What are you playing?

[onorub]

After finishing Seinarukana earlier in the year, i've finished my first route in Aselia The Eternal. Plot was a lot better than Seinarukana and i loved the interactions with the spirits that can be permanently killed, but i still feel the plot got less unique as it went on. It went from being very interesting up to chapter 2, to being half interesting and half generic at chapter 3, to feeling completely generic at the last remaining chapters. So far, i'd say the overall package is as good as original Utawarerumono, but the New Game+ content might bump it up. 

[Stormwolf]

2 hours ago, onorub said:

After finishing Seinarukana earlier in the year, i've finished my first route in Aselia The Eternal. Plot was a lot better than Seinarukana and i loved the interactions with the spirits that can be permanently killed, but i still feel the plot got less unique as it went on. It went from being very interesting up to chapter 2, to being half interesting and half generic at chapter 3, to feeling completely generic at the last remaining chapters. So far, i'd say the overall package is as good as original Utawarerumono, but the New Game+ content might bump it up. 

A common fault in japanese storytelling im afraid :/ awsome beginnings and just full on mehh as it goes along, or boring beginning and epic end. A story which is interesting from the beginning to the end is rare among the rare.

[Dreamysyu]

3 hours ago, onorub said:

After finishing Seinarukana earlier in the year, i've finished my first route in Aselia The Eternal. Plot was a lot better than Seinarukana and i loved the interactions with the spirits that can be permanently killed, but i still feel the plot got less unique as it went on. It went from being very interesting up to chapter 2, to being half interesting and half generic at chapter 3, to feeling completely generic at the last remaining chapters. So far, i'd say the overall package is as good as original Utawarerumono, but the New Game+ content might bump it up. 

Which route did you read? I recommend not skipping Orupha's route. It adds some new information about the origin of spirits that isn't mentioned in the other routes. I guess, in the end this route was my favorite.

And chapter 3 becomes a lot better with the new content in New Game +.

[onorub]

On 11/08/2019 at 12:18 PM, Dreamysyu said:

Which route did you read? I recommend not skipping Orupha's route. It adds some new information about the origin of spirits that isn't mentioned in the other routes. I guess, in the end this route was my favorite.

And chapter 3 becomes a lot better with the new content in New Game +.

Did Aselia and i'm doing Tokimi next. Good to know Orupha's route is more complex than just her learning that the life of her enemy is valuable as well.

Update: Did all routes and i really liked the New Game+ content and the chapters i complained about being better in different routes. The VN went from "borderline great" to "near classic" for me.

Ranking down routes: Orupha>Aselia>Esperia>Tokimi>Uruka>Kyouko>Lesteena.
Ranking down heroines: Esperia>Tokimi>Aselia>Uruka>Kyouko>Orupha>Lesteena.

Edited August 16, 2019 by onorub

[Noir]

Im reading umineko. Its growing on me.

[TexasDice]

On 5.8.2019 at 10:10 AM, Ranzo said:

4.  Why didn't they have a sprite of Sora giving the thumbs up? She does it all the time and it wouldn't have been that hard to do.

That drove me nuts too. She does that so much. 

[Seraphim]

I'm done with Tsukihime and Kagetsu Tohya now. I really liked Tsukihime for the most part, but it got pretty repetitive at times. You know about the backstory, relationships and true nature of certain characters after playing through one route, but then you have to wait around for it to be revealed in every other route as well just because Shiki hasn't learned about it yet in them. I would have preferred if they had put all that stuff in a shared common route instead, since it's boring being fed information you already know over and over again. It's also pretty stupid how some major elements of the story randomly changes depending on which route you go down, although the prerequisites are the same.

Spoiler

Like how SHIKI's (not the protagonist) appearance changes entirely or how he has different abilities in different routes (turning his blood into swords in one route, physically hurting Shiki by self-harm in the dream world in another route, and seeing death lines like Shiki in yet another one). I get that it's probably supposed to represent the fact that he's possessed by Roa in the Arcueid/Ciel routes, but it still doesn't make sense how he is possessed in those routes and then not in the others. The backstory's the same, so he should either be possessed by Roa in all the routes or none of them.
I was kinda expecting some plot twist like "in these routes, you were actually playing as SHIKI and the opponent was Shiki, who you played as in the other routes", but instead they were like "Okay, this dude looks like this now. You should just accept that."

