Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Best Visual Novel Releases – August 2025
With
summer winding down and autumn beginning to show its hand, now is the
perfect moment to see what the world of visual novels has produced
while you were relaxing in the heat. It has been a strong month from
both official and fan sources as they output some stunning titles and
translations from much loved classics to memorable new ones in a good
variety of genres. Let’s dive in and see exactly what visual novels
you should be playing.
Official Releases
Fate/hollow ataraxia Remastered
After
the success of Fate/Stay Night’s official release last year, it
seems that Type-Moon are continuing the process of localising all
their big hits and next on the list is Fate/hollow ataraxia. Just
like Stay Night, hollow ataraxia has received the remaster treatment
to update it to modern screen resolutions rather than the 4:3 of the
original with the art assets being adapted for the new dimensions.
While this game is technically a sequel to Stay Night it is not a
direct continuation of any specific ending and combined with its
assortment of side content place it firmly into the camp of fandisc.
There has been a definite increase in the character focused slice of
life scenes and the player is given a chance to get to know the cast
members who were previously just antagonist’s in a personable
manner rather than in combat. In terms of world building and new
conflicts hollow ataraxia adds enough of its own flare to meet the
expectations set by Stay Night, but it is clear this is a secondary
concern to just creating a lighter tone. Another strong title from
Type-Moon which will appeal to those drawn into their stories.
Okayunyumu
Basing
a visual novel around a popular vtuber has been a recurring trend in
recent times, especially with Hololive talents. The vtubers who are
the focus of this title are Nekomata Okayu and to a lesser extent
Inugami Korone and they are presented as characters within this
setting rather than avatars for streams. Here Okayu is mysterious cat
girl who suddenly appears in the protagonist’s life turning it
upside down and the pair’s interactions form the backbone of the
game’s appeal. The bright colours and simple premise should be a
dead giveaway to this being in the slice of life genre and throughout
its playtime it more or less sticks to this definition.
Capturing the essence of the vtuber’s personalities and replicating
them was the developer’s main aim and in that they were broadly
successful. They behave more or less as you would expect if you are
familiar with their output and it does genuinely feel like getting to
spend time with them on a more personal level. However, your interest
in Okayunyumu is wholly dependant on how much you like the vtubers in
question and offers nothing to anyone who does not know them.
Sunrider Legends Tactics
Trading
space ships for those of a more traditional kind, Sunrider moves into
the fantasy genre with the spin off Legends Tactics. This tale of
sail and sorcery is a reimagining of the main series story line with
many opportunities for the player to deviate from that original
narrative and a few fun twists unique to Legends Tactics. In terms of
gameplay mechanics it is an evolution of Sunrider 4’s battles
where the ryders are replaced with various sizes of ships. However,
it does inherit some of that game’s jank and regular loading
screens so expect some mild inconvenience at times. The lack of
reliance on the original games inherent in a complete retelling does
make this one of the more accessible titles for player new to the
franchise and its fantasy setting might appeal to people who were
turned off by its sci-fi version. Another solid title from Love In
Space and one which is worth picking up if it strikes your fancy.
The Aquarium does not dance
While
this is more of an RPG Maker horror game than a visual novel, it is a
high quality example of its genre and if you squint during the
dialogue scenes it does sort of look like a visual novel. Trapped
inside a strange Bianca Aquarium after visiting it with her friend,
Suze must navigate its dangerous halls in order to escape and
discover the identity of the mysterious traitor. It is a very
character centric title and talking with the various girls Suze meets
along the way provides much of the intrigue and tension for the
moment to moment gameplay. There is a good understanding throughout
of build up and pay off in terms of level design and story beats as
they merge seemlessly into the natural curves of gameplay. It is a
strong reminder of what an RPG Maker horror game can achieve and what
this genre is still capable of producing.
Iwakura Aria
As
a work of historical fiction, Iwakura Aria sells its 60s setting
during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth and the changes its
characters are experiencing. It forms the backdrop to a suspense
filled tale of lies and contradictory emotions which stir up dire
consequences. The story follows Ichiko a young maid who joins the
Iwakura mansion and soon finds herself intertwined with the Iwakura’s
daughter. She must uncover the secrets hidden within the mansion as
she gets ensnared in a web of lies and conflicting aims. There is
something striking about the way it blends watercolour art with
gentle music which gives the mansion a sense of place and identity
just as strong as the people who inhabit it. Overall, this is perfect
for someone looking for a period thriller coated in powerful imagery.
