Mini Review of Several VN

It’s been long since I posted something on this blog Not that I didn’t play any VN since last month, but I just face a writer’s block everytime I wanted to post something, haha. Anyway, I’m gonna post a compact review of all VNs I have played in the last month. I’m also in the middle of writing the full review of Caucasus, but that’s for later I guess. Onto the first game!

Furuiro Meikyuu Rondo ~Histoire de Destin~ is pretty good. Suffice to say,

Finally, the pace is picking up!

Just a short rambling this time. It’s been a slow read last week. Furuiro has a really interesting premise, but the first half is just as slow as a snail. But then…

I’ve been waiting for moments like this It loos like it’s time to say good bye to the slice-of-life.

Still, Furuiro has a nice gameplay, blended nicely with the story. Though some parts don’t really sit well with me, usually because of the timing, it’s great overall. It really reminds me a bit of Yuno. Also, the flowchart is cool!

Euphoria Review

“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” ~ Joseph Campbell

Nukige, for most VN which are classified so, generally has negative conotation because of its excessive use of sex. The more extreme one even includes things that beyond sane imagination like, for example, human toilet (don’t worry, this post is completely SFW). But if you can stomach that part of a nukige, there are few titles that can really entertain you from its great plot or rich characters. I especially love an excellent portrayal of despair narrated by the protagonist and the satisfaction I get when the protagonist overcomes the odd and saves the day. Though nukige that good are few and few between, I did occassionaly stumble upon some. Euphoria is, without a doubt, one of those few quality titles that has an awesome story, yet overshadowed by the nukige part. I largely blame the marketing strategy that emphasizes the “Game” part which is truly just the first layer of the many layers you’ll uncover in this VN.

Release Date : 2011-06-24
Developer : Clockup
English Availability : Dropped, somewhat

Summary

Is this cage hell or paradise?

They wake up in a white room remembering nothing――
The protagonist Takato Keisuke and 6 others are locked up in these hidden white rooms. His childhood friend Hokari Kanae, classmate Andou Miyako, underclassmate Makiba Rika, English teacher Aoi Natsuki, same year Byakuya Rinne, and classmate Manaka Nemu. While still confused about their unusual situation, a “mystery voice” suddenly speaks to them: “A game has now started.”
In order to escape the room, Keisuke is the “unlocker” and one heroine the “keyhole”. With an assigned act, he must “use the key”.

After hearing the unreasonable and immoral requirements to win, Miyako gets pissed and snaps on the “mystery voice”. Suddenly the lights go out. The girls scream. The lights come back on, reilluminating the white room. They can see Miyako bound to a grotesque torture device.
“Anyone who quits the game will die”
Her screaming begins in tandem with the electrical current. With eyes wide open in fear, she pisses and shits herself. Everyone else starts freaking out. However, Keisuke seemed to be getting aroused by Miyako’s appearance. That was his secret, his urge to assault and humiliate girls.

However, Nemu could see right through him and knew. Nemu takes advantage, forcing the protagonist to submit to him as she brings her lips up to his: “This is a contract kiss.”
Keisuke was surprised by Nemu’s behavior but he wants to protect Kanae and decides for the sake of escaping, he will violate the others. Can Keisuke escape the white rooms and return to his normal life? Or will he hold back his own dark urges…? ―――It is you who decides in the end.

Source: VNDB, Necrosis

Euphoria Impression

God dang it, this is way better than I expected. After I read the review of Belucre and Nargrakhan, I expected a dark guro with a good story, not a mindfuckery in a grand scale. At a first glance, Euphoria looks like a Saw-clone with the game and all. I have the same impression for some times while playing it. The game is still very good though, I really like the inner conflict in the main character especially. It gets even better as the focus of the game shifts from rape humiliation to life-and-death situation where everyone in the game shows their badassery, and again, special mention to the awesomeness of the protagonist.

The Game

But then, as I progressively enter my first route, Rinne, something happens. At first I was confused and was like “what the hell happened?”. As I read and read and read again and again, I’m greeted with the myriad of plot twists that are just so unexpected and random (in a good way) that are just mind-boggling. I can’t even say how much I really agree with the beforementioned reviewers, that the game is not everything this VN has to offer.

