Showing posts with label Best Visual Novels of the Month. Show all posts
Best Visual Novel Releases – September 2026
Now
we have entered autumn and harvests are the theme of the day, it is
only natural the world of visual novels would spread out a wonderful
buffet of new titles. It has been a great month for releases with a
selection of engaging and thought provoking games which highlight all
amazing stories the medium is capable of making, from crime thrillers
to two varieties of philosophical romance to a musical dystopia.
Let’s dive in and see what titles are worth your time and which
will make you stop and think.
Official Releases
HimaNatsu: Of Churches, Sunflowers, and Long Summers
During
a long summer Yosuke Ashitaba returns to his seaside home town of
Oboshiro where he meets familiar girls from his past, sees a new face and
confront the crisis of the Oboshiro Church’s impeding demolition. A
slow burn narrative leaning heavily on the character interactions and
their thoughtful consideration of their lives which nicely
compliments its aesthetic and thematic focus on the slow pace of
summer time. The romance has a similarly lethargic
pacing with the cute and soft nature of the pair’s love gently
embracing the experience in a quiet warmth to contrast the blazing heat of
summer. It is a title which wants the player to sit next to it and
contemplate the character’s struggles and the mundanity of life as it all plays out. If you are willing to met it on its level then you are
in for a fun cruise down an emotional river.
even if TEMPEST
This
PC release of a previously Switch only otome title presents a
chance for new players to experience an excellent dark fantasy visual
novel. After having been burned to death, Anastasia Lynzel suddenly finds
herself alive and well long before the events which lead to her
demise. Given this second chance by a strange witch she must walk a
new path in order to avoid meet the same end and becomes intertwined
with fates of the game’s suitors. The story really pushes the dark
fantasy undertones of even if TEMPEST and makes them work as a major
source of unsettling tension where the fate of its protagonist seems
continually on a knife’s edge. Each suitor represents a constant danger Lynzel faces as they are both her greatest allies
while also having the potential to do the most harm. Overall, it is a
strong otome for those looking for a level of danger to their
romantic narratives.
In Falsus
Mixing
rhythm games with visual novels presents a series of challenges and
opportunities which In Falsus navigates to some interesting results.
Having five different perspectives to its narrative allows a broader
exploration of the world so it can fully express itself without being
bound to the bias of one set protagonist. The idea of Binds as this
public display which shows your emotions and enforces honesty is a
strong concept with an easy to see visual element which the game
makes the most of at every opportunity. This dystopia presents the
characters in a series of engaging conflicts where the newly formed
group of friends must withstand those plotting against them. Combine
this with an excellent musical score for the rhythm game sections and
it makes for an exciting twist on the genre for those looking to see
what it can achieve when it pushes itself.
Operation Eventide
Releasing
on Steam for the first time a year after its debut on itch.io, this
version contains new story arcs and other bonus content and brings
the twisted yuri title to a new audience. Definitely not a game for
the faint of heart with some very messed up things happening across
its play time. It is an utterly fascinating descent into madness where
the foundation of what seems obvious are undermined in spectacular
ways. Unfortunately this makes if difficult to properly express its positive qualities without going into spoilers so you will just have
to take it on faith and try the game for yourself.
Fuyukuru. - Winter winds, adieu?
Sit
down all for another of Watanabe Ryouichi’s weirdly horny
philosophy lessons this time featuring a plethora of very aggressive
lesbians. It is a strange fever dream of a game which wildly jumps
around in tone from whimsical to deadly serious sometime within the
same scene in a clear effort to throw the player off balance. Over the
course of its play time there are a number of engaging and thoughtful
issues dissected, these reflect onto the player’s own life in
a way which makes them reconsider the bigger picture. However,
Fuyukuru can be a bit clumsy in its execution with multiple instances of
major plot information being thrown out with no fanfare in a blink
and you miss it manner. Yet there is no denying this is a unique
visual novel pushing for an angle which will make it
stick in your head and for those up to the challenge it is something
worth experiencing.