Fan Translations
Senmomo: A Billowing Bladestorm, A Persica Princess
Fan Translation VNDB Genre
– Politics, Action Play Time – 30 hours
The
first of the translated August titles this month, Senmomo is a game
focused around the struggles of its cast after their nation is invaded
and they are swept in the chaos it causes. It is a story about a
young warrior, Tokita Soujin, and the final heir to the imperial
throne, Miyaguni Akari, and how they navigate the political situation
in an attempt to reclaim the empire they lost. Over the course of
their journey they will meet people from both side of the conflict as
they fight and cooperate with them in equal measure. It is very much
a tale of rebellion in the hope of a better tomorrow but frames that
quest through how its cast deal with the realities of a complex and
interconnected battle in which there is no clear or easy resolution.
A fun ride where the tension of the political machinations and the
characters own flaws make for an entertaining spectacle.
Aiyoku no Eustia
Fan Translation VNDB Genre
– Medieval Fantasy, Mystery Play Time – 40 hours
Our
second August title this month leans into a far more fantastical
setting with city of Novus Aether floating in the sky above an
inhospitable surface held up by the daily prays of its saint. Despite
this grand sense of place, the majority of the game focuses around the
lowest districts of the city and the lives of the people residing
there. The story itself is driven by the outbreak of a strange
disease which makes those who are afflicted with it grow wings and
the changes it has brought in its wake. Its cast cover the whole
spectrum of this world from the saint herself to the those who have
to scrape in the dirt to survive and it helps make the city a more
nuanced place. A well regarded visual for a reason and one you should
pick up if you are looking for something particularly memorable.
Best Visual Novel Releases – July 2025
As
the weather alternates wildly between intense heat and lashing
thunderstorms, there is no better time to distract yourself by looking at what visual novels
have come out in the past month. There have been a good number of
notable releases from a wide variety of well known developers with
long overdue fandiscs, adorable yuri and crime otome being among
their offerings. Let’s dive in and see what you should be playing
from the most recent releases.
Official Releases
Rewrite Harvest festa!
Releasing
four years after the English version of the original Rewrite, this
fandisc aims to give the player another chance to experience its
characters and world. It consists of two distinct parts, the extra
stories for each of the heroines and the Rewrite Quest dungeon
crawler. The heroines’ stories are not all after-stories as would
generally be expected with some of the merely being extensions of the
common route focused purely on one character and overall there is a
lack of emphasis on the events of the original Rewrite. Their aim is
clear to have the player experience the joys of see this cast again
rather than wrapping up loose ends. As for Rewrite Quest, it is not a
particularly complex dungeon crawler and instead is interested in
creating a feeling of adventuring with these lovable characters.
While it is unlikely to engage the hardcore player, there is enough
here to make for a good addition to the well rounded fandisc which
knows its audience.
Arcana Famiglia
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Action, Gang/Mafia, Otome Play Time – 20 hours
Mafia
and crime are always good bedfellows with otome and Arcana Famiglia
is no exception to this rule. Our heroine spent most of her life in a
remote location with her mother until she turned sixteen when she was invited to go live with her father. Taking up this offer she steps
out of her quiet life and into her new role as a member of the Arcana
Famiglia which will come to shape her in way she could not have imagined.
It is entertaining to have a main heroine who holds a position of
power and acts in a way fitting of her authority while still managing
to display a degree of innocence befitting her youth. The suitors are
also a well rounded bunch with a good spread of personalities all of
which make sense within the setting and subject matter and combine
with or rub up against the heroine to form entertaining dynamics.
Overall, this is a fun otome which leverages its mafia elements
effectively and is a must for fans of the genre.
All the Words She Wrote
Looking
for something cute, sweet and short then All The Words She Wrote
might well be what you need. This
yuri visual novel follows Takaoka Mayo as she meanders through her
life without any direction until she gets a chance to meet the author
of her favourite light novel series The Forest Of The Elves. However,
this does not quite go as she envisioned as the author, Komikado
Hijiri, turns out to be a
woman only a few years older than her with a sharp tongue and
abrasive personality. As
the two spend more time together, they grow closer Mayo has to deal
with her budding feelings and find her own purpose in life. There
is nothing ground breaking here and whatever plot you imagined from
that outline is most likely correct since it never shakes the boat.
