Interim Crossroads

Literally ”Feels Like Heaven”?

Imagine waking up in a purgatory that’s not quite hell, not quite heaven, and not even that dreary. Welcome to the Middle World—a cyberpunk purgatory with neon vibes, eternal twilight, and more emotional baggage than your average drama series. Interim Crossroads drops you into this strange, pain-is-real-but-death-isn’t limbo, as Julius—a man with no memory but a major to-do list of guilt, redemption, and existential dilemmas. The game promises impactful choices, deep character relationships, and about 16 different endings, but does it deliver a meaningful afterlife experience? Let’s unpack it.

About This Game

Storyline

The story starts with a classic trope: amnesia. You’re Julius, freshly dead and utterly clueless, thrown into a world that feels both futuristic and fantastical. The Middle World has one main rule—if you’ve got unfinished business or unresolved trauma, you’re stuck here until you fix it. Julius’s “unfinished business”? Redeeming himself to those he wronged in life. The twist? He has no memory of who he was or the lives he impacted, which makes figuring out his path to forgiveness feel like solving a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

What makes the story shine is the balance between personal and political stakes. On one hand, you’re diving into Julius’s memories, uncovering his mistakes, and trying to make amends. On the other, the Middle World is teeming with factions, backroom deals, and an impending power struggle involving its enigmatic ruler. These layers of conflict keep the narrative engaging without feeling overwhelming.

And let’s not forget the characters. Arlyn, your grumpy-but-loyal guide, and Seiko, a fellow lost soul with her own past, are more than just sidekicks. Their interactions and backstories add depth to the world while giving you some much-needed emotional grounding. Plus, there are three potential romantic interests who bring their own drama and charm, letting you explore everything from bittersweet connections to outright “save the world together” vibes.

The downside? The story is mostly linear, so while your choices influence relationships and endings, the overarching plot doesn’t stray too far from its intended path. It’s engaging, but sometimes it feels like the game is nudging you toward a conclusion rather than letting you truly carve your own. Still, with 16 endings, there’s enough variety to make replaying feel worthwhile.

Gameplay Mechanics

If you’ve played a visual novel before, you’ll feel right at home here. The core mechanic revolves around making choices that shape your relationships and three attributes: Virtue, Callosity, and Defiance. These traits don’t just dictate Julius’s personality; they determine which dialogue options, scenes, and endings are available. The good news? The game is transparent about which choice aligns with which attribute, so there’s no guesswork involved.

The branching paths and attribute system are satisfying, but the gameplay isn’t as interactive as some might hope. It’s largely a text-driven experience, and while the choices are impactful, the lack of mini-games or additional gameplay layers can make it feel a bit static at times. That said, the emphasis on storytelling and character dynamics ensures you’re never bored.

Visuals & Audio

This is where the game flexes a bit. The fully-rendered 3D character models and backdrops give the Middle World a unique aesthetic—a mix of gritty cyberpunk and dreamy twilight hues. The visual style complements the narrative perfectly, making the world feel both ethereal and grounded. The character designs are expressive enough to convey subtle emotions, which adds weight to the dialogue-heavy gameplay.

The soundtrack deserves a shoutout too. It’s moody, atmospheric, and fits the purgatorial setting like a glove. The only downside? The lack of animations can make some scenes feel a little static, especially during emotional climaxes where movement could amplify the impact.

Pros

A rich, emotionally charged storyline with themes of redemption and forgiveness.
High replayability thanks to 16 different endings and multiple branching paths.
Engaging character relationships and romances with real emotional stakes.
A visually distinct world that blends cyberpunk and fantasy effortlessly.

Cons

The lack of animations can make some scenes feel less dynamic.
The story’s linearity limits true freedom of choice.
While impactful, the sexual content is pretty tame and could benefit from a touch more depth.
Some endings feel abrupt, leaving you wanting more closure or setup for a sequel.

Conclusion

Interim Crossroads is like an emotional rollercoaster through a neon-lit purgatory. The storytelling is its biggest strength, tackling mature themes with nuance while giving you enough choices to feel like your decisions matter. The visuals are striking, the characters are memorable, and the 16 endings give it solid replay value. Sure, it has its shortcomings—static presentation and a somewhat linear plot—but for fans of visual novels and morally complex narratives, this one’s worth diving into.

Just don’t expect it to spoon-feed you closure. You’ll have to earn your peace, just like Julius

Rating: 8/10

Stuck in the middle?