Phantom PHANTOM OF INFERNO NITRO ARCHIVE
Talking
about this version of PHANTOM OF INFERNO is a bit odd since it is the
second English release of the game (the other being an ancient and
weird bastardisation) while also being a port of the Japanese only
Xbox 360 version. Rather than the older sprite work it chooses to
take visual elements from the anime and make these the baseline for
it overall aesthetic which is probably for the best given how time
has not been kind the original’s character portraits. It also adds
scenes and narrative beats from the anime into the visual novel’s
story leading to becoming a chimera of the two versions. Despite all
these changes the core identity of the game still remains and given
this is the only easily available release in English, this is the
best way to experience this classic visual novel and one of Nitro
Plus’ earliest works.
Best Visual Novel Releases – August 2026
As
the blazing heat of summer finally gives way to the shade of autumn,
let us look back into the dazzling sun and see what visual novel came
out under its rays. It has been a month bustling with an assortment
of amazing titles from a big name remaster to innovative indies to
the standard tales of love and all offering high quality experiences.
Let’s dive in and see what new games are worth playing and which
ones will tickle your imagination.
Official Releases
STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT
RE:BOOT
sits in a strange place, it is the third major version of Steins;Gate
to be released and ends up being a weird expansion of the second
version, Elite, while attempt to mix in some aspect of the
original. The script for RE:BOOT is largely the same as Elite’s
which means it inherits many of its problems stemming from its
simplification of the original game. What RE:BOOT brings to the table
is an expansion to this scenario and an aesthetic which leans
more into standard modern anime styling with live 2D sprites. The extra scenario is a cute addition and fun enough in its own right but it is
not substantial enough to justify purchasing the title for it alone.
Couple this with the inferior base script and it makes it difficult
to recommend RE:BOOT when the original is still easily available and
cheaper. However, if you simply did not find the previous versions
appealing and this shift in aesthetic has brought it onto your radar
then you should definitely pick it up. At its core it is still
Steins;Gate and Steins;Gate is still good so if this is the version
for you then you are still in for one of the best visual novels
around.
OVER REQUIEMZ
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Otome, Fantasy Play Time – 50 hours
Drawing
heavily from The Wizard of Oz, OVER REQUIEMZ heavily pushes its influence through the lens of otome and ends up with a cast of handsome
murderers and a protagonist sentenced to death upon setting foot in
this world. Obviously there is more going on than meets the eye with
the fantasy element being played up as the main pillar of the mystery and
drama. Placing the protagonist in such a dangerous position allows
the game to take the story into some entertainingly dark places as
she struggles against circumstances stacked against her. Accompanying
her on this journey are this game’s suitors and they make for a
wild group of clashing personalities which become increasingly
interesting when events start spiralling out of control and they get to
show off their darker sides signalled through all those red flags the
game puts around. Overall, this is an otome aiming for intense drama and
danger over being sweet and romantic resulting in a ride which will
keep you on the edge of your seat.
The World Well: Blood of Caro
Nestled
in a world of medieval towns, vampires and technology distinguishable
from magic are two girls, one a half breed of human and vampire and
the other from the distant future. This unlikely pairing set out on a
quest to stop an ambitious tyrant before he can establish his world
spanning empire. Blood of Caro is a story defined by its impeccable
world building and delightfully flawed protagonists through their continent wide journey. The main pair’s growing relationship might
be the single strongest part of the title with their initially poor
start leading to a slow and believable bond as they lick each other’s
wounds. A constant sense of fragility is preserved over the entire
game with the pair’s position always being dramatically weaker then
their opponents and it leads to a wonderful sense of excitement and
catharsis with even their more minor success. Those looking for an
emotional and thoughtful science fantasy story with a good dose of
tension will not be disappointed by Blood of Caro.
Koikata: How Our Love Grows
Now
for something far more comfy and familiar in the form of a bright and
colour romance visual novel focused around the merge of two schools
and the feelings surrounding this process. Starting from this source of chaos,
each heroine get their own space to confront it and the
protagonist’s role in this process leads into a natural sense of
intimacy for the romance to build on. A bright and colourful
aesthetic ensures a comfortable and light hearted atmosphere
throughout where the character design gives a wide variety of easily
identifiable people for the player to engage with. While Koikata does
not reinvent the wheel, there is no doubt it understands what its
audience wants and if you are part of this group then it will hit all
the right notes.
