Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER review

NEURODIVER doesn’t delve too deep into the understanding of its characters. But that’s OK, as it keeps the pacing taut and the dialog punchy.

With its exploration of trans-humanism and concerns about artificial intelligence, 2013’s Read Only Memories (as well as the 2015 director’s cut) remains just as relevant a decade later. With complex, well-written characters, an art style that conveyed a love for dithering, and a soundtrack built from FM synthesis, the title was a bold inaugural outing. If you’re a fan of existential sci-fi like Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, or Snatcher, it’s definitely worth seeking out.

Alternatively, you can also just jump right into Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER, developer MidBoss’ latest release. Although two characters return and the setting of Neo-San Francisco is revisited, it’s scripted so that new players can jump right in and won’t feel like they’re missing out. Largely, NEURODIVER builds on the robust foundations of its predecessor, delivering a pulpy cyberpunk adventure that’s thoroughly engrossing. Save for some issues with sound levels, one of the few bad things I can say about NEURODIVER is that it left me wanting more. But isn’t that better than an experience that feels stretched too thin?

Deep in Someone Else’s Thoughts

You’ll play as Luna Cruz – who goes by the codename of ES88 when working for an organization known as MINERVA. Cruz was recruited by the corporation since she’s an esper – a person with extra-sensory perception. Unlike most folks who have acquired the talent synthetically, Cruz’s ability to read minds is organic. As a protagonist, she’s likable, expectedly empathetic, and just indecisive enough to feel like a real person. But who wouldn’t be a bit nervous about the possibility of harm when exploring someone’s glitched memories?

Right before she’s about to perform a neurodive, a running gag has Cruz prompted with providing a witty catchphrase. And most of the time, her responses feel like a person who is caught off guard, rather than the work of a writer trying to show off how clever they are. And while most dialog decisions won’t radically change the trajectory of the story, your choices are met with different reactions that provide a taste of agency, helping to shape the character.

Remembering Our Brief Time Together

On Cruz’s head trips, she’s often accompanied by characters who are nearly as interesting as she is. While the game might have used technology as a conduit for accessing memories, instead the NEURODIVER is a squid-like creature. And while the organism mostly speaks in indecipherable sounds (“blorp!”), there’s an irrefutable bond that Cruz has with it. Relying on each other, the pair have the ability to clarify muddled memories or even block aching recollections, echoing some of the ruminations of Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind. For MidBoss’ writing team, experiences and the ability to recall them are the core of the human experience.

Knowing that, I did yearn for more memories with some of the game’s noteworthy secondaries. Codename GATE is a bodyguard for the NEURODRIVER and war veteran. Her relationship with Cruz endows the title with a simmering romantic tension. Although the game’s writing is playful and sporadically capricious, bonds aren’t idealistic. Hearing GATE intermittently scold our protagonist reveals not just a sense of concern, but also the way real people express differences of opinion. But as with the case of several characters, I wanted to see more of their interactions. So, if you’re the type of person who likes it when a plot ties up all of its hanging strands, NEURODIVER might disappoint. The game playtime is about five hours, but I could have spent much more time with its cast.

No Adventure Game Aggravations

On the upside, NEURODIVER respects your time. While the majority of the game is spent in visual novel-style conversation, there are also several adventure game-style puzzles. Mostly, these require you to drag objects from your inventory to designated squares to remedy glitched memories. Since the solution set is dependably small, reaching an impasse is unlikely. But that said, there were a few instances where the logic behind the puzzle was elusive, forcing me into experimentation.

Aesthetically, the game’s visuals channel the look of a classic 16-bit era title. Here, NEURODIVER charming spritework is strewn across multiple windows, recalling a time when folks thought future screen would contain multiple picture-in-pictures. Playful nods to gaming and anime abound, but they’re particularly apparent when NEURODIVER provides eye-catch screens with a series of chimes that evoke Street Fighter II’s opening. While the soundtrack is no slouch with several infectious melodies, it’s the voice work that steals the spotlight. The performances here are truly top-notch, bringing Cruz, GATE, and other eccentrics to life. But occasionally, the volume levels are conspicuously different, detracting from a handful of conversations.

Conclusion

NEURODIVER is poised to generate positive memories, thanks to its cast of captivating characters, smart dialog, and a spirited drip feed of pop-culture references. Although I usually don’t appreciate adventure games, Read Only Memories captivated me for five hours. While the game left me hungry for additional exposition, a mix of entertaining storytelling and light puzzles will linger after the credits have ended.

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER was played on
PC with review code provided by the publisher.