9-nine-: Episode 1

About

9-nine-: Episode 1 blends dating sim mechanics with supernatural mystery. You play as Kakeru Niimi, a college student thrust into chaos after a local shrine’s relic shatters, awakening strange powers in townspeople. The story follows Kakeru as he investigates a string of murders tied to these abilities, balancing relationship-building with heroine Miyako Kujo against solving the central mystery. Choices shape interactions and outcomes, with multiple endings reflecting your decisions. The narrative weaves romance, character-driven subplots, and a steadily escalating investigation, all framed by a sleepy town hiding dark secrets. The game stands out for its episodic structure, each entry focuses on a new heroine while sharing a cohesive world. With 10,000+ Steam reviews averaging 82%, players praise its mix of visual novel depth and light RPG elements. Character designs and art style lean into PALETTE’s signature aesthetic, balancing moe visuals with tense, moody moments. While the first episode’s runtime is shorter than later entries, it sets up a layered universe where personal connections and mystery-solving intertwine. The series’ approach to branching narratives and recurring worldbuilding rewards replayability.

Storyline

The scene: Shiromitsugawa, a run-of-the-mill college town that has launched several failed attempts to drum up tourism and revitalize itself, including sponsoring a high-budget-but-poorly-written anime based on local folklore. A storm is about to descend on this sleepy town. We follow Kakeru Niimi, a man who can be a bit curt at times but who has a strong sense of responsibility and a kind heart. Kakeru's ordinary life is thrown into chaos after the local shrine's sacred relic shatters. In the wake of this event, several young men and women awaken to superhuman abilities. What was once a run-of-the-mill life in a run-of-the-mill town soon turns into a quest to track down a superpowered serial killer before they can strike again.