Collar X Malice
Collar X Malice is a PlayStation Vita adventure game released in 2016 developed by Design Factory. It centers on location exploration, character and object interaction, and objective or clue progression, with controls and information arranged around the twin analog sticks, directional pad, shoulder and face buttons, adding front or rear touch, gyroscope, cameras, or microphone only where explicitly used.
- AI score · out of 10
- 8.1 / 10
About this game
Collar X Malice is a PlayStation Vita adventure game centered on location exploration, character and object interaction, and objective or clue progression. Locations, objectives, and clues gradually open the main chapters, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Theme, character expression, and environmental clues need to support exploration together, while the high-density portable display, stereo audio, touch feedback, and handheld interface need to keep text, targets, and state changes clear at a small scale. The genre-specific limitation is that guidance, objective triggers, camera behavior, or dense text can create search and comprehension costs. Platform conditions also include proprietary memory cards, touch or gyroscope input, battery life, download availability, cross-platform features, and retired online services affect the current release. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.
Collected in series
Collar x Malice mixes criminal investigation with romance as a young police officer is drawn into a conspiracy by a poisonous collar. Following clues also means deciding whom to trust, with relationships giving the mystery a personal stake.
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PlayStation Vita
AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
A rich crime romance with limited hands-on investigation.
Collar x Malice on PS Vita turns a poisoned collar placed on police officer Ichika Hoshino into the center of a crime mystery and character-led romance. The player mostly reads and makes route choices, with occasional investigations adding a welcome but limited interactive element. Five substantial strands focus on different cases, allowing relationships and the wider Adonis plot to unfold without forcing much repeated common material. A direct European Vita review describes a lengthy thirty-to-fifty-hour journey supported by striking portraits, urban backgrounds, ominous antagonist footage and Japanese voice work; the music is competent rather than memorable. Quicksave, quickload, chapter selection and touch-friendly menus make exploring alternate outcomes considerably easier on the handheld. This evaluation is specifically for the 2017 Vita localization, not the later Unlimited fan disc or Switch port. Readers who want a long mystery and developing personalities will find much to follow, while those seeking a fully interactive detective game should expect a visual novel first.
Strengths
- Distinct case routes, strong art and easy branch navigation.
Weaknesses
- Sparse investigation play and less memorable music.
Who it is for: Visual-novel readers seeking long crime and character arcs.
Play notes: This is the localized Vita original, not Unlimited content.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Distinct case routes make extensive reading feel purposeful. | Reviewed | 8.4 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Choices and brief investigations add agency to a reading-led thriller. | Reviewed | 7.7 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Rich art and voice work sustain tension despite unremarkable music. | Reviewed | 8.5 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Vita save and touch tools make long-route reading manageable. | Reviewed | 8.2 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Idea FactoryDesign Factory
- Publisher
- Aksys Games
- Release date
- 2016
- Platforms
- PlayStation Vita
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Interactive Narrative · Primary genre
- Tags
- Linear LevelsSolo-friendly3D GraphicsStory-drivenPuzzle SolvingExplorationThird PersonSlow BurnMain Story 10–20 HoursInvestigation
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- Single player
- Perspectives
- Not provided
Release editions
- PlayStation VitaWorldwide2016
Game gallery
Sources
Not provided