What are you playing?

[dwaif]

6 hours ago, ittaku said:

After attempting to play Fruit of Grisaia and failing miserably, I've started playing the very light and fluffy moege offering from Purple Soft, Chronoclock, which many say is their least interesting game. Unsurprisingly I'm enjoying it 1000x more than Grisaia so far. It's easy to see what I play VNs for, and I should stick to what I know works...

Chronoclock was actually my first true visual novel I read, and it's safe to say that it was a good choice on my end. I really liked most of the cast, minus D.D lol
It's moege that has an interesting enough premise to keep playing. Grisaia is pretty good, it just takes forever to get through the common route. It also has such a massive shift in tone and only a couple of choices that matter. I can't blame anyone for not wanting to play it all the way through because of that.

Right now I'm getting into Planetarian. I'm not that far in, but the setting has me interested since it's something I haven't seen from Key before. I imagine it won't take me long to breeze through the entire game in one sitting, but we'll see.

 

Edited March 5, 2019 by dwaif

[Ranzo]

Playing Heart of the Woods because I am all about that yuri life dogggg....

[Fred the Barber]

If you like ChronoClock, you should play the much better moege that was released (in English) a few months later, WagaHigh (though I probably like the art a bit better in ChronoClock, admittedly; Purple Software stuff looks amazing). It's very moege, and though the hook sounds less interesting, it's actually used much better than ChronoClock uses its (really interesting but tragically under-leveraged) hook.

[adamstan]

Yeah, WagaHigh was great, although I felt a bit overwhelmed with h-scenes. Half of them would be enough   (And I didn't like the way nipples were drawn in h-cgs)

Recently I got all-ages version on Steam sale, and I plan to reread it in Japanese some day (+18 version misses dual-language feature).

Edited March 5, 2019 by adamstan

[Stormwolf]

4 hours ago, Fred the Barber said:

If you like ChronoClock, you should play the much better moege that was released (in English) a few months later, WagaHigh (though I probably like the art a bit better in ChronoClock, admittedly; Purple Software stuff looks amazing). It's very moege, and though the hook sounds less interesting, it's actually used much better than ChronoClock uses its (really interesting but tragically under-leveraged) hook.

Certainly Chronoclock looks better. Wagahigh has proper copy paste heroines from x amount of other vn's. There is nothing at all unique. Chronoclock though have heroines with a bit fresher look. I haven't read them so i can't speak for the personalities.

[adamstan]

Yay, I completed first route in To Heart PSE やった！

It was Akari's (childhood friend) route.

Well, it was pretty decent, and because it requires to get along with some other characters, also serves as nice introduction. I wasn't too fond of conflict this route uses - but I have to admit, that while I was facepalming at MC sometimes, his behaviour was believable - pretty immature, but well, they're 16, what should I expect And additionally confused by their lifelong osananajimi relationship. To quote Hiroyuki's thoughts (my loose translation, quoting from memory):

"Childhood friends - almost like siblings, but not related. Definitely closer than friends, but still not lovers. How long can we continue this strange relationship?"

At least everything ends well - as it should with moege

As for the other heroines that I met during this route, I really liked Lemmy, Multi (robot girl) and Aoi-chan. Shiho seems to be annoying brat I'm also interested in Tomoko, for two reasons. I like girls with glasses, and she's voiced by Aya Hisakawa

With 10 heroines total it will certainly take me some time to finish it, but after that first route I'm definitely going to continue

 

The game features also radio program called "Heart to Heart" that you can choose to listen to on Saturday evenings (totally optional, doesn't affect routes). Most of it went over my head, 'cause it's audio-only, and they're talking pretty fast, but it sounds nice.

Spoiler

And then one day, while walking thru a city you can meet the girl that hosts it, and get her autograph I wonder if it's bonus for listening to all parts? Will check on next playthrough.

Also, chibi-sprites used on map-movement screens are absolutely cute.

Edited March 7, 2019 by adamstan

[adamstan]

Also, in my first post about To Heart I've said something about the actual game looking better than screenshots on VNDB (like AIR or Crescendo). It turns out, that this time it's simply due to PSE edition having improved graphics (both characters and backgrounds) The "bad" looking screenshots were from first PC 18+ version.

or

Spoiler

 

Edited March 8, 2019 by adamstan

[Stormwolf]

suffers from some truly ugly droopy eyes though :/

[adamstan]

Yeah, especially first version. However, redrawn version (bottom one in each pair) looks okay to me. As for the second CG (in the spoiler), she has cold.