COCORO
Another
entry in the strangely popular sub-genre of cute robot girls in a
post apocalypse setting, COCORO follows a young boy named Hinata and
his encounter with a robot girl, the titular Cocoro, who dreams of
marriage. The game proudly boasts about being written by Asta Konno
of ATRI -My Dear Moments- fame and this is something the player will
feel throughout as it shares many of the same thematic and narrative
quirks. However, it takes them in its own direction leveraging its
setting to probe the character’s motives and internal conflicts in
a suitably heart wrenching manner. Those looking for a title which
packs a powerful emotional punch cannot go wrong with COCORO.
Sovereign Tower
After
being made the sovereign of a magical tower which only they were
capable of unlocking, the player is tasked with managing a round
table of excentric knights with each of them bringing their own brand
of chaos. There is a strong element of humour to proceedings where the antics
of the characters and their absurd outcomes will regularly get a laugh
at their expense. Judging these large egos while giving them the
tasks best suited for their skills is an engaging challenge and it
provides a sense of the player being this ruler who must solve the
problems of the land. This is a memorable merger of visual novel and
management simulator with vivid artwork to round out the package.
Best Visual Novel Releases - July 2026
With
the summer heat being so intense it has caused everything to catch
fire, now is the perfect time to escape to a cool place through the
wonderful world of visual novels. This has been a month filled with
an interesting mix of spicy and sweet otome, puzzling mysteries and
emotional roller-coasters across its many releases. Let’s dive in
and uncover what new titles are worth your time and what you should
be playing.
Official Releases
Be Missed and Remembered: The Letter from Mayoiga
What
should have been a simple holiday visit for Matsuda Naofuyu to his grandparents’ rural home turns into something far more dramatic
when he ignores the villagers' warnings and goes explores the mountain
shrine. There he meets the mysterious Suzu and the strange nature of
this magical place begins to unveil itself as the march of time moves
them forwards. Mixing mystery and drama in with its 1970’s
rural Japan setting makes for a fairly distinctive experience which
envelops the player in its atmosphere. It is also a nice and concise
game that does exactly what it sets out to and wraps itself up
without drawing out the story leading to a well paced escalation. A title for those looking for something short and
sweet in the mystery genre where the mood holds a major part of its appeal.
sins of KALEIDO
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Dark Fantasy, Otome Play Time – 40 hours
The
first otome of the month and one leaning heavily into its dark
fantasy setting and unusual selection of suitors in order to put its own spin
on the genre. It follows the story of a young girl who was once the child
of a wealthy family until she lost everything and a group of men who
possess the power of witches within them. Each route is focused around
repairing the damaged hearts of the suitors and saving them from the
darkness which has claimed them. These different interaction reflect
back onto the protagonist’s own journey and do a fantastic job of
showcasing the interweaving growth of both parties in this
relationship. Diving into what makes the suitors tick is almost
treated like a mystery element where the player must peel back the
layers of accumulated pain to discover who they really are and what
drives them. The presence of three endings for each suitors reinforces
the importance of this discovery since it is only through the
player’s persistence that they can reach a happy ending and avoid a
terrible fate. If you are looking for an otome with compelling
characters but sits on the darker side of the genre then sins of
KALEIDO will be a delight for you.
Staffer Retro: A Supernatural Mystery Quest
Mysteries
are this game’s defining element, from everyday deductions to
truths about the nature of the supernatural power underpinning this world, and there is rarely a moments rest from its march towards the
truth. The story revolves around Verita, a young girl buried in a
sudden and considerable amount of debt and who must navigate the
barrage of investigations while somehow getting enough money to
resolve her issues. Choices within the title are heavily informed by
what information the player has managed to deduce so encouraging them
to explore the complex web of truth and lies in order to direct
Verita towards their desired ending. A lot of the mechanics of deduction
focus around documents and match or contradicting their contents and
this gives the experience an almost clerical feel as the player sifts
through the papers. Overall, a well put together mystery clearly
aimed at those want a consistent string of deductions to engage their
minds while the story plays out in front of them.
