What Ero-games are your favorites at the moment? [Archive] - Page 11

relentlessflame

2009-01-01, 01:07

In the spirit of the New Year and this thread, I just thought I'd look back to 2008 and pick what my favourite games of the year were. They're not necessarily "The Best of 2008" by any means, but just my favourites of the ones I played. As some may know, my tastes tend to be more along the "mainstream romantic comedy/drama" AVG-style games (basically, the style of story they could easily turn into anime productions). Not going to bother doing a countdown, just list them.

1. Fortune Arterial by August
To be honest, it's really hard for me to find anything to fault in this game. The story is pretty much top of its class, both in content and presentation. The art, both normal and full-CG, is great. The characters are varied, interesting, and attractive in their own ways. The music repertoire is quite large and varied, and never fails to convey the mood well (with a few real stand-out pieces in there). The game is also a good length, especially when you consider the full-length true ending path that perfectly ties together all the previous paths. The game basically has something for everyone in it -- a truly mainstream, big-production type of title.

Favourite characters: Haruna Yuki, Shiro Togi

2. Tayutama -Kiss on My Deity- by Lump of Sugar
This is another all-around strong title in every area, and well worthy of being played. The only reason it's second and not first is because I wasn't as satisfied with a few of the story paths as I would have liked to be, and the game's structure doesn't hold up quite as well to alternate-path playthroughs (because large chunks of the game are the same with minor variations in order and dialogue). (Plus, well, a few of the ero-scenes were not to my tastes, let's say. :heh: ) But all in all, the game's exceptionally solid, and the true ending path is a classic (hopefully to be adapted in true form in the coming anime).

Favourite character: Mashiro Mitou (and yes, Mifuyu is very good too)

3. FairlyLife by Hook
I suspect that Hook's sense of humour is a bit of an acquired taste, but I was completely sold after HoneyComing, so didn't hesitate to give FairlyLife a try. I definitely didn't come away disappointed. The game's premise, story, and characters are all extremely quirky, but it's really the strength of the cast that carries the game. The game is roughly structured like an anime with different episodes, and there's a good amount of ending material for each heroine. The only thing I missed here was HoneyComing's trademark multi-hour epilogues, as FairlyLife returns to a more standard epilogue scene style. Anyway, if you like high-energy school-life comedies (with a healthy dose of romance and drama as needed), then you should enjoy this.

Favourite Characters: Yuzuki Sawatari, Miku Takaoka, Yuu Itsumi

Honourable Mentions:
- D.C. II P.S. (and P.C.) (by Circus) for bringing us Erika Murisaki
- Asanagi no Aquanauts (by Fizz), for great characters even if the story writing has a few issues IMO (see below).
- Lots of companies for making fandisks, because there's always more goodness to be told even after the final credits roll.

Random spoiler-ish memories/thoughts: (all of these "awards" are totally made-up and random)

Most annoying story/character trait:
Mio, you're great and all, but get it through your head: you can't wipe the lead's memories even if you want to, and you don't have the guts to permanently run away. So stop threatening it already! I stopped believing you after like the 5th time!
Most Useless User Interaction Interface:
I could rant forever about how completely rediculous and patently stupid the whole "select where you want to go now" map interface was used in this game. I mean, to get certain paths, you had to follow the same useless looping ending, complete with the same useless reused scene, like 5+ times until all of a sudden a new option would appear. (I think this was their way of making you say "I really don't want one of the above!" many times over.) Or other times, you'd be locked down a certain path after the first selection, but you'd still be taken to the map screen every single time even though you only had one (1) possible choice! What the hell! Next time, please, just let me pick the heroine right from the start and get it over with. Or at least make all the choices meaningful. Maybe it was their idea of a joke. Only give me a choice if it's relevant and useful.</rant>
Best-Kept Secret Main Heroine:
What you don't know in any other path of the game is that Yuzuki is actually an object too -- a statue. And she's actually just in the image of the real "Yuzuki" a.k.a. Naoko. Surprise! They're twins. Sort of. But they do have a "3P" path. :heh:
Best Plot Twist/Revelation Moment:
Finding out in the True Ending that Erika was the one who wiped Haruna's memories. All I could think of at that time was "Oh shit..." The way they tied all the stories together in that game was just great. And that wasn't the only plot twist/revelation in the true ending either; good stuff. I would almost hope for an anime, but only if they promise to do it seriously this time. :heh:
Scene that left the most-lasting impression:
I mentioned this in my Tayutama comments a while back, but the way the fog clears over the destroyed city while the haunting, but beautiful ED plays sent shivers down my spine. That ending is "the complete package". I doubt I'll soon forget that scene (or, by extension, that entire ending -- great stuff).

Well, I guess that's it for now. 2008 was a great year, and 2009 is already giving us (well, at least me) a lot to look forward to, with 3 big releases in the first month alone. Now if only there were more time...

Dagger

2009-01-02, 07:56

Darn it, you really make me want to play Fortune Arterial and Tayutama on the off chance that I'll like them, even though they don't look like the kind of game I normally go for. :uhoh::heh:

I only started playing VNs on a regular basis in late summer '07--and I'm a slow reader of Japanese, to boot--so I'm still very much in catch-up mode. Then there's the fact that I took several months off from games in the summer of '08, and I got a lot less done than I'd hoped. Here's to playing more eroge in the new year!

Magia Mystica [b-works]
Maid Hajimemashita [VividColor]
Live x Evil ~ Shakunetsu no Edema [Edge]
Live x Evil 2 ~ Nessa no Prometheus [Edge]
Hana Chirasu [Nitro+]
Enzai [Langmaor]
Sakura Yuki [Puppet]
Daylight - Asa ni Hikari no Kanmuri wo [Senz]
ONE - To the Radiant Season [Tactics]
Kikokugai [Nitro+]
Sekai de Ichiban NG na Koi [Hermit]
Zoku Satsuriku no Jango [Nitro+]
Wasurenagusa [Unisonshift]
Chaos;Head [5pb/Nitro+]
Laughter Land [Langmaor]
Invisible Sign - Isu [Lapin]
Invisible Sign - Nemureru Mori [Lapin]
Seraphim Spiral [b-works]
Chrono Belt [Propeller]
Togainu no Chi: True Blood [Kadokawa/Nitro+ Chiral]
ef - the latter tale [minori]
Yume Miru Kusuri [ruf]
G-Senjou no Maou [Akabei Soft]
Messiah ~ Paranoia Paradox [Core-Dusk]
Phantom of Inferno [Nitro+]
Kusari Hime ~ Euthanasia [Liar-soft]
Sumaga [Nitro+]
Souten no Celenaria [Liar-soft]
Love Me Tender - Koyoi, Bar Alba de [VividColor]
Shikkoku no Sharnoth [Liar-soft]
Suzuna Nikki [Root]
sweet pool [Nitro+ Chiral]
The color-coding is fairly self-explanatory, I think. Haha. But this shows that I only played 11 2008-released games, and since 5 of them were otome/BL stuff, that leaves only Chaos;Head, Chrono Belt, ef - the latter tale, G-Senjou, Sumaga, and Sharnoth. Chrono Belt and Chaos;Head (well, those and Sweet Pool) were my favorites not only out of the new games, but out of everything I played. They left me with essentially zero complaints. Chrono Belt in particular was just a magnificent piece of work.