Another annoyance was when the game decided to go crazy with random nonsense just to seem deep/disturbing/whatever. It just looks stupid to me. One example:

Spoiler

As for Kagetsu Tohya, it sucked. The story was utterly uninteresting, and not even the comedy stuff, that the VN relies quite heavily on, was very entertaining. I might reread Tsukihime someday (especially if the remake is ever released), but Kagetsu Tohya won't be a part of that deal.

Edited August 14, 2019 by Seraphim88

[Seraphim]

Just figure I should mention that there's an InvertMouse bundle on sale at Indiegala.com right now, if anyone's interested. Without Within 2 and 3 (the first one is already free), Unhack 1 and 2, The Last Birdling and Cursed Sight, for a total of $3.99. Digital artbooks are included for all titles as well (although that doesn't really interest me).
Out of the batch, I've only read the Without Within series so far, but I really like them. 1 and 2 are mostly lighthearted and cute, while the third one has a more serious and emotionally engaging story.

Since I purchased the bundle but already own Without Within 2 and 3, I can gift the keys for those to anyone who wants one. I'll give one each to two people, so tell me which one you want.

[littleshogun]

Play Kamidori again for nth times, and I want to try to max the stats for all of the characters and complete the CG if I have time. By the way I also do 'no game over music challange' and 'no death challange here', and Mylen's growth is very good here in that you didn't need Marwen accesories much to max her neccesary status.

[Toranth]

On ‎2019‎年‎8‎月‎14‎日 at 8:18 AM, Seraphim88 said:

As for Kagetsu Tohya, it sucked. The story was utterly uninteresting, and not even the comedy stuff, that the VN relies quite heavily on, was very entertaining. I might reread Tsukihime someday (especially if the remake is ever released), but Kagetsu Tohya won't be a part of that deal.

Whoa!  Thems fightin' words, there.

The main story was mostly jokes and character cameos shoe-horned into a 'plot'.  It's understandable that if you weren't a huge Tsukihime fan to begin with, the KT story wouldn't appeal.  But not liking the side stories?!

Of course, many of the side stories were parodies or homages to other Japanese works, but there were still a bunch of them that I thought were very good.  Especially Daybreak, Tohno Family Con Game, and Yoimachi Kanwa (unless you were one of those weird people that didn't like Akiha).  Did you not like any of them?

[Seraphim]

2 minutes ago, Toranth said:

But not liking the side stories?!

The side stories were actually far more enjoyable than the main game. The ones you mention, as well as Imogirisou, are my personal favorites. I can see myself rereading some of the sidestories at some point, but I sincerely doubt I'll ever feel like going through the main story again.

[cykaki]

Love Cube, I'm really enjoying the characters so far.

Spoiler

 

[Seraphim]

Is there any reason to wait for the finalization of the JAST version of Majikoi rather than pick up the existing translation right now? I've been putting off reading it for quite a while, but I'm really itching to read it and it seems kinda pointless to wait since the new version is supposedly done by the same team.

[Mr Poltroon]

3 minutes ago, Seraphim88 said:

Is there any reason to wait for the finalization of the JAST version of Majikoi rather than pick up the existing translation right now? I've been putting off reading it for quite a while, but I'm really itching to read it and it seems kinda pointless to wait since the new version is supposedly done by the same team.

The 'same team' only did two routes, Miyako's and another important one. All else was done by a different guy (possibly not very well, but the dialogue and events are so hysterical I didn't really notice any problems).
It'd also be nice to support English releases, but that's an aside.

[Jun Inoue]

1 hour ago, Seraphim88 said:

Is there any reason to wait for the finalization of the JAST version of Majikoi rather than pick up the existing translation right now? I've been putting off reading it for quite a while, but I'm really itching to read it and it seems kinda pointless to wait since the new version is supposedly done by the same team.

Read it now for its greatness, and later on get the JAST version to support the game's official release.

[littleshogun]

On 8/22/2019 at 4:08 AM, Seraphim88 said:

Is there any reason to wait for the finalization of the JAST version of Majikoi rather than pick up the existing translation right now? I've been putting off reading it for quite a while, but I'm really itching to read it and it seems kinda pointless to wait since the new version is supposedly done by the same team.

No reason really, in that you can pick the existing translated version of that. Also yeah it's pointless to wait, unless you prefer some characters got no voice because apparently JAST can only guaranteed that Kazama family will be voiced, and it's obviously mean that there'll be some characters that got no voice probably because of the licensing cost (Some of the seiyuu after all are pretty well known one, so it's logical that the cost will be slightly expensive).

