What are you playing?

[Dreamysyu]

Started Steam Prison.

My first impression: the writing doesn't appear to be very good, and there are some annoying otome tropes, but at the same time the setting is pretty interesting, so I'll continue reading it for now.

[Mr Poltroon]

3 hours ago, Dreamysyu said:

Started Steam Prison.

My first impression: the writing doesn't appear to be very good, and there are some annoying otome tropes, but at the same time the setting is pretty interesting, so I'll continue reading it for now.

I love it. My experience with it is that through dozens of endings it explores the setting thoroughly.

[Plk_Lesiak]

For a while now I wanted to check out the old VNs by A. J.Tilley, the founder of Dharker Studio, to make a shovelware adventure episode about it. Basically, they are the dark early history of EVNs, games that popped up before the scene got into proper shape and did their part in reinforcing the idea of everything non-Japanese in the niche is shit. I theoretically knew what I was getting into, but still, I wasn't truly ready...

Sword of Asumi is pretty much that extremely embarrassing, edgy fanfiction wrote by a 13-year's old girl and dropped by every reader over 15 after first chapter. How lovely does it sound to have a female assassin protagonist and a bunch male and female romance options in an alternate-timeline Japan, where the shogunate won the civil war before the Meiji restoration could happen? No very, if our "strong female lead" is too dumb to live and the writing doesn't exist beyond spewing all the most ridiculous cliches and tripping over its own feet. Holy damn...

Divine Slice of Life, on the other hand, feels like the laziest nukige setup ever, but doesn't even deliver that much when it goes to lewdness. Thankfully, it also doesn't treat itself seriously, unlike Sword of Asumi, so if not the janky animations, poor voice acting, obnoxious mythological references... I'd would be nearly passable. I also have a soft spot for the childhood friend heroine in it, but that's not enough to not make it complete trash regardless.

And then there's Highschool Possession... So, what do you do when you wake up in the body of your high school crush? Of course, YOU MASTURBATE. And this is just the first layer of creepy in this game. The way it tries to establish itself as a legitimate drama VN while mixing in some of the most uncomfortable fanservice imaginable (like, I would not ever think of some of the situations that lead into sex scenes in it) is just miserable to observe. It had a few decent ideas but damn, I want that scene of being in a girl's body and getting coerced into sex by her abusive boyfriend out of my mind.

But hey, I wouldn't be the trash-easter that I am if I stopped there and... Highschool Romance, despite being a "trap protagonist in an all-girl boarding school" cliche is actually pretty cute. Not genuinely good, but decent filler to run in the background while tediously editing databases. I've only seen like 20% of it so far, but I don't think it's going to get any near as dumb or off-putting as those previous three. That will only leave me with Beach Bounce, which, as I imagine, should be an equivalent of a mid-tier Sakura game. Should also be nowhere as painful as those earlier ones, although I might leave it out for a separate post, as it's spawned its own, embarrassing little series...

Edited March 12, 2019 by Plk_Lesiak

[Seraphim]

I'm currently reading Rewrite, and it's pretty underwhelming so far.
 

Spoiler

Kotori's and Chihaya's routes, which I went through last week, were decent, but Lucia's route, which I just finished, left me with a bitter aftertaste.
I actually enjoyed it at first, but her "Boohoo, I'm a sad, lonely and misunderstood girl" act got tiresome pretty fast. She started bawling when she thought her power accidentally killed Chihaya, but it's pretty damn hard to sympathize with her during those (supposedly) touching scenes, when she had just wiped out a city full of people and tried to kill Kotarou by crushing him under a huge chandelier. Not to mention the fact that she fights her so called "best friend" with a sword, tries to kill Kotarou again by chopping his head off with said sword, and says she's going to go around killing people in other cities as well just because she wants some artificial purpose in life.
Am I seriously expected to feel bad for her after all that? She's just a selfish prick, and I'm actually kinda annoyed that she got a somewhat happy ending.

I hope the last routes will be more interesting than what I've seen so far. If they're not, Rewrite will probably be the VN that has disappointed me the most.

[Dreamysyu]

23 minutes ago, Seraphim88 said:

I hope the last routes will be more interesting than what I've seen so far.

It's subjective, of course, but I personally liked Akane's route and the true routes the most.

[Seraphim]

Yeah, I'm hoping that's the case for me as well! There's been nothing really impressive so far, but I figure there must be some reason why it's the 16th highest rated VN on VNDb.

[nekofuwafuwa]

After being away from the Visual Novel world for a long time, I'm reading Supipara, chapter 1.

A shame that I will never know the end of the story since minori is no more...  