I had a few gripes with Sumaga, but it was more fun to play than any game I'd encountered in a long time. I was completely engrossed throughout. There were things I would've changed about it, but nothing crippling, and the storytelling mechanics are bold and inimitable. It felt fresh and def. succeeded as a piece of entertainment.

The characters and Utena-esque aspects of Sharnoth really grabbed me. Overall, though, I found it disappointing in comparison to Sekien no Inganock. ef - the latter tale has a vastly greater thematic scope than its predecessor, and Mizuki is one of my favorite heroines ever, but the Yuuko/Yuu story left me cold, and so I came away from the game with very mixed feelings because of that.

I still think that G-Senjou wasted so much of its potential. That said, it kept me hooked throughout, even when I began to have a sinking feeling about where it was going, and Haru was a marvelous character.

In 2009, I'm most looking forward to the Sumaga fandisc, eden* (I want to see how minori follows up on ef), Para-sol (Carnelian artwork = must-get), the next Propeller game, the new Type-Moon stuff (especially Girls' Work), and Rewrite... even though the designs for it make me gag a little. :p

Erhjegel

2009-01-02, 16:00

Enjoying myself with Campanella's trial and Coming x Humming right now. Oh man, now I can't wait for Campanella to come out!

Speaking of trial, I've got to try out Sakura no Uta's. And finish Supreme Candy while at it.

Kresnik

2009-01-04, 19:49

FrontWing is unforgivable for butchering Renge's story, which should be the best scenario, but instead got reduced to half scenario path compared to other heroines, and no epilogue. And in the end, they never actually explain what is the true nature of Hoshiuta. :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:
They better make some fandisk or something to repent for their sins.

As for Megiddo, I got sick of the unbelievable high rate of battle encounter so I hack and shut it off, and while I'm at it, activate all the cheat available. :p

HashiriyaR32

2009-01-05, 03:40

I'm currently alternating between DCIIPC and Tears to Tiara right now. And the classification of TTT as a Strategical RPG (a genre that the west call Tactical RPG) is not exactly accurate. I find the combat to be more of a cross between real-time tactics and turn-based.

zalas

2009-01-05, 15:01

Vash002

2009-01-06, 13:32

Re-playing Saya no Uta now that the full translation has been released :D

Avisch

2009-01-06, 15:29

Re-playing Saya no Uta now that the full translation has been released :D

WHAAAAT!?
*checks*
It's true. Now I gotta go play my first Nitro+ game.

LeviathanDarkly

2009-01-06, 16:44

Vash002

2009-01-06, 19:40

http://yandere.gray7.com/?p=111

Takajun, along with the rest of Yandere Translations (occationally known as BRO FIST TRANSLATIONS), has officially announced Sengoku Rance as the next game they're going to translate.
I thought they were going to do Shikkoku no Sharnoth lol.
Well, finished Saya. Oh god, what a day.

Shinova

2009-01-06, 22:57

http://yandere.gray7.com/?p=111

Takajun, along with the rest of Yandere Translations (occationally known as BRO FIST TRANSLATIONS), has officially announced Sengoku Rance as the next game they're going to translate.

That would be great. I've wanted to play but the prospect of complex and hard to machine-translate Japanese put me off, but if they can make the dialogue and game system readable I would jump at the chance to play the game.

Sterling01

2009-01-06, 23:05

I thought Takajun hated to translate H-scenes...

HashiriyaR32

2009-01-06, 23:49

I thought Takajun hated to translate H-scenes...

To quote Reikoku from No Name Losers....

Translating porn is NOT fun

That's exactly what he told me back at Anime North 2008.

zalas

2009-01-07, 03:24

I thought Takajun hated to translate H-scenes...
He does. You should see him complain :p

DingoEnderZOE2

2009-01-07, 14:23

He does. You should see him complain :p

I bet his common complaint is "It's really not fun having to translate the sex scenes. It's just plain awkward. :heh:"

Dagger

2009-01-11, 04:54

I wasn't interested at all in Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa nai until, for some reason, I went to the official site and listened to the character self-introductions. I liked all of them, but Asuka's was the one that made me think, "I must have this." And I know not to take erogamescape too seriously, but there were a lot of comments there about how the writing in the Prelude version was just plain interesting. So I'm quite intrigued now; I think I may get it.

Master Anime

2009-01-17, 15:28

Best Eroge 2008 list by 2ch

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/55/eroge1hx3.jpg
1st place
Sumaga (http://www.sumaga.net/) by Nitro+

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1954/eroge2xv1.jpg
2nd place
G-Senjou no Maou (http://www.akabeesoft2.com/g_sen/index.html) by Akabeesoft2

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/4930/eroge3qx2.jpg
3rd place
Rui wa tomo wo yobu (http://www.akatsukiworks.com/product/ruitomo/index.html) by Akatsuki Works

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7259/eroge4pu5.jpg
4th place
Concerto Note (http://www.applique-soft.com/concerto/index.html) by Applique Soft

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/9046/eroge5ux3.jpg
5th place
Little Busters! Ecstasy (http://key.visualarts.gr.jp/newsoft/) by Key

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3596/eroge6qt7.jpg
6th place
Beat Blades Haruka (http://www.alicesoft.com/haruka/) by Alicesoft

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9888/eroge7tm5.jpg
7th place
Wizard’s Cliimber (http://shchara.co.jp/04develop/wizards/wizardstop.htm) by Softhouse Chara

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6347/eroge8py6.jpg
8th place
Sakura Strasse (http://www.clearrave.co.jp/product/sakura/index.html) by Palette

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3874/eroge9yj4.jpg
9th place
Shikkoku no Sharnoth (http://www.liar.co.jp/sharnothtop.html) by Liarsoft

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2857/eroge10uu8.jpg
10th place
FORTUNE ARTERIAL (http://august-soft.com/fa/) by August

11th Place
Kagerou Note (http://www.liar.co.jp/raiL/kagerou_top.html) by Railsoft

12th Place
Princess Frontier (http://www.axl-soft.jp/products/04/index.html) by AXL

13th Place
Maple Colors 2 (http://www.t-apricot.jp/products/mc2/index.html) by Apricot

