Essential Details
- Official Title: Meteor World Actor
- Developer: Heliodor
- Publisher: Shiravune/JAST USA
- Release Timeline:
- JP: November 30, 2020
- WW: April 17, 2024
- Platforms: Windows PC (DRM-free)
- Genre Tags:
- Urban fantasy visual novel
- Detective noir narrative
- Adult VN with mosaic censorship
- Community Channels:
- Official Twitter @heliodor_staff
- Steam store page 1819160
- Johren platform listing
In-Depth Analysis
Heliodor’s flagship urban fantasy VN delivers a gripping blend of hardboiled detective drama and supernatural world-building. Set in the perpetually shadowed Seventh Republic, this adult visual novel follows maverick detective Ruka Hiryu and his misfit 13th Division colleagues through 30+ hours of conspiracy-laden storytelling.
The game’s true strength lies in its multi-layered setting where magical races coexist with cyberpunk technology. Elven wind manipulators clash with pyrokinetic Wips while Segitt muscle-bonders dominate underground fight clubs. This racial dynamic creates constant tension that fuels both personal dramas and city-wide conflicts.
Gameplay follows classic kinetic novel structure with occasional branch points affecting character relationships rather than core plot progression. The real draw is Syougo Kinugasa’s razor-sharp dialogue and the 13th Division’s dysfunctional camaraderie. Four romance routes with unique heroines provide emotional counterpoints to the main mystery involving the Shining Union’s resurgence.
Technical execution shines through 1080p character art featuring fluid expressions and dynamic combat CGs. The jazz-infused soundtrack perfectly complements rainy cityscapes and tense interrogation scenes. PC performance remains solid across hardware configurations, though cloud save features are notably absent.
Content warnings apply for graphic violence and explicit sexual scenes (mosaic-censored in Western releases). The Steam version requires third-party patches for full uncensored content access. Compared to sequel Badge & Dagger, this inaugural entry focuses more on world-building than gameplay innovation.
For adult VN enthusiasts, Meteor World Actor stands out through its commitment to hard-R storytelling without sacrificing narrative coherence. The English localization maintains the original’s gritty tone while smoothing cultural references for western players. Patient world-building in this initial chapter pays off dramatically when replaying after completing the sequel.
Game Link: Meteor World Actor
