Imitation wa Aisenai

Released by Great in 1989, this title is a narrative-driven sci-fi adventure game set in a near-future world that explores the blurring lines between humans and synthetic beings known as "Imitation Women." Debuting on the PC-8801 and later ported to the X68000, the game is highly regarded by retro enthusiasts for showcasing the evolution of graphics and presentation across different hardware. By exploring philosophical themes of original versus imitation within the framework of a bishoujo game, it remains a celebrated, ambitious experiment in the history of the Japanese PC gaming scene.

Set in a near-future where synthetic beings called "Imitation Women" (I.W.) have become commonplace, this sci-fi adventure explores a world where the boundary between human and machine has grown dangerously thin. Players step into the shoes of an I.W. hunter who, through a specific incident, is forced to deeply confront the nature of existence for both humans and artificial life. The core of the story rests on the dilemma of whether these creations should be treated as mere tools or accepted as individuals with their own personalities. It is a work that brought complex questions about the nature of love, authenticity, and artificiality to the forefront of the era's PC gaming landscape.