It is a warm blanket of
positive and comfortable romance which knows what its audience wants
and plays exactly into those expectations.
Futamata Ren'ai: Two Times the Trouble
As
an ASa Project title, Futamata Ren'ai adheres closely to the style of
intensive comedy the studio is know for and if you have played any of
their other games, such as Renai Karichaimashita, then you already
have a good idea of what to expect. This knowledge is especially
important here since comedy is so subjective and an existing example
to point to gives a handy barometer so you can decide if it is for
you. Futamata Ren'ai follows the accidental two timing antics of Koga Nao who
has found himself in a relationship with two of the heroines due to
his inability to clear up misunderstandings. It is this juggling of
these girls while having other characters
getting in the way that is the source of all the drama and humour of
the title and it does a good job of balancing comedy with character
arc which feel earned despite the light tone. The back and forth
banter alongside the strong emotional moments remain as engaging as
in previous games and for fans it will deliver the same experience
through a new and exciting lens.
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES
How
do you continue a series after an ending as universe defining as AI:
Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative’s? The answer No Sleep For
Kaname Date seems to have arrived at is to pretend it never happened
and go back in time to when things were simpler. Hence why all the
cast members have returned to being their younger selves from the
first game. Whether this
is a good thing will likely depend on which of the two original games
you enjoyed more, but either extreme is still going to find the same
cast of loveable character as always engaging in another mind bending
adventure. This time Iris finds herself kidnapped and forced to play
a dangerous escape game, meanwhile a mysterious coffin like device is
discovered with the words ‘psyche me’ written on it. The only
person capable of solving these seemingly unrelated happening is once
again the duo of Kaname Date and Aiba. Can they unravel these strange
occurrences and uncover how it all links together? It is hard to
recommend this to some who has not played the previous games since it
just assumes you know who all these characters are and does nothing
to help catch a new player up even more so than nirvanA Initiative.
BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2
It
appears this is the month of Crime otome with yet another one coming out
in the form of BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2. Unlike Arcana Famiglia, this
game puts a lot of emphasis of the action and drama in the style of
an over the top crime thriller. Building off the first title’s
excellent romances, it plays off the various suitors in interesting ways which continue their respective narratives while
adding in enough new spice to make their relationship feel like it is
evolving. There is also a fair number of unlockable side stories and
these cover characters or events that did not fit into the main story
but here can work to give the world of BUSTAFELLOWS a nice bit of
additional texture. An extremely solid sequel for fans of the
original or high quality otome.
Best Visual Novel Releases – June 2025
As
the sun beats down on us with its merciless rays, lets find solace in
the shade of the many excellent visual novels which came out over the
past month. Releases have been plentiful with some particularly
noteworthy titles coming out from all corners of the industry with
everything from the option to romance any object to high octane
fantasy battles. Let’s dive in and see what you should be playing
from the recent releases.
Official Releases
The Pillagers of Raillore
Manga Gamer(18+) VNDB Genre
– Action, Fantasy Play Time – 20 hours
From
the developer of Sorcery Jokers, this game leans into their
proficiency for spectacular battles and places them in a traditional
fantasy setting where they can shine. In many ways Railore sticks
close to what worked in Sorcery Jokers with duel protagonists, one
heroic and one anti-hero, but each one having their own twists on
these character types. The story follows these contrasting characters
as the sudden appearance of people who possess a new and strange
power called ‘Errors’ turns the balance of their world
upside-down. As the Regulatory Corps move to deal with the 'Errors' a
chain of events will be put into motion which will draw everyone into
a whirlpool of deceit and life or death battles. Ultimately if you
enjoyed Sorcery Jokers or are looking for some fast paced action then
you cannot go wrong with Railore.
ToHeart (Remake)
This
is such a fundamental remake of the original title that it is difficult to
talk about. The original ToHeart is an influential title within the
genre and it was a strong in its own right with a seamless blending
of slice of life and romance with elements of the sci-fi and supernatural.
