Sunday, April 28, 2024
As
the gentle April showers patter against the window, now is the time
to immerse yourself in a visual novel while you wait for the storm to
pass. This has been a month of some standout titles with a wide range
of appeal from underworld Otome to heart pounding thriller to a
mystery laden apocalypse. Let’s find some shelter and see what
treasures we can uncover from this month in visual novels.
Official Releases
Amazing Grace -What color is your attribute?-
When
Shuu wakes up he finds himself in a town sealed off from the outside
world and he possesses no memories of who he is or how he got here.
Fortunately, the people living there are kind and take him in as one
of their own, but this is short lived as the town burns down and he
discovers he can travel back in time. So he sets out to save the
people who treated him kindly and uncover the cause of the fire. This
title is an interesting blend of the standard route based heroine
romance visual novels we have all become accustomed to seeing and an
overarching mystery where the cast are in genuine danger if it goes
unsolved. Its tonal aspects are nicely blended together and there is
a real understanding of the value each part provides the other while
still offering what people are looking for from each element.
Overall, this is an excellent visual novel for those who want
something a little more substantial to their romance narratives.
Aoi Tori
As
Purple Software’s latest title to be localised for an English
speaking audience, Aoi Tori looks to continue off the success of its
sister game Amatsutsumi and it aims to play on a similar emotional
axis. Following the tale of a young priest at an all girls school who
has a strange power which has made him a target for demons seeking
it, but his life is a relatively peaceful one until an ancient
vampire arrives at the school and he get a phone call from the devil.
Soon he becomes deeply involved in the lives of the girls he meets as
the supernatural begins to stir around him. The strengths brought by
a blend of the emotive idea of love and desire taken through a lens
of the supernatural are on full display here and allow the game to
invest you in the intimacy it offers. For those looking for a visual
novel which will get them to cry and feel a connection to the
characters then you cannot go wrong with Aoi Tori.
The Shell Part II: Purgatorio
Once
called Kara no Shoujo – The Second Episode, this marks its second
release and its first time coming to Steam. Being available on more
platforms will help The Shell Part II have the needed exposure to
avoid falling into the cracks like its previous version which never
achieved the popularity of the original game. Tokisaka Reiji gets
involved in another string of strange murders where the victims were
all found with clay doll in their body and soon finds himself deep in
a web of deception and desire. For him this is a distraction, he
still purses a certain disappearing girl who he cannot let go of even
after two year of silence. The Shell Part II is a worthy successor to
the first game and if you have ever been curious about it now is the
chance to get it on your preferred distribution service.
Tengoku Struggle -strayside-
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Otome, Supernatural Play Time – 60 hours
As
a tale of love after death, this Otome divides its time between
romance and the pursuit of souls who have escaped hell for a mix of
supernatural tension and heartfelt emotions. Following the journey of
Enma Rin as she hunts down these souls, this is a game very much
focused around her interactions with her male teammates who are all
people condemned to hell for their crimes in life. However, it is the
why of their actions which holds a lot of the narrative hook for
which drives forwards both the player’s and Rin’s interest in
them and ultimately makes them more complex characters. Another in a
long line of high quality Otome visual novel in recent years and one
you should consider picking up if the genre appeals to you.
Fan Translations
Sampaguita
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Thriller, Romance, Action Play Time – 7 hours
Of
all the things to get a fan translations, an old PSP thriller visual
novel was not an expected choice. Yet there is no denying there is a
certain charm to Sampaguita’s integrating of action with pure
romance leads to short and compelling tale. Using stills in a
classical animation style as its main method of visual presentation,
it shapes a grimy and grounded atmosphere where the characters’
struggles appear to have them constantly walking on the edge and
makes their danger more palpable for the player. If you are looking
for a short bit of fun from an older age of visual novels then you
will have a good time with Sampaguita.
