ROBOTICS;NOTES DaSH

Tanegashima trades world-ending conspiracy for an uneasy summer reunion, but the familiar Science Adventure tension never stays light for long. ROBOTICS;NOTES DaSH continues the story after the events of ROBOTICS;NOTES ELITE, following former Robot Club member Kaito Yashio as he returns to the island while chasing his astronaut ambitions. The arrival of Itaru “Daru” Hashida, the eccentric hacker known from STEINS;GATE, brings a new perspective and a suspicious undercurrent to the island’s festival season. Warm comedy, romance, club nostalgia, and increasingly strange incidents share the screen in a character-driven anime visual novel.

Most of the playtime revolves around reading conversations, observing the cast’s reactions, and making choices that steer scenes toward different character routes and endings. Kaito remains the central viewpoint for much of the story, while Daru’s presence introduces his own humor, technical expertise, and connections to the wider Science Adventure universe. Rather than demanding reflexes or tactical skill, progression depends on paying attention to dialogue, phone-based interactions, clues, and relationship developments. The pace is deliberately novel-like, with long stretches of banter and slice-of-life downtime punctuated by mysteries that reward players who enjoy following a complicated timeline.

Its biggest strength is the crossover appeal: Daru is not merely a cameo, but a major player whose personality clashes entertainingly with the Tanegashima cast. Colorful character art, voiced scenes, and a summery island setting give the game a more relaxed surface than STEINS;GATE, even when its science-fiction plot begins tightening the screws. DaSH works best after completing ROBOTICS;NOTES ELITE, since it assumes familiarity with the club, prior revelations, and several emotional relationships. Fans of STEINS;GATE, CHAOS;CHILD, and slow-burn branching visual novels should find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers are better served by starting with ELITE first.