However, it has not aged gracefully when it comes to its visuals so
any remake would inevitably have to address this and it is how the
remake went about it which is interesting. Instead of just replacing
the old sprites with new ones in the same style the developers chose
to completely reinvent the visual presentation with 3D models and
animations. Needless to say this change has been somewhat
controversial since many people consider the 3D models to look
ugly. Add to this the fact the remake boasts about revised script and
this starts to feel as if it is its own game rather than one which
carries on the legacy of the original. Ultimately you will have to
make your own decision about if you like the changes or not since
they are mostly a matter of taste so should the
trailer and screenshots appeal to you then it could be worth your
time.
Summer Pockets REFLECTION BLUE
REFLECTION BLUE is the expanded re-release of the original Summer Pockets similar to
those given to Little Busters and Rewrite. It contains a selection of
new routes for existing characters and one for an entirely new
character alongside a suite of additional slice of life scenes for a
sizeable addition to the base experience. The core of the game
remains mostly unchanged with it adhering to the same narrative
progression and plot beats the player has already experienced before.
So the question becomes are these new heroine routes enough to
justify buying the whole title again? While the new heroine is
entertaining, the reason someone is likely to want to pick this game
up is if they really liked one of three expanded heroines, Katou Umi,
Nomura Miki or Mizuori Shizuku, and want to spend more time with
them. Otherwise there is not enough here to sell it to someone who
already has the original.
Date Everything!
When
describing Date Everything the phrase ‘wacky comedy’ does not
truly express just how off the wall this game can be. The premise of
being able to date anthropomorphized household objects already has an
inherent hilarity to it before a single word as been spoken. Then
there are the designs of the various characters which are a joy to witness and each
new one always surprises and this helps keep things fresh. Its
expansive voice cast is quite impressive as each object has their own
voice actor and this gives them a textured feeling to sell them as
individuals that stand out in the wide roster. If you are looking for
something substantial or with thematic meaning and depth you are
better off looking elsewhere, but those who want to be amused by a
cast of fun characters are in for a good time.
A Tithe in Blood
Studio
Élan have always produced the best compelling yuri dramas and A
Tithe In Blood is no exception. It follows the story of a young girl
named Honoka Asakawa as her dabbling in blood magic results in her discovering the sealed off world of Sapporo. Here she meets the
cheerful Lady Yasue and the two become close but the consequences of
Honoka’s actions catch up with her in catastrophic fashion. The
pair’s budding romance is the main pull as Studio Elan know how to
layer on the delicate and unspoken emotion as they get to know each
other while becoming more comfortable in that intimacy. For those
seeking a bittersweet love story this will definitely exceed
expectations and leave you satisfied.
KANADE
It
seems Frontwing has a developed an interest in smaller releases,
between this game and last months Perennial Dusk -Kinsenka- they have
been on a roll with short and strong titles. The one follows a young man
named Yuuto and his interactions with the titular Kanade in a city
overrun by plants. Kanade believes she has to fall in love in order
to save the world but has no idea what it means to be in love and
this exploration of this emotion forms the driving force for the
game’s story. This is a pure love style narrative and it remains
completely focused on this one element due to its short playtime.
Having good production values helps this title stand out for the
crowd of other such stories to make it a nice palate cleanser between
larger releases.
Best Visual Novel Releases – May 2025
As
we creepy slowly closer to summer, the temperature has been rising in
the world of visual novels with a suite of exciting releases. It has
been a month full of a little bit for everyone from those who want a
harem of catgirls to the complex relationships of yuri and yaoi to
various supernatural tales dripping in danger. Let’s dive in and
find out what visual novels from the past month you should be
playing.
Official Releases
NEKOPARA After
It
has been five years since the last entry in the NEKOPARA franchise
and this seemed to be a series which had reached its natural end.
Then along come After to inject life with a game focused around a
previously minor catgirl and the protagonist’s sister. Nothing
about this game is interested in breaking the formula established in
previous titles and it instead doubles down on the familiar
characters and setting as its main selling points. This is a victory
lap of sorts focused on the only remaining character without meaning
exploration, Kashou’s sister Shigure and her odd relationship
with her brother. Since the games have generally had a dual heroines,
the catgirl of Kashou’s grandmother has been brought in to act as a
foil to the antics of Shigure and their dynamic is main selling point
of After. If you are a fan of NEKOPARA then After is a must buy, but
it will not be converting anyone who never meshed with its brand of
humour and slice of life story.
