Shuten Order Reviews
Kodaka has delivered one of the best visual novels of recent years. Shuten Order brims with creativity and playfulness, making it a must-play both for fans and for newcomers to the genre.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Shuten Order demands full completion and it is exhausting, but it does a good job keeping things fresh.
Shuten Order is a wildly inventive visual novel adventure that fuses detective work, horror, romance, and satire into five distinct storylines, backed by stunning art direction and a compellingly bizarre narrative from the creators of Danganronpa and Rain Code.
SHUTEN ORDER was honestly under my radar until Stu gave me a heads up about it. The game having so many different genres that falls on each Minster member which I completely love about it. Going from a survivor game to a slight dating sim really was breath taking for me. It keeps itself separate from any other game in the same genre wheelhouse. Basically, the game has it’s unique charm and story that will either have you already guess the plot of each attempt or open up more of the game’s lore to you. Honestly, when you learn that everyone is a █ █ █ █ █, God is really █ █ █ █ █, and that God’s power is █ █ █ █ █ █ █. It feels good getting all that off my chest. Either way, this game is really worth the pick up and see if you will also figure out who the murderer is. One piece of advice, always check the setting to see if auto-save is active or not. Because auto-save will literally be your godsend. I give SHUTEN ORDER the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
There are a lot of things that SHUTEN ORDER does that are too much for some visual novels, but it works. It gives you a big, bold, and stylish experience by combining five different types of stories into one murder mystery. Some of the mechanics don’t hold up to close inspection, but the story hooks, smart writing, and stunning presentation more than make up for it.
Shuten Order strikes a mix between realistic character illustrations and whimsical designs that capture the Ministers' extravagant personas. Each suspect stands out in group scenarios because their look communicates their role and personality. The idea of a civilization disintegrating under the weight of divine dogma is furthered by backgrounds that combine religious imagery with a deteriorated futurism.
Will this game be a contender game of the year? Probably not as it is a bit too niche. Will it tell a compelling story and make you work for the conclusion? Absolutely. Visual novel fans who like their stories a bit darker should absolutely have this on their radar and in their libraries. It may not be Danganronpa, but it sure is just as satisfying at the end of it all.
By the time you reach the end, Shuten Order feels like more than just a murder mystery. It is a meditation on faith, mortality, and the lengths we go to preserve our existence. The fact that it delivers this through stealth sequences, detective puzzles, romance scenes, and death games only makes it more memorable. Shuten Order may stumble, but it never stops being fascinating. It is the kind of game that sticks with you not because it is perfect, but because it dares to be different. Blessed be the Shuten Order indeed.
Shuten Order is a murder mystery visual novel that turns the premise of saving an apocalyptic world on its head by introducing a cast that actively yearns for the end of humanity. Set in an isolated nation that largely resembles today’s society, it questions the meaning of a person’s life and existence as they confront a reality that threatens to swallow them whole. Given a second chance after an undeserved death, is Rei willing to snuff someone else’s future out for her own? With a premise that’s weirdly interesting because of how murder intersects with God’s will, it’s an eyecatcher that promises you an experience not quite like anything you’ve had before. Despite being well-grounded in terms of its overall plot, the use of a branching structure to present stories that are structurally different because of how they take inspiration from different game genres introduces a bunch of compromises in both the route’s gameplay mechanics and its self-contained story. Although it feels lacking at times, its ability to tie in largely isolated scenarios into the overall murder mystery is one of its better points. It’s a little bit weird how the routes feel like their own mini visual novel, yet by the end of each of their stories, Rei is able to make progress towards solving the mystery behind her death. In a way, even though particularly tedious gameplay segments take your immersion away, the fact that all the game’s added functionalities work together properly is an amazing feat by itself. Featuring a borderline impossible murder mystery (in the narrative, anyway) with an endearing cast supported by solid designs and high-quality voice acting, Shuten Order is a visual novel you won’t want to miss out on. Even though it has its flaws here and there, the sheer variation in what it has to offer makes the journey feel consistently fresh as readers tangibly feel the progression of its plot. Keep an open mind as you go through the comfortably familiar catalogue of features; there’s a lot to unwrap both in mechanics and in its themes. As long as you remain aware of its limitations and how it can come short, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderfully fulfilling time. Blessed be the Shuten Order!
Despite its flaws, Shuten Order is another fascinating entry in Tookyo Games’ growing catalog. It’s ambitious, stylish, and full of ideas. Not every route lands perfectly, but the variety of gameplay and the strength of the writing carry it through. Rei’s story is one I’ll remember, both for the mystery of her death and for the striking way it was told.
Shuten Order is an innovative multi-genre adventure wrapped with an intriguing and mysterious story, but its localization needed more care.
Shuten Order is messy in places and far more linear than it wants you to believe, but it still finds ways for you to engage with its mix of genres and sharp storytelling. The constant illusion of choice can be frustrating, and the padding doesn’t always feel earned, but the variety across its five routes, unfleshed though they may be, keeps things from ever getting dull. It’s wordy, yes, sometimes to a fault, but even with all its rough edges, it makes you want to keep pushing through its murder mystery anyway.
Shuten Order isn't perfect, but it's bold and intriguing. A recommended title for visual novel fans looking for complex stories and authentic representations more than challenging gameplay or impeccable technical polish. An uneven jewel, but no doubt a jewel.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
SHUTEN ORDER is an ambitious fusion of five genres with a layered story, striking style, and strong gameplay, though its heavy dialogue and interruptions sometimes break the flow.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
While Shuten Order offers a bold art style and an ambitious blend of genres, its uneven execution and at-times tedious pacing prevent the promising mystery and memorable cast from consistently engaging the player.
Shuten Order is a fantastic, incredibly unique game that stands out from the crowd. The narrative and world-building are captivating, the characters are endearing and entertaining, and the gameplay is engaging due to its variety. While not without flaws, the experience it provides is genuinely unforgettable.
Shuten Order is the most ambitious title that Kodaka has ever created. It’s got hallmarks of brilliance and longevity, and will be examined by game developers for years to come as a blueprint for what the future of gaming may look like. I won’t call it perfect, and I was severely disappointed with what didn’t work, but the vibrant and explosive sections resonate deep within me.
Personally, I loved the story of Shuten Order, and I think it’s a game that deserves to be played. However, there’s one thing that’s practically shooting itself in the foot: the translation, which can’t stay consistent and gives the impression that a quality‑check was missing to make it perfect. That said, if you’re looking for a story that will get you hooked, then it’s definitely a game I can recommend, especially for those who appreciate the tone that Too Kyo Games knows how to deliver.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
SHUTEN ORDER delivers an unmissable experience for fans of visual novels and good narratives in general.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shuten Order masterfully delivers on its promise of bringing five different genres into a single adventure, introducing unique mechanics for each of its routes, presenting an immersive story that remains engaging from beginning to end, complemented by impeccable art direction.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review