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Hi everyone! I'm Yuna.

I'm excited to share a game review from our very own CM Flint—a passionate Korean gamer known for his detailed analyzes and deep love for games. His insights are always so helpful, so I hope you'll enjoy reading his thoughts on Yohane the Parhelion!  😊

Yohane the Parhelion: Reviewed by CM Flint – STOVE Community Manager

Please note that the screenshots may contain Korean text.

"Is this that 'Love Live!' game?"

💎 First Impressions

I personally do. Whenever I have some free time, I try to catch at least one or two series. (Although I don’t have much time these days.)

Recently, I've been watching The Apothecary Diaries and Solo Leveling, both popular adaptations of successful IPs that highlight the industry's trend towards expanding original stories across multiple media formats.

Sometimes, an anime is so enjoyable that you’re left wanting more even after finishing the broadcast episodes. This demand is common enough that companies are constantly keeping an eye on it.

The industry even has a term for this: OSMU (One Source Multi-Use)—the concept of developing multiple forms of content from a single IP.

Two prime examples of OSMU in anime are Love Live! and The Idolmaster. Both are long-running IPs (15 and 20 years respectively) about girls aspiring to become idols, and have expanded into manga, anime, movies, games, and music.

Today’s review covers a game based on the Love Live! spinoff anime Yohane the Parhelion - SUNSHINE in the MIRROR: 『Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE -』, reviewed from the perspective of a casual user unfamiliar with the Love Live! series.

⌚ Gameplay

"A Deckbuilding Roguelike with

a Lower Difficulty Curve"

This release is the second game in the Yohane the Parhelion series

As mentioned earlier, Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE (hereafter referred to as Numazu) is a Love Live! spinoff.

For those unfamiliar with Love Live!, it’s a story about high school girls aspiring to become idols. Being an idol-raising story, it features many characters with strong, engaging traits.

"A side story in the

Love Live! universe"

The game doesn’t follow the main story, so think of it as an alternate universe using the same characters from the anime.

Unlike other spinoffs, Numazu is based on an already aired anime and follows the earlier release of Yohane the Parhelion - Blaze in the DEEPBLUE in November 2023.

The world-building might not be solid due to the idol genre roots, but in terms of fun, there’s a lot to look forward to.

The game's story section has a strong visual novel vibe

At its core, the game is a deckbuilding roguelike. However, since it's based on the Love Live! universe, it leans heavily into visual novel aesthetics.

It’s not a romance game like many on the Stove platform; rather, it offers lighthearted stories with the cast. The setting is light and humorous.

In short: Yohane, a not-so-great fortune teller, enters a mirror world. The tone is more whimsical than serious, focusing on how joyfully challenges are resolved.

That said, the game includes many "cringe-worthy anime tropes," so if that’s a turn-off, be aware.

It's enjoyable to see what roles the characters from the main story take on in the game

Since characters are central to the IP, we must talk about them. As a side story using main characters from the Love Live! series, fans will be pleased to see familiar faces reimagined here.

According to other reviews, many characters behave quite differently from the main series, making their appearances a highlight for long-time fans.

"Feels like an additional package

for existing fans"

Since I haven’t followed the Love Live! series, I didn’t recognize most of the characters, so I missed out on some of that charm. Still, this feels like a service for the fans, which makes sense.

In fact, it’s made me more curious about the Love Live! IP 😁😁. Maybe I’ll start with the older series.

It’s almost a direct clone of Slay the Spire’s gameplay

Although much has been said about the characters, the gameplay is also quite solid. It feels well made from a gameplay standpoint, even though the core elements are deeply tied to the IP.

In terms of mechanics, it’s almost identical to the deckbuilding roguelike classic, Slay the Spire. You start with a deck containing basic cards, then build your own deck through looting and shop purchases.

Branching dungeon paths, systems for card removal or discounted item/card purchases at shops, and choosing between HP recovery or card upgrades at rest points—most of these systems are implemented almost unchanged.

Because it targets casual users, the overall difficulty is significantly lower, which is the main difference.

Still, the fact that I could enjoy a gameplay style I love using characters I also like is a strong point. It’s not just about the cheerful atmosphere but also the joy of experiencing an anime-style presentation.

Most importantly, because the gameplay is based on a proven formula, it feels reliable and fun. Personally, I place a high value on originality, but as long as it’s fun and solid, that’s good enough for me.

Through reputation, you can purchase bonuses or enhancements to assist with progressing the next part of the story

One standout feature is the reputation point system. You earn reputation points by completing missions during gameplay, even without formally accepting them. These points can be used to permanently enhance characters, unlock new items, or buy temporary bonuses to aid in future runs.

For example, you can buy: “Start with 3 upgraded random cards,” “First item/card purchase is free,” or “+1 attack power for the next challenge.”

However, unlike permanent upgrades, bonus effects are single-use, so you’ll need to decide carefully which to prioritize.

If you purchase the DLC, you can also play as a character that appears in the story. It's a little expensive, though...

Yohane is the main character of the game, but the other characters who appear in the story also have unique personalities that add fun to the experience.

So naturally, you might find yourself wanting to play as someone other than Yohane.

This is made possible through DLC purchases.

DLC allows you to add 9 additional characters as playable options besides Yohane, and also enjoy various costume sets to see different looks.

While the price might seem steep, since they’re not essential like an expansion pack, casual users likely won’t find them off-putting.

📌 Final Thoughts

"A merchandise-like game

for users interested in the Love Live! IP"

Personally, I was intrigued when I heard this game would be released with official Korean localization on Stove in February.

There are many games with beautiful anime-style illustrations, but few are actually based on anime IPs.

So I was quite curious about what kind of fun this one could deliver.

However, once I actually played the game, my impression shifted slightly. While the game itself is fun enough,

it felt more like a piece of merchandise made for fans of the Love Live! IP, or for those curious about it.

From the tone of its dialogue to the story and character design, everything strongly exudes an anime-like vibe.

Most notably, it felt like the game was really trying to showcase each character’s appeal.

That’s why I would recommend this more to people who are interested in Love Live! or at least enjoy anime-style experiences, rather than to those seeking pure gameplay.

Yohane’s magical journey through the mirror world, overcoming its many trials… 

▶ Go to Store Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE

How did you like today's game review? We'd love to help you enjoy your gaming life.

If you're curious, definitely check it out—and let us know your thoughts, too! 😊

We'll see you around.