Pastel-ish melancholic games?

[alphex]

Basically, games that look like the 1992 Sailor Moon anime or this. Preferably platformers, preferably 2D, preferably set in a modern city/suburban setting. Nature is also fine. But considering I can't find many of these games at all, I am not sure how picky I can be. Just lay it all on me!

'cos while gorgeous, this seems to be a pretty uncommon vibe. Street Fighter Alpha 1 *kinda* has it, 198X has cutscenes that fit the bill, but otherwise, this seems to be really rare. The Amiga has tons of games with pastelly gradient backgrounds, but it's typically more fantasy themed. Indie games seem to either be medieval or cyberpunkish. I want that whole "this looks like a real place but stylized" thing. Also the game would ideally not be garbage.

Thank you!

[spanky]

The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa has a day/night cycle and the outdoor areas when the sun is setting match this style. It also really nails the melancholic feeling you seem to be looking for as far as the story, music and overall vibe.

It's basically an indie Kunio game with more RPG and "life" elements. I really enjoyed it.

[Snake]

Pastel melancholic?

Super Mario World: Yoshi's Island immediately comes to mind, as does Yoshi's Story.  For a cheerful character, the games had a kind of lonesome, melancholic mood.

Xandra no Daibouken (Xandra's Great Adventure)/Whirlo, Super Famicom/SNES.

Pop'n Twinbee, Super Famicom/SNES. - Super pastel, happy melancholic tunes.

Tokimeki Memorial - all versions.

[dsparil]

Pastel melancholic as a descriptor confuses me a little. You mean pastel in general with a sort of misery underneath or just pops of color in something otherwise not particularly colorful. Sailor Moon as an example confuses me a bit more. I'm only familiar with the US version, but I wouldn't necessarily describe that pastel melancholic.

Friends of Ringo Ishikawa gets the general melancholy feeling as does Arrest of a stone Buddha from the same developer although it's much more violent.

Maybe Phoenotopia Awakening, but that's more of a "fantasy but actually post-apocalyptic sci-fi" way; also that's not a spoiler.

Distraint and the sequel? They're side scrolling adventure games that definitely have the melancholy and color down. Sequel is better, but they're really parts 1 and 2.

[ommadawnyawn2]

I kind of agree with Whirlo, at least in parts - IIRC it's also from the music.
Ori 1-2 kinda fit at times.

You seem to think of melancholic as a visual style rather than an emotion? Though I can see how a lonely setting with a sunset would cause it. But 2D platformers generally don't have that vibe while also being pastel.

Maybe Gris?

[alphex]

It's a bit hard to quantify emotions such as melancholy. The game's story doesn't have to be overtly sad or even present at all. Ringo Ishikawa is a GREAT call; I should finally finish that one. That is in terms of presentation (visuals and music) pretty much what I want. Thanks for the heads up!

As far as "emotion or visuals?", I don't feel these are independent from one another. It's all down to the more muted colors and the setting being not quite happy - not fully on edgy apocalyptic, but it all carries a certain sense of loneliness. Like you (ommadawnyawn2) said, 2D platformers often have super bright colors if they go for stuff like a sunset, which isn't exactly yearning in terms of feeling. Sonic comes to mind. And as far as Sailor Moon goes, I meant stuff like these kinda scenes (three links).

Wasn't familiar with any of the other games listed (except for Phoenotopia Awakening, which I haven't played myself though). I'll check them out and report back!

[ommadawnyawn2]

I'm sure there are visual novels with that kinda vibe going by those pics, I just don't really play the genre.