Review: Tales From Toyotoki Leaves You Rooting for the Kids

When you meet certain people, even virtual ones, you may also find yourself hoping for the best for them. Maybe it is because of who they are. Perhaps it comes down to what they’re facing. Tales of Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch is one of those games, in part because the personalities of lead characters Hikaru Nishime and Lilun and situations leave you hoping they’ll achieve their goals and thrive.

Hikaru is an orphan. His aunt and her family took him in following his parents’ death. However, when he should be starting high school, he’s instead being shipped off to a small island with less than 1,000 residents to live with a grandfather he barely knows. Worse, once he gets there he finds that said grandpa is gone. He took off to another continent, and Hikaru’s aunt didn’t even register him for classes at the new high school. After being forced to sleep in a sugarcane field his first night, he meets a mysterious young woman who’s also come to Toyotoki Island, is also all alone, and was mistreated in the past as well. The two end up working together to get by, and in so doing find new places for themselves and ways to achieve their goals. This also leads to them meeting other residents of the island and getting close to them as they too grow as individuals. 

So the first thing you should know going into Tales From Toyotoki is that this is a kinetic novel, and not the sort of visual novel where you’ll make decisions. Yes, there will be a point when Akari Akatsumi will make it seem like you have a choice as to which route you pursue or what you do. You don’t. So those looking for the ability to influence the outcome or a little more interaction won’t find that here.

However, that doesn’t mean you should abandon or overlook Tales from Toyotoki. This is a situation in which that focus works to the benefit of the story. The official descriptions for it reference it being a coming of age tale and story of self-discovery, and the linear nature means Fragaria really gets to focus completely on that element of it. There are no distractions. We’re 100% seeing how our leads and other individuals grow as people. 

I especially appreciated how while everyone gets some time in the spotlight and development, it’s really Hikaru and Lilun getting the most attention. The mystery behind Lilun’s background is handled well, and I appreciated how it didn’t push too hard for immediate answers and reveals. Likewise, I liked how things are never just clean cut or immediately solved for Hikaru. Even when he does make some strides forward, he’s never getting an easy answer or immediate salvation. 

The way the two play off of each other is also a critical part of the story. Hikaru and Lilun each have their own areas of expertise. Alone, they wouldn’t get far. But we constantly see how together, the two are able to help each other out, progress, and get closer to accomplishing things they need to do to grow as individuals or meet their desires.

Tales from Toyotoki’s artistic direction and voice acting also help “sell” its premise. We’re experiencing life on a small island, thanks to seeing things from Hikaru’s perspective. The art direction and character design is, likewise, quite quaint. It feels rustic and homey. The voice acting is good as well, with a cast that feels well suited for the situation. Especially when it comes to Lilun and Akari. I did notice a few awkwardly phrased lines. (For example, one of the earliest ones is “The person I was supposed to live with was nowhere to be seen.”) But those instances are infrequent and don’t detract from the overall experience.

Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch feels designed to keep you captivated by the events of Hikaru and Lilun’s lives as they deal with the odds that are stacked against them. Every win for them is one for the reader as well. It takes its time to show how these young people develop and find their footing, and it’s great when we get to see them succeed.

Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch is available on the Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PC.