7'scarlet
Originally
released on the PSVita back in 2018, this Nintendo Switch release
opens up the supernatural romance up to a new audience who get to
enjoy its imaginative brand of otome. The visual novel is focused
around the heroine’s search for her brother who has gone missing
after he visited Okunezato. With this as her only clue she sets out
with her childhood friend Kagutsuchi Hino to investigate this
mysterious town, but what she find is more dangerous than she could
have anticipated as the local ‘Legend of the Dead’ turns out to
be very real. This supernatural mystery forms the backbone of the
narrative as each new route reveals a piece of the puzzle alongside
getting to know the various suitors. It does a good job of balancing
the love and the danger to create an engaging tension between the
leads which helps spice up the typical otome romance. Overall
7'scarlet is a fun otome for those looking to add a little more
intrigue to their pursuit of the suitors.
The Town of Nie Iromusubi
Being
the fandisc to the original The Town Of Nie puts Iromusubi in an
interesting position due to that first game’s darker themes and
afterlife centric story. It chooses to tackle these elements by
leaning into them as it expands on both the good and bad endings from
the original in order to continue the rounded perspective on its
characters. There are also the customary extra stories
common in fandiscs, here they are all given to side characters so
their backstories can be explored in a way they could not be before.
As a whole Iromusubi shifts away from the direct sense of danger and
mystery into a title examining the few possibilities left from new
angles. While not quite offering the same experience as the original
it still manages to offer fans something substantial to chew on.
Perennial Dusk -Kinsenka-
Frontwing’s
newest title has an interesting set up with it following a group of
exorcists in training in a world where the living and the dead freely
mingle. Everything about this game is set up it makes its intent to
create a powerful and resonant emotional journey clear as well as
the fact it will not be an entirely happy one. This is a story about
the ability of the human spirit to endure hardships and how that
shapes people while they keep pushing forwards. However, this is a
Frontwing game so this is never going to be a wall to wall bleak
affair and instead leans into elements of action and slice of life to
break up any darker feelings and make time for the characters to just
be themselves. Being a focused and linear version of the developer’s
style makes Perennial Dusk an excellent place to dip your toes into
their portfolio and offers a compelling experience for existing fans.
Clover Reset
For
this month’s yuri game we have Cover Reset, a tale of young love
and heightened emotions. This is a title which firmly leans into its
teenage cast and school setting to present its romance through a
heart-warming coming of age story. It puts a lot of effort into
making its cast feel human and with relatable concerns which build upon
each other to create an excellent breeding ground for drama. All this
results in a very inward looking narrative where the inner journeys
of these characters are in many ways more important than their actual
actions. Cover Reset is a suitably emotional ride that will appeal to
fans of the genre and those looking for something with an
introspective nature.
Best Visual Novel Releases – April 2025
The
month of storms and sunshine has once again lived up to its
reputation, but things have been significantly less turbulent in the
world of visual novels. There have been a number of high quality
releases with one particular standout and a selection of others
covering everything from idol spin off to murder mystery. Let’s
dive in and find out what new games you should be playing from the
past month.
Official Releases
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club: TOKIMEKI Roadmap to Future
Given
TOKIMEKI Roadmap to Future’s nature as a spin-off title, it is easy
to guess what type of experience you will be in for. This is a game
firmly aimed at its fans with a story focused on the established cast
of the Nijigasaki series and it never strays far from its source
material. Despite its somewhat rigid narrative space, there is a lot
of fun to be had as this strong cast of personalities interact and
for such a character centric series this is key to holding the
player’s attention. Each of the twelve members of the idol club
gets their turn in the spotlight to showcase themselves in a way
which feels natural while still maintain a brisk pace. Some effort
has been made to try and accommodate any players new to the franchise
since it mostly exists in its own bubble and does not reference
events outside itself in order to not confuse them. This definitely
would not be the recommended place to enter the series from but it if
you choose to play it then it is still entertaining. Overall, this
is a solid idol visual novel which leverages its existing characters
to appeal to existing fans and for them it is a must play.
