Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet unfolds as a true kinetic novel, offering no branching paths or player choices. Instead, it delivers a tightly controlled narrative where every line of dialogue and descriptive passage is carefully paced. This linear approach allows the player to focus entirely on the story’s emotional beats, without the anxiety of making decisions or the fear of missing alternate routes.

The interface is elegantly minimal. Using Key’s RealLive engine, Planetarian provides a text window at the bottom of the screen, an auto‐advance mode for hands‐free reading, and convenient skip options for previously read text. After finishing the main narrative—typically in around four to five hours—players unlock a gallery mode to revisit every CG and a jukebox to replay the game’s haunting soundtrack.

Although there is no traditional “gameplay” in terms of interaction mechanics, Planetarian’s strength lies in its ability to immerse you through pacing and atmosphere. Every pause, every fade, and every line of narration feels deliberate. The lack of interactive distractions allows you to surrender fully to the world and its sense of quiet desolation, making for a surprisingly engaging and contemplative experience.

Graphics

Visually, Planetarian strikes a delicate balance between melancholy and beauty. Background art captures the decayed grandeur of a post‐war department store and the dusty, overgrown halls of an abandoned planetarium. Muted color palettes and subtle lighting convey the oppressive, ever‐falling rain outside while highlighting patches of warmth whenever the protagonist and the robot Yumemi share a moment.

The character artwork is equally compelling. Yumemi, the little service robot, is rendered with soft, inviting lines and gentle shading, giving her an almost childlike presence. By contrast, the scavenger’s design is rougher—tattered clothes, shadow‐streaked face—underscoring his weariness. The contrast emphasizes Yumemi’s unwavering optimism against the backdrop of humanity’s collapse.

Key’s signature CG scenes punctuate the narrative at key emotional or dramatic moments. Each illustration is infused with detail: dust motes swirling in shafts of light, the fizz of the planetarium’s projector, rain dripping from cracked windows. After completing the story, the unlocked gallery offers a chance to linger over these visuals, revealing new details you might have missed during your first read.

Story

The story begins in a future Earth ravaged by nuclear war, where toxic rain falls without respite and only a handful of humans remain. As civilization has collapsed, resources are gone and attempts to reach other planets have all failed. You play a nameless scavenger, eking out survival by looting abandoned buildings in search of food, water, and supplies.

One day, you stumble into a derelict department store and make your way to a sealed planetarium dome on the top floor. There, you meet Yumemi Hoshino, an optimistic service android designed centuries earlier to welcome visitors. Unaware that humanity has all but vanished, Yumemi dreams of the day when guests will return to gaze at the stars.

The narrative unfolds as a series of quiet interactions and revelations. The scavenger’s cynicism gradually softens under Yumemi’s unwavering kindness, and the two form a fragile bond. Themes of hope, memory, and the human need for connection resonate throughout, culminating in a poignant finale that lingers long after the credits roll.

Overall Experience

Planetarian may lack traditional gameplay, but its emotional impact is undeniable. The seamless blend of evocative writing, heartfelt performances, and atmospheric visuals creates an experience that feels more like reading a beloved bedtime story than playing a game. It’s short enough to fit into an evening but rich enough to stay with you for days.

Ideal for fans of visual novels and science fiction alike, Planetarian offers a meditative respite from high‐octane action titles. Its themes of loss and hope are universal, and its stripped‐down format ensures that every line and image carries weight. The haunting musical score by Key further elevates the mood, punctuating key moments with ethereal piano and ambient tones.

Ultimately, Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet stands out as a masterclass in concise, emotionally driven storytelling. If you’re seeking a game that prioritizes atmosphere, narrative depth, and character connection over player agency, this little jewel is well worth your time. The journey may be brief, but its afterglow is unforgettable.

Retro Replay Score

7/10