Also faces in first version have some weird shapes (chins).

Edited March 8, 2019 by adamstan

[Stormwolf]

It's better for sure, but still not good. I'd play it regardless though, if I could

[Inorin]

Just completed Steins Gate Linear Bounded Phenogram. It contains 10 short stories, all of which were pretty interesting (especially the last one).

Spoiler

Another interesting thing to note is that Okabe isn't the only one who had used the Time Leap Machine/PhoneWave (apparently Luka, Kurisu, and Mayuri had also used it).

Now that I've completed it, I kind of want to re-read the original by reading Steins Gate Elite to refresh my memory, but I guess I will (finally) start on Ef instead.

Edited March 8, 2019 by wei123

[Plk_Lesiak]

I've just finished reading Heart of the Woods and it was excellent. Got a little bit cheesy by the end and I think certain plot developments were slightly too convenient, but I don't even agree with Solidbatman's complaints about the bad endings - I think those were quite well-done and more bitter-sweet than downright depressing, so they didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth. The aesthetic was wonderful all throughout the game and the prose was superb, even in moments when the "essence" of the story had its weaker moments. The romance was well-developed, but didn't overshadow the tense main intrigue.

Really, an excellent job from Studio Elan - it's a game that should be considered a gold standard for EVNs and I'd be surprised if anything was able to surpass it any time soon.

Edited March 10, 2019 by Plk_Lesiak

[Ranzo]

Finished playing Heart of the Woods (last night TAKE THAT LESIAK!)

 

I really liked it though it went from normal to what the fuck am I reading pretty quickly...something, something talking cat.

The writing was good, the story was pretty good, the yuri was great. I liked the protag even though she was a total glasses girl (Her glasses really made her look goofy in her new duds I just have to say) The villain could have been a little better though

In any case I'll give it a pretty dope/10

Edited March 10, 2019 by Ranzo

[Mr Poltroon]

I also finished Heart of the Woods.

My immediate thoughts appear to have been " Much real, much magic, much cute, much worth. "

To elaborate a bit, I thought the setting began very real, and quite modern. A fair bit into it there was something of a shift, and then it became a fantastic tale. The romance was absolutely stellar on all counts.
Things I liked were characters really turning into something different from their initial impressions. Shout-out for Morgan, she is awesome, and she really grew. Still, Tara is best girl. Also, #ThirstyGhost.

[Stormwolf]

Reading root double. Had some trouble getting into it, by now I'm seriously hooked. Pretty sure I've already figured out some things, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[ImYandereTrash]

About to start reading Under One Wing. Looks good from what I've seen on the steam page.

[Jun Inoue]

Been checking the school life comedy VN options to get some relaxing read, and I might start with Hoshiori.

[Trickay]

Long time since I've posted but other things in life had to take precedence. Recently I've read Chrono clock, which I wasn't too fond of the SoL and I felt the routes were weaker than the prologue that hooked me in, I enjoyed Makoto's the most but then I never unlocked Cro's route as I lost interest. I've been continuing with Meikyuu (slowly) but really popped on here to say I had just finished 'Lucy' in a single session binge read which bore the fruits of a Planeterian/Chobits baby!  I very much enjoyed it and would love to read similar (I've already been recommended Himawari and Subarashiki elsewhere). I need more onion filled VNs!

Also while I'm here and waffling, RiP minori, seriously WTF I loved eden and I was really looking forward to trinoline! 

[adamstan]

18 minutes ago, Trickay said:

I was really looking forward to trinoline!

AFAIK Trinoline translation wasn't cancelled. Of course probably it will be delayed, but I suppose it will end up like with Chuablesoft's VNs that MG picked up. (SukiSuki and Byakko)

However, I'm not too hyped about it - judging from some post on forums, it isn't as good as it seems at first glance. (Some even say, that "nakige" tag should be replaced with "nukige" one ) Also, some tags it has are serious turnoff for me (like, ekhm.. watersports...)

I might try All-ages version if MG really releases it...

