Sickness Demo

Poverty is a page three issue nowadays, mainly because everyone seems content that it’s no longer a problem, at least not in first-world countries. A working pair of eyes and a walk around the city tells you otherwise, on the other hand, regardless of the city you find yourself in. Thus, it’s no wonder that people resort to crime in order to survive, given the fact that there is no other choice for them.

Sickness is a visual novel that presents you with an intriguing story about a high school student pushed into poverty by circumstance, society and bad luck. The events may take place in a fictional city, but the gears that run it are not that different from what we use to power the real grinders in our world. It’s the kind of place where rich people are very rich and poor people are very poor, which works out great for at least one half of the population.

You play the role of a high school student by the name of Suoh, who also has to work a full-time job and take care of his sister after their parents died. Things turn ugly when, in a fit of rage, he kills his boss for refusing to give him his paycheck. By employing the help of a shady work colleague, Suoh descends into a life of crime and violence, albeit one that allows him to afford a better lifestyle.

Although the story is not revolutionary in any way, the way it is told keeps you focused and curious at all times. There is always something intriguing or suspenseful happening, and the dialog is very well-written as well. Each character has a backstory and a unique personality, which helps a lot with immersion. There are choices to be made every now and again too, some of which have an impact on the way the plot evolves.

As always, it’s paramount for the artwork to be on point, because your entire time is spent looking at pictures and reading the text. Unlike in a regular game, there is no actual interaction with the world to take your mind off things. Thankfully, everything is pretty much spotless in this regard, although you do have to be a fan of anime to accept the character design. The soundtrack blends seamlessly with the artwork and the general mood of the story.

Although Sickness does not have a finale at this point, everything is on the right track to success. The dialog is engaging, the story is intriguing, and every character has substance. Thus, the end result should be worthwhile as well, at least if everything continues in this manner.