Thank you Ratalaika Games for sending us a review code!

Jisei was originally released on Steam in 2010 with positive reviews. A decade later it was ported to consoles as Jisei: The First Case HD. The subsequent chapters: Kansei and Yousei have yet to be released on consoles. Although the console versions are $1 cheaper, you can save 20% by purchasing the complete series on Steam.

In Jisei: The First Case HD you play as a nameless teenage boy who has the ability to experience the final moments and thoughts a person had before they died by touching their body. Your character wakes up in a coffee shop and as he makes his way to the restroom, he sees that the women’s bathroom door is open and there’s a body on the floor. In an attempt to use his ability, another woman screams at him and accuses him of murdering the victim. Instead of learning about the murder, your character has to prove his innocence and clear his name whatever that may be.

Coincidentally, there’s a detective on the scene, but in order to solve this case, your character will have to do all of the legwork. There are a handful of characters including the barista, the woman that’s accusing you of murder, and a college kid using the café’s Wi-Fi. By talking to these individuals, you’ll get to pick up on clues as to who is the culprit. Be sure to take down notes on their alibies because you’ll have to explain everyone’s whereabouts during the murder to the detective.

If you run out of conversation topics you should talk to the detective and/or go to a different room and examine for clues. Once all of the options are exhausted the story will progress and you know you’re at the halfway point when a random stranger starts talking to your character through telepathy. Your character is not the only one with special abilities.

The story is rather short and you can expect to have it completed in about an hour. The ending implies that sequels are coming and I look forward to checking them out if they get ported to consoles.

The production quality is good with nice artwork and decent voice acting. The character development is intriguing and I look forward to seeing how these special abilities are used.

If you don’t mind the paranormal elements, blood, and crime scene investigating, there’s a lot to like in Jisei: The First Case HD. The asking price is reasonable and if you don’t want to wait to play more installments, it’s worth checking out on Steam. Especially if you can pick it up on sale!