Basic Information
- Official English Title: Episicava
- Developer & Publisher: Epic Works / Nutaku
- Release Dates: US: April 2018 / EU: April 2018 / Asia: April 2018
- Supported Platforms: PC, Steam
- Genre Tags: Visual Novel, Chuunige
- Social Media Links: Twitter: Episicava Twitter, Patreon: Episicava Patreon, Steam: Episicava Steam Page
In-Depth Review
Episicava, developed by Epic Works and published by Nutaku, attempts to blend the over-the-top action of chuunige with the narrative depth of a visual novel. While it delivers a substantial content volume, the title struggles to balance its ambitious goals with execution. The story follows Arin Arlento, a revenge-driven protagonist navigating a world of moral ambiguity, but his character often feels one-dimensional due to excessive edginess and lack of genuine development.
The game’s narrative is marred by predictable twists and underdeveloped supporting characters, particularly the heroines, who are frequently reduced to clichéd archetypes. Alacria and Anian, the primary romance options, show potential but are overshadowed by Arin’s toxic behavior, including coerced relationships that undermine their agency. The combat scenes, while visually consistent, rely heavily on recycled assets and lack the visceral impact needed to justify the game’s action-oriented premise.
Visually, Episicava maintains decent production quality with distinct artwork for critical scenes, though the disconnect between sprite designs and background visuals detracts from immersion. The sound design aligns with its shounen-inspired tone, though music tracks occasionally mismatch scene intensity. Despite its flaws, the game’s adult content and chuunige elements may appeal to niche audiences seeking explicit material within the visual novel format. However, its narrative shortcomings and problematic character dynamics make it a challenging recommendation even for genre enthusiasts.
Game Link: Episicava