14th Place
Prima Stella (http://www.a-kaguya.com/products_BY/prima/index.html) by Atelier Kaguya

15th Place
Battle Goddess ep 0 (http://www.eukleia.co.jp/eushully/eu009.html) by Eushully

16th Place
Shin Koihime Musou (http://www.no-mad.jp/basesonmirror/sinkoihime/) by Base-Son

17th Place
Toushin Toshi 3 (http://www.alicesoft.com/toushin3/) by Alice Soft

18th Place
11eyes (http://lass.jp/product/11eyes/) by Lass

19th Place
Chrono Belt (http://www.propeller-game.com/product/chrono/index.html) by Propeller

20th Place
Toppara ~ zashikiwarashi no hanashi ~ (http://www.caramel-box.com/products/toppara/index.html) by Caramel Box

21th Place
Twinkle Crusader (http://www.lillian.jp/kurukuru/) by Lillian

22th Place
Amatsukaze (http://ninetail.tk/tn02/index.htm) by Ninetail

23th Place
Akatsuki no Goei (http://www.syangrila.com/goei/index.html)by Shangrila

24th Place
Ef - The Latter Tale (http://www.minori.ph/lineup/ef/index.html) by Minori

25th Place
Shakin Shimai 2 (http://slpr.sakura.ne.jp/ShakkinShimai2/) by Selen

http://zepy.momotato.com/2009/01/17/best-eroge-of-2008-voted-by-2channelers/

shinobiknight0

2009-01-17, 16:37

Not being able to speak Japanese; I haven't really to read many visual novels.

I finished Crescendo, Narcissu, Princess Waltz, Tsukihime, and most of F/SN.

Still looking for more to read =)

Shinova

2009-01-17, 16:38

Where is my megiddo!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Or jyakko!!!?!!!?

Varion

2009-01-18, 09:10

Where is my megiddo!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Or jyakko!!!?!!!?

Megido went down pretty badly in terms of reviews, I'm not surprised it's not on there.

uis

2009-01-18, 09:24

Anyway my fav last year is Little Buster EX, Akatsuki no Goei,Prima Stella and Sumaga...
Plan to play after this Chaos;Head and Shin Koihime Musou...

And i cant wait for Canvas 3 this year.... *i like Canvas series...*

rg4619

2009-01-18, 16:03

Megido went down pretty badly in terms of reviews, I'm not surprised it's not on there.

Also, the Japanese regarded Supreme Candy as garbage, so there's no way it's going to end up on a top ranking list.

Shinova

2009-01-18, 19:55

Also, the Japanese regarded Supreme Candy as garbage, so there's no way it's going to end up on a top ranking list.

I would rage, but Japan's across an ocean from here. I'll just hire Godzilla to do that for me.

Erhjegel

2009-01-18, 21:05

johnishida

2009-01-18, 22:08

Wouldn't put too much faith in top list rankings or whatever.

Come on. These guys voted Haruna as the best character from Fortune Arterial! Just one of the many examples of bad taste that Japanese erogamers have.

Besides, if you like it, then you like it. Simple enough for me.

I agree with you. Kiriha should have won that contest!! :frustrated:

As for that list... Fortune Arterial is 10th!? That's heresy!! If it wasn't for KEY's LB! EX, FA should have been the best eroge in this year, that I read at least. Also, Tayutama isn't there either while Akatsuki No Goei is in the 23th. That proves how much bad taste they have.

Dagger

2009-01-18, 22:22

Well, I think it's a pretty nice-looking list. ;) Each to his own... not really fair to make assertions of bad taste just because it doesn't match with what you like, eh?

johnishida

2009-01-18, 22:32

Well, I think it's a pretty nice-looking list. ;) Each to his own... not really fair to make assertions of bad taste just because it doesn't match with what you like, eh?

That true but, I just can't help but to be surprised at that list... G-senjou was great but, I didn't find as good as Fortune Arterial... Ah well, I guess it comes down to how different people's taste are, after all.

uis

2009-01-19, 03:37

lol... even i shock Akatsuki no Goei is 23 even i like very much more than Sumaga...
and i not fan of Fortune Arterial... *people taste is different*

Anyway i didnt object the list... Anyway they still have good taste about eroge...

Erhjegel

2009-01-19, 03:57

Hey, if you like it then you like it, no need for a list to give you affirmation.

What I meant to imply was that rankings aren't necessarily the basis as to what is good or not. As an example, just like Haruna was voted as the most popular character in FA, even though other characters have much better backstories and possible openings for afterstories. But meh.

In other eroge related matters, Ikusa Megami 0 is completely awesome. Freaking sweet. I regret not having played it earlier...as well as other Eushully titles.

relentlessflame

2009-01-19, 14:25

Kresnik

2009-01-19, 20:27

Well, 2ch result might be biased on its own. But if you look at the sales ranking by the getchu or other similar sites, you will see hard cold data (http://hodohodonine.oniichannoecchi.com/?p=377).

Data taken from: http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking2008.html

But it might give us another big question marks of how DC series is really undefeatable :eyespin: and japanese likes their history lesson to be creatively adapted :heh:

uis

2009-01-19, 20:39

Dagger

2009-01-20, 05:33

Yeah, store rankings themselves are somewhat tilted by, well, the people who tend to shop there. You kind of have to compare a couple to get an idea of the overall picture.

relentlessflame

2009-01-21, 01:48

For me from getchu list is ppl like to buy sequel/extra/special for collection like me...
That explain high ranking for To Heart, Little Busters, Koihime Musou and Da Capo II...Yeah. There are just certain games that have that mass-market appeal and tend to get wide support and sales almost automatically. That's not really all that different from any other form of entertainment, though -- popular brands and established franchises will always tend to sell in larger quantities. There can always be "breakout success stories" and those "slow climbs to fame", but with so many to choose from, people who are actually voting with Yen (as opposed to voting with cheap, unlimited bandwidth) will tend to go for the safer bets. That's especially true since a lot of people will be trying for the firstpress bonuses and extras, so you can't wait for the game to come out if you want to get those. I know that, for me personally, the types of games I purchase and play tend to be those sorts of safer bets, which means I'm sure I'm missing out on some games I'd love, but I can't buy everything and don't have the time to try all the trials. Best I can do is follow the big magazines for titles that look interesting and worth pre-ordering.

Dagger

2009-01-26, 12:38

OP movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MrgcRhpYcQ) for the game from the new Littlewitch brand. It's animated.

