Mission: It’s Complicated Review – The Power of Love
Official Score
Overall - 90%
90%
Proof positive that love conquers all, Mission: It’s Complicated saves the day with its original premise, sharp writing, and long-lasting replayability.
Superpowers might be all fine and dandy, but what if you throw the power of love in for good measure? Schell Games mixes action with romance in their new visual novel Mission: It’s Complicated – does this title have chemistry, or should players swipe left?
Mission: It’s Complicated Review
After waking up from a terrifying nightmare, Professor L hears a voice from an alternate version of himself warning him of a terrible calamity. The Eater of Possibilities Gidheron is set to come to Earth in just a few short days, and it is imperative that this PhD candidate assemble a team of heroes and find the Possibility Stone to stop it.
However, there’s a catch – he needs to find two superheroes that are in love for this plan to work. Not one to take things lying down, he assembles a team of five different heroes with wildly different abilities and backgrounds to bond with one another and save the day.
This premise is unique enough as it is, but the concept pays off in dividends as things progress. Assassins, hackers, aliens, muscle-bound heroes, and elementalists team up two at a time to take on the different threats across the city, with successful missions increasing the bond between characters.
One can quickly see the immense replayability this system provides. Certain situations call for certain abilities, and the combination of teams ensures that no two scenarios play out the same. As the professor, players can guide these teams along with strategic choices, some which pan out better than others. Every mission isn’t always a success (players are given a letter grade for their performance), but the occasional botched scenario isn’t enough to put things on ice.
Even when things hit the fan, the sharp writing of Mission: It’s Complicated saves the day. As these heroes arrive at the scene of ATM hackings, paranormal television filmings, and even car commercials, players will have a smile on their face as they see how things play out.
Most of the game plays out in a text message-style format, featuring character headshots and the occasional gallery or comic image. Outside of the main missions, there are also interviews and briefings with the pugilist Pugsly. In true visual novel format, players will be reading their way through this title, but writing is snappy and events move quickly. If there is a mission that is less than appealing, it is on to the next one before players have time to be bored.
Of course, these heroes are not always on the clock – build up a strong enough bond between two characters and some extracurricular activities will open up. These characters will go on coffee dates, walks in the park, and eventually a visit to a cabin with just one bed. These bonds add an element of time management to the title, and ensure that no two playthroughs are the same.
The main game can be finished in a little more than an hour, but additional playthroughs are encouraged as scenarios vary based on each pair. There is a fair amount of content for those looking for it, and though more missions would have been nice, what is here will keep fans busy for a decent amount of time.
Proof positive that love conquers all, Mission: It’s Complicated saves the day with its original premise, sharp writing, and long-lasting replayability.