Edited March 12, 2019 by adamstan

[Inorin]

29 minutes ago, Trickay said:

Long time since I've posted but other things in life had to take precedence. Recently I've read Chrono clock, which I wasn't too fond of the SoL and I felt the routes were weaker than the prologue that hooked me in, I enjoyed Makoto's the most but then I never unlocked Cro's route as I lost interest.

Welcome back! I finished Chrono Clock last month, and while I generally dislike SoL, I somewhat enjoyed reading it. All routes were okay, but I liked Michuru's route the most. 

35 minutes ago, Trickay said:

I've been continuing with Meikyuu (slowly) but really popped on here to say I had just finished 'Lucy' in a single session binge read which bore the fruits of a Planeterian/Chobits baby!  I very much enjoyed it and would love to read similar (I've already been recommended Himawari and Subarashiki elsewhere). I need more onion filled VNs!

While I would also recommend Subahibi, it's for a whole different reason altogether (mystery). I wouldn't say it's similar to Lucy at all ; it's more similar to Umineko.  Can't comment on Himawari since I haven't read it. The most similar VN to Lucy is Planetarian, but you've already read it.

[adamstan]

As for the robot girls...

Ame's route from Dal Segno may also apply if one looks for onion-filled story with AI girl.

DS was one of the very first VNs I've read, and this route was probably the first one that made me really crying...

However it is unlockable route, available after completing all others first.

I haven't read Lucy yet, but I loved Planetarian.

I wonder how Multi's route in ToHeart will turn out. Some say that she's the best character in whole game And based on the interactions with her in the common route, I already like her

Edited March 12, 2019 by adamstan

[Trickay]

1 hour ago, wei123 said:

All routes were okay, but I liked Michuru's route the most. 

Little Michuru was truely awesome, sad route ending. I did Makoto, Michuru and Misaki, couldn't be arsed with DD, but maybe the weird attempt to be British turn me off; is it worth fighting through just to get Cro's route?

 

Wei, i just noticed you're reading Ef, I loved eden has it got a similar vibe?

Edited March 12, 2019 by Trickay
Opened eyes...

[adamstan]

1 hour ago, Trickay said:

is it worth fighting through just to get Cro's route?

I'd say it is - Cro's route was good, and pretty emotional too. Also, loved Michiru's route. Actually, DD's route wasn't bad either, you just have to get used to her weird speech (and its equally weird "reversed" translation style)
BTW ToHeart also has similar character - half-American blonde girl, Lemmy, who tends to throw random English into her speech.

But she doesn't do it in a exaggerated way like DD, it just slips out I find her pretty likable. But then, I started to wonder, if one wanted to make english version of this VN^* - how to approach it? Some people propose to leave English as it is, but use capitals or italics or sth... but then I encountered one scene that would be pretty untranslatable. They are talking about tests, and it went somewhat like this:

Quote

 

Lemmy: (．．．) Ｃｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙ

Hiroyuki(MC): ケミストリー？  (he didn't undesrtand the word, he just repeated it in katakana)

Shiho: 化学という。　("It means chemistry")

 

Mission impossible

BTW it's interesting how writers portrayed Lemmy's weird speech, as apparently she speaks with foreign accent, so her lines are weird mix of English, kanji and katakana. (VN was intially unvoiced)

* Disclaimer: I'm NOT doing TL project for this, I was just curious

Edited March 12, 2019 by adamstan
fixed kanji typo - there should be 化学 (chemistry) instead of 科学 (science)

[Inorin]

1 hour ago, Trickay said:

Little Michuru was truely awesome, sad route ending. I did Makoto, Michuru and Misaki, couldn't be arsed with DD, but maybe the weird attempt to be British turn me off; is it worth fighting through just to get Cro's route?

Yeah I didn't like DD's route too, but Cro's route is totally worth it. Miu's route was a downer though.

 

1 hour ago, Trickay said:

Wei, i just noticed you're reading Ef, I loved eden has it got a similar vibe?

Well, I only just started on Ef, so I can't really tell. The art is stunning though, just like Eden

Edited March 12, 2019 by wei123

[Thyndd]

1 hour ago, Trickay said:

Wei, i just noticed you're reading Ef, I loved eden has it got a similar vibe?

Very different story wise, but same energy  I don't think anyone liked eden for the plot, but for the atmosphere, the music and visuals and the cute slice of life. If that's the case, you'll probably enjoy ef. It's my favorite romance VN still to this day!