ShimatheKat

2009-01-30, 02:52

For all you Navel fans, Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai full version is out today.
[and anyone who completes the game, can tell me the plot?]

nikorai

2009-01-30, 10:51

For all you Navel fans, Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai full version is out today.
[and anyone who completes the game, can tell me the plot?]
Yeah, right. Surprisingly, but they're sticking to the schedule.
I'll have to take a look at the game. Though, I still have Really?Really! to play (very hard japanese there, I need to check every second word in the dictionary).
Last year I got the ~Prelude~ and translated about 20 pages of text from the beginning. Didn't have time to advance further, unfortunately.
But the way, don't forget there's a corresponding thread here at animesuki -

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=27854

I stopped there quite a while ago but the thread is pretty much dead now.

Varion

2009-01-30, 13:40

I wanted to be interested in Oretsuba, I really did. Love Nishimata's art, addicted to the opening song, and the writer seems to be pretty well loved. Unfortunately the dodgy support characters (the rappers and the goth gang) make an atmosphere one I really don't like, so... ah well. Maybe next time.

Still, amazing they actually released it. Looking at estimates in that thread for the release of December 2006 and such... :heh: Muvluv Alternative Take 2.

Delusion007

2009-01-30, 14:34

Well I can't speak or read japanese, so I can only read the translated ones. Still I have a decent amount played for such limitations. I have finished all of the following:

Fate/Stay Night
Snow Sakura
Bazooka Cafe
Utawarerumono
Crescendo
Lightning Warrior Raidy
YUME MIRU KUSURI - A drug that makes you dream
ONE- To the radiant season
WIND- a breath of heart
Brass restoration
Tsukihime
Little My Maid
Hitomi- My stepsister
Kana - Little sister
Princess Waltz
Brave Soul
Heart de Roommate
Snow drop
Figures of Happiness
Private Nurse

And in order of favoritism, here are my top ten:

1) Fate/Stay Night - One of the most complex and interconnected plotlines I've read
2) Yume Miru Kusuri - each character has an amazingly detailed history and conflict
3) Utawarerumono - The storyline succesfully makes for a fun and intriguing plot
4) Tsukihime - Each character has a part to play even if it is not their path
5) Snow Sakura - the most laid-back game that has amazing artwork
6) Figures of Happiness - The main conflict remains the main conflict, unlike others
7) Private Nurse - Touching and very romantic story, great artwork
8) Kana Little sister - Made me cry, but still had good storyline
9) Princess Waltz - Fun and sometimes funny story, interesting gameplay
10) Heart de Roommate - Goofy and still interesting, with good artwork

btw, anyone know any websites or books I can use to teach myself Japanese? just the reading is fine

Utau

2009-01-31, 10:52

Though, I still have Really?Really! to play (very hard japanese there, I need to check every second word in the dictionary).

hell yeah, with all those scrambled horrors flying around it's frustrating.

as far as the ~Prelude~ goes the intro/prologue of the navel girls were enough to make me fell sleep :heh:

now that Navel released Oretsubasa i can focus more now on expecting Like a Butler from AXL.

Avisch

2009-01-31, 11:33

i can focus more now on expecting Like a Butler from AXL.

Good ol Japan and their eternal fascination with butlers or master-servant relationships.

Can someone explain what Oretsubasa's about? I noticed that the PV has 3 or 4 disctinct parts. Are the stories connected directly, or or they just connected by the theme?

nikorai

2009-01-31, 16:34

Avisch

Can someone explain what Oretsubasa's about?

Honestly I didn’t play it.　
Valdraさんに聞いたほうがいいと思いますが。
I think we better ask Valdra-san.

The Navel girls explain that the prelude has 3 separate stories and you can play them in any order you like and they are set 3 years before the main events. See below for the link to translation.

Meanwhile I copied the overview from getchu.com -

――大都市・柳木原。
おびただしい数の人と建物がひしめく、巨大な繁華街。

――季節は冬。
空を見上げれば、そこには無表情な白い空。

ありがちな悩みとありがちじゃない悩みを抱えた若者たち。
彼らが出会う、恋ともろもろ。
それはきっと何処にでもある、ありふれた物語。

A big city – Yanagihara
Great numbers of people and buildings, a huge business district.
- The winter season.
If you look at the sky you can see nothing but a white empty sky.
Young people with ordinary and not-so-ordinary troubles.
They meet, love and do all such things.
Apparently there’s nothing in it, it’s all very trite.

Utau
as far as the ~Prelude~ goes the intro/prologue of the navel girls were enough to make me fell sleep
Oh, and I found the first part to be quite entertaining. It even inspired me to actually translate the text.
Here’s the link to the script. I may have made a few mistakes translating it. The text still needs heavy editing.
But still.
http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/ymqr78

Skyfall

2009-02-01, 07:43

What I meant to imply was that rankings aren't necessarily the basis as to what is good or not. As an example, just like Haruna was voted as the most popular character in FA, even though other characters have much better backstories and possible openings for afterstories. But meh.
.

Ho, so you are saying liking Haruna is "bad taste" ? *death glare*
Personally i find a character like her quite endearing. There is something about a caring and kindhearted girl that i can't pass up, even if she has serious self-esteem issues. She might be lacking Erika's playful quirks, but i am quite fond of her regardless. No accounting for taste indeed, but i wouldn't be so hasty when it comes to assigning which characters it is "wrong" or "right" to hold in high regard. There is no right or wrong in this regard, and certainly no "correct" answer.

I will however argue the backstory part. Kanade's path is, for all intents and purposes, completely irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and does not contribute anything to your understanding of the characters, nor the plot. Every single detail related to the two sisters is explored to a greater depth in Haruna's route. You don't learn anything new after playing Kanade's route that could be considered relevant. Not even about Kanade herself. (With the exception of the bit in the end regarding Iori and his past regarding the tree ... though even that didn't really mean anything in the long run). And the tree drama was easily the weakest piece of writing in Fortune Arterial ... some details were downright ridiculous.

I am not saying it is a "bad" route overall. Certainly good if you like Kanade and her quirks and enjoy seeing more of her. But as far as the other 4 routes go, you can clearly feel in the end that they were written with the True End in mind. Not the case here, as Kanade is as disconnected from the main dish as it can get. One would not miss anything at all regarding the story or characters would her route be skipped entirely. The stand alone tree drama isn't really stellar either. Adds nothig to any of the characters either. Not a "bad" route, but certainly not a "relevant" one in grand scheme of things. In the end, her route, while a good dose of her quirky character, feels nothing more as a "what if" afterthought to Haruna's route.

Shiro's route was the second "low point" of Fortune Arterial. What i absolutely loved about FA overall and that was present in all the other routes, is the dynamic approach to drama and character relationships. Issues get introduced and tackled, problems are being worked towards to and you never feel the situation is on a standstill - it is always going somewhere, working on the drama and character interactions. In comparison to that, Shiro's route was stale and uneventful. The drama felt stagnant, character interactions somewhat lacking (Even the usual antics of the student council were not really present), romance not very convincing and just plain overall. By the time the first H scene rolled around i realized i am no longer playing to see how the route ends, but to actually see it end, period.

