In the popular game Yandere Simulator, a particular word starting with “W” encapsulates the biggest problem within the game. Throughout the game, players can witness a pink text that reads “Yandere Simulator” appearing on a black screen, accompanied by the sound of a bell ringing with an echoing effect. Interestingly, even if the player fails in their mission, the protagonist's love interest, Senpai, will still end up in a happy relationship with someone else.
The game emphasizes this point by showcasing a cute confession cutscene at the end of each week. Moreover, during the final week, the protagonist attempts to convince her brother to give up on having a girlfriend. Of course, in order to succeed, players must eliminate any potential witnesses and ensure there is no evidence left behind. Failing to do so can result in the police connecting the murder to the player character.
If a character with a specific personality type witnesses a murder, they will plead with the protagonist to spare their life and promise not to report the crime. Additionally, the first delinquent who witnesses a murder will chase after the protagonist with the weapon they possess. It is fascinating to see how both parties in the game seem content with their respective situations, with Senpai being portrayed as a genuinely likable and pleasant character.
Ayano, the main character, openly admits in the game's introduction that she never experienced any deep emotions before meeting Senpai. She even sincerely thanks her love interest for his time before leaving him in peace. Interestingly, despite the tragic ending where Osana Najimi dies and Senpai is captured, this outcome can still be considered a relatively positive ending compared to what might have happened.
Another positive aspect for one of the characters, Kokona, is that in the video titled “Club Benefits,” she is one of the recipients of treats from Yan-chan. This showcases Kokona's caring nature, as she willingly meets someone on the roof to discuss their concerns, even though she herself doesn't experience domestic abuse. Moreover, players have the option to befriend their rivals and peacefully convince them not to pursue Senpai.
A meta example can be seen in the “I Need My Senpai Back” special, where characters Sam and his friends discover a grim situation in the back room. They find a severed head, which shocks and frightens them. Additionally, Info-chan mentions that the two of them can help each other, but only after assessing the protagonist's character. Sam and Grian, realizing the gravity of what they have done, desperately try to find a solution to their predicament. This scenario highlights the importance of making wise choices within the game.
Throughout the game, players can earn 20 points by playing a fighting game in the Gaming Club on the same day the protagonist attacks a teacher or by joining the Martial Arts Club. Losing the game is not necessarily a negative outcome. None of the characters are ever explicitly rude, unless they themselves have done something wrong. In one instance, a character expresses interest in an experiment, echoing similar comments made by Fun Girl during her initial debut where the number 666 was involved. Additionally, through Budo's rap battle, players learn that he values character over appearance or social cliques.
A significant revelation occurs when Paul Blart confesses to killing Yuki's father and is subsequently chased into a theater by her. Furthermore, Cthulhu reveals that the Minions have taken control of the universe, resulting in the deaths of their friends and the destruction of their homes. As for the game's ending, Senpai transfers to a different school far from Akademi, leaving the protagonist unable to follow him and ultimately ending any chance of being with him, resulting in a game over.
In one of the game's scenes, clones are shown being processed through a machine, likely leading to their demise. The pool area contains over a dozen trapped clones. Interestingly, in the episode “My Senpai's Back,” the character Midori manages to survive despite facing more challenges and being subjected to YandereDev's apparent harsh treatment. Some players consider this survival to be an excessive demonstration of resilience. Recently, with the release of Osana as a rival in the August 31, 2020 build, players now have the option to eliminate her without resorting to violence or cruelty.
Ayano accomplishes this by befriending Osana and retrieving her cat from the stalker's house, removing the stalker's leverage to prevent Osana from seeking help from the police. Another approach players can take is to use Ayano's violent tendencies to persuade those who cause harm and suffering to the player's rivals to cease their actions. Ultimately, Yandere Simulator provides players with an immersive experience as they embody the role of a high school girl, Yandere-Chan, who struggles to confess her love to Senpai. The initial meeting between Yandere-Chan and Senpai is, in its own way, adorable, as it marks the first time Yandere-Chan feels a genuine emotion. However, the game quickly takes a dark turn, reminding players of Yandere-Chan's willingness to go to extreme lengths to possess Senpai.
