Sunday, August 27, 2023
As
the last days of summer come to an end and the cooler Autumn breeze
begins to blow, it is time to see what the scorching heat has left
behind this month in the world of visual novels. There have been a
number of interesting releases from both the official and fan spheres
covering everything from musical romance to jousting drama to
supernatural thriller. These each bring something unique to the
visual novel buffet and the best among them are presented here for your
pleasure. Let’s welcome the cooler weather and look at what the
medium has to offer.
Official Releases
WHITE ALBUM: Memories like Falling Snow
Originally
released in 1998, this visual novel is one of the most iconic romance
titles of the period with its striking and delicate tale of pure
love. The version now available is a later remastered edition which
gave the old game a much needed face lift to help sell it to new
audiences. It follows our protagonist, Fuji Touya, as he grapples
with the new found idol stardom of his long term girlfriend and the
troubles this brings into his life. Whether this is to results in him
remaining loyal or finding comfort in another is up to the player as
they guide him through this roller-coaster of emotions. Music and the
idol industry are utilised well here to give a sense of conflict and
substance to the trials facing the characters and while it is not the
deepest examination of the industry it still presents it in an even
light with considerations for both sides of the argument. If you ever
wondered what the granddaddy of romance visual novels looks like now
is your chance to find out.
Mandemon
This
is a strange one, a short, atmospheric thriller visual novel that
leans heavily into its oppressive undertones to sell its narrative. Yet
there are more layers than it a first appears and overall it will
leave a lasting impression through its economical use of the limited
space available. Focused around the presence of the titular mandemon
and the murder which has invaded the characters’ lives and
threatens to consume them in its madness. There is not much that can
be said about this game due to its reliance on twists to support the
experience and how small the game is, but the package does come
together in a surprising competent way and is a good means to burn a
few hours having fun as you hold your breath wondering about what is going to
happen next.
Norn9: Last Era
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Otome, Fandisc Play Time – 35 hours
August’s
standout Otome title is the fandisc to the excellent Norn9 and
continues that game’s high narrative standard while expanding on
the characters. The game is split into three sections, Concerto Kyousoukyoku, which is your standard after story fair, Fuga Tonsoukyoku, a section featuring tales from the male
perspective, and Fantasia Gensoukyoku, that looks at the
dangers of indulging the desire to consider the what-ifs. Together
they fill in the remaining holes left by the main visual novel and
provide some much needed alternative perspectives on key ideas and
emotions. Overall, this is a must have for fans of the original but
as you might expect offers nothing to a new player who is better off
looking to the original to their otome fix.
Clover Day's Plus
If
White Album is the strength of an older school of romance visual
novel then Clover Day’s is a testament to what the modern approach
to the genre brings to the table. At first glance there might not
seem to be anything special about Clover Day’s. It opens and
presents itself in the way we have come to expect from the romance/
slice of life genre with its emphasis on promises, established
character relationship and the expected group of girls vying for our
protagonist’s attention. However, what set this game apart is the
sincerity with which it presents these bugging relationships and how
it play on the themes to explore what each bond means to those
involved in it. Promises and what it is to keep them define the
characters quest to understand their feeling and work towards their
happiness. Clover Day’s is truly an example of how to do the genre
right and put the soul into your characters that will make them leave
a lasting impression of the player.
Fan Translations
Planetarian ~Snow Globe~
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Sci-Fi, Slice of Life Play Time – 2 hours
Being
the prequel to one of the most beloved short Key titles is a tall
order and doubly so when that title was a complete experience in
the first place. Such is the position that Planetarian ~Snow Globe~
finds itself in and rather than trying to stand up to match the game
it leads into, it instead decides to forge its own short and sweet
tale. The result is a story using familiar elements and places from
the original game and tells a non-essential narrative within the
universe. If you walk into this game expecting another game as heart
wrenching as the original Planetarian then you are in for a
disappointment as it aims for a much lower bar of quality. Despite
this difference there is a tight story of a normal world in the not
so distant future and a small look at the lives lived there. If you
can meet it on those terms then there is a few hours of fun awaiting
you.
Walkure Romanze ~Shoujo Kishi Monogatari~
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Romance, Sport Play Time – 30 hours
Visual
novels are no stranger to basing themselves around off the wall
sports or even fantastical ones like in Aokana, but there is
something particularly odd about Walkure Romanze’s choice of
jousting as its core element. Even more so when the entire school our
protagonist goes to is fixated on it as its sole sport. There is a
definite need to engage one’s suspension of disbelief when playing
this game as it makes no attempt to justify why this state of affairs
is even possible and seems more interested in girls in knight armour
on horses. Despite this the jousting gives strong a strong sense of
identity to the title and is merged into the character arcs in a
satisfying way in not too dissimilar to its stable-mate Aokana. The
emotional stakes are shaped in just the right way in order to ensure
the climax of the story and sport match where they need to and
provide a well rounded narrative.
Bloodstained Flowers
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Murder Mystery, Trapped Play Time – 3 hours
There
is something about the trapped/ survival plot that holds a unique
appeal in the way it can bring out the many sides of its characters
by placing them under extreme stress. Bloodstained Flowers offers a
condensed version of this formula and leans heavily into the murder
mystery genre to keep the player guessing. The story follows the
members of the Mystery Club as they go to the Utsugi Mansion where a
group suicide is said to have occurred, but it soon becomes clear
that their lives are in danger as the pollen of a strange flower
threatens do be the death of them all. With the desperation of the
situation established, all sorts of hidden secrets come to the
surface and intrigue ensues alongside a healthy among of bad endings
to spice things up. Bite sized goodness is a running theme this month
and Bloodstained Flowers provides the staples of its genre in a
condensed time-frame.
