Dear Me, I Was…: An Artistic Experience Review

Artistic Voyage: Emotional Journey in Gaming by Arc System Works

“Dear Me, I Was…” stands out as an artistic, interactive experience that highlights the potential of video games as a powerful art form. Developed by Japan-based Arc System Works, a studio renowned for fighting games such as Dragon Ball FighterZ and Guilty Gear -Strive-, this title draws on a diverse talent pool. Key creatives who previously worked on visual novels like Another Code, Hotel Dusk: Room 215, and Last Window: The Secret of Cape West (originally produced by the now-defunct company Cing) later helped bring Another Code: Recollection to Nintendo. These same talents are integral to “Dear Me, I Was…”. The experience is directed by Maho Taguchi, who also directed Another Code: Recollection, with Ryohei Endo handling production. Taisuke Kanasaki, who directed those visual novels and served as art director for Another Code: Recollection, weaves the compelling, emotional narrative. This story explores a woman’s life, depicting deep lows that underscore the significance of her rare high points. It is an emotional journey filled with drama, loss, and the profound impact of crucial life events on her decisions.

Artistic Immersion: Kanasaki’s Watercolor Narrative in Interactive Cinema

The vibrant art style evokes watercolors brought to life, creating cinematic moments. This aesthetic, which blends Kanasaki’s watercolor vision with rotoscoping, forms the basis of the deeply emotional interactive story. “Dear Me, I Was…” offers an interactive experience that features a near-total absence of traditional gameplay. For approximately 40 minutes, players engage minimally with the controller, primarily observing the unfolding narrative. The lack of dialogue compels a focus on every event, though not always successfully. This minimal interactivity makes it challenging to categorize as a conventional video game. Despite this, the compelling visuals and Taisuke Kanasaki’s powerful storytelling ensure an engaging experience.

In Case You Missed It

Exciting news for fans of Taisuke Kanasaki and Maho Taguchi! Marcus Thompson recently shared details about the highly anticipated game, “Dear Me, I Was…” (July 24, 2025), which is set to release digitally on July 31st exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. This interactive adventure promises a beautiful blend of watercolor style and rotoscopic technology, following the life journey of its protagonist through moments of joy, sorrow, and growth as you explore this unique narrative experience published by Arc System Works. Don’t miss out—check it out Dear Me, I Was… Arrives This July! If you’re curious about the surprising performance of Nintendo’s latest console in Japan, make sure to check out “Nintendo Switch 1 Almost Doubled PS5 Sales in Japan, Despite Switch 2 in Stores” by Jonathan Dubinski (July 24, 2025). This insightful piece delves into how the Nintendo Switch 2 has far exceeded expectations, driven largely by the success of Mario Kart World. With hardware sales outpacing even those of the original Switch and PlayStation 5, it’s a fascinating look at what’s driving consumer choices in Japan right now! Nintendo Switch 1 Almost Doubled PS5 Sales in Japan, Despite Switch 2 in Stores

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Carlos Mendoza

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