And then the end rolls around and the characters reach the resolutions they do ... and i am left staring at the screen thinking "wait ... all that for that??
". Didn't really help that the same resolution could have been used the second Seichiro realized what Shiro truly wants ... expect it took us a few hours of stale drama and beating around the bush to get there in the end. Structure wise, this was the weakest route - it struggled filling the time with content that would be either relevant, or funny. In the end, the route didn't have all that much of either.

These two routes aside, Fortune Arterial was a quite fantastic experience overall, and when the True End came along, i could have stood up and applauded to the writers... and this is not something one would find me saying often. The way they wove together the independent stories (4 of them at least), the way they connected all the details and explored the Vampire origins, their bloodlust and reasoning behind it and kenzoku ... impressive. Truly impressive. Most vampire stories don't usually spend their time to go in-depth regarding these issues we usually take as granted part of the theme, and for that i can applaud the writers, along with the quality of writing they pulled off. Most stories can't manage this much.

A masterpiece in its own right, likely my favorite story dealing with vampires up to date as well. Overall, Fortune Arterial was an experience of rare quality, one i don't think i will get to experience anytime soon again.

Sailor Enlil

2009-02-01, 11:17

Well at the moment I'm having fun with Shin Koihime Musou, or rather, already finished all of it, but enjoying a AGTH translation of the "special" campaign that gets unlocked after finishing the 3 "regular" ones (the ones for each of the 3 factions).
It's about 3 guys, a doctor named Kata, and two crossdressers - Chousen from the first game, and Himiko, a newcomer, all bumbling around trying to "help" the injured characters, with all kinds of hilarious results, including the crossdressers scaring the daylights out of some of the girls by their mere appearances, but the funniest of all has to be
when Sonken, vice-leader of the Wu faction, has to take a certain medicine made of outrageous ingredients that scare her to death

Erhjegel

2009-02-01, 20:18

Ho, so you are saying liking Haruna is "bad taste" ? *death glare*
Personally i find a character like her quite endearing. There is something about a caring and kindhearted girl that i can't pass up, even if she has serious self-esteem issues. She might be lacking Erika's playful quirks, but i am quite fond of her regardless. No accounting for taste indeed, but i wouldn't be so hasty when it comes to assigning which characters it is "wrong" or "right" to hold in high regard. There is no right or wrong in this regard, and certainly no "correct" answer.

I will however argue the backstory part. Kanade's path is, for all intents and purposes, completely irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and does not contribute anything to your understanding of the characters, nor the plot. Every single detail related to the two sisters is explored to a greater depth in Haruna's route. You don't learn anything new after playing Kanade's route that could be considered relevant. Not even about Kanade herself. (With the exception of the bit in the end regarding Iori and his past regarding the tree ... though even that didn't really mean anything in the long run). And the tree drama was easily the weakest piece of writing in Fortune Arterial ... some details were downright ridiculous.

I am not saying it is a "bad" route overall. Certainly good if you like Kanade and her quirks and enjoy seeing more of her. But as far as the other 4 routes go, you can clearly feel in the end that they were written with the True End in mind. Not the case here, as Kanade is as disconnected from the main dish as it can get. One would not miss anything at all regarding the story or characters would her route be skipped entirely. The stand alone tree drama isn't really stellar either. Adds nothig to any of the characters either. Not a "bad" route, but certainly not a "relevant" one in grand scheme of things. In the end, her route, while a good dose of her quirky character, feels nothing more as a "what if" afterthought to Haruna's route.

Shiro's route was the second "low point" of Fortune Arterial. What i absolutely loved about FA overall and that was present in all the other routes, is the dynamic approach to drama and character relationships. Issues get introduced and tackled, problems are being worked towards to and you never feel the situation is on a standstill - it is always going somewhere, working on the drama and character interactions. In comparison to that, Shiro's route was stale and uneventful. The drama felt stagnant, character interactions somewhat lacking (Even the usual antics of the student council were not really present), romance not very convincing and just plain overall. By the time the first H scene rolled around i realized i am no longer playing to see how the route ends, but to actually see it end, period.

And then the end rolls around and the characters reach the resolutions they do ... and i am left staring at the screen thinking "wait ... all that for that??
". Didn't really help that the same resolution could have been used the second Seichiro realized what Shiro truly wants ... expect it took us a few hours of stale drama and beating around the bush to get there in the end. Structure wise, this was the weakest route - it struggled filling the time with content that would be either relevant, or funny. In the end, the route didn't have all that much of either.

These two routes aside, Fortune Arterial was a quite fantastic experience overall, and when the True End came along, i could have stood up and applauded to the writers... and this is not something one would find me saying often. The way they wove together the independent stories (4 of them at least), the way they connected all the details and explored the Vampire origins, their bloodlust and reasoning behind it and kenzoku ... impressive. Truly impressive. Most vampire stories don't usually spend their time to go in-depth regarding these issues we usually take as granted part of the theme, and for that i can applaud the writers, along with the quality of writing they pulled off. Most stories can't manage this much.

A masterpiece in its own right, likely my favorite story dealing with vampires up to date as well. Overall, Fortune Arterial was an experience of rare quality, one i don't think i will get to experience anytime soon again.

"What I meant to imply was that rankings aren't necessarily the basis as to what is good or not. As an example, just like Haruna was voted as the most popular character in FA, even though other characters have much better backstories and possible openings for afterstories. But meh."

Yo. Bad taste or not, like I said, if you like it then you like it and all's fine and dandy. Or not. I like Asuku San, but overall her route is the weakest in Itsusora so obviously I too am guilty of aforementioned bad taste. Not to mention that I have a soft spot for Hiroko Taguchi-voiced characters (which includes Haruna), and me going on a limb and saying that she is less important than the other characters is, while storywise rather accurate, pretty much a blasphemy for me because I LOVE Hiroko Taguchi's characters.

So what am I getting at here? I don't know. I guess I'm rambling. But yeah. Subjectivity wins hands down and if you find something that someone else disagrees on just laugh and brush it away. Or something. Rankings are bleh. Like statistics.

Skyfall

2009-02-02, 04:36

"What I meant to imply was that rankings aren't necessarily the basis as to what is good or not. As an example, just like Haruna was voted as the most popular character in FA, even though other characters have much better backstories and possible openings for afterstories. But meh."

