A cat that sings love at the end of the world: let's talk about Lamento -BEYOND THE VOID-

(graphics on this page from lamento.nekoweb)

The time between learning what Lamento was and installing it on my computer was a bit of a record, even for me. Those catboy cgs were giving off an awesome vibe, and I wanted to know what's up—and I'm glad to say I was not disappointed.

The soundtrack is amazing right from the get-go. I often put some of the songs on for my friends to listen to, and they're always in disbelief when I tell them what it's from. The power of mid-2000s Nitroplus OSTs… It's hard to pick a favorite song since this is my favorite VN OST of all time, but you can't go wrong with Temple of Soul.

The 3dcgi backgrounds, combined with the common route’s structure and that fantasy game UI, made me feel like I was going to be thrown into a turn-based battle whenever a fight started. I’m telling you, I could perfectly picture the tutorial screen and a PS2-era 3d model of Rai.

This VN is seriously so cute, I felt like I was melting. Especially all their cat mannerisms and so on—I liked how they use the counter for animals (匹) instead of the counter for people(人), it's such a neat detail. I wish there was a sound effect for their purrs, though—you can't just describe it, I want to listen!

I loved the dynamic Rai and Konoe had going on. I fully believe that Rai set off some curse within me, because it feels like I've been crying over a different white-haired kemonomimi guy every month since I read his route. He's so cool…

My favorite turned out to be Asato, though. His route was so good—I guess that's the type of love story I like the most. I wanted to hug him through the screen. His smile is so precious! I hope he and Konoe can live happily forever and ever… Also, at the climax I was kind of sad thinking , ah, it's a shame Rai will have to die to the demon since he doesn't have Konoe to support him—but lo and behold, the fucker just walks out unscathed. I was like, “Did our love mean nothing to you?!” —I like to believe that he listened(and didn't get a thing). That really drove home just how bad the curse was, though. The fact that they kept holding on to each other despite something like that—ah, it's so romantic…

I didn't like Bardo that much from the start, and his route did nothing to change that—nothing wrong with him per se, but we're just not on the same wavelength I guess ╮⁠(⁠╯⁠_⁠╰⁠)⁠╭

I wish Tokino had a route too. He and Konoe were so sweet together, it would've been so nice…

I think one of the things that really sets this VN apart is the story between Shu and Leaks, though. We've all heard about the lesbian who lost her fwb to a soundcloud rapper, but it seems like falling in love with the soundcloud rapper himself is also a path full of thorns…

The h-scenes really blew my mind. I’m the type to let my eyes glaze over when characters start having sex, and I had no idea something like this could be so good—so fun—so cute! You could call it an awakening—fitting that it happened in a game about catpeople.

I find myself liking this game more and more as time goes on. There's something truly special about it.

I have a poster of the game cover by my bed, and whenever I can't sleep, I look at Konoe’s face and remember that time in Rai’s route when he asked if he should sing something to help him sleep. And then, it almost feels like I can hear 歌うたいの猫 playing faintly from some far-off place…