adamstan

I'm also on the fence regarding Ikikoi - have read many bad things about it, but OTOH I'm tempted At least the art looks pretty.

I think there's no need for that I keep many "unknown" VNs on my list exactly for that purpose - to remind me what I have to read. When looking on someone else's list I also look for VN's with "finished" tag, or a score. It's just the matter of updating the list - I take care to tag VNs I'm playing, and rate the ones I finish. As for Edelweiss - yes, the version currently available at MG is (supposedly better) retranslation.

Yeah, the first part was indeed relatable, although from what I remember he was somewhat attracted to her (but of course it was complicated). I thought that complaints were more about later parts of the route At least that's what I'd complain about As for denseness (is there such a word? Maybe I should say density?), he was worst in Ruuna's route I think. But wait - hasn't the post about Hatsukoi 1/1 been moved to other topic? I can't see the post you're responding to?

Actually most of my reading was done in 2018 so far, but I cannot pick top 5 Too hard to decide, and scores don't reflect everything...

I tried reading it but it just wasn't jiving with me. Oldest I've read is Kanon. They just feel way too dated. I may have to give it another try though. I loved it, but adventure-point'n'click-gameplay can really get in the way - that's why it scored only 7 pts on my list Also, I didn't like the "remake" from Jast Memorial Collection - it just had that weird filter over original art and sprites, that made everything look blurry and badly cut. I preferred DOS version, with FM music and original 16 color graphics - runs perfectly fine under DOSBox. But it's very tedious without walkthrough. Sometimes I think that it would be nice to port it to Ren'py, throwing out all that adventure-gameplay-mechanic, and converting it into standard choice system. As for the romance VNs that you haven't read (and I did ), I see that Koi Iro Chu! Lips isn't on your list yet - give it a try, it's lighthearted but nice. And has one of the better osananajimi-tsundere routes.

Now I'm starting Dare ka ga Koi Shita Hankagai (A butterfly in the district of dreams) - it seems to be rather obscure VN, that got translated by Sekai in 2017. I stumbled upon it while clicking on random screenshots at vndb front page I see that its vndb scores are all over the place. Wonder how will it go for me...

ASFOS is good too, while we're at it. But IMHHW is better (just remember to apply retranslation patch).

I read only Kotori's route twice (because I stopped reading original translation after this), and it still was good And yes, while maybe not on the "once in a lifetime" level, IMHHW was pretty special to me too.

I started because of the IMHHW itself, after learning how bad original translation was, and not knowing at that moment if or when retranslation patch would come out. And yeah, that's indeed great motivation. After all, ReTL patch was faster than my learning, but in the meantime many other titles joined my untranslated want-to-read-list, so I'm not giving up True.

Yeah, it's truly great, I love it too. If only rest of localization was of the same quality as the title (Unfortunately, it was rather on the level of that "internal" title translation). I wonder if it is possible to do some text-hooking from emulators? (dunno, some kind of screen-OCR from selected area?) I'm thinking not only about Cruise Sign, but also about PC98 titles. Without texthooking, looking up unknown words is royal PITA, especially unvoiced lines...

Some decent fellows at otakulair.com translated walkthrough from seiya-saiga, and put it in correct order. Enjoy: http://www.otakulair.com/english-visual-novel-walkthroughs/if-you-love-me-then-say-so-walkthrough-mangagamer/ That should clear all confusion about missing CGs and conditions for routes.

Another reason to learn Japanese added to the list, thanks. Pity that's console exclusive But it seems that it is compatible with RPCS3 emulator... a glimpse of hope. But still, if I'm not mistaken, it means no text-hooking option But I may give it a go some day. Come on Pulltop/5pb, PS3 is dead, it's time to give us PC port of Cruise Sign! (and then translate it, dammit!) Funny thing, I did quick search for "Cruise Sign PS3" on ebay, and some japanese used game stores list it as "If My Heart Had Wings ~Cruise Sign~" Get a hint, Pulltop!

Hmm... you have some fair points here. That made me thinking. Maybe really my standards were lowered after SukiSuki Because, like I said earlier, to me even those more fanservicey scenes from Akira's route felt like sweet sweet love compared to that almost mechanical fucking in SukiSuki. But when rethinking the whole thing - yep, one or two could have been omitted. If all-ages version was made like Sanoba (cutting only the sex itself) I'd probably prefer it, but it cuts much more, and there are gaping holes left after that. And I agree that first Sakura's and Nanako's scenes were much better.

Ah, now I see. I didn't perceive it that way - for me relationships between characters were more important than the "plot" so that's probably why I was okay with it.

But isn't it somewhat natural? That characters are seeking comforting through physical intimacy? I have to admit that while the scenes were numerous, they didn't feel too much tacked-on to me, at least compared to some other titles I played. (There were also titles that handled it better, but it wasn't the worst)

After stories have lots of sex too That's why Nanako's and Sakura's routes had only one (or one-and-a-half in case of Nanako) h-scene each - they saved it for the epilogue, while in case of Kurumi and Akira they had to squeeze it al into the routes, as they have no after stories. Actually h-scenes in Sakura Sakura didn't bother me too much. Maybe because still they were more tactful than in SukiSuki that I played before And there are some nice pieces of dialogue thrown in, showing affection between characters, so it felt okay for me. I liked Kurumi's route, it had some really nice bits. Try it - and if h-scenes will become annoying, skip just them. (I wouldn't recommend switching to all-ages version in this case, as it skips too much).

