Sunday, December 22, 2024
As
the festive season is well underway and the end of the year fast
approaches, it is time to wrap up the remainder of the visual novel
releases. Since most visual novels do not want to compete in the
crowded holiday market, the number of new titles is lower than usual
and yet there are still some interesting smaller games to look at. We
have a good variety from early access sci-fi to a cut-throat
thriller to an emotional slice of life. Without waiting a moment
longer, let’s dive in and find out what you should be playing from
the past month.
Official Releases
Hatsuyuki Sakura
As
a cute slice of life, Hatsuyuki Sakura has to offer some kind unique
element to stand out from in this already crowded area of visual
novels. It chooses to do this through a mixture of an enforced order
to its routes, a somewhat episodic structure and just enough darker
elements to spice things up. The result is a memorable entry into the
genre which does not reinvent the wheel and instead paints its canvas
in striking colours. Hatsuyuki Sakura’s story follows Kawano
Hatsuyuki, a delinquent who has a chance encounter on December day
with a girl named Sakura who is looking for her rabbit. As the winter
continues onwards into spring their intertwined lives start to bring
changes neither of them could have ever expected and lead them down
paths they had long forgotten. If you want a romance story with
something a little more to it then Hatsuyuki Sakura might well be up
your alley.
Astral Ascension
Early
access visual novels are not something normally worth highlighting
due to their inherently incomplete nature and the uncertain quality
of the final product. However, PixelFade Studio have proven to be
able to provide consistent releases and the experience they aim to
give the player is predictable which makes buying into their titles a more
reliable investment. Each of them games is some flavour of the
romance and adventure genres with each new setting and cast of
characters adding just enough to spice up the story while not
straying far from its roots. This time round its it the spaceship
sci-fi genre which has been chosen to define the visual and narrative
direction. Our protagonist finds himself blacklisted from piloting
after being wrongfully terminated and joins a mercenary ship in order
to continue to support his ill sister. From here the game takes the
player on a personal adventure through the star filled with
excitement and love. Overall, Astral Ascension is another title which
knows its audience and aims to meet their expectations.
Paper Perjury
Over
the years games have experimented with detective stories where the
protagonist is in a profession not normally associated with detective
work. Paper Perjury choses to follow a police clerk named Justina
Smith as she picks through the department’s paperwork in order to
uncover the trails which link the mysteries together. Adopting this
angle gives a fresh feeling to what might otherwise be a familiar
tale of robbery, embezzlement and murder and leans into the paper
nature for a surprisingly tactile experience. The pixel art aesthetic
furthers the distinctive vibe of the game and invokes the early Ace
Attorney games as a clear influence. It characters are each a vivid
portrait of personality and charm within which layered motivations
exists for the player to pick apart through their deductions. A solid
entry into the detective genre of visual novels and offers a good
time for fans of this kind of narrative.
CELL 0: Cyber Entertainment Leisure Lounge
Isolation
takes a toll on the mind and it can make people behave in ways
that expose their weakness and fears. Such is the focus of this
cyberpunk post-apocalypse tale as it follows the struggles of the
artificial human Kenzo. He has spent his whole life alone with his
only companion being the sweet AI called Acine. This isolation for
human contact has left its marks on him and as the world beyond his
bubble and the purpose behind his existence becomes clear will he be
able to cope with the truth? A short and entertaining visual novel
for those seeking something mentally simulation in a bite sized
package.
The Restless Sheep & The Lone Wolf -A Tale of Cutthroat Lovers-
Clockup’s
games are always a wild ride and The Restless Sheep & The Lone
Wolf is no exception with its over the top action and thrills making
it stand out. It follows a protagonist who can only get a good nights
sleep after killing someone and so he works as an assassin for a
yakuza boss. Then he meets a call girl named Azami and he finds his
tightrope walk of a life has come crashing down as entangled involved in
a web of violence. Each increasingly absurd action scene and dramatic
moment helps maintain the visual novel’s exciting and tense
atmosphere. This is a story which makes no attempt to be even the
slightest bit realistic or grounded and thrives on pushing the limits
of beliability. If that sounds like your cup of tea then you should
check out this title for a good time where each moment offers
something new.
