《幻想牢獄的萬花筒》（日文原名：幻想牢獄のカレイドスコープ）是由Entergram發行的心理懸疑文字冒險遊戲，劇本由知名作家竜騎士07操刀，他以《寒蟬鳴泣之時》、《海貓鳴泣之時》等作品聞名，擅長描寫人性黑暗與社會邊緣議題。角色設計則出自樋上至(いたる)之手，她曾參與《CLANNAD》、《AIR》等經典視覺小說的製作，因此本作從製作陣容便引起許多日式AVG玩家的高度期待。Nintendo Switch版於2020年12月發售，是專為掌機平台量身優化的版本。

故事的開端看似平凡，舞台設於現代日本的一座高中，四位高三少女——梓杏、紫、コロネ與れもん，在畢業前夕舉辦一場私密的同學小聚。然而聚會很快變調，四人被困入一個如同童話世界般的神秘密室，眼前出現一個自稱主持人的謎樣人偶，宣稱她們即將參加名為「同窗會」的死亡遊戲。整個空間如萬花筒般變幻莫測，牆上掛滿詭異畫作，四季更迭於方寸之間，少女們必須在生存壓力之下，一步步揭開彼此隱藏的秘密與傷痕。

在敘事上採用「多視角分章制」，每章由不同角色主導視點，隨著故事推進，玩家將逐漸拼湊出每個角色內心的創傷與動機。雖然故事主體是封閉空間中的生存遊戲，但真正想傳達的是角色心理成長與人性對抗命運的掙扎。竜騎士07特有的筆觸讓角色對話充滿壓力與真實感，情緒張力極強，經常讓玩家陷入不安與好奇交織的閱讀節奏中。

在遊玩方式上，是傳統的文字冒險遊戲，透過閱讀主線劇情並在關鍵時刻做出選擇來推動劇情。內含多重結局設計，選項會直接影響角色的命運與故事的最終走向。不同於一般戀愛或輕小說風的視覺小說，風格更偏向心理懸疑與驚悚，時而壓抑、時而哀傷，甚至帶有些微殘酷童話的色彩。儘管操作簡單，但因文本分量紮實、對話豐富，極度考驗玩家的耐性與閱讀投入度。

Switch版本在操作與體驗方面表現穩定，支援手持與TV模式，無論是大螢幕沉浸體驗還是攜帶式隨時閱讀都十分合適。字體設計、配樂與音效也針對平台做優化，並收錄全語音演出，由多位資深聲優擔綱角色配音，使情緒傳遞更為真實。

從市場反應來看，獲得中上評價。遊戲在日本視覺小說玩家群體中擁有一批忠實擁護者，尤其是竜騎士07粉絲與喜歡心理驚悚類型的玩家，對其劇情深度與角色刻劃給予高度肯定。評論普遍認為是「小品但精緻」的心理劇，有著濃厚的「人性審判」風格，雖然遊戲流程相對短小、分支不算龐大，但劇情安排緊湊、情感處理細膩，讓人一口氣沉浸其中直到結局。

不過也有評論指出，若以傳統AVG標準來看，遊戲的互動性較低，且重玩要素偏少。某些玩家也認為部分劇情過於壓抑、角色動機揭露節奏略快，可能會讓期待長篇鋪陳與世界觀擴展的玩家感到意猶未盡。

總體而言，這是款極具劇情張力與心理描寫深度的視覺小說作品，特別適合喜歡懸疑、密室推理、黑暗童話與角色內心掙扎描寫的玩家。並不以豐富系統或自由選擇取勝，而是用濃縮、壓迫且撼動人心的劇本，帶給人記憶深刻的遊戲體驗。在Nintendo Switch這樣能隨時開啟、隨地閱讀的平台上，本作顯得更加合適，是可以在日常縫隙中細細品味的心靈劇場。

