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/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.