[Warning: spoilers on the entire saga ahead]
Saeran Choi (aka Ray, aka Unknown) is by far the most wanted and awaited character in Mystic Messenger‘s universe. And now that Ray has his own route in the game, there’s a chance that he will become the most favourite playable character of all (overcoming even his twin brother Saeyoung / 707‘s popularity).
Personally I have always thought Saeran is the most interesting character in Mystic Messenger: he is so complex, fragile and in need of love yet he is scary and dangerous. There’s a lot of work to do as a MC and winning Ray‘s heart will be a hard, delightful challenge.
While I’m still playing his route (it has been released just on January 31!) I wish to share my very first impressions on this long awaited new story.
First of all: Ray’s route costs hourglasses. Even if you had previously unlocked V’s Another Story by paying 300 hourglasses, whether you want to purchase Ray’s route you have to pay 250 more. And if you hadn’t purchased V’s story and wish to read only Ray’s, there’s the entire cost to pay (i.e: 550 hourglasses) and you will get both of them anyway.
After the purchase of Ray’s Another Story, you will have to start with the prologue and the first 4 days of common Another Story (same common route we have learnt to know by reading V’s route) in order to try to get enough magenta hearts (= Ray’s hearts) and find yourself on Ray’s route starting on Day 5.
How is Ray route? Is it any good? Is it heartbreaking? Is it as angsty as V‘s? Will it have a true happy ending?
Well… speaking about the angst, let me show you the disclaimer that appears when you are about to pay 250 hourglasses for Saeran/Ray story:
Cheritz warns us : “To enhance the actuality of specific characters, some context may make you unconfortable (this game is for ages 15 and older.)”
Wait… what? Are they telling us we are about to face an even more angsty story? Wasn’t V’s story tearful enough ? Oh my! I don’t want to cry over Saeran (again). I desperately need a happy ending and tons of love and rescue for him.
Anyway, MC ends her Another Story common route being captive of Ray and Rika. At day 4, she is asked to drink the special drug reserved for Mint Eye belivers. Ray is already infatuated with MC while V is coming to set her free. From here on, how will you (MC) manage to win over Saeran‘s heart and convince him to leave Rika and the toxic environment that is Mint Eye?
After starting Ray route, one can notice some restyling has been done on Saeran‘s CG. Just like it happend for V, Saeran‘s images are much more accurate now. For example, he had his “neutral expression” slightly changed and I can say it’s way more pleasent now:
Furthermore, new facial expressions have been added:
A new saddened expression:
And an adorable blushing sweet face
The very first CG you get in Ray’s route is about a dramatic V/Ray encounter in Mint Eye mansion’s garden.
And we get also some fanservice with a K Drama Shower Scene picture 🙂
Just joking. Actually Ray route is heavily dramatic as expected. Saeran reveals all his frailty and gives the audience more details about his heartbreaking story. Among all the others, Saeran is by far the most emotionally engaging character in Mystic Messenger. While reading, you feel the urge to “do something” for him, to hold him in your arms and comfort him more and more until he just admit with a smile that he is a wonderful person who deserves all the love in the world.
As for Rika, she is snake, more and more. Cruelest bitch in Otome’s world.
I pray that Cheritz would let us punch her in the face sooner or later. it would be so… cleansing, wouldn’t it?
However, if you act like a good MC, after the game branches fort the first time (at the end of day 6) you might get a pretty nice and romantic kiss from your troubled prince Saeran. Please notice this is the first time ever MC kisses someone of her own initiative in the whole Mystic Messenger history. Way to go, girl! 🙂
Please consider you might like to read also our final Ray / Saeran route review.