The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
Being
from the creators behind Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series
places a certain level of expectations upon this title and you can
feel its awareness of this fact. The influence of the developer’s
previous games is etched into how Hundred Line presents and engages
with its narrative and themes. Large visual and stylistic cues have
been directly adapted from Danganronpa into this new context and the
game is aware of how apparent this feature is and even makes in-jokes
about it. This is not to say Hundred Line is a clone but rather it
uses a common narrative presentation and takes it in a vastly
different direction. Instead of a murder mystery, the core mechanical
element manifests as an SRPG with its own distinctive tactical flare
which captures its somewhat macabre sense of humour. If you liked the
creators previous work then this is an easy recommendation, but it
probably will not convert anyone into a fan since it feels decidedly
familiar even with the significant change in genre.
Battlefield Waltz
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Otome, Military School Play Time – 40 hours
A
good way to spice up the school setting so common in the medium is to
attach something extra to it and for Battlefield Waltz this is its
miliary background. The game uses this addition to add stakes to
events while providing a legitimate reason for drama and action to
occur naturally rather than from a plot contrivance. Its story
follows a young girl named Lan who through the whims of fate ends up
as the wielder of a cursed sword and is pushed into a life on the
battlefield where she eventually ends up at Nirvana, a military
school, where she rubs shoulders with the various suitors. Over the
course of her time there she must balance training to bring the
sword’s power under her control with blossoming feeling of love.
Battlefield Waltz is a solid otome with a good spread of suitors and
enough drama to keep fans of the genre satisfied from its duration.
Kindaichi Mystery Series: The Honjin Murders
Delivering
a complete murder mystery experience was clearly the focus for The
Honjin Murders and everything rotates around this core pillar. Its
main mechanical element is the pulling apart of evidence and
testimonies in order to pick out key truths and organising them into
a picture of what really happened. This is almost like arranging
newspaper clipping and has the same catharsis to it as it
synchronises with the characters’ growing understanding of events
and helps provide the game with a sense of momentum. Narratively it
is tense murder mystery which puts emphasis on keeping a keen feeling
of personal danger to the cast while still allowing the puzzle box
nature of the mystery to be the focus. The investigation around which
every part of the game revolves is a locked room murder and it
constantly invites the player to reevaluate with each new piece of
evidence. Overall if you are
looking for a well put together detective story then The Honjin
Murders will scratch that itch.
Love Curse: Find Your Soulmate
One
look at the promotional art for this game will immediately make it apparent
what kind of story it is interested in telling. Pastel colours and
beautiful woman surround Yan Wang Shu as her life takes an unexpected
turn when she finds herself under a curse which can only be broken by
finding her soulmate. There are plenty of women for her to choose
from with a good range of personalities which bounce of her and each
other for a lot heartfelt scenes. They range from the strict yet kind
general manager Qi Yi to the upbeat childhood friend Xia Chi Mei. It
is nice to see a yuri title where the protagonist and the heroines
are all mature and have responsibilities with an office being one of
the primary locations in which the story takes place. This lends it a
refreshing air as it stands in contrast to the common early teens
normally found in the medium and allows for an engagement with more
adult issues. A sweet and wholesome girl x girl romance with enough
drama to keep you engaged.
Best Visual Novel Releases – March 2025
Spring
is truly underway and just as the natural world has shown a sudden
burst of vitality so too has the visual novel space. This month has
been a deluge of major titles from classics finally receiving
official translations to exciting new games across the whole
spectrums of genres from sci-fi mysteries to romance to crime drama.
Let’s dive in and see what visual novels you should be playing from
the latest releases.
Official Releases
Love, Elections, & Chocolate
There
are few visual novels which leverage character drama quite as
successful as Love, Elections and Chocolate. The story follows Oojima
Yuuki as he attempts to prevent the closure of his club by standing
for student council president and becomes increasingly intertwined
with the girls in his life. Everything rotates around the core
pillars of the student council elections and love in order to create
an environment ripe for heightened emotions. Conflicts are grounded
yet exaggerated with the game playing off this contrast to help each
character have their own memorable arcs while using the same basic
material framed from their specific angle. Overall this is one of the
strongest cases for the value of the romantic drama style of visual
novel and if you enjoyed this studio's other work, Aokana - Four
Rhythms Across the Blue, then you will have a good time.
