Saturday, July 30, 2022
Summer’s Hottest Month
July
has been a scorching month around the world and it has also be a
month of hot releases in the realm of visual novels. There have been
some outstanding games released from supernatural mysteries to sci-fi
mecha epics and the quality of the stories on display are some of the best
of the year. Let’s waste no more time and get straight into these
exiting releases.
Official Releases
-Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse Remastered -
Muv-Luv
is a series with so many spin offs and episodic sequels that it can be
a bit overwhelming at times. So here we are with the series' latest release, the remastered
version of Total Eclipse, an entry in the Alternative setting, and
one of the better extensions of the universe. Its focus on a new cast
and story distinguish it from the other spin-offs
which are content to languish in the shadow of the original games.
The strong interpersonal conflicts make each character stand out as
they all pursue their own beliefs and push forward the main plot
about the development of a new a Tactical Surface Fighter to help
fight against the alien BETA. For fans of the Muv Luv series Total
Eclipse is definitely one to pick up if you want a new angle on the
series, but it is not a great starting point for those new to the
series.
-Kinkoi: Golden Time -
Golden
Time is the fandisc of last year's Kinkoi: Golden Loveriche and
contains after stories for the previous game’s heroines as well as
new routes for Ayaka and Caminal. Needless to say this is a game
aimed at people who liked the previous entry and want to
expand on that experience. On this front Golden Time delivers an
excellent rendition of the qualities which made the original game so
entertaining with just the right amount of comedy and drama to keep
you engaged without being too taxing on your emotions. More of the
same but in the best way possible.
-Mothmen 1966 -
This
is a game which might have flown under some people’s radar due to
distinctive art style, with its heavy use of green, being something
which is likely to turn off as many people as it attracts. However,
for those who give it a chance they will find an engaging horror
story based on mid-20th century pulp fiction and playing on the myth
of the mothmen. The stylistic pixel graphics and second person
narrative work in tandem to invoke the period it draws from and plays
of it in new and imaginative ways. If you want something a little
different in your horror then Mothmen 1966 is for you.
-Digimon Survive -
After
having been delayed, Digimon Survive has finally be released and marks
a departure from the more rpg style games of recent Digimon titles
with its infusion of strategy gameplay into the series. This title is a
mixture of SRPG and visual novel rather than a pure visual novel and
as such the role of the visual novel segments is to carry the
narrative and set up for the SRPG missions. The game overall
emphasises its story to the extent that any fan of Digimon and of good
visual novels will find something to like in its personal narrative
of discovery and survival in an unknown world. Having an all new cast
also makes this game an excellent entry point into the world of
Digimon for those new to the series.
-TAISHO
x ALICE: HEADS & TAILS -
Heads & Tails marks the second fandisc on this list and just like the
previous one it contains after stories for all the original main cast
as well as two new routes (in this case for Ookami and Ryoushi).
However, this game goes above and beyond with the inclusion of school
parody story with routes for all the original characters which allows
the player to experience a new angle to their favourite characters. Heads & Tails is
definitely a game aimed at fans and it expects you to
already have a bond with these characters, making it hostile to those
who might want to start with this game. The solid romantic writing of
the original game are still here and the shorter play time leads to a
tighter experience with the emotional moments being as strong as
always.
-Amatsutsumi -
Denpasoft(18+) VNDB Genre
– Romance, Superpowers, Mystery. Play Time – 30 hours.
Purple
Software have developed some interesting visual novels over the
years, from Hapymaher to Chrono Clock, but nothing quite matches up
to the success and quality of their latest English release, Amatsutsumi. The story follows Makoto
who has the power to control people with his voice and it is about his
journey to discover the nature of his power and understand the girls
he meets along the way. Amatsutsumi makes clever use of its
supernatural powers to strengthen its key emotional moments and makes
sure it never overshadows the core themes and characters. The quality
of the writing and the focus on its overarching plot with an engaging
cast elevates this visual novel to heights that no other Purple
Software game has reached. It is a must pick up for any fan of a
gripping supernatural mystery with one of the best stories in the
medium.
