Introduction

Every otaku has had a similar wish at one point: we’ve all dreamed of our waifu becoming real, entering our world, or perhaps even entering hers. If you ever wished for the latter, I have good news and bad news! The good news: MiSide lets you experience what it would be like to enter the world of a cute anime girl and be loved by her. The bad news: after experiencing it, you may never want to make that wish again. MiSide, developed by AIHASTO, was a game I eagerly awaited after seeing trailers and videos several months ago. Now that it’s available to the public, was the wait worth it? Or should we just keep dreaming of a life with our waifu of choice? Let’s find out in my review of MiSide for the PC!

Watch the Official Trailer

Gameplay

MiSide offers a straightforward yet captivating experience. Thrust into the game world, what starts as a cute and dreamy adventure quickly spirals into a survival game. You, as the protagonist, soon discover that Mita isn’t who she claims to be. Now, you must use your wits to escape and find a way out of the game. As you journey through various versions of Mita’s world, you’ll engage in quirky games and adventure sequences that add to the intrigue.

A significant portion of MiSide is third-person exploration. Although you won’t often equip items or use weapons, you will explore a game world that starts off as charming but quickly transforms into a maze with horror-themed elements. This shift into horror is one of the weaker aspects of MiSide, as there were times I wished for more interactive elements in the world. Despite this, there are plenty of secrets to uncover, such as arcade games and other hidden surprises that can alter the world around you.

Where MiSide truly excels is in its ability to continuously introduce new gameplay elements, keeping the experience fresh. At times, the game takes on a horror twist, where you must run from threats in dark rooms and corridors with only a flashlight. Additionally, mini-games that pay homage to older titles keep the gameplay from becoming monotonous. These elements keep MiSide engaging, preventing it from feeling repetitive.

The game also offers multiple endings, which gives it significant replay value. Each ending changes the entire experience, and while I have my preferences, I’m sure players will enjoy exploring different outcomes. One drawback is the lack of a manual save system. I often found myself having to redo entire chapters after taking breaks, which was frustrating.

Graphics

MiSide doesn’t feature stunning visuals, but it perfectly fits the game’s setting and themes. After all, you’re inside a cell phone game, so I didn’t expect AAA-level graphics. Despite this, MiSide does a great job with its assets. The character designs are charming, and the eerie, horror-themed backgrounds add to the atmosphere. The locations in MiSide are consistently altered, ensuring each area remains fresh, which helps maintain the adventure’s appeal.

Sound

The sound design in MiSide is fantastic. The hauntingly calm music adds a spine-chilling atmosphere, and the smallest creak will send a shiver down your spine. I played MiSide with headphones, and several times, I jumped out of my chair as Mita and her threats appeared unexpectedly. I also enjoyed the voice acting, especially Kana Hanaiwa’s portrayal of Mita. Kana nails the “anime cute girl with yandere themes” perfectly, and I can easily see her lending her voice to many future anime roles. Additionally, the various sound effects, such as the text-pop sounds and minor background noises, help immerse you in the game world.

Story

For many of us with full-time jobs, finding love can be a challenge. For the unnamed protagonist in MiSide, he finds joy in downloading an app that allows him to care for a cute anime girl named Mita. As he continues to interact with her, Mita seems to develop feelings for him and creates a device that transports him into her world. Now, living alongside the once 2D Mita, is this a dream come true or will he discover a darker side to her?

Overall Impression

MiSide is nearly perfect. It’s so close to being exceptional. If the adventure gameplay had just a few more elements and perhaps a slightly longer story (though that’s more of a personal preference), MiSide could easily become the next surprising indie horror game, akin to Doki Doki Literature Club, one of my all-time favorites. For its fantastic price and a wealth of anime charm, MiSide is an amazing game worth playing.

Conclusion

MiSide is bound to gain popularity, and for good reason. I loved the story, and the gameplay was consistently engaging with enough variation to keep things exciting. While there are moments where the adventure aspect could be expanded, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. If you’re looking for a dark horror story mixed with some anime waifu goodness, Mita is waiting for you in MiSide, and she’s sure to keep you entertained.

—Aaron