A little off-topic but I'm also really happy that the Irotoridori Kickstarter campaign was successfull, I can't wait to play it when it is complete!

Edited March 12, 2019 by nekofuwafuwa

[Plk_Lesiak]

Continuing my musings on AJ Tilley that are interesting to no one but myself, I'm genuinely surprised by how decent Highschool Romance turned out to be. I'm pretty sure I liked it this much mostly through contrast with the absolute abominations that Sword of Asumi, Divine Slice of Life and Highschool Possession were, but still... It left me with only positive emotions and I even digged the cartoonish artstyle. It's all-around passable and that's so much more than I can say about most of those early Dharker games. I'm even slightly excited to watch a let's play of Magi Trials the next time I have 10 hours of boring office work to get through.

It also reminded me that while there are many possible layers of "good" when it goes to entertainment , there's way more layers of "terrible". It's my personal opinion that while there are limits on how brilliant something can get, there's nearly a botomless depth of dreadful out there and it's darkest chasms are not populated by people that don't give a fuck and spew shovelware, but those that genuinely think they're creating something interesting but have no freakin' idead what they're doing.

Edited March 13, 2019 by Plk_Lesiak

[Mr Poltroon]

5 minutes ago, Plk_Lesiak said:

Continuing my musings on AJ Tilley that are interesting to no one but myself, I'm genuinely surprised by how decent Highschool Romance turned out to be. I'm pretty sure I liked it this much mostly through contrast with the absolute abominations that Sword of Asumi, Divine Slice of Life and Highschool Possession were, but still... It left me with only positive emotions and I even digged the cartoonish artstyle. It's all-around passable and that's so much more than I can say about most of those early Dharker games. I'm even slightly excited to watch a let's play of Magi Trials the next time I have 10 hours of boring office work to get through.

It also reminded me that while there are many possible layers of "good" when it goes to entertainment , there's way more layers of "terrible". It's my personal opinion that there are limits on how brilliant something can get, there's nearly a botomless depth of dreadful and it's darkest depth are not populated by people that don't give a fuck and spew shovelware, but those that genuinely think they're creating something interesting but have no freakin' idead what they're doing.

Good job. You've convinced me to try Highschool Romance.

[Seraphim]

One thing that's been bugging me from that Rewrite route I mentioned in my previous post:
 

Spoiler

It's pretty clear at the end of the "paranormal" arc that Lucia's been fully aware all along of the fact that she's Asahi Haruka, so why was she surprised by the "don't wake me" message in the printer room early on in the route? She doesn't suffer from amnesia or multiple personality disorder, and there's no need for her to act surprised to fool Kotarou, since he wasn't there at the time.
Was that all just a terrible and completely illogical plot device added to prevent people from thinking that Lucia = Haruka too early?

 

[Plk_Lesiak]

17 minutes ago, Mr Poltroon said:

Good job. You've convinced me to try Highschool Romance.

You're probably already aware of my awful standards, but I just wanted to make it clear it's still in the "readable trash" category, alongside things like Sakura Santa or Sakura Nova (although it's way less ecchi). You've been warned.

[Mr Poltroon]

2 minutes ago, Plk_Lesiak said:

You're probably already aware of my awful standards, but I just wanted to make it clear it's still in the "readable trash" category, alongside things like Sakura Santa or Sakura Nova (although it's way less ecchi). You've been warned.

I'm actually not sure where I stand. I don't typically actually try things in the "trash" category, so I don't know if I'm one of those that eats this sort of thing up or not. I just know that I like the art-style and that you have stricter standards (in some respects) than I do.

[Plk_Lesiak]

1 hour ago, Mr Poltroon said:

I'm actually not sure where I stand. I don't typically actually try things in the "trash" category, so I don't know if I'm one of those that eats this sort of thing up or not. I just know that I like the art-style and that you have stricter standards (in some respects) than I do.

Well, if you ever decide to check it out, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. At the very least, I've found it very inoffensive, which is in direct opposition to most Dharker games, not just those super-early ones.

[Okarin]

Currently playing Ponkotsu Akuma (really good nukige) and today I finally cleared Michiru's route from Chrono Clock, which felt like a true chore at the start and middle but that had a nice end.

[ArgentstR]

8 hours ago, Seraphim88 said:

One thing that's been bugging me from that Rewrite route I mentioned in my previous post:
 

  Hide contents

It's pretty clear at the end of the "paranormal" arc that Lucia's been fully aware all along of the fact that she's Asahi Haruka, so why was she surprised by the "don't wake me" message in the printer room early on in the route? She doesn't suffer from amnesia or multiple personality disorder, and there's no need for her to act surprised to fool Kotarou, since he wasn't there at the time.
Was that all just a terrible and completely illogical plot device added to prevent people from thinking that Lucia = Haruka too early?

