This is a main game, categorized as a Visual Novel and Adventure, initially released in 2009. It is accessible on a variety of platforms including PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, iOS, and Android. The narrative is set in the year 2010 within the Akihabara district of Tokyo, focusing on a group of friends who discover they can send text messages to the past using a modified microwave. Their experiments attract the attention of a mysterious organization named SERN, leading to a conflict centered around time travel research.

What is the premise of this game?

The story centers on a self-proclaimed "mad scientist" and his friends who accidentally create a device capable of sending messages into the past. As they explore the implications and consequences of altering timelines, they become entangled with SERN, an organization with its own clandestine research into time manipulation. The characters must navigate the dangers posed by SERN and grapple with the ethical and personal ramifications of their temporal discoveries.

What are the distinctive gameplay features?

The gameplay is characterized by its non-linear narrative structure, where player choices significantly impact the story's progression and lead to multiple branching scenarios and endings. A key mechanic is the phone trigger system, which allows players to interact with the protagonist's in-game mobile phone to influence events. This system is integral to exploring the cause-and-effect relationships of altering the past and offers a high degree of replayability as players uncover different narrative paths.

What is the core gameplay loop?

The primary gameplay loop involves reading through extensive dialogue and character interactions. At pivotal moments, players are presented with choices that determine the direction of the story. The consequences of these decisions are then revealed through subsequent narrative events and character developments. The experience encourages players to experiment with different choices to discover the various storylines and potential conclusions the game offers.

Are there any additional content or expansions?

This game does not feature downloadable content (DLC) or standalone expansions. However, the original experience has been revisited through two distinct remakes, offering updated versions of the narrative and gameplay.