Penny Larceny: Gig Economy Supervillain is a criminally fun visual novel

Penny Larceny: Gig Economy Supervillain is a new visual novel from Arcade Spirits devs Fiction Factory Games. Like that prior catalogue title, Larceny is a fresh visual novel bursting with wit, liveliness and charm that is hard to fault. Take control of a supervillain of your design in a crime caper story that lets you pet cats, plan elaborate heists, get to know others in the crime underworld and even romance computers. Yes, you read that right.

Though it might not be out for a few weeks, I’ve gotten early access to the game and have been delighted thus far, eager to experience more. Though you have the same blueprint of a green-haired thief up to no good, skin tone and pronouns can be chosen for the anti-hero, changing how they’re interacted with in the world. It’s also an amusing and self-aware game.

This quickly becomes apparent when you see that Penny Larceny: Gig Economy Supervillain has much to say about the current day and tech-obsessed society. Weird, zany characters that are impossibly rich will complain to you about their privileged everyday ‘issues.’ This happens to the character while they’re a person struggling to make ends meet, squatting in an abandoned building and just trying to at the very least earn enough money for their cat’s vet bills.

Complimenting this is striking character profiles all distinguished with fantastic flair. My favourite of the bunch? The enchanting Overmistress draped in a red dress, selling the scene. Backing all of this is an electro-swing soundtrack (like that of French unit Caravan Palace) pieces that are all earworms in their own right.

Penny Larceny releases on PC on July 26th. If you’re after a grooving visual novel fixing with some criminally good vibes then this will surefire be a must play. Check it out.