 

As far as I'm aware the last thing you mentioned is how it is.

Rewrite has to have been the VN that I've read were it was most obvious that there were different writers for the routes. Their styles varies pretty wildly.

[adamstan]

Yesterday I completed another route in ToHeart.

This time it was second childhood friend - Shiho (well, technically they've met in middle school, but she fits the role )

While I considered her just annoying gossiping brat when I played Akari's route, here she became quite likable. The route was quite funny, with their constant bickering and banter (which their classmates call just "lover's quarrels" ) , although a bit surprising, since it isn't really romance route - more of a friendship one.

Spoiler

 

Somewhere during the course of the route, Hiroyuki notices that the feelings for Shiho kind of crept up on him It is also obvious that she likes him too, but cannot openly admit it. Finally he confesses, but she rejects him (it was a bit similar to Ageha's route from Konosora in this - like, to the very end she was unable to say that she loves MC). It turns out that she decided to give up on him for the sake of Akari, whom she considers her best friend - and who obviously likes Hiroyuki too. She even tried to kind of push the two of them together - very clumsily . Also, she's afraid of losing her group of friends - Hiroyuki, Akari and Masashi, and wishes that everything could stay the same forever. So they remain as best friends.

The epilogue is set four years later, with Hiroyuki running hopelessly late for lecture. Suddenly some beautiful lady in red convertible stops by, and offers to give him a ride. It turns out it's Shiho, who just got back from America, where she went after graduating. She became journalist - kind of continuing her "Shiho-chan's gossip news" activity from school They get stuck in traffic jam, so Hiro is unable to make it in time for his lecture. Instead they drive to their old school, and engage in some nostalgic conversations. Shiho's quite grown up, and now considers that giving up on guy that she loved (and who loved her) was rather childish, and now she and Akari are love rivals.

 

So, there's a hint of a romance that may happen after the ending, but it isn't shown. Still, nice route, I had lots of fun with it.

Next one, according to walkthrough I'm using is Serika - quiet ojousama, and sole member of an occult club (does that remind you of anything? )

 

Edited March 14, 2019 by adamstan

[Dreamysyu]

Continuing with Steam Prison. And it does get better. You know, right now it feels like the best otome I've tried so far. It's good that I didn't stop my attempts to get into this genre even though my initial impression wasn't that great.

[Seraphim]

11 hours ago, ArgentstR said:

Rewrite has to have been the VN that I've read were it was most obvious that there were different writers for the routes. Their styles varies pretty wildly.

Yeah, I think this and Katawa Shoujo are the most obvious ones I've read. During the Lucia route,

Spoiler

Kotarou suddenly became extremely oblivious, to the point where he's on par with, or maybe even surpasses, Yuuma from Hatsukoi. He goes on and on about how he doesn't understand what Lucia wants him to say to convince her to live, although it's completely obvious to any remotely sane person. I couldn't help but react to how out of place and uncharacteristic it felt, since he hadn't shown any such tendencies before.

 

[Thyndd]

12 minutes ago, Seraphim88 said:

Yeah, I think this and Katawa Shoujo are the most obvious ones I've read. During the Lucia route,

  Hide contents

Kotarou suddenly became extremely oblivious, to the point where he's on par with, or maybe even surpasses, Yuuma from Hatsukoi. He goes on and on about how he doesn't understand what Lucia wants him to say to convince her to live, although it's completely obvious to any remotely sane person. I couldn't help but react to how out of place and uncharacteristic it felt, since he hadn't shown any such tendencies before.

 

Rewrite spoilers 

I'd say that at the end of Lucia's route both Lucia and Kotarou went full retard, and you never go full retard. 

It's a shame since I really liked Lucia's character until that point... That is, until the moment she goes completely out of character. This is not even due to the fact that each route has a different writer, since we're talking about Kotarou and Lucia's personality within THAT same route. 

Overall I still liked it... But I won't deny that it left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. So if you feel the same, you are not alone. 

 

[Seraphim]

17 minutes ago, Thyndd said:

Spoiler

It's a shame since I really liked Lucia's character until that point...

 

Spoiler

Couldn't agree more. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I actually liked Lucia's route at first. I thought it was shaping up to be the best one so far, but then it went south to the point of no return sometime during the second half of the route. It felt ridiculously out of character how she went homicidal/genocidal out of the blue, completely contradicting the gentle personality she had before, where she'd get upset to the point of crying by a flower wilting. I honestly can't think of another VN route that has managed to worsen my opinion of it to the same extent that Lucia's route did.