The Prince of Tennis Sweet School Festival 0-40 and more / Doki Doki Survival eternal passion
School Festival Steam VNDB Doki Doki Survival Steam VNDB Genre
– Otome, Sports, Dating Sim Play Time – 60 hours per game
Komani
has decided to release a pair of otome games from The Prince of
Tennis series on the same day and they are very similar in their
overall content despite having seemly different premises. Sweet
School Festival focuses around the player character wrangling the
tennis club into preparing for the festival while in Survival Eternal
Passion the tennis club get stranded on an island and must survive. Yet these are held up by the same core pillar of romantic interactions
with the suitors through the lens of their identical dating sim mechanics.
Difference do exit between the two title such a Sweet School
Festival’s singular focus on the festival compared with Survival
Eternal Passion’s sillier tone and meandering storylines. Both
offer an experience which is somewhat interchangeable with the other
so someone interested in them should pick one based on which premise
appeals to them, but either way they are in for a
light hearted and romantic time.
Dreamin' Her
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Nakige Play Time – 7 hours
After
having been rejected by his childhood friend, Igarashi Aoi begins to
see a strange girl in his dreams who bares a similarity to said
childhood friend and treats him with a kindness he cannot find anywhere else. Soon the line
between this dream and reality begin to blur for him and his life unravels in ways he least expects. The core appeal of Dream’
Her lies in the mental anguish of its protagonist and the way it
plays it for tragic effect in order to push its big emotional
reveals. Due its short length it does not draw out its story with the
focus being on keeping the pace up as this dramatic train hurtles off
its tracks. A concise and well formed Nakige and perfect for those
looking a strong emotional punch to their visual novels.
Fan Translation
DEVILS DEVEL CONCEPT
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Urban Fantasy, Action Play Time – 65 hours
As
one of Akatsuki WORKS earliest titles, DEVILS DEVEL CONCEPT sits in a
strange place for a modern player since it has much of the
studio’s identity printed all over it, but in an underdeveloped form. This extends to the visuals which lack the
polish which their later works would demonstrate so it is clear from
the moment you start that this something from 2008. It story follows
Shigure Sora and the girls he interacts with as the clash and form
bonds in world distorted by ‘devils’, humans and monsters.
Throughout the game there is an attempt to address the ideas about
how post industrial society has influenced the people within in and
this is an interesting topic for it to consider even if it is handled messily at times. Recommending DEVILS DEVEL CONCEPT is an odd
prospect given its value lies in its status as a curiosity of
the past since few modern visual novels would tackle these topics in
quite the same way.
Best Visual Novel Releases – June 2026
As
we sit here melting under the summer sun why not look at what the
visual novel space has released before you turn into a human shaped
puddle on the floor. This has been a relatively quiet month but what
has come out showcases the dramatic breadth the medium can
offer from violent murder mystery to cute comedy. Let’s dive in and
discover which of these new releases are worth your time.
Official Releases
Cartagra
This
marks the second PC release of Cartagra, with the first being all the
way back in 2014, and it sits in a strange place when compared to its
previous iteration. On a technical level this is based on the
Japanese 2023 HD version and comes with extra layers of polish to
make the game shine on modern hardware. The majority of these changes
are tweets to the visuals to give them a face lift and shift them
from 800x600 to 1920x1080 with the audio on the soundtrack also being
improved. There are also content additions such as character endings
and the inclusion of a scenario from one of the studio's fandiscs
which give those who have already played Cartagra a motive to come back.
The issue with this release comes from the choice to alter or remove
scenes for cultural sensitivity reasons. Cartagra is an inherently
violent game which deals with sensitive topics regularly so these
changes weaken its narrative impact and they seem to have made to
appease Steam. Yet, this is still at its core the same memorable and
sometimes disturbing title and if this Steam release is your only
option then it is definitely worth your time to experience it.
