3x3 Eyes: Tenrin-ou Genmu

About

This 1997 adventure leans into anime aesthetics with hand-drawn cutscenes and static backdrops. You navigate by moving a cursor to interact with objects, which trigger actions like inspecting items or starting conversations. The story follows Yakumo and Pai, two immortal beings on a quest to reclaim their humanity. Yakumo, a teenager with a scientist father tied to their fate, becomes an unwilling servant to Pai after her third eye activates. Their journey takes them across global locations chasing down the villainous Benares. The game stands out for its fluid animations and distinctive art style that blends traditional Japanese visuals with global settings like India and Easter Island. While puzzle-free, it focuses on dialogue and exploration over problem-solving. As part of the long-running 3x3 Eyes franchise, it brings anime fans a story steeped in myth and supernatural conflict. The cursor-based interaction feels fresh compared to menu-driven adventures of the time, though the style shows its age but remains faithful to the source material.

Storyline

Tenrin Ō Genmu is one of the games based on the manga and anime series 3x3 Eyes. It tells the story of Yakumo, a normal Japanese teenager who studies and works as a waiter, and Pai, a girl who belongs to the race of sanzhiyan, the immortal three-eyed people. After having discovered the secret of eternal youth and immortality many hundred years ago, the sanzhiyan could not remain human, and became cruel demons capable of possessing people and turning them into "wu" (Chinese for "nothing") - immortal, powerful, and obedient servants. Pai, who looks like a young girl, but is nevertheless three hundred years old, was terrified by what the sanzhiyan have become, and swore she will find a way to become human again. She meets Yakumo, whose late father was a scientist who helped Pai on her quest. Accidentally, Pai uses the powers of her third eye on Yakumo, and he becomes her Wu! Trying to regain their lost humanity, Yakumo and Pai are confronted by the evil Benares, the Wu of the sanzhiyan ruler Kaiyanwang. In pursuit of Benares and his henchmen, Yakumo and Pai travel to India, the Easter Island, and many other countries. Will they be able to stop Benares and become human again?