LOOPERS
Switch eShop
Key / PROTOTYPE
2021 2022
LOOPERS (written in all caps and stylized as L∞PERS because why the hell not) is a visual novel I often see compared to LUNARiA -Virtualized Moonchild-. For good reasons too. Both were developed by Key, both are relatively short, both are completely linear with 100% completion granted once the credits roll, and both received middling reviews in contrast to Key's typical fare. Oh, and both start with the letter L. That's pretty important too.
But the similarities end there. LOOPERS certainly has some Key fingerprints but is in a class of its own for two specific reasons. First, it was written by one Ryuukishi07, the madman behind the mystery/horror juggernauts Higurashi and Umineko (if you're as nerdy as I am you also know about Higanbana). This certainly generated some hype -- hype that fizzled just as quickly as the Iwaihime buzz. Second, there's the matter of artwork, this being done by Kei Mochizuki. I'm gonna level with you -- I have no idea who that is, she has no other VN credits, but this game looks awesome. Characters are lithe and long-limbed and mantis-like, but somehow also really cute. The game's color palette is jarring at first, pinks and neon and Body Glove vibes abound. But it aids in creating the necessary ethereal dreamlike atmosphere. One specific issue related to visuals, though, is the problem of missing sprites. Two critical characters are never displayed, their lines simply appearing onscreen out of the ether. Apparently an upcoming updated version of the game (LOOPERS PLUS) remedies this, but I'm not going to go in for seconds. As for the music, I don't have much to say. Multiple composers are credited, which I'm guessing means no one was really committed here. It all sounds pretty stock and I can't remember a single track. Voice acting is great though.
One issue with LUNARiA is that it never had a hook. In contrast, LOOPERS starts strong but struggles to keep momentum. As for the plot itself... well, anyone who's familiar with Ryuukishi07 and simply glances at the title of this game can probably guess: it's about a time loop. The protagonist is some dude named Tyler; all the characters have Western names (it's implied that they're nicknames) for reasons I can't quite recall. He's deep into geocaching, finding and hiding objects all around the city. One day he gets sucked into a time loop with a couple of buddies. It's then that they meet others who have been stuck in the loop for years. Of special note is Mia, the adorable but serious girl who seems to know more than she's letting on. Naturally, she also becomes the obligatory love interest.
The story moves along at a pleasantly brisk pace. It's written in third-person, so there are no massive introspective narrative dumps with the protagonist staring at clouds or whatever. Ryuukishi07 subverts expectations in one very specific way: the characters don't seem too distressed about being trapped in a time loop. Some are outright amused and all seem assured they'll get out eventually. Which they do... the story never reaches climax nor does it showcase any "big" moments. Everyone gets to leave the loop because, well, one day they're simply allowed to. The twist, a character feeling apprehensive about leaving, can be seen a mile away. Actually, LOOPERS contains too much foreshadowing in general. The opening scene literally spells out the ending; the narrative loops back around (heh) to it. The romance element feels arbitrary and out of place, and the obligatory Ryuukishi07 scares are pretty mild. That said, the individual characters are all rather likable, and the goofy little vignettes are the game's saving grace.
Overall, okay but not great. I think Ryuukishi07 is in his element when he's writing eighty hour stories, not eight hour stories. I'd still recommend this to some, albeit hesitantly. (Oh, and the looped day is August 1st, which is the very day I began playing this -- now that was the spookiest part of all!)...
Rating: 3/5
Reviewed: 08/13/25