 

[Mr Poltroon]

10 hours ago, Dreamysyu said:

Continuing with Steam Prison. And it does get better. You know, right now it feels like the best otome I've tried so far. It's good that I didn't stop my attempts to get into this genre even though my initial impression wasn't that great.

Where are you at right now? I've finished this pretty recently so I'd love to talk about it. I only know of a few other people playing otome (not that I play many myself).

[Dreamysyu]

17 minutes ago, Mr Poltroon said:

Where are you at right now?

According to the walkthrough I follow, right before the first route split. I guess, it's still the very beginning of the game.

Spoiler

Last time I played I stopped where Cyrus was released from the punishment cell where she was put after she protected Rielith from some Hounds guy.

Well, considering that I'm currently switching between this and a few other things, it will most likely take a while before I finish it.

[Mr Poltroon]

1 hour ago, Dreamysyu said:

According to the walkthrough I follow, right before the first route split. I guess, it's still the very beginning of the game.

  Reveal hidden contents

Last time I played I stopped where Cyrus was released from the punishment cell where she was put after she protected Rielith from some Hounds guy.

Well, considering that I'm currently switching between this and a few other things, it will most likely take a while before I finish it.

Nice.

Spoiler

Yes. When I started the game I also thought it wasn't that well written (or at least I didn't like it much. Especially the very first scene just made me bleh).

Things changed, however, when it came to being outside her country. Indeed, the setting is a very strong point.
I will also note here that I ended up liking a bunch of the characters once I got to know them. None of which show up during the prologue scenes.

Actually, the very moment where my opinion began to turn was when she met the Saint. From there on my opinion only went up.

(Doesn't spoil anything for you)

[ChaosRaven]

So, I'm currently also poaching in otome territory and finished Hakuouki - Kyoto Winds, the first part of the saga with the second part Edo Blossoms to follow. While Ozmafia left we with somewhat mixed feelings due to a wonky plot, this was overall a vastly better experience. I think this is also the first VN that I've read that could be called historic fiction, following a group of Shinsengumi samurai through the fall of the shogunate during the second half of the 19th century. I liked the two anime seasons and therefore always wanted to read the visual novels too. The first part does focus on the events in Kyoto and the conflict with the Satsuma domain.

Surprisingly, despite being an otome and playing a female protagonist, this didn't feel 'girly' at all. Although the characters are certainly a bit romanticized, the whole atmosphere and setting was serious and mature. Although the VN has many hero routes and choices, it's still more of a plot focused kinetic story. The chapters focus on certain historic events involving the Shinsengumi and the choices mostly decide which characters to follow. The romance was at least in this part very light - there was not even a kissing scene. It's more bromance than romance. The protagonist was also so passive that she often appeared more like an independent observer instead of a fully involved character. The VN is clearly more about the story and the interaction of its characters and less about the interaction with the protagonist. I think there was even a choice to switch off romance at the start, but I didn't use it since I wasn't sure what I'd miss.

Ironically, this often felt more like a well written chuunige due to its focus on cool guys and sword fighting action. You won't find your typical idiot friend here. The characters were a real blast, not only the Shinsengumi themselves, but also their enemies and the Choshu clan in particular. I think only Fate and Dies Irae put so much attention into their male characters. 

Although this is a historic VN, it also has some fantasy elements. There are furies - vampire-like individuals with special powers (that's not even a spoiler since it's already shown in the prologue) - and the Choshu also aren't exactly normal. Overall, my favorite character was Hijikata, the commander of the Shinsengumi whose route I played first. Then I played the route of the Choshu leader Kazama and Saito's afterwards. I thought about playing Harada's route as well, but with each route there's less new stuff and only the endings are a bit different, so I passed on it. Amagiri was also pretty cool despite being just a side character. Though those were only my favorites, since I liked most characters.

The production values of the VN are very high. Great art even with animated mouths, good music, top voice actors and lots of drawn and voiced characters in general. It's hard to believe that this VN is already more than 10 years old.

Overall, I'd rate this part an 8/10. I'd even given it a higher rating if the protagonist would have been better developed and more pro-active, but it was also not a big hassle, since she was more passive and not annoying. Looking forward to the second part. 

Edited March 14, 2019 by ChaosRaven

[Stormwolf]

Hmm, romance or not, protagonist feeling like she's not part of the plot is not a good sign that :/ what's the point of a protagonist if he/she is redundant in the story?

It's like having an Indiana Jones movie where he is sidelined the entire movie. Would be terrible. Point is, the story belongs to the protagonist, otherwise it's best to tell the story from an outside perspective (not sure how to explain this) or jump between the characters the writers give a crap about as the story goes.

Edited March 15, 2019 by Stormwolf