《終結幸福路線》（Ending the Happy Route）是以命運、選擇與心理扭曲為核心主題的懸疑文字冒險遊戲，由Water Phoenix開發、KEMCO發行，於2025年10月2日在日本正式推出，支援PlayStation 5、PlayStation 4、Nintendo Switch 與 Steam 平台。以極具哲學與情感深度的敘事方式，探討「幸福是否真實存在」與「當命運的正確路線被抹除後，人類意志是否仍能改變結局」等命題，營造出一種既壓抑又深刻的氛圍，被視為年度最具實驗性的視覺小說之一。

故事圍繞著主角赤羽冰河展開。他自幼便擁有一種異能，可以「看見選項」。在人生的每個關鍵時刻，他都能察覺命運的分歧，只要選擇正確的路徑，就能迎來更美好的未來。對冰河而言，這是一種掌握命運的力量，一種確信「幸福是可選擇的」的信念。然而，某天他驚覺這個能力產生了變化——那些通往光明的「正確選項」被某種詛咒般的力量封印，取而代之的，是一連串導向悲劇與毀滅的錯誤抉擇。世界開始出現異變，人們的記憶與時間出現錯亂，而他成為唯一記得「原本世界」的人。

為了奪回那條本應存在的「幸福路線」，冰河開始與螢幕另一端的「玩家」對話。遊戲中，玩家並非只是旁觀者，而是直接參與故事進程的角色。冰河將玩家視為「命運之外的存在」，兩人必須合作，收集名為「言靈」的能量，淨化被污染的選項，並摧毀造成命運崩壞的「咒言」。玩家在閱讀劇情的同時，必須做出關鍵抉擇，而每一次選擇都將改變故事的方向與角色的命運。隨著分歧不斷擴大，真相逐漸浮現——或許幸福的路線從一開始就不曾存在，所謂的「正確選擇」只是命運製造的幻覺。

操作採傳統的視覺小說模式，玩家透過閱讀文本、選擇對話分支推進劇情。不同的是，將「選項」本身設計成故事的一部分。當劇情進入關鍵分岐時，畫面上的選項會被黑色裂紋覆蓋，象徵污染與命運的錯亂。玩家若被迫選擇錯誤選項，將進入崩壞的世界線，看到角色痛苦、絕望甚至消失的過程。這些負面分支不僅是懲罰，更是揭示世界真相的必要環節。每通關一條結局後，冰河會將他的記憶留給玩家，讓玩家能透過系統的「路線圖」重新選擇過去，打開新的命運之門。這樣的結構讓玩家體驗到命運循環的無力感與希望並存的微妙張力。

登場角色各具象徵意涵。主角赤羽冰河是唯一能看到「選項」的存在，他的內心在理性與絕望之間徘徊。紙島亜由乃是他從小的青梅竹馬，理解他、包容他，但她的命運也被封印的選項所改寫。天笠麗羅是嚴謹而純真的後輩，崇拜哥哥、追求秩序，卻在混亂的世界裡逐漸質疑何為「正確」。花咲來歌是一位原本不應存在於任何路線中的少女，她的出現打破命運的框架，象徵被錯誤創造出的幸福幻影。夜龍院瑠衣則是學生會副會長，擁有神秘的知識，彷彿知曉整個世界運作的祕密，是貫穿故事的關鍵人物。

美術風格極具特色，以灰藍與血紅為主色調，營造出冷峻而超現實的氛圍。角色立繪筆觸細膩，背景場景則以光影錯位呈現出世界的「崩壞感」。配樂部分由Water Phoenix旗下的音樂製作團隊操刀，以鋼琴、弦樂與環境音構築心理壓力與孤獨感，營造如夢似幻的沉浸體驗。整體美術與聲音共同塑造出一種「幸福正在腐朽」的詩意恐懼。

儘管目前尚未發售，遊戲在日本視覺小說社群與Steam討論區中已引起極高關注。許多玩家認為本作融合《命運石之門》的時間悖論敘事、《極限脱出》的心理張力，以及《寒蟬鳴泣之時》的絕望氛圍，呈現出一種前所未見的沉重敘事實驗。KEMCO過去多以傳統RPG 聞名，如今攜手Water Phoenix打造這款結合哲學與心理的視覺小說，被視為該公司在敘事類型上的一次重大突破。

《終結幸福路線》並非單純的愛情或悲劇遊戲，而是一場與命運對抗、與「幸福」概念本身對話的精神旅程。迫使玩家不斷思考：當知道世界已被污染、當每個選項都錯誤時，是否仍願意相信有一條屬於你的「正確路線」存在。當最後的選項出現時，可能終於明白——真正的幸福，或許不是被選出來的，而是被奪回的。

Ending the Happy Route is a visual novel that tells the story of a protagonist who struggles desperately to alter a fate filled with despair. From childhood, Hyoga Akabane has had the ability to see choices at critical decision points—moments that determine the path of his life. He believed that by choosing correctly, he could progress toward a positive future, a “happy route.” However, someone has deliberately blocked the correct choices, leaving only the worst paths available. As a result, the world around him becomes distorted and strange, deviating from the intended flow of destiny.

In this distorted reality, Hyoga must work together with the player to reclaim the original options and guide the story back to the correct course. The gameplay revolves around making choices at branching points, but the true options are hidden due to the contamination of the choices. To overcome this, the player can use a mechanic called “Kotodama,” which allows them to destroy the source of the corrupted choices, known as “Curse Words.” By carefully navigating the decision chart, players can unlock alternative paths for Hyoga, gradually recovering the proper narrative and uncovering all possible endings.

The story focuses on Hyoga’s interactions with several characters, each playing a critical role in the unfolding drama. Ayuno Kamishima, his childhood friend, understands the difficulties he faces and supports him, even as his missteps strain their relationship. Reira Amakasa is a junior student and sister to the former protagonist, admired for her dedication and hardworking nature, reflecting the ideals of someone striving to live up to a respected figure. Ruka Hanasaki is a character who exists on a route that was previously inaccessible, offering warmth and companionship to Hyoga with her cheerful personality. Finally, Rui Yoryuin, the mysterious vice president of the student council, commands attention and respect with her composed demeanor, acting as a guiding presence within the story.

“Ending the Happy Route” combines traditional visual novel storytelling with an innovative mechanic that allows the player to actively repair the corrupted narrative. The game challenges the player to navigate despair, restore the correct choices, and help Hyoga reclaim his future. By doing so, it creates a compelling and emotionally engaging experience, where the player’s decisions directly shape the protagonist’s fate in a world where the wrong path can lead to irreversible consequences.

Developed by Water Phoenix and published by Water Phoenix in collaboration with KEMCO, the game is available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. It provides both digital and physical editions, offering Japanese audiences the opportunity to experience this deeply layered narrative adventure.