“Hello? How’ve you been? By the way, have you seen the moon tonight? It’s huge.”

Imagine you look outside and realize the moon is about to fall. Who would you want to speak to for the very last time? This is the central question of Schrödinger’s Call by Acrobatic Chirimenjako. If you realized the world was about to end, who would you reach out to? Would you search for comfort or absolution? Who would you turn to in order to find peace in the face of death?

Am I alive or dead? Am I a girl or a cat?

While Schrödinger’s Call may seem like a cutesie anime styled visual novel, it packs a surprisingly heartfelt punch. You play as Mary, the World’s Last Confidant, set inside a cosmic space with only a small table, chair, phone, and your trusty journal for company. Oh and occasionally a cat by the name of Hamlet, who may or may not be there, as one might expect in a game using Schrödinger’s name. 

The game takes place within the twenty-one nanoseconds before the moon crashes into the Earth. In this time between life and death, Mary, a girl who has lost all her memories, answers the calls as they come. On the other end are lost souls, trapped between life and death, searching for peace before they can move on. It’s up to Mary to listen to their stories, help them remember who they are and those most precious to them, all while trying to recover her own lost memories. 

Thanks for the timely warning.

Each chapter in Schrödinger’s Call centers on one main character and typically has several other characters in connection to them. Mary will eventually speak to all of them in order to uncover the truths they might be subconsciously trying to shield themselves from. While many of the stories start off sweet, most end up taking darker and more tragic turns. I’ll be perfectly honest and admit that several of the storylines made me cry, which is not something I do very often. In fact, I don’t remember a game making me cry this hard since Spiritfarer (RIP Stanley). Although, since both of these games focus on grief, I suppose that shouldn’t be terribly surprising.

With each character, Mary will be given different options on how to respond. There’s no penalty for giving an incorrect answer, but the dialogue changes slightly depending on what you choose. It should be noted that there aren’t multiple endings and you’re pretty much on a set path, so don’t get too in your head about agonizing over the “best” response. Schrödinger’s Call is very much a game that guides you along the adventure that’s been set before you. It’s an emotional journey full of ups and downs, so mainly just sit back and enjoy the ride… perhaps with a box of tissues near by.

I feel that way some days.

One thing I loved most about Schrödinger’s Call was just how different every character’s story arcs were. Yes, they have all suffered from some tragedy, but they’re all widely varied. As such, how Mary handles bringing them peace will vary as well. Whether it’s bringing together a parent with their child, reconnecting two lovers, or helping someone find value within themselves, Mary’s task is certainly not an easy one. Her role demands an empathetic ear, with the patience to discover the truth and deliver news that’s not always easy to hear. Inner peace and absolution don’t come easy, but Mary’s up for the task.

My one gripe about Schrödinger’s Call is with the final chapter. The entire game was such a roller coaster of emotions, from tender reunions to devasting emotional gut-punches, that my time playing flew by. That is, until the last chapter. The pacing in this final chapter slows down tremendously and almost grinds to a halt as nearly every major plot point that Mary’s just experienced throughout the game is repeated. I’m not sure why this choice was made, as we already know all of this information, having literally just played through it. I feel that Schrödinger’s Call would have benefitted from the final chapter being reduced by about half, but that’s honestly the only issue I have with an otherwise incredible game.

Mary leaves noteworthy details in her journal to reflect on at later times.

Now I don’t want my thoughts on the end chapter to sour you on this game. Schrödinger’s Call is a wonderful game with some truly gorgeous hand-drawn art. The Mary and another girl are in a classic anime art style, but the other characters that Mary speaks to over the phone are depicted as anthropomorphic versions of themselves. Mary also keeps a journal where she writes down every new detail she learns about the current person she’s helping. In addition to notes and phone numbers, Mary also draws exquisite illustrations depicting scenes from those people’s lives. The art on display in this game is truly masterful, with backgrounds at times imbued with psychedelic, colorful designs.

The sound design also does quite a bit to create the perfect ambiance for the game. There isn’t any traditional spoken dialogue, but the characters speak in jumbled murmurs at varying pitches to covey what their voices might have sounded like in life. This also gives each character they’re own distinct feel. Some have deeper voices, while others have light, almost tinkling voices. Each character has their own subtle musical theme accompanying them as well. This does wonders for helping them stand out from one another. The overall musical score is melancholy and hauntingly beautiful.

Such a beautiful sentiment. This game is full of contemplative musings such as this.

Schrödinger’s Call is one of those rare visual novels that sticks with you after playing it. I’m in awe of just how profound it can be at times. It’s rare to find a game that can make you smile and shed tears in almost equal measure. I can’t recommend this game enough to anyone who’s a fan of thought-provoking visual novels. Schrödinger’s Call is calling you. Will you answer?

Schrödinger’s Call is available now on PC and Nintendo Switch.

Reviewed on PC with i7-12700kf, RTX 5070, and 32GB of RAM.

A copy of Schrödinger’s Call was provided by the publisher.