The Paradise boys are back for a new adventure in the fan disc, Paradise: Musubi. After escaping the island and leaving the horrors they faced there behind them, Azuma, Mitsugi, Matsuda, and Takara are ready to move on with their lives. But, some demons refuse to stay in the past and the survivors find that their experiences on the island are now threatening the little bit of peace they’ve carved out for themselves on the mainland. Follow the boys of Paradise as they attempt to pick up the pieces of their lives and take their first steps into their happily ever after.
Paradise: Musubi featured After Stories for the main love interests set after the events of the good ends of the first game; each includes three new intimate scenes between Azuma and his lovers. In addition players can explore key events from the first game from the perspective of the love interests.
Game Details
- Genre: Boys Love | Psychological | Thriller
- Developer & Publisher: PIL/SLASH & JAST BLUE
- Get the Game: Steam (Censored) | JAST BLUE (Full Version)
- Similar Games: Room No 9 | No Thank You!!!
Paradise Musubi Characters
Main Characters
Side Characters
Paradise Musubi Review
The After Stories Give Us a Look at Life After “Happily Ever After”
Paradise: Musubi brings the story of Azuma and his traumatized suitors full circle, giving players a look at what happens after characters’ hard fought “happily ever after” from the first game. While the men may have physically left the horrors of their ill-fated vacation behind, there are still so many questions that have yet to be answered. Each route explores how the characters readjust to their everyday lives and heal from the emotional scars of their experiences on the island. This fan disc dials back the danger and expands on the world of Paradise by exploring their lives and the people closest to them. Now that the constant threats are behind them, we really get to know these characters, by exploring their pasts, their motivations, and how they navigate their romantic relationships.
Each After Story explores a unique conflict that provides more insight into the true natures of the main cast. In Mitsugi’s route we learn more about his past and his relationship with his mentor, and how he and Azuma work to build their own personal paradise. In Matsuda’s route we see just how deeply his time on the island effected him and how Azuma helps him move forward. In Takara’s route we explore the truth behind the Hourai Group and the complex relationships in the Takara family.
There Are No One Size Fits All Romances
No one would argue that Paradise is the most romantic boys love game by any stretch, there is no wooing or soft caresses. Each of the relationships in the first game were born from shared trauma and a need for companionship to cope with the horrors they experienced on the island. Not exactly the start of a heart pounding romance. But, Musubi addresses that in the after stories. Instead of delivering a sanitized fairytale romance, the after stories depict the complexities of the unconventional partnerships between Azuma and his suitors. Now, that doesn’t mean the romance is all sunshine and flowers in the fan disc, far from it. But, the writers do attempt to expand on the emotional connections between the characters as a way of providing context for why these relationships “work” (more or less).
All of the characters are dealing with heavy emotional scars that would be difficult for someone who hadn’t experienced the same trauma to understand and embrace. For better or worse their time on the island has created a situation where these men can’t fully open up to anyone other than each other. While that isn’t always the healthiest foundation for a love story it does provide the companionship and support these characters need to move forward with their lives. And if they like it, I guess I love it for them.
Of the love stories depicted in the Musubi, Mitsugi’s route is still the healthiest of the romances in the series, while Takara and Matsuda are tied for the award for most toxic lovers. But, as messy and toxic as the romance can be (especially Matsuda), they kinda work in the end. As long as Azuma is happy, I’m fine with it.
Revisit Events from the Island from the Perspectives of the Love Interests
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Paradise: Musubi is that we finally get some much needed insight into what the love interests were thinking during key moments from the first game. In Paradise everything is told from Azuma’s perspective, and he isn’t the most reliable narrator, so we don’t really get the “why” behind some of the love interests more “questionable” choices. Which can make understanding them and their motivations a bit hard, especially when their actions are so far removed from my own sensibilities. It’s no secret I hated Matsuda’s route in the first game, watching him force himself on Azuma and beat him black and blue, isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. But, in the POV stories we get to see first hand the emotion turmoil behind his fists and while it doesn’t excuse his actions, it does give some context.
So, if you are looking to better understand the characters of Paradise these flashbacks are a gold mine of new insights. It definitely made me a bit more sympathetic to characters I wasn’t of fan of in the first game. Also, if you were upset that you didn’t get to spend more time with Shimada and Hongou in the first game, they do get their own short after stories too. Are they the most interesting? No, not really. But, it’s a nice addition nonetheless.
Is Paradise: Musubi Worth Playing?
Paradise isn’t for the weak, it is one of those series that you either really love or find really hard to stomach–it’s dark and twisted and some really messed up stuff happens. But, it was nice to check in with Azuma and the crew under slightly less traumatizing circumstances and see who they are when their lives aren’t under constant threat. And I liked what I saw. Matsuda and Takara are still on my no no list, but I understand them so much better after playing this sequel and seeing how much they genuinely care for Azuma.
The sex scenes were delicious (three new scenes per love interest) and I always appreciate uncensored peens on my screen. The localization was once again hilarious, no notes, just keep delivering on the comedy gold.
As far as fan discs go, Paradise: Musubi expands on the world and the characters from the first game, with some much needed context and story explorations. While I loved the extra content, I do feel like the after stories and POVs could have been included as extra content in the first game and not as a completely different experience. As a standalone, Musubi feels a little lacking. But, I suppose capitalism always finds a way to come for our pockets, so it is what it is. But, overall if you loved the first game and wanted to spend more time with Azuma and the homies, Paradise: Musubi is a follow-up you don’t want to miss out on!
Thanks to JAST BLUE for sending me a copy of Paradise: Musubi for this review!
Im so excited to play this game! Will you make a route guide? ❤
So fun story, you don’t need one, there weren’t any choices. It’s like one big kinetic novel!