Developer OVERDRIVE has launched a Campfire campaign to crowdfund PlayStation 4 and Switch versions of rock-and-roll visual novel MUSICUS! The studio is seeking 39,696,960 yen in funding.
MUSICUS! first launched for PC in December 2019 in Japan, followed by a western release via Steam in April 2021 in Japan.
The console versions will be published by Entergram and feature a renovated user interface, script revisions by original writer Renya Setoguchi to deeper depict characters and their mentality, additional CG cuts by Kohaku Sumeragi, six new songs, a renewed ending video for every route (handled by gram6design), and higher production concert scenes.
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
Story
Kei Tsushima, a student on the fast track to university, dropped out under sudden circumstances. While not as smooth as originally planned, he is now at part-time night school to continue his efforts to become a doctor like his father and fulfill his family’s expectations.
But recently he is less trusting of his mandated course: “Is this what’s best for me?”
The various people he meets from all walks of life in his new class environment help broaden his perspective and give him a glimpse of the things he is still unaware of in this world.
“…Can I really go back after this?”
“Do I actually want to be a doctor?”
“Was that the purpose for me, Kei Tsushima, being brought into this life?”
After submitting a short story to a city writing contest on a whim, he soon received a request from the head of a music production company, Yagihara, to write about a certain band on the company’s label, under the condition that he travel with them to one of their live performances.
The band in question was Kacho-Fugetsu, who were formerly signed to a major commercial label. Korekiyo Hanai, the leader of the band, is a peculiar man, who for some reason professes the meaninglessness of music to Kei on the way to the show. While at a loss for how to interpret that, Kei sees his first live rock show with Kacho-Fugetsu, and he is instantaneously swept up in the music.
Key Features
A story-rich visual novel from the creators of Go! Go! Nippon!, MUSICUS! is a crowdfunded success, which tells a story of the struggle to fit society’s mold while living for ourselves. A full-length visual novel, MUSICUS! goes against the grain and explores many different walks of life.
Watch a set of videos from the console versions below.