Neko-Mimi Sweet Housemates 2
If
you are looking for something on the cute and wholesome end of the
spectrum then this second outing in the Neko-Mimi series might be
just what you are looking for. It picks up as the season changing
into summer with Mint and our protagonist living together surrounded
by their chaotic friends. This begins to shift when the
mysterious Kuro enters their lives and Mint is insistent on helping
her despite Kuro’s wariness of them. What follows is a
heart-warming and hilarious journey as Mint gets caught up in another
over the top mess. A short and amusing experience which plays off the
strengths of the original while not venturing too far from what made
people like it. Since it is such a simple story even those who have
not played the first game can still have a good time here.
Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker
As
the successor to the D&D inspired bartending game Tavern Talk,
Dreamwalker leverages its strong foundations to create a prequel
focused on tightening up the overall experience. There is a
noticeable jump in the quality of presentation and narrative with the awkward moments which held back the original being almost
entirely absent this time round. Dreamwalker makes full use of its
fantasy setting and D&D inspirations in everything from the
absurd drinks to the quest system to the very wacky customers
themselves. This provides it with strong sense of identity which help
it stand out from the increasingly large number of bartending titles.
Its status as a prequel allows it to work both as perfect entry point
for new players and a treat for existing fans with its constant
subtle nods to the first game. Looking for a suitably cosy fantasy
adventure then Dreamwalker is guaranteed to be a good time.
Template!! An Angel's Gift
Openly
admitting your game is a collection of cliches announces proudly what kind of
experience the player is in for. Obviously this use of cliches leans
into the inherent absurdity of having so many of them back to back
and Template takes full advantage of it to go all in on being over the
top. Rather than mocking the silly nature of the cliches it uses, the
game instead reveals in them and the expectations surrounding them to
create a celebration of visual novel Rom-Com genre. This being said,
it has very few ideas to call its own and if you are not up for its
brand of comedy then there is little else to engage with. Template is
a title for those invested in this end of medium and its assumes a
knowledge of its genre while not offering anything for the
uninitiated.
Best Visual Novel Releases – May 2026
Despite
spring fleeing now from the blasting heat of summer, visual novels
have not wilted under the punishing rays of the sun and instead provide us
with an exciting array of new titles. This has been a month defined
by developers taking shots at new ideas and remixing old ones from
taking mysterious phone calls to preparing coffee for excentric
guests, there is a wide swath of options. Let’s dive in and look at
which among these new releases are worth your time.
Official Releases
Coffee Talk Tokyo
The
Coffee Talk series returns once again, this time with a new setting
in the bustling Tokyo and an entirely different set of characters to
make beverages for. Small and incremental changes are the order of
the day here as little of the fundamentals have shifted from the
previous two titles. All the changes revolve around streamlining the
UI and user experience while adding in a few new options to the
drink brewing process to prevent it from becoming stale. By far the
biggest draw is the new cast who bring their fresh problems and
struggles wrapped up in the usual coating of supernatural races to
create some truly entertaining dynamics. This move to a new group of
characters marks an attempt to make this game a good entry point into
the series, but at the same time it relies just enough on the old
material to mildly confuse a fresh player. Despite this quirk, the
trip to Tokyo is one fans of the genre should not miss out on.
Birushana: Winds of Fate
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Otome, Heian Period, Fan Disc Play Time – 20 hours
This
title is the fandisc for the historical otome Birushana: Rising
Flower of Genpei which released four years ago and it sets about trying
to round out the narrative. It is clear Winds of Fate wants to stick
to a more upbeat style of story compared to the original which it
primarily does through its after stories following on from the best
endings of each route. These consist of very little conflict with the
romance and slice of life aspects taking centre stage so the suitors
and the protagonist can spend quality time together. The only slight
exception to this rule is the new routes for some of the
sub-characters as these are set during the original game so inherit
much of its serious tone in new and exciting contexts and
relationships. Yet even they do not quite go to the same places as
before and stay within the overall lighter tone. If you enjoyed the
Rising Flower of Genpei then there is a lot for you here in a fandisc
that understood what its audience wanted.
