hard to quantify whether The Silver Case 2425 is a good game. Certainly, we didn't enjoy it in the slightest. But it's extremely purposeful with its Suda51-ness - his work might be an acquired taste, but for those who've already acquired it, this may well fill in the gaps in his back catalogue that you've been waiting for. In the case of anyone new to Suda's work, this visual novel is just too hard to recommend.
The Silver Case 2425 is a tribute to Suda51 and his style. If you love the famous author, we are in front of a unique game. If not, it is difficult to recommend it lightly.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Silver Case and The 25th Ward are both testament to the talent of one of the most picturesque, brilliant and punk directors of the videogame scene, capable of amalgamating, no one knows how, a series of themes, influences, styles and characters that in the hands of others would have turned into a disaster.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It is true that there are works capable of going far beyond what the Silver Case and The 25th Ward did, but it is also true that it is extremely difficult to find two works held together by such a valid internal coherence and, above all, such a high level of character writing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
These visual novel are both a relic of the past, and not the ideal entry point for newcomers of the genre, but are still dark and fascinating trips in the beginning of Suda 51's acclaimed career.
Review in Italian | Read full review
There’s no doubting that The Silver Case 2425 is a stylish affair, with two unique and mature stories to sink your teeth into. It’s just a shame that it’s sometimes so dull, with unnecessary scenes that don’t really add anything to the story, and dialogue that is at times nonsensical and others impenetrable. If you have enough patience, you’ll likely find yourself eventually rewarded by The Silver Case 2425, but for many it won’t be worth the arduous slog. In any case, thanks to the portability of Switch, this is perhaps the best way to enjoy this duo of crime-fuelled visual novels.
Suda-written games have a lot of author appeal in them; the wrestling fandom (he used to write story modes for Fire Pro Wrestling games), violence, and language are definitely Grasshopper trademarks. The Silver Case 2425 puts it into a unique package, and it's worth digging into if you're already predisposed to digging into some good mysteries. Just maybe play with headphones and not in front of younger people.
There's not really much else I can add to those two reviews for this Nintendo Switch release, but Goichi Suda and NISA bringing these two visual novel classics together to the Nintendo Switch is a good thing. Both are magnificent examples of what can be done to give games a literary quality, and going forward, no study of crime fiction or noir could be complete without considering The Silver Case up there with the likes of The Big Sleep or Chinatown. Japan actually has a very deep tradition in noir storytelling, and this is an excellent introduction to it.
Despite some clunky navigation and inconclusive plot resolutions, The Silver Case 2425 offers an enthralling narrative and character interaction.
The Silver Case 2425 may contain some of SUDA51’s oldest work, but that doesn’t stop it from feeling like a fun, fresh, and (appropriately) frightening experience for those who have yet to play it (and even those who already have!). If you haven’t delved into the world of SUDA51 and want to check this game out, just know that you’ll be getting into something wonderful and weird, and that it’s not going to be your fault if you find yourself not understanding everything at first. And if you DO know what SUDA51 is all about… well, then, enjoy!
Obviously, if visual novels aren’t your thing then you won’t really care.
The Silver Case 2425 brings together two text-focused adventure games that experiment with the possibilities of the format. Unfortunately, The Silver Case is a complicated work and its text could be made clearer so that more people could enjoy it. However, it's still a worthwhile experience for anyone who enjoys narrative games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Silver Case 2425 is a captivating collection of The Silver Case and The 25th Ward that, while flawed, provide a good deal of insight into the mind of Suda51.