Merry Go Round

About

Merry Go Round is a point-and-click adventure with visual novel elements set in a gritty cyberpunk future. You play as Brian, a sleazy private detective in 2197 Yokohama, chasing leads through neon-lit alleys and backroom deals. The story follows a string of crimes starting with a brothel assault that spirals into illegal biology and corporate corruption. Dialogue options and investigation choices shape the figuring out mystery, with multiple outcomes based on trust and deception. Gameplay blends static art scenes with real-time action moments, like tense chases and shootouts. Developed by Mischief in 1996, the game gained a cult following for its mature themes and nonlinear storytelling. It ran on aging DOS and PC-98 systems, yet its branching narratives and morally gray characters influenced later cyberpunk games. Some players note its dated presentation but praise the sharp writing and 90s-era cyberpunk atmosphere. With no major remakes, it remains a niche pick for fans of classic adventure games with noir sensibilities.

Storyline

Merry Go Round is set in Yokohama, in year 2197. The city has turned into an international megalopolis, where crime prospers, and where justice is pursued by lone vigilante fighters. The hero of the story is a private detective named Brian. The first case is about an assault on a prostitute in the brothel "John Wayne". Further investigation reveals that the assault is connected to other cases, some of which involve dangerous biological experiments. With the help of the policewoman Akane, the bounty hunter Ridley, and others, Brian begins to gradually see the whole picture...