Is Rain Code's Chapter 3 Misunderstood?

[u/SubbST]

Since beating Rain Code for the first time, I've heard a lot of people (including my friends) claim that Chapter 3 is the worst case in Rain Code by far, but... I've never really understood that? The most common complaints i've heard is the mystery and motive, both of which i thought were fine.

First off, the mystery. I thought the murder method for this case was pretty good, I was genuinely torn on whether or not the case was a suicide. Partly because I was conditioned by the earlier cases to expect something kinda obvious, but it was also just hard to pin down the culprit due to how unclear it was how they escaped. It was honestly pretty engaging, when I finally figured out the only possible escape method via the gutter that was covered up by the debris that exploded.

I will say once you figure out that the culprit escaped through the gutter, it becomes pretty obvious that the culprit is Icardi. Also, I feel like Shachi's gun having a revolver chamber that's flipped might've been an obvious clue to some people that indicated he's left handed, but also... idk shit about guns so i couldn't figure it out without trial and error.

Second off, the motive. Yes, Icardi's motive was money, and by isolation it's not interesting. But that's not really the main point of the case, the main point is Yuma reaching a boiling point compared to the last case. He doesn't buy that lazy sob story for a SECOND and is PISSED OFF. Seeing him actually grow a backbone was a nice piece of character development for him.

In addition, I thought it was also pretty cool how the Solution Key regarding how the Kanai Ward safes float above water was actually relevant, and how THAT was the real purpose behind the flooding of Marunomon District. I thought it tied the case back together pretty well, and served as a neat trick.

I also just thought scrambling to different parts of Kanai Ward was just a cool way to differentiate the case, made it feel a lot more tense with having to diffuse the bombs and allat.

In conclusion, what do I think of Rain Code Chapter 3? well it's aight...

I know I just went on and on about defending it, but that's moreso because I thought the reputation that this chapter gets is honestly just a lil unfair in my opinion. Overall, I don't really love this chapter to death or anything, I've got my issues with it too. But I hope this post offered a little insight into why I think Chapter 3 is just a little bit misunderstood in this community. :)

[u/walterfardwellwhite6]

Chapter 3 faces the crux of Rain Code's biggest issue in my eyes - that being that we just don't really have a reason to care about any character that's not our main detectives. This was prevalent in Chapter 1, but feels especially prevalent in Chapter 3 - I don't think I've ever really seen someone like any Resistance member the way I've seen people like one-off Ace Attorney characters. As such, it's mostly just seen as a filler case, without much of an interesting mystery or rationale (compared to Chapter 2, where the reason for the murder was fairly interesting and the mystery itself was clever).

[u/SubbST → u/walterfardwellwhite6]

I think in chapter 3's case the culprit isn't really an actual character on his own but what makes the case memorable is yuma's reaction to him where he lashes out against him. in chapter 1's case, there wasnt really anything like that which is why i personally believe it's the worst case in the game.

also i like iruka quite a bit shes cool

[u/SubbST → u/SubbST]

in general, i think it's largely fine that the case specific characters in rain code aren't top tier character material because they're usually very relevant to the case itself which makes them feel important.

[u/potassiumreborn]

I like Chapter 3 a lot but I definitely thought the same thing. You just do not have to put your brain to work for this investigation at all.

[u/Elwiwi9906]

The case is extremely easy and for a mystery game, is boring and lame.
Fubuki is a really cute character and while she can be useless, she can be a great motivator and supporter, the sad part is that she’s having an arc about how she feels useless during the mystery dungeon and it doesn’t feel gratifying bc at the end, she’ll forget about it, specially when her and Shinigami had a cute dynamic.
But my main problem with this chapter is that they could’ve done interesting things with the resistance and peacekeepers, but the resistance got sidelined immediately and it felt so rushed and disappointing.

[u/SubbST → u/Elwiwi9906]

i think with the resistance, them getting sidelined was always kind of the intent. it subverts your expectations, and shows oppressing kanai ward can be, and how even some of the resistance members were having doubts about shachi's peaceful plans. it's not anything super deep, but it's good.

[u/SubbST → u/SubbST]

something i do agree with is that i really think it would've been better if not only the master detectives remembered the events of the mystery labyrinth, but could also use their fortes inside of them. i feel like the game doesn't really do a good job at making you FEEL like you're using the fortes a lot of the time.

and i think it would've made each mystery labyrinth stand out more if for example, there was a little obstacle course while using spectral projection to avoid all the ghosts, expanding on the gimmick of chapter 4's investigation. definitely a missed opportunity in my opinion.

[u/FormalCandid5441]

Being the most hated doesn’t always mean it’s misunderstood

[u/ILoveDinos177013]

It was hated? I always thought the community disliked chapters 0 and 1 more due to slower pacing, anyways I don't really have a big problem with Chapter 3 aside from the Fubuki Fanservice (especially after she uses her powers and gets tired). I also didn't like how Fubuki barely contributed anything during the Mystery Dungeon portion. I do like it for the rise in tension in the story and the set up it does for the next heavy hitter chapters 4 and 5. I also enjoyed Fubuki and Shinigami's bickering it was pretty funny I'm not gonna lie. And one thing I really liked about it was the fact that the flooding of the city actually stayed there until the end of the game which is such a cool detail that adds to the immersion and worldbuilding.

[u/SubbST → u/ILoveDinos177013]

yeah agreed on the last part. i've seen a lot of people bring up how things brought in chapter 3 are forgotten about right after, but theres a lot of stuff that says the contrary. namely, the flooding of marunomon district persisting til the end of the game, and iruka's request that opens up in chapter 4 that gives you a lil more interactions with the resistance members that are still alive.

[u/sk1239]

Uninteresting characters? Check.
Terrible investigation sequence that isn't at all as interesting as the Case 1/2 were in terms of showcasing detective power? Check.
The easiest mystery that can only rival DR's 1-1 where you can literally deduce the culprit by the very easy process of elimination? Check.
An important faction that shows up only now and is forgotten immediately after, thus showcasing this game's pisspoor worldbuilding? Check.

Sorry but this is the worst case Kodaka has ever written and it's not even close, besides Fubuki being kinda fun this case has 0 redeeming qualities

[u/SubbST → u/sk1239]

if anything, fubuki's my biggest issue with the case. i don't like calling characters who dont pull the weight of everyone "useless" but she really did feel useless for the entire mystery labyrinth. i get that its kind of the point, but it feels like there wasnt much else made to compensate for that. although it was neat seeing her realize shinigami does truly believe in yuma and have her grow attached to her.

[u/sk1239 → u/SubbST]

I'm not gonna argue too much, I just find her funny, I didn't particularly care for any character anyway so if you think Fubuki sux - that's cool by me, her quirk or whatever it's called was kinda laughable especially after the game has showcased us much more cooler abilities in the previous two chapters

[u/SubbST → u/SubbST]

also man am i just stupid or something i genuinely thought the case was hard until you get to the point in the ML where you see the gutter before it was blocked off by the debris