The protagonist just wants to be with her… Why fate is so cruel

The only complaint I have is the ending is a bit of a downer. It doesn’t tie up the many questions perfectly, but they might be answered in the true route I guess. Oh well. Now, excuse me, I have to read the second route now, as in NOW. Good day

Tsuki ni Yorisou Otome no Sahou Review

Hello! Last week has been a hectic week for me. Writing the server for a college project, some other assignments, learning stuffs, and of course, reading Tsuriotsu. And finally, I finished it (except for one route). This one is an obvious charage, though with an interesting take on trap protagonist, fashion designer, and modern pseudo-realistic ojou-sama setting. It is actually my first Navel’s VN and also my second minefield run other than Grisaia no Kajitsu. And so, here is my thought on Tsuki ni Yorisou Otome no Sahou

Release Date : 2012-10-26
Developer : Navel
English Availability : None Available

Summary

Navel tenth anniversary project. The art is done by Nishimata Aoi and Suzuhira Hiro is back. Multiple writers including Ou Jackson.

Coming from a prestigious family, that didnt want him, in the financial world, Yuusei had been home-schooled strictly and sheltered all his life. Even though he excelled at everything, it was his dream to live a life of a commoner. One day his chance came and he changed his identity to Asahi and entered Fairy Girl’s School, which specializes in female fashion for the rich. As part of his plan, he became the maid of his classmate Runa and worked at her home Sakura-yashiki. Also living there were a proud exchange student from Switzerland, Ursule, a Yamato Nadeshiko, Mizuho, and his childhood Minato, who had feelings for him and was also the only one who knew his true identity. With her help, will he be able to manage his double life in the school and his new home?

Source: Again, shamelessy taken from VNDB

Hatsuyuki Sakura Review

Hi! This is my first review in this blog. Of course, this is subjective based on my personal thought, so you might have different impression. Anyway, English is not my native language, but I’m confident enough to write something. But in any case, give me a piece of your mind in the comment, that way I’ll know and learn from my mistakes Without further ado, the VN I will review today is Hatsuyuki Sakura!

Release Date : 24-February-2012
Developer : Sagaplanets
English Availability : None available

Summary

Kawano Hatsuyuki is a third-year student, one of the rare delinquents at his school. He reluctantly shows up in order to fulfill his graduation requirements.

It’s December, and the first snow of the year has fallen.
In one lot of the old town, Hatsuyuki encounters a beautiful girl wearing a white dress. She’s wandering the streets under the falling snow, in search of a rabbit.
A few days later, the girl in the dress – Sakura – transfers into his school.
To take Hatsuyuki along towards the last winter.

With the turn of the four seasons, 1095 days come to an end.
Soon winter will pass, and spring will arrive.
Embracing memories of snow that never accumulated, the youth stands perfectly still.

From the first snow (Hatsuyuki) to the cherry blossoms (Sakura), congratulations on your graduation.

Source : Shamelessy taken from VNDB

Renewed Interest on Japanese VN

Since last year, I have lost my interest in reading with Atlas, a tool that can help me understand Japanese VN better. That’s why I’ve been doing this hobby on and off, waiting for English Translation projects. Last week though, I’m back to using Atlas again, it’s all because of the urge to play Hatsuyuki Sakura. And oh boy, what a tear-jerking VN it is. Hence why I’m interested on reading Japanese VN again. These last two days I explored VN blogs to pick up some Japanese titles, and now I have some good-looking titles on my backlog!

So what’s up with this new blog? This is just for me to ramble on anything VN-related, I don’t have any companion VN reader among my friends. With this blog, maybe some unfortunate surfers stumbled upon my Engrish posts, haha. In any case, enjoy and welcome to my blog!

Also, What is a blog post without a picture backing it up? *Insert random CG that warms my heart from Hatsuyuki Sakura*

Expect my review on this excellent game in the near future!