Introduction

Welcome to the odd world of *Collar × Malice: Unlimited*, where rookie cops and poison collars are the hottest trends since skinny jeans. This visual novel lets you dive headfirst into a tangled web of crime, romance, and more red flags than a bullfighting arena. In this alternate reality, being a cop is about as easy as explaining TikTok to your grandparents.

Gameplay

The game follows Ichika Hoshino, a rookie police officer who finds herself completely unprepared for the chaos that awaits her. Not only does she have a collar that screams 'fashion disaster', she has to investigate a string of gruesome murders while avoiding being murdered herself. The gameplay revolves around making choices that impact your relationships with a gang of former cops—think of it as dating sim meets crime drama, but with less charm and more existential dread. In a typical session, you'll read text, make choices, and pray that you don't accidentally doom Ichika to terrible fates based solely on your unsupervised decision-making skills. Your heart may flutter when you interact with the ‘bad boys’ of the game, but keep in mind that they aren’t all bad—some are just misunderstood. There are also various endings, so commitment issues will have a whole new meaning as you explore the tangled loyalties and blood-endangering problems of our cast.

Graphics

Hold on to your hats (and collars)! The graphics sport that classic anime style that makes you feel like you're watching an episode of your favorite slice-of-life anime. Character designs are distinct and colorful, with a variety of outfits that'll make you question if you should commit to a career in police work for the sake of fashion alone. Background art enhances the narrative, providing lush settings that scream 'Tokyo' while feeling hauntingly empty, much like your social life. Despite the overall cute factor, it balances the darker themes without resorting to overly grim aesthetics, which is commendable. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition, much like pairing a pizza with calzone — indulgent but dangerous.

Conclusion

*Collar × Malice: Unlimited* successfully brings a unique blend of crime and romance to the Switch. The writing is a delightful rollercoaster of tension and emotion, while the graphics appeal to the kawaii-loving part of your soul. Sure, you might not be able to save every character or avoid every tragic fate, but isn't that just part of the thrill? In the grand scheme of things, perhaps the game’s best aspect is reminding you that even if you're wearing a poisonous collar, things could always be worse—you could be wearing Crocs. So grab your Joy-Cons and dive into this wild ride. You might just find a new crush while risking your life for justice… or at least gain an appreciation for the importance of good police uniforms.

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