Ever 17 / Never 7
Steam - Ever 17 Never 7 VNDB - Ever 17 Never 7 Genre
– Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi Play Time – 20 – 30 hours each
Few
series can claim the level of influence attributed to the Infinity
games and this month saw the release of two of their most memorable
titles, Ever 17 and Never 7. These sci-fi classics each offer a
vastly different take on the mystery and thriller genres which keep
the player engaged with twists and a constant stream of new
questions. Ever
17 is about a group of people who find themselves trapped in the
underwater theme park LeMU and follows their struggle for survival as
odd happening begin to plague them. Meanwhile in Ever 7 we join
Makoto who
has been forced to attend a seminar on a remote island with some of
his classmates and everything seems normal until he finds a dead girl and
becomes trapped in a time loop.
Before I recommend these games to you there are a few things you
should know about this release. Firstly,
the
upscaling which was used on the artwork is of a mixed quality and
sometimes it smudges details into a blur or pushes colour over the
original lines making for a poor looking image. Secondly and more
importantly, the version of Ever 17 which has been released is not
the original but instead a modified version of the later remake. This
is important since some story changes were made to this remake that
have had a mixed reception so you should be aware of what you are
buying. Despite these issues these games are still worth picking up,
especially if this is your first time playing them since they still
stand up all these years later.
AIR
With
the release of AIR, all of the older Key titles have been officially
localised into English. Being their second major visual novel it
marked the beginning of the process of refining their identity as a
studio. AIR does not quite have all the features which would come to
define Key's later games and still has many of the rougher edges of its
predecessor Kanon. It focuses around the young traveller Kunisaki
Yukito who is trying to find the meaning behind the story left by his
deceased mother. As he interacts with the main heroines more of its
meaning becomes clear while he deepening his relationship with them
as they push through his cynical exterior. For those looking for a
strong tale of romance or like Key’s output, this is an easy visual
novel to recommend since its charms hold up well even alongside more
modern titles.
DesperaDrops
Nintendo Eshop VNDB Genre
– Otome, Crime, Mystery Play Time - 40 hours
Crime
stories and otome appear to be a powerful mixture with DesperaDrops
being the latest title to use this blend of genres. There is a
certain thrill added to the romance as the characters’ world is
turned upside-down and they must adapt to this rapid change in
circumstances. Naturally this leads to heightened emotions and it is
this specific part of mixture DesperaDrops prominently utilises to
push its variety of suitors into being open with the protagonist. It
helps that the available options cover a good spread of
personalities, appearances and ages to make, each one stand out in
order to capture your imagination and encourage you to pursue them. There is also a
very minor supernatural element in the form of the protagonist’s
power to read emotions and memories through touch. This is mostly
just a justification for the protagonist to be the centre of the
suitor’s attention and feels strangely disconnected from everything
else at times. However, despite this minor hiccup, DesperaDrops will
still scratch the otome itch and makes for an enjoyable time.
KAMITSUBAKI CITY REGENERATE
Styling
itself as a dark fantasy sci-fi visual novel, KAMITSUBAKI CITY REGENERATE immediately catches your
attention with its mash-up of normally distinct genres and ideas. It
is an isekai story where the player character is pulled into the parallel
universe city of Kamitsubaki which is on the brink of destruction.
They must interact with the various inhabitants of the city and work
together to steer this sinking ship into safer waters. Music is a
strong thematic element in KAMITSUBAKI and its role in bringing
people together despite their contrasting backgrounds and beliefs.
This makes the large amount of original vocal tracks hold additional
power over key narrative moments when they harmonize with what is
happening on screen. Overall this is a fun and well produced tale
which focuses on its core identity to great effect.
Trials of Innocence
It
is clear from the moment Trials of Innocence starts that its main
inspiration is the Ace Attorney series. Everything from the narrative
structure to the court room and investigation mechanics are extremely
close to its inspiration. Rather than feeling like a direct copy of
those games, it instead understands their core appeal and crafts its
own original story in their image. It follows a rookie layer called
Luna Ray as she comes to grips with the tumultuous legal world and
defends her clients. All the while she slowly uncovers the tendrils of
a conspiracy which deeply effects her and the lives of many. Trials of
Innocence is hardly a fountain of originality but it is upfront about
what it is and in this purpose it performs admirably.
