Nie no Machi (The Town of Nie) + Iromusubi Review
Nie no Machi, also known as The Town of Nie, is a BL visual novel created by Zombilica. Thanks to dramatic create (HuneX), it is now available in English on both Steam and the Nintendo Switch!
The story follows Hisora Kiyozumi, who one day chases after someone who dropped a bouquet of flowers and suddenly finds himself in the world between the living and the dead. He becomes a temporary resident of an apartment complex full of odd individuals while searching for the one who brought him there, and a way back home.
There are four main love interests:
• Mio – the aloof, carefree older brother type
• Asuku – cold, violent, catlike
• Koko – mature, dependable, charming
• Naruomi – supportive, nice, youngest of the group
The game includes multiple bad, normal, and good endings (even some with NPCs). Some can be grotesque and gore-filled, so fair warning if you’re playing the Steam version. The Switch release tones this down, with censored scenes for a lighter experience.
I originally played Nie no Machi in Japanese and never thought I’d see it get an English release, so when dramatic create (HuneX) announced it along with the fandisc Iromusubi, I was ecstatic. I was waiting at release day to play it.
This game is very close to my heart. Even when I first played it in Japanese and could barely understand what was happening, it still left a huge impact on me. Replaying it in English only made it more unforgettable.
I really liked Hisora as a protagonist. He’s a bit dense and naively kind, but also hardworking and strong in his own way. A ray of sunshine with a pure innocence you don’t see often, and though he doesn’t need protecting, the things that happen to him make you want to protect him anyway. His character development was probably my favorite of all the boys, going from a listless worker with no view of the future to someone who faces his trauma and past head-on. By the end, I was tearing up. Oh Hisora, you are so loved…please be happy.
I also replayed on Nintendo Switch. Since the Switch censors explicit content, a lot of the more graphic scenes are gone, but I honestly didn’t mind. Having already played the uncensored version, I ddn’t feel the need to see some of those scenes again (shivers).
Route Impressions (Main Game + Spoilers)
• Asuku: I started with him because I love cat-coded characters who are cold but slowly open up. He was much meaner than I remembered…nearly killing Hisora multiple times and even having a bad ending like that. But it was worth it to see him grow, face his fear of the dark, and realize his love for Hisora.
• Koko: I picked him next out of favoritism, since he was the most mysterious. He hides behind a mask and reveals little about himself, but he’s also the dependable one who cooks for everyone. His mature, smooth flirting with innocent Hisora was fun. His route was about peeling back his layers and watching Hisora get closer to him.
• Mio: His route has one huge problem. A non-consensual scene that soured me on it. But aside from that, Mio really grew on me. Seeing him stand up for Hisora, take revenge, and finally come to terms with his guilt made his story powerful in its own way.
• Naruomi: Sadly my least favorite. He’s sweet, supportive, and always on Hisora’s side, but he’s also literally a minor, very stalkerish, and the most over-sexualized. That said, I liked the twist connecting his story back to Hisora, and I can respect his persistence in pursuing his first love.
Iromusubi is the fandisc that includes after stories for all the boys, plus a “what if” scenario where Hisora decides not to go home and becomes a permanent resident of the inn. It even continues certain bad endings, which was unexpected but interesting.
Route Impressions (Spoilers)
• Asuku’s After Story: Everything I wanted! His love for Hisora is so loud even dense little Hisora can’t miss it. Asuku was willing to abandon everything for him, and it was heartwarming to see them work through miscommunication together.
• Mio’s After Story: My favorite. Watching Mio fall in love with Hisora again, all while getting jealous and fighting his feelings, was adorable. It was satisfying and emotional, making me like him even more than the main game.
• Koko’s After Story: The darkest of the bunch. It starts with him in a very broken state, but gradually he faces his insecurities and trauma with Hisora’s help. Seeing him eventually flaunt his lover Hisora proudly as a celebrity was surprisingly fitting.
• Naruomi’s After Story: Didn’t do much for me. He comes back with no memories, lies about remembering just to keep Hisora close, and is surrounded by questionable side characters. Hard to care about, though I can admit it had emotional beats for those who like him.
• 35: The extra story introduces 35, a mysterious character revealed as a spider monster tied to Hisora. He was unsettling but memorable, and I liked how protective the others got when he appeared.
The NPC routes were unnecessary. Serial killer, incest, and especially Akari!!! Why did he even get a route? They added little besides making Hisora suffer, and as a completionist they were rough to get through.
• Story: A beautiful mix of BL romance, mystery, gore, supernatural themes, and grief. At its heart, it’s about love, from others and yourself.
• Characters: Hisora shines as a protagonist, with moving growth and emotional impact. This also included all the other boys as well!
• Music: Gorgeous. Some of my favorite soundtracks are here, especially the opening, which I still listen to.
• Art: Lovely CGs with expressive coloring and dynamic angles. Some dislike the muscular designs, but I thought they were fine.
• Gameplay: Standard visual novel style with lots of choices and plenty of endings. Easily 30+ hours of gameplay.
• Price: A little pricey, but worth it, especially if you buy the bundle with Iromusubi.
Nie no Machi is not as widely known, but it deserves to be. It’s a BL VN with unforgettable characters, a hauntingly beautiful story, and themes of grief, love, and healing.
Yes, play it. It’s a game you won’t forget.