I am not placing all that much faith in polls either, but what i took an issue with was you essentially saying it is wrong to find Haruna as the favorite character of FA. You are saying that should be considered false however, based on your second bolded part ... except how is this part the objective truth on the matter ? (or, quite frankly, even matters when we are talking purely about favorite characters, not specific aspects of their stories :heh:). On that, i would argue that Kanade is the character with easily the weakest backstory in FA (Her backstory is the reverse situation of Haruna's, so they are even on this regard ...except her's is not as explored as Haruna's is, nor does she share Haruna's special connection to Kouhei, nor does she have anything connecting to the True End). She is purely "Haruna's sister". And that is all about there is to her character.

If i misunderstood what you were trying to imply about liking Haruna's character, then i am backing down though :)

Yo. Bad taste or not, like I said, if you like it then you like it and all's fine and dandy.

So what am I getting at here? I don't know. I guess I'm rambling. But yeah. Subjectivity wins hands down and if you find something that someone else disagrees on just laugh and brush it away. Or something. Rankings are bleh. Like statistics.

Now this i can definitely agree with. I am playing the game for my enjoyment. I don't need anyone's else approval to like a character. Which is why i don't see the need to fuss over polls in general - who cares what they say, i am here for myself, not for them :)

Or not. I like Asuku San, but overall her route is the weakest in Itsusora so obviously I too am guilty of aforementioned bad taste. Not to mention that I have a soft spot for Hiroko Taguchi-voiced characters (which includes Haruna), and me going on a limb and saying that she is less important than the other characters is, while storywise rather accurate, pretty much a blasphemy for me because I LOVE Hiroko Taguchi's characters.

See, i disagree here with the notion that liking a specific character has got to do much with the supposed "strength of her route" (Though in case of FA, as already noted, i am not conceding the point that Haruna is the weakest route - Kanade's is more irrelevant by a long shot(like, completely), and while content wise Shiro has more "relevant stuff" (or does she actually ? Now that i think about it, she has only one detail relevant to the True End story, which puts her equal to Haruna, but for argument's sake lets assume she does), but structure wise it is the worst of FA routes.
Erika/Kiriha > Haruna > Kanade > Shiro, if we go by "quality of writing"
Erika/Kiriha >Haruna/Shiro> [no longer relevant in any way] > Kanade, if we go with "actually has anything to do with the Vampire side") has all that much to do with the actual "quality" of a story path of said character. Those are two fairly different criteria. And while, depending on how much weight you put on the former, it might affect your appreciation and understanding of the later, it is not the be-all end-all of things :) For example, i have heard on various cases that Marino's path is the "best" in Honey Coming, but i am not touching it with a ten feet pole, simply because she would have boiled me out of my sanity long before i would get to the part where i start caring about her route :heh: Mmm ... end conclusion ? I should probably get around to Itsusora some day :heh:

Dagger

2009-02-05, 09:29

Holy shit. I just hit the most amazing plot twist in OreTsuba, and I'm still in what I assume is the trunk of the game. Maybe I'll revive the old thread after I get my first ending.

Master Anime

2009-02-06, 00:54

Just Started Playing Campanella
Campanella Protagonist truly walking pheromone

johnishida

2009-02-06, 11:10

Just Started Playing Campanella
Campanella Protagonist truly walking pheromone

Must agree with that. He doesn't do anything to get the girls fall for him. Just standing there is enough hahaha

I'm currently I'm chapter 1. Haven't played that much.

uis

2009-02-06, 13:33

Anyway can someone please list good VN release this year ???

Crimson Cloud

2009-02-06, 15:59

I'm messing around with 3d Custom girl at the moment. Dress-up kinda relaxes me when I have a free time after work.

Can anyone please share a few Yuri type games? It can be tactics, RPG or Visual novel both translated or not. It doesn't have to be all that popular just give me few that you heard or that you personally played and liked.

Nosauz

2009-02-10, 20:49

I'm finishing up Tears to Tiara, and currently on the ero burners are F/HA, and Aneimo also I went back to play heart de roommate, and all I can say is I hate that game 4ever, its just to heart breaking to play anymore I just hate bittersweet endings but when they lean heavily to the bitter I just can't take it.

Kresnik

2009-02-11, 21:17

For January release, I'm playing Tenkuu no Yumina and Amber Quartz, alternately. :D
The only hard thing about Yumina is that we need to play all difficulties (Normal, Hard and Super Hard) to unlock the final ending.

As for Campanella, maybe I'll find a free time slot in the February schedule, since there's not much good releases this month unlike March which will be very tight. >_>

Micchi

2009-02-12, 15:32

I am still playing Shin Koihime Musou. The battle system change from the original is refreshing and the story is different. I was really hyped up for it and even though it's not as awesome as I imagined, it is still pretty good. It's also fun to see the parallels with the original Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Hinari is so moe ><

Still haven't touched the January releases yet. That would be Campanella.

I don't see myself freeing up time before Tapestry and Like a Butler come out though...

Crimson Cloud

2009-02-13, 16:32

I saw some good reviews on that Tears to Tiara PC game, and from what I've seen on the trailers regarding the story and gameplay, it really looks amazing. Is that game linear or multi-ending one?

Tran225

2009-02-14, 02:25

Anyone play Narcissu? if so how do u let it play on auto? lol

Shinova

2009-02-15, 22:41

If you haven't already, Like a Butler trial version out on AXL's website! YEEEEESSS!!!!!

Nosauz

2009-02-16, 13:54

I saw some good reviews on that Tears to Tiara PC game, and from what I've seen on the trailers regarding the story and gameplay, it really looks amazing. Is that game linear or multi-ending one?

Its linear, unfortunatly its quite a long game if you play on impossible, because you have to pretty much out level your opponents by 3-4 levels, and xp is gained via the actual character hitting or casting a spell, so the combat parts are actually the most frustating especially if you just want to focus on the story which is amazing. Of course if your a bishojo fan you have to play it on impossible since thats the only way to get all the cgs, and I'm pretty sure thats the only way to get all the hscenes too. Overall its a great game really fun, the voice acting is superb, and the story is just great.

Shinova

2009-02-17, 00:11

Right, just completed the trial of Like a Butler.

Basically we have the protagonist, Narumi Kazuki, and his childhood friend and landlady, Yumino Kanade, who are both fairly ordinary people, if a bit unwealthy so to speak. 85,000 students took an exam to apply for a scholarship to a world-famous school for the rich and privilaged situated near their town and Kanade turns out to be the only winner. Which means tuition is free and she gets to attend an elite school for the super rich and famous. Thing is one of the requirements requires that all students attend school with an escort/steward of the same age/grade level who will basically serve as their maid, if the student is a male, or basically a butler if the student is female. Kanade begs Kazuki to be her butler and attend the school with her and eventually he gives in.

So follows the adventures of two ordinary people, Kanade and her butler Kazuki, into the land of the super rich and famous.

hence the title, Like a Butler.