Edited August 23, 2019 by littleshogun

[Seraphim]

49 minutes ago, littleshogun said:

there'll be some characters that got no voice probably

Damn, that really sucks, and it's a major incentive for playing the old version rather than the new one. I'll start reading the current translation as soon as I'm done with Noble Works then, and if I enjoy it, which I assume I will, I'll pick up the JAST version later on to show support.

[Zou]

Playing Evenicle here. After the feelings and deception train it was Island, I wanted to relax and have a good time fighting with cute girls drawn by Yaegashi Nan-sensei in a colorful fantasy world. So far I've been enjoying it quite a lot. Has anyone here played it too?

[Mr Poltroon]

2 minutes ago, Zou said:

Playing Evenicle here. After the feelings and deception train it was Island, I wanted to relax and have a good time fighting with cute girls drawn by Yaegashi Nan-sensei in a colorful fantasy world. So far I've been enjoying it quite a lot. Has anyone here played it too?

Yes. Others, such as I, have certainly played it, yes.

[Zou]

Nice! It is very fun. Chapter 2 is a bit more dry and there is not much comedy to go around, but for me it works. Ramius best girl by the way.

[Jun Inoue]

12 hours ago, littleshogun said:

No reason really, in that you can pick the existing translated version of that. Also yeah it's pointless to wait, unless you prefer some characters got no voice because apparently JAST can only guaranteed that Kazama family will be voiced, and it's obviously mean that there'll be some characters that got no voice probably because of the licensing cost (Some of the seiyuu after all are pretty well known one, so it's logical that the cost will be slightly expensive).

Oh boy, it really sounds that my namesake, the dear Inoue Jun, will probably be one of those. Considering it's the seiyuu of Gintoki (Gintama), he might be an expensive one.

[tracekira]

Little Busters and Ayakashibito

Dissapointed in Little Busters Overrated

[r0xm2n]

Since I havn't posted in this thread in a while, I'll list my thoughts about the last 3 VN's I've finished.....

 

To Heart 2

https://vndb.org/v20

My first thought is, why didn't this VN get an official release!?

I really had a lot of fun with this VN. It had a lot of colorful characters and comedy. It had it's fair share of drama too (nothing too serious).

I always like my Tsundere characters, and Yuma was as bonkers and entertaining as they came. Konomi and Manaka were friggin' adorable. And Sasara probably had the best route overall (quite a lot of drama, and quite a lot of fanservice too).

 

Under One Wing

https://vndb.org/v17827

This VN had a few standout music tracks, and I liked the plane battles (I wish there were more of them).

Otherwise it's a typical rom com. Hikari was highly amusing with her sexual jokes (and sexual harassments). And as far as Tsunderes go, Kazusa is quite a level headed one.

 

Sankaku Ren'ai: Love Triangle Trouble

https://vndb.org/v19444

This VN is just loaded with lots of quirky, nerdy, 4th wall breaking humor, and tons of references! Easily one of the funniest VN's I've read (it's up there with the likes of Fureraba and Grisaia).

Shiina in particular was hilarious, with her Eroge memes (though the whole cast managed to be almost as quirky as she was)!

And of course, this VN has juicy imouto H scenes (and they aren't too long winded either) 

 

Meanwhile, here I am still waiting on releases like Lamunation and Aokana....

[Zou]

On 24/8/2019 at 1:19 PM, tracekira said:

Little Busters and Ayakashibito

Dissapointed in Little Busters Overrated

I read it half a month ago and I think it's one of the best VN's out there, with Refrain being probably the best true end I've seen in a while. It isn't perfect by any means, especially when it comes to Kud's and Saigusa's routes, but's pretty decent in my opinion.

[tracekira]

36 minutes ago, Zou said:

I read it half a month ago and I think it's one of the best VN's out there, with Refrain being probably the best true end I've seen in a while. It isn't perfect by any means, especially when it comes to Kud's and Saigusa's routes, but's pretty decent in my opinion.

Sorry but i think 80% of it is overrated slice of life crap: play with cats , collect caterpillars, catch a cat , help serve food , participate in a song contest , help prepare lunch, play baseball , play kick the can, go on a date , repair a bench , move a table , clean the table , ... i can go on for hours and hours .... That material is for 12-14 years old , except a few rare wtf moments , which could be easily adapted .... then its a beautiful novel for kids ... i don't contest that .... but for adults ... now way , you have to be low IQ to enjoy this drivel