Game Overview
- Official Title: I’m Oh, So Busy… A Week with Yoshimi
- Developer/Publisher: The Berry Guild
- Release Dates:
- North America: November 13, 2020
- Europe: November 13, 2020
- Asia: November 13, 2020
- Platforms: PC (Windows XP+/Linux/MacOS)
- Genres: Visual Novel, Black Comedy, Slice-of-Life, Drama
- Social Media Links:
- Twitter: @BerryGuild
- Discord: The Berry Guild
- Steam Page: Steam Community
Depth Review
I’m Oh, So Busy… A Week with Yoshimi is a kinetic visual novel that masterfully blends dark comedy and slice-of-life storytelling. Developed by The Berry Guild, this narrative-driven experience follows Yoshimi Adelina Hertz, a 23-year-old navigating her first week in Boston after leaving her hometown in Iowa. The game’s core appeal lies in its relatable portrayal of adulting struggles, amplified by Yoshimi’s biting self-deprecating humor and an unexpected career in mental health support work.
Key Features and Mechanics
- 25,349-word script with 2,304 dialogue blocks, ensuring a rich narrative journey
- 19 3D-rendered urban environments capturing Boston’s vibrant life
- Lo-fi soundtrack featuring tracks by producers like furino and Axian
- Partial voice acting for secondary characters, enhancing emotional depth
Themes and Tone
The game tackles themes of mental health, self-doubt, and modern life’s absurdities with a tone that oscillates between irreverent humor and poignant realism. Yoshimi’s interactions with clients struggling with financial ruin or past trauma add layers of gravity, while her personal antics (like a disastrous dating app experiment) provide comic relief. This balance is both its strength and occasional weakness, as some players may find the humor inconsistent or the pacing uneven.
Technical and Artistic Execution
Despite its indie roots, the visual novel boasts vibrant character sprites and dynamic backgrounds. However, technical issues like menu glitches and abrupt narrative shifts detract from the immersion. The lack of player choices keeps the story linear, appealing to those seeking a straightforward narrative but limiting replayability.
Player Reception
Reviews highlight Yoshimi’s endearing character development and the bold approach to mental health discussions. Criticisms center on pacing inconsistencies, occasional cringe-worthy dialogue, and minor technical hiccups. At $9.99, it’s priced attractively for its 2-4 hour runtime, making it a solid choice for fans of slice-of-life narratives with a comedic edge.
Game Link: I'm Oh, So Busy… A Week with Yoshimi