Gensou Rougoku no Kaleidoscope (Japanese title: 幻想牢獄のカレイドスコープ, English: Kaleidoscope of Phantasm Prison) is a psychological suspense visual novel published by Entergram. The scenario was written by the renowned author Ryukishi07, known for his work on Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry) and Umineko no Naku Koro ni, both of which are celebrated for exploring the darker facets of human nature and fringe societal themes. Character design is by Itaru Hinoue, the famed artist behind visual novel classics like CLANNAD and AIR. With such a high-profile creative team, the game quickly garnered attention from Japanese visual novel fans, particularly those who follow Ryukishi07’s emotionally intense and often disturbing narratives. The Nintendo Switch version, optimized specifically for handheld play, was released in December 2020.

At first glance, the story begins with a seemingly ordinary setting—a modern Japanese high school. Four senior girls—Anzu Azusa, Murasaki, Korone, and Lemon—gather for a private get-together on the eve of graduation. However, the reunion soon takes a grim turn as they find themselves trapped in a surreal, fairytale-like room. A mysterious puppet claiming to be a “host” appears and announces that they have been enrolled in a deadly game called “The Class Reunion.” The space surrounding them is as unpredictable as a kaleidoscope—its walls are lined with bizarre paintings, and seasons shift with every turn. Under the pressure of survival, the girls must unravel each other’s secrets and past traumas one step at a time.

The narrative unfolds through a multi-perspective, chapter-based structure, with each chapter presented from a different character’s point of view. As the story progresses, players gradually piece together the emotional wounds and hidden motivations of each girl. Though the premise revolves around a locked-room death game, the heart of the story lies in the psychological evolution of the characters and their struggle against fate. Ryukishi07’s distinctive writing style lends a palpable tension and realism to the dialogue, and the emotional tone can swing sharply from dread to melancholy. The game maintains a powerful narrative rhythm that keeps players both uneasy and intrigued.

Gameplay-wise, Kaleidoscope of Phantasm Prison is a traditional visual novel. Players advance the story primarily through reading, making crucial decisions at key points that determine character fates and lead to multiple endings. Unlike many romance-focused or light novel-style visual novels, this title leans more into psychological horror and suspense. It features moments of emotional oppression, sorrow, and a touch of grim fairytale atmosphere. While the gameplay is mechanically simple, the density of the text and the emotional weight of the dialogue make it a deeply immersive and intellectually demanding experience.

The Switch version runs smoothly and supports both handheld and TV modes, making it suitable for immersive big-screen play or casual reading on the go. The font design, sound effects, and background music have been adjusted for the platform, and the game features full voice acting performed by a cast of experienced voice actors, adding authenticity and emotional impact to every line.

In terms of market reception, the game received generally favorable reviews. It found a dedicated fan base among visual novel enthusiasts in Japan, especially fans of Ryukishi07’s emotionally charged and morally complex storytelling. Critics often described the game as a “compact but refined” psychological drama, emphasizing its strong “judgment of human nature” theme. While the game is relatively short and not especially complex in terms of branching paths, its tightly structured narrative and emotional nuance allow for a gripping experience that many players find hard to put down.

That said, some reviewers noted that the game offers limited interactivity by traditional visual novel standards and has minimal replayability. Others mentioned that some parts of the story felt emotionally heavy or revealed character motivations too quickly, which might leave players hoping for deeper world-building or a longer narrative arc feeling slightly underwhelmed.

Overall, Kaleidoscope of Phantasm Prison is a visual novel rich in psychological tension and emotional depth. It’s especially recommended for players who enjoy suspense, locked-room mysteries, dark fairy tale elements, and introspective character studies. Rather than relying on complex systems or extensive player freedom, the game offers a concentrated, oppressive, and profoundly moving narrative experience. On a platform like the Nintendo Switch, which allows for flexible play anytime and anywhere, this title feels right at home—perfect for players seeking a quietly intense, story-driven journey they can savor at their own pace.