Let's see, the game so far is interesting and seems fun. Probably as fun and interesting as Princess Frontier. Though neither seemed as fun as Koitate though.

Sterling01

2009-02-22, 10:55

The Sumaga fandisc just got a pv (http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm6218605)
It does have spoilers in it.

Dagger

2009-02-22, 22:21

So is this, like, a fandisc or an expansion disc? I'm still assuming fandisc for now, but their wording is kind of sketchy. :uhoh:

technomo12

2009-02-23, 08:34

um question are there Ero games for psp??

if there is um can you give me a list of em?? so when i can and probably will go to japan i can browse at a certain store that sells them and buy it hehehe

Klashikari

2009-02-23, 11:43

Recently could play Fortune Arterial, Prima Stella and Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo.

Being a lazy commenter, I think sky's article (http://animehistory.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/fortune-arterial-a-luxorious-school-student-council-and-vampires/) would summary well my opinion regarding Fortune Arterial: pretty neat and clean scripting, proper build up and twists and likable characters (minus a very tiresome Kanade, and a loathable Kaya).
Although I was expecting more on the action side due to story relying on vampires matters, it was definitely an excellent visual novel no doubt.
I would however rants for few additional things:
-a ridiculous use of the CPU for few mere effects or ending scroll (it baffles me that a dual core got busy for 92-96% of its capacity due to a silly scroll + song)
-Some laziness that is a bit too noticeable considering the quality of this title (most notable part: the lack of altered effect on people voice when they are using their cellphone)
-True end being borderline a deus ex machina and "too good to be true" (players know what I'm talking about).

Well, I guess I will post something bigger in the future, but heh :heh:
Favourite character: Kiriha (stylish with insane moe side anyone?)
Favourite route: True end (though closely followed by Kiriha's route, then Erika... no, not because of the bias :heh:)

_______________________________________________

Prima Stella, on the other hand, was seriously one of the worst VN I could read (and this feeling got exacerbed as I played it right after FA).
Aside of the mediocre quality production (which is extremely cheap in term of interface, BG and BGM), PS suffers a lot of a inherent issue: mindless ero.
Quantity isn't exactly an issue when it is well timed or somewhat meaningful. But PS manages to make me facepalm so many times I was wondering if I wasn't wasting my time dangerously.
The characters themselves are bland, quite stuck with their set behaviour. Although Kousuke is shown to be a decent male lead, the inconsistencies in the story telling show him as bad as Itou Makoto: screwing around.
Although he is good natured, the scripters didn't have the slightest good common sense to actually keep the ero for heroine routes. Therefore, you have to taste the "goods" one after another before defining the heroine of your choice.
This is really detrimental to the story telling because it simply involves to many "out of characters" decision. As result, it is simply a matter of scripters' whim than anything remotely decent.

That alone made me give up quickly especially how forced the drama was spawning like nuts in the common route (especially Kusumi's).
That experience made me realize that I could have avoided this eroge if I had the smart idea to check possible english reviews here and there. Now, unless it is really rumored to be good, I will certainly avoid any Atelier Kaguya titles like the plague.

_______________________________________________

Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo was a title I wanted to try after how G senjou managed to impress me.
And, hell, I wonder why I didn't check this title before.

Sharin storyline suffered slightly the same way than its successor: things make "only sense" with natsumi. As result, choosing either Sachi or Touka (or even Ririko) is not exactly fitting (a huge sense of incompatibility with Natsumi's route, no doubt).
I will however give the scripters some slack because there isn't much they could do considering the peculiar branch system. In fact, I'm kinda satisfied that they did bother adding few things that make a certain cohesion if you don't choose Natsumi as a romance interest. Of course, it doesn't have a broad convincing effect and sounds kinda cheap, but it is still coherent nevertheless.
And I would say that: the chemistry between the main protagonist, Morita Ken'ichi and the main heroine, Hinata Natsumi is so strong that it IS criminal to choose any other girl.

Now, on the good side of the plot: Sharin has nothing to be ashamed with its pacing (except perhaps, Touka's chapter).
Clean and straightforward, the plot itself dwells with each character issues with a global view, and sooner than expected, it unfolds a much more gloomy and dark aspect.
And this is Sharin plot strength: the interactions of Ken'ichi with each girls are always aiming for the resolution of everyone problem. However, the more the protagonists are going deeper, the more questions are emerging, especially with the unorthodox borderline darwinist view of the society, lead by Houzuki, the main "villain" of the story.

Thus, the scripters successfully avoided rampant cliché and convenient resolution, as they absolutely don't hesitate to leave blatant question and reconsiderations. So much that the protagonists themselves would have to go through dilemna.
That said, while Sachi and Touka routes are mere appetizer, the story really shines once Natsumi's chapter kicks in: balanced melodrama, heartwrenching moments ("she needs a hug, QUICK!" inducing portions) and neat emotional driven moments.

All is then left with a final chapter that explains most portions left unanswered by the VN, with a very satisfying climatic end.

As you can see, the plot itself was really the strongest element of Sharin no Kuni, and this is absolutely no coincidence with a colorful cast.
Ken'ichi is really one of the better male lead I could have read. Pretty much like FA Hasekura Kouhei, Ken'ichi is absolutely not clueless and is sensitive to girls problem AND feelings. As much as it is surprising, dense doesn't belong to his dictionary and he is proactive. Adding the fact he also manages to play the "necessary evil for the better welfare of the girls" behaviour adds a strong sense of sympathy towards this fellow.
To add again some unique aspect of his personality, Ken'ichi isn't shown as a superman, but rather a weird random joker that soon has a darker and flawed side which he won't mop (!) unlike usual emo protagonists.

Sachi would be considered as the usual "genki" borderline sportive girl, but her route shows very well how a motivation can change one's actions. Sachi is quite a refreshing "energy battery" as she is shown as sensitive and surprisingly straightforward. Not totally unique, but still a balanced character.

Touka is the most "bland" (well, don't take it to the first degree) character and still shines on various parts of her route. Tsundere, her antics are however "bearable" (especially her amusing "I will beat you to death!" catch phrase). I was fine with her as she didn't resort much to violence (despite her short temper) and she does show quirks and various dere moments. Her undecisiveness did annoy me hell lots during her route, but her development and changes were good enough for me.
I would simply rant about the fact her route is the least well geared to proper storytelling, as the pace was really jerky past the first part of her route. Climatic emotional ending indeed, but there was a lot of room for improvements to end up to this conclusion.

Natsumi is, at the first glance the tragic girl that seem to be abnormally shy and nervous, but after such a ridiculous awful past, who wouldn't?
Natsumi is probably the most complex character, being torn with various burden and probably the most painful obligation among the cast. And still, she manages to splendidly grow up and advance, thanks to Ken'ichi.
Her route was probably the most depressing one, for good reasons. The surprising element of her story is, however, how things are always advancing to a development, which prevents a forced drama to cripple and drag needlessly the plot (unlike Touka's).
As the interactions are the main feature of this route, the plot itself was really the most emotionnally moving, which is why choosing any other girl is kinda dubious.

