The Real Face of a VTuber – Visual Novel Detective Game About Online Identity

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• DEVELOPER: 莉莉恩工作室
• PUBLISHER: WhisperGames
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Visual Novel / Detective
• RELEASE DATE: January 13, 2026  
• STARTING PRICE: 11,79€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

If the word “VTuber” alone makes you instinctively hesitate, the provocative title The Real Face of a VTuber might initially push you away. That would be a shame, because beneath the sensational framing lies a surprisingly thoughtful, comedic, and genuinely engaging mystery adventure. The game makes its stance clear from the very beginning: everything here is fiction. The idea of a “person inside” a VTuber exists purely as a narrative device, disconnected from any real individuals or organizations.

However, if you’re someone who enjoys visual novels, follows a VTuber, or is simply curious to explore that world in more depth, then The Real Face of a VTuber is likely the right game for you. I’ll admit, I’m not usually very interested in VTubers myself, but the anime aesthetic combined with a detective-style investigation instantly hooked me.

Easy to follow and read visual novel

What really surprised me is how relaxed the experience can be. You can lean back in your chair, play on a Steam Deck, or wherever you happen to be, hit the autoplay button, and simply read without constantly clicking through dialogue. You can even adjust the reading speed to your liking. Of course, you still need to interact when making choices and decisions, but otherwise the visual novel format feels genuinely comfortable like you’re watching an anime. That said, I was a bit disappointed by the log system, it only goes back so far, and you can’t scroll all the way to earlier dialogue.

As a fast reader, I really appreciated how The Real Face of a VTuber doesn’t waste your time. Every character feels distinct and memorable. There are six beautifully designed anime girls, and you’re the only male character in the story (aside from the judge). The narrative stays focused on its core premise throughout, which is really nice. But, while humor is present and flirting is part of the experience, the game sometimes struggles with tone. It often doesn’t seem to take itself seriously enough, despite tackling heavy themes like murder, lies, manipulation, and deception. In some moments, that tonal clash doesn’t quite land.

The story begins with an absurd yet intriguing setup. A murder occurs at Lilien Co., a small VTuber agency that manages the globally popular talent Kuripa. The victim is the company’s representative director who also happens to be a literal chicken. It’s not a nickname or a metaphor. He is, in fact, a chicken. From there, the game leans fully into its surreal tone while still committing to a serious investigative structure.

You play as a prosecutor tasked with uncovering the truth behind the case. Six employees of Lilien Co. become suspects, each bringing their own personality and potential motive to the table. Suspects include an insecure illustrator, an overprotective modeller, a self-shipping manager, a lethargic developer, a delusional planner, and a secretive staff member who refuses to talk. Plus, there are side characters like your assistant and a police officer.

Simple gameplay paired with internet investigation

What complicates matters further is Kuripa herself, or rather, the mystery of who she really is. At the start, Kuripa’s performer is a tightly guarded secret, known only to a handful of people. As the investigation progresses, however, multiple suspects begin claiming that they are Kuripa. Because Kuripa was actively streaming at the time of the murder, determining who was “inside” the VTuber becomes directly tied to alibis and contradictions. Someone is lying, possibly several people are, and the game constantly challenges you to question whether those lies are meant for self-preservation or manipulation.

Gameplay revolves around careful information gathering through interrogations, investigations, and online research. Conversations unlock keywords that expand your lines of questioning, gradually building a web of evidence and testimony. Unexpected details often emerge if you take the time to listen carefully, rewarding patience over rushing to conclusions. All collected information is neatly organized into notes, making it easy to cross-reference facts and spot inconsistencies.

A standout mechanic is the emphasis on internet investigation. Since VTubers exist primarily online, reviewing stream archives, examining social media posts, and even reading chat logs becomes essential. While this information doesn’t always count as formal evidence, it often provides crucial leads that shape the direction of interrogations. It also reflects a modern understanding of how online personas and public perception can influence real-world events.

Once you believe you’ve pieced together the truth, the game transitions into its courtroom phase and this is where it truly shines. The trial sequences are surprisingly authentic, featuring opening statements, witness testimonies, objections, and logical back-and-forth between prosecution and defense. You must present solid evidence, avoid leading questions, and carefully decide when to press an issue or let it slide.

Suspenseful till the end

The narrative is quite unpredictable, suspenseful, and consistently entertaining from the beginning to the end. You genuinely don’t know who is the killer and the game has multiple endings you can discover. But, The Real Face of a VTuber is quite forgiving when it comes to mistakes, you can literally spam objection in the courtroom without any consequences. It’s trying too hard to be easy, never really giving you a proper challenge. Sure, reading is recommended, but you have so many tools that help you with the investigation that sometimes you can just skip certain dialogues.

I also have some concerns regarding the English localization. At various points, untranslated Chinese characters remained in the text; while this didn’t disrupt the game’s flow, it was definitely noticeable. Additionally, the hint system feels inconsistent. While the assistant’s guidance is occasionally helpful, other text-based hints are quite confusing. I would love to see a feature where, if a player is truly stuck, the system highlights the specific decision or document needed to progress.

The Real Face of a VTuber isn’t trying to be Ace Attorney. Instead, it aims to be memorable, and it largely succeeds thanks to its unusual premise. I can’t recall another game quite like this, with a VTuber at the center of a murder mystery. If you’re already a fan of visual novels, there’s really nothing to lose by picking this up. If VNs aren’t usually your thing, you might be hesitant, but there’s something about The Real Face of a VTuber that makes it surprisingly likable, even within such a niche genre.

Review copy provided by the publisher