Yeah, common route of Naoki's arc is pretty confusing in this regard. I too thought in the beginning that it continued from Nanako's, and then it seemed like a strange mix. It clears up a bit once you pick a route (because then it becomes clear who's Tooru's girlfriend - in Kurumi's route Sakura reappears in this role), and then afterstories progress more smoothly from it, but still there are plotholes here and there.

Fair point. OTOH - she wasn't omnipotent either, as there was whole board. But yeah, it could have gone either way. I think that's too strong - or there are way too many insane people in this world. I would probably be similar to him - deciding it's not worth making the fuss and making more enemies right from the beginning in a new place. And simply being too shy to act violently against them. But I indeed may be not completely normal, so that doesn't count BTW isn't it pretty well known phenomenon, that it's easier to bully new people in any environment, because often they aren't feeling confident?

You're speaking like it was set in your world, but it isn't That's why I'm saying you're disregarding the setting. In US or EU - probably yes. But not in Vincennes I still think they would toss him out - they were just waiting for the pretext.

Well, he was "nobody" there at that moment - just moved in, and his status was pretty low. I'm surprised that you're quoting this scene - I thought that this was about some more serious cases happening later on If he did what you suggest, it would be the end of the story, as he would got expelled immediately for assaulting student council members. You're completely disregarding the setting As for the purpose of this scene - I think it was meant as a device to introduce us to Ruriko I think he starts to wonder, but at the same time tends to overthink things, and because of that never be sure. I know that feeling all too well... "Does she like me? Looks like she does, but what if I'm mistaken? Better wait.." - and then years go by, and nothing happens... At least he finally gets it

It depends on which route you pick - the beginning is vague on purpose. Akira's route continues from Nanako's, while Kurumi's is connected with Sakura. And then it continues in afterstories - in Nanako's epilogue Naoki is with Akira, while in Sakura's - he's with Kurumi. Those afterstories are direct continuation of Naoki's arc timewise - they begin on the day when Nanako is to return from her training camp.

I think this is one of the reasons that he is being compared to Jesus by many characters in story... PE borrows many elements from christianity (starting with the setting), and, while most characters aren't christians themselves, they are influenced by it to various degrees. In case of MC, that's seems to be "Love thy enemies" (and forgive). It becomes less and less popular, being replaced by "Be good only to those that deserve it, and never forgive" philosophy, which is almost exact opposite. So while his attitude might be simply in conflict with readers' philosophy, I think it isn't the case of bad writing. And, I think there's another, more mundane reason he doesn't complain too much - he considers his situtation to be still better than the alternative - being completely broke, chased by a mob, living in run-down room. And, when it really matters, he can be firm and act quickly - but that shows more during the routes than in common. He still isn't run-of-the-mill totally spineless/donkan eroge protag. With this I have to agree at least in part - about not bringing much to conversations most of the times. But then - as it's explicitly mentioned many times - he's kind of newbie when it comes to interacting with girls, due to his previous circumstances, so he's at least partially justified At least, for me it's relatable.

I finished Wind -A Breath of Heart- . Have to agree with @Decay, this VN has some serious pacing issues. Common route drags on and on, and then heroines' routes feel really rushed. However, the story wasn't bad - especially sisters' (Nozomi and Wakaba) and true (Hikari's) route. But a word of warning - while on the first glance it looks like moege, this VN's specialty are bittersweet endings. It's a nakige mixed with mystery. On the romance side - it feels a bit lacking, because routes are too rushed, but there are 3 marriage endings in this VN - nice It's best to follow route order from the walkthrough attached within TL patch - Hinata -> Minamo -> Nozomi -> Wakaba -> Hikari (locked until the remaining four are completed). When following this order, city's mystery unravels the best way. (and there's bonus scene in the Wakaba's epilogue, which unlocks after completing Hinata's and Minamo's routes) I really liked character design - again, that classic anime look - and music. Also, CGs are pretty. But - especially after Sakura Sakura, and seeing those characters, I was missing blinking and other facial animations During my first playthrough I was close to dropping it - common route really is slow and long, but in the end I liked it. Nice idea, but with serious execution issues (that pacing!) - 7/10 Sorry if this post became a bit too chaotic...

That console version of Cruise Sign seems lovely - it's really sad that it isn't the base for FD english PC release I think it's possible - if they transferred publishing rights for all-ages version to 5pb (who are publishers of console version), they may not be able to freely use it for their PC release. Nevertheless - it's a pity Cruise Sign, with decent translation, would make great "IMHHW Perfect Edition" as far as all-ages versions go...

You guys really raise up my hopes for HoshiOri. I'm waiting either for full patch or for my Japanese to become enough to read it raw, but will definitely read it!