Carpe Diem

Computers have made it easy to get lost in an entirely different world for days on end, as well as avoid contact with other people. It is obviously not very healthy, but it is also a personal choice in most cases, maybe because the outside world has never been very friendly with the people in question. Video games are a prime example of this, because they allow you to play an active role in a variety of fantasies.

Carpe Diem is a visual novel game in which you have to watch a story unfold in front of your eyes, since there’s not much you can do to change its outcome. Other than reading the dialog between the main character and his girlfriend, you only get to make one choice along the way, although not even that has too much of an impact on the overall plot. The events can still leave a mark on your memory, especially if you identify with the main character.

Speaking of which, the story appears quite simple and straightforward in the beginning. You are a boy by the name of Jung who must take his girlfriend out for a date. Whether it’s at the mall, in the park or at the arcade, the main focus is the interaction between the two characters. The ending has quite the nice twist attached to it, which should leave you pondering for a few minutes.

Gameplay-wise, there’s really not much to talk about. You can click anywhere on the screen to rush things along, or even skip through entire scenes by holding down the Control key. It is also possible to save your progress at any point, although it really doesn’t matter all that much, given the fact that you can finish the entire game in fifteen minutes or so.

The graphics are inspired by the anime culture, which is a trademark of the visual novel genre in general. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of backgrounds to admire along the way, so don’t expect too much in the artwork department. The music is simple as well, but it goes nicely with the general atmosphere of the game, coupled with the well-timed pauses every now and again.

In the end, Carpe Diem’s greatest feat is its ending, because it really has the power to make you think about your life choices. The whole story receives a new meaning after you find out what’s really going on, but it’s not really worth replaying, because there are not many variables to mix up the experience.