Mr. Saitou
{{Infobox video game
| title = Mr. Saitou
| image = Mr. Saitou cover.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Laura Shigihara
| publisher = Laura Shigihara
| designer = Laura Shigihara
| programmer =
| artist =
| composer = {{plainlist|
- Laura Shigihara
- Toby Fox
}}
| series =
| engine = RPG Maker{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/this-single-serving-ghibli-esque-adventure-about-work-and-worms-will-warm-your-heart/|title=This single-serving Ghibli-esque adventure about work and worms will warm your heart|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|work=PC Gamer|date=2023-03-22|accessdate=2023-07-11}}
| platforms = {{plainlist|
}}
| released = {{vgrelease|WW|March 23, 2023}}
| genre = Adventure
| modes = Single-player
}}
Mr. Saitou is a 2023 adventure game developed by Laura Shigihara. It is set in the same world as Rakuen.
Gameplay
Players control a salaryman who is hospitalized. There, he enters a fantastical alternate reality imagined by a boy and becomes a llamaworm, a combination of llama and worm. Besides a bizarre office life, he collects gemstones in a cave inhabited by various creatures. He does this by completing various puzzles.
Development
Mr. Saitou was released for Linux, macOS, and Windows on March 23, 2023. It is included in the deluxe version of Rakuen, which was released the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/2023/03/19/rpgs-coming-this-week-3-19-23/|title=RPGs Coming This Week, 3/19/23|last=Castillo|first=Gio|work=RPGFan|date=2023-03-19|accessdate=2023-07-11}}
Reception
PC Gamer called it "a bite-sized experience" compared to Rakuen but said it has "a soulful bittersweetness". RPGFan said that it "has heart and something to say", but they felt there was not enough interesting gameplay to recommend it.{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/mr-saitou/|title=Mr. Saitou|last=Richardson|first=Bob|work=RPGFan|date=2023-03-21|accessdate=2023-07-11}} Rock Paper Shotgun called it "a wonderful, short RPG" that satirizes Japanese work life{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/mr-saitou-is-a-heartfelt-commentary-on-the-absurdities-of-business|title= Mr. Saitou is a heartfelt commentary on the absurdities of business|last=Thorn|first=Ed|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2023-04-14|accessdate=2023-07-11}} and identified it as one of their favorite games of 2023 as of July.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/our-22-favourite-games-of-2023-so-far|title=Our 22 favourite games of 2023 so far|last=Castle|first=Katherine|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2023-06-29|accessdate=2023-07-11}} Reviewing the deluxe version of Rakuen for the Switch, NintendoWorldReport said both games "deliver a delightfully charming experience".{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/63203/rakuen-deluxe-edition-switch|title=Rakuen: Deluxe Edition (Switch)|last=DeVader|first=Joe|work=NintendoWorldReport|date=2023-03-21|accessdate=2023-07-11}}