NICE TO MEET YOU, AGAIN
Purple
Software has become increasingly willing to move beyond the standard
route structure which defined much of their earlier work to create
shorter and more focused titles. Nice To Meet You, Again is a part of this
trend with its singular direction around a core narrative conceit and
mystery carrying the entire experience. This takes the form of the
protagonist, Kinou Yumeto, being offered the opportunity to redo his
youth after he crosses paths with a demon but when he travels back he
finds a girl in the past which he has no memory of ever meeting. Weaving
this central mystery through the various moments of drama and
emotional growth makes for a compelling and intimate tale which knows
when it has said its piece. The magical element understands when to
stay in the background and adds just enough to chew on in order to
keep the player engaged. Another excellent title from Purple Software
for those seeking a more directed experience, now if only all their women would not have ridiculous breast sizes.
Schrödinger's Call
Earning
the award for most distinctive release this month, Schrödinger's Call
takes the conversational style of visual novels and leans into it
with its core concept of a mysterious phone which connects the
protagonist to various animal people. Even as the quiet spectre of the
apocalypse hangs over each call, the human connection is what the
game considers to really matter and all of its mechanics revolve
around getting the player to feel its importance. The tenuous nature
of the link through a phone line further pushes the personal nature
of the tales told to the player and invests them in these last
confessions. All this is shrouded in a mystery about the
protagonist’s past and the nature of the place they find themselves
in and provides an engaging hook beyond the moment to moment
interactions. If there were a single title on this list you should
play before all others then it is Schrödinger's Call.
Iris Odyssey
Combining
magical powers, a modern day setting and yuri might seem like an
eclectic mixture but Iris Odyssey is a surprisingly direct and well
paced title. It follows the intersecting journey of two women, Fuka, who is trying to track down her missing brother, and the investigator
Iris, as she pursues a criminal band of rouge sorcerers called the
Skyseekers. As the two become closer they find themselves entangled
in a conspiracy far larger than they had originally imagined and must
test the limits of their bond to overcome it. This game understands
the assignment of an urban fantasy with its interweaving of our world
and magic into a believable mesh which lends its thriller narrative a
sense of grounded realism. Overall this is a fun time for those
looking for a light magical romp with some likeable characters.
Fan Translations
Sengoku † Koihime ~Otome Kenran ☆ Sengoku Emaki~
Patch Download VNDB Genre
- Sengoku Period, Gender Swap, Fantasy Play Time – 80 hours
From
the studio which brought you The Romance Of Three Kingdoms but
everyone is a woman comes the Sengoku Jidai but everyone is a woman.
More specifically the period surrounding Oda Nobunaga's, who is of
course a woman, rise to power with an added supernatural element in
the form of the oni. It only loosely follows the events of history
using it more a spring board for references and nods to the player
rather than a script to be rigidly adhered to at all times. As should
be obvious by now, this is a comedy harem style of visual novel
firmly aimed at taking its gender swap concept to its absurd
extremes. Enjoying this title means being able to meet it on the
level of seriousness it present in its long title and silly premise.
If you are willing to do so then there is a funny and light story waiting for you which will take you through the colourful characters which define
this period of Japanese history.
Best Visual Novel Releases – April 2026
Now
that the April showers have arrived with their usual
unpredictability, let’s take shelter under the eaves of the visual
novel space and see what comforts it has to offer. This month has
seen quite a spread of releases such as spiritual sequels to popular
romances, a historical fiction crime drama and a spin-off of a
classic anime, all pushing for your attention. Let’s dive in and
pick out the best from among this deluge of outstanding titles.
Official Releases
Rose Guns Days - Season 1
The
first part of Rose Guns Days finally sees an official English
translation some fourteen years after the original Japanese release.
Ryuukishi07 crime drama was worth the wait as he applies his
distinctive style to create a compelling addition to the genre. Set
in a post world war 2 Japan which has been divided down the middle by
China and America and where the Japanese are marginalised in their own
country. Into this messy situation step the game’s two
protagonists, Leo Shishigami and Rose Haibara, who find themselves
becoming involved in the machinations of the criminal underworld as they
push back against their position in this society. It is filled with
character drama backed up by a dose of brawling action. There is a
reason Ryuukishi07 continues to be a much loved developer and Rose
Guns Days demonstrates his talent making for an entertaining ride.
Making*Lovers: First Blush
As
the spiritual successor to the original Making*Lovers, First Blush
states its intent to recapture what made that title special but its
interpretation of that has led to some interesting choices. One of
the main elements which allowed the original to stand out among the
many similar romance titles was the majority of its heroines being
adults and being treated that way by the story as their love brushes
up against the adult world. However, First Blush has moved into an
entirely school based setting removing this distinctiveness entirely.
Instead what it aims to capture the pure love element of the original where the
shape and shyness of the characters slowly define the outline of their
romance. In this regard the title can be considered a complete
success as it achieves this sense of fresh and inexperienced love
which is pleasing to witness. Yet in doing so it has become more like
its peers and blurs into the many other such titles vying for your
time. As long as you do not come in with expectations from the
original game then you will have a suitably entertaining time.
Machine Child
Opening
with a choice of three daughters for the player to select from
immediately makes Machine Child stand out against the single
character focus of other raising sims. This is a game that not only
wants you to replay it to get the different endings but also to see
how these endings influence each daughter. Choice is heavily
emphasised as expected from the genre, but here it really puts a lot
of power in the player’s hands in order to make the daughter’s
fate completely their responsibility which adds impact to the consequences. A
combination of Ooyari Ashito’s memorable artwork and a light
fantasy world create an upbeat and endearing title aiming to simulate
the feelings of parenthood without straying into any particularly
dark topics. While a connoisseur of the genre might find Machine
Child’s simplistic mechanics lacking, there is enough heart and
soul here to keep you smiling throughout your daughter’s growth.
Café of Roses
Ebi-hime
is once again back with another excellent yuri visual novel and this
time having the love interest being a mysterious vampire. Filtered
through the lens of a cafe where the vampire works, this aims to be a
low stakes romance where the tender build up of the pairs emotions is
front and centre. It follows Meike who is pressured into a
relationship with a man she does not love by her parents and one day
while trying to avoid him she ducks into a Victorian inspired cafe
where she meets the strange Magdalena. Meike cannot seem to get her
out of her mind and as the two get to know one another a special bond
begins to bloom. This is not a story aiming to break any boundaries
but is instead a well realised vision of the genre written by an
experienced hand.
Fan Translations
Kokoro Connect Random Predictions
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Spin-Off, Mystery, Romance Play Time – 15 hours
Released
all the way back in 2012 as a spin-off based on the Kokoro Connect
anime, this game aimed to capitalise on the popularity of the
original material and leans into echoing its best qualities. It has
an original scenario rather than being an adaptation so is free to
have a bit of fun putting these familiar characters into new
situations. Kokoro Connect has always been about the strange things
happening to the members of the cultural club and for Random
Predictions they find themselves afflicted by visions of the future
which they must struggle with and confront. The strong group
chemistry combined with the friction between them make for the game’s
core appeal while allowing the story to believable move off in
different directions depending on the player’s choices. However, it
does rely heavily on the player having already seen at least the
anime as it makes no attempt to bring them up to speed. A visual
novel for those wanting to experience this era of spin-off games at
its best.
Double Wings Demonbane
Patch Download VNDB Genre
– Science Fantasy, Mecha, Action Gameplay Play Time – 10 hours
Being
the sequel to the popular lovecraftian mecha visual novel, Deus
Machina Demonbane, was always going to be difficult so Double Wings
Demonbane strives to stand out in its own right. While not quite as
out there as the original in terms of narrative and content, it makes
up for it through leaning into the characters and action in ways
which push them into new territory. The duo of Kurou and Al must
confront the mysterious ‘Blood Monsters’ which threaten their new
found peace alongside the arrival of a strange pair who are somehow
connected to this case. There is a push to create a parallel between
these two pairings and it from this conflict which the game much of
its new character development and drama. It is also a shorter and
more concise experience than its predecessor with it using this
condensed feeling to its advantage to keep the pace up. Overall, a
good successor to Deus Machina that is sure to entertain fans.
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