Favourite character/route: Natsumi (default heroine, for good reasons)

As you can read, Sharin has a very strong structure articulated on how ken'ichi will help each girl and how things are smoothly raising the question regarding society and individuals aspiration. Each route is always relevant to the main route and come to a real conclusion with the final chapter.
It is however a shame that the epilogues for each route weren't given any justice, but I guess this is fixed with the fan disc, yuukyuu no shounen shoujo.

*phew*, I guess I will do an article, just like I did for G senjou :heh:

Next target... No idea, perhaps Himawari, as Zepy (http://zepy.momotato.com/2008/05/17/doujin-game-himawari/) seems to be quite fond of it... But probably after Yuukyuu Shounen Shoujo (and perhaps any other akabeisoft title, if anyone has a suggestion).

Sterling01

2009-02-24, 09:14

I suggest you try Triptych or Tayutama
Also don't expect that much from Yuukyuu Shounen Shoujo and Atelier Kaguya titles are really just sexfests

Klashikari

2009-02-24, 09:32

I suggest you try Triptych or Tayutama
Also don't expect that much from Yuukyuu Shounen Shoujo and Atelier Kaguya titles are really just sexfests
M3rry's comment:
I’ll only discourage this title for those who absolutely loathe gothic loli bishoujos.Somehow, it DOES discourage me big time so :heh:. Will probably give it a shot once in a while if I manage to get through this idea.
That said, I'm not exactly that sure for Tayutama considering how I got utterly turned off by Skyfall (he typed some live feed on msn, and he went so much panzer about many stuff that it was scary).
i'm sure relentless got utterly assaulted through PM with some unholy wall of rants :heh:.

Obviously I won't expect something totally groundbreaking with Yuukyuu, though it is good to have proper epilogues this time around (natsumi full moe mode, so to speak), though I don't think I will ever try Sachi, considering the landmine (threesome... OTZ).

And yes, I learned my lesson with Atelier Kaguya *shudders*

Skyfall

2009-02-24, 12:05

That said, I'm not exactly that sure for Tayutama considering how I got utterly turned off by Skyfall (he typed some live feed on msn, and he went so much panzer about many stuff that it was scary).

That i did indeed :heh: I found the start of Tayutama a very disappointing affair to say the least. From an utter lack of likable characters (Ameri came closest to what i could like ...not fully there though), to some ridiculous plot developments hinging on characters having an IQ to put a dried fish to shame that were tried to be passed as drama (Somehow a trip to school mutates in to escape from Alcatraz), to a male lead that felt like being back to stone age after having just finished Fortune Arterial and seen a respectable one in Kouhei, to an utterly dry confession that lacked any form of buildup from the guy's side to feel believable ... and towards Ameri no less, which should have been a fairly effortless match ... and at that point i got sidetracked and haven't found the time and motivation to pick it back up yet :heh: At least the plot was starting to look up at that point, and Mashiro became far less annoying once i took a step towards Ameri's route, but heh ... while not all bad, the game certainly lacks the spark that would make me want to go back to it.

... and then i blame Klash for sidetracking me with Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo ... which turned out to be a very solid and pleasant experience overall. I wasn't too sure of what to expect when i stepped in to this title, but whatever my expectations were, it is safe to say it surpassed them by the end. The premise did seem like requiring a fair bit to be swallowed at start, but they quickly made the best of it with the gritty setting of the police state situation, and the awesome Wakamoto endowed "villain" Houzuki (Whom you will love to hate) quickly pull one in to the setting, which then proceeds to take the player through a progressively darker issues, peaking in Natsumi's chapter and carrying over to the final one.

My sentiments on the title largely echo those of Klashikari, so no use repeating them that much i guess :heh: Solid pacing (Except for momentum loss during the 'second half' of Touka's chapter) and a good set of characters that contribute relevantly to both the grand scheme of things and their local routes, nice and unexpected plot twists, a good resolution, and a respectable (and unique) male lead. All that together makes Sharin a very welcome experience.

What has plenty of room for improvment is the games BGM though - sadly, it doesn't really live up to the task a lot of times. While the somewhat retro feel to it would be fine, given the mood of the setting, it often fails to deliver what could have been the full potential of emotional impact some scenes were capable of. While not perfect it wasn't bad enough to be obstructive either ...so while the title could have certainly benefited from a more refined BGM, it isn't all bad either.

The biggest "flaw" (well, it can be easily avoided though by doing the right thing :heh:) is the fact the game pretends to have multiple heroine "paths" ... it doesn't - the only choice is Natsumi :heh: As the game goes on and you finally push yourself through the end and experience all the chapters (that must be cleared in set successive order), it becomes quite obvious the game was written as a solid story with Natsumi as the romance interest in mind, with the other girls quickly slapped on as "gettable" for marketing issues. Can't be helped i guess with the specific plot advancement of this title, but the end result is what it is - take all the other girls, multiply buildup by two, combine it, and you still have a far cry from what Natsumi and Ken have going for them, to the point of seeming simply pitiful. The only other choice that 'might' make a little bit of sense is Ririko, but that still doesn't hold a broken candle to Natsumi.

That aside, the title is still of rarely good quality, and i am enjoying the fandisc now - full drive Natsumi moe mode :heh: It is good to see her finally perked up and no longer her former broken self - she indeed deserves every bit of the happiness :)

Sterling01

2009-02-24, 12:39

That said, I'm not exactly that sure for Tayutama considering how I got utterly turned off by Skyfall (he typed some live feed on msn, and he went so much panzer about many stuff that it was scary).
i'm sure relentless got utterly assaulted through PM with some unholy wall of rants :heh:.
The thing about Tayutama is that it takes a while for it get going and it doesn't really help that the only worthwhile routes are Mashiro's and Mifuyu's.
Though my preference to Mifuyu's route may be due to my fetish for Sadistic blondes.

Any chance of you reading Gore Screaming Show or minDead Blood?

uis

2009-02-25, 13:29

Damn many thing i want to play...
Just finish Fortune Arterial and Aozora no Mieru Oka recently...

Currently playing Da Capo II Plus Communication and Supreme Candy...
Still didnt play G-Senjou no Maou and Tayutama...
I think i will check both after this...

Kresnik

2009-02-26, 23:16

Though my preference to Mifuyu's route may be due to my fetish for Sadistic blondes.

Sterling01 is an M.. lol

Any chance of you reading Gore Screaming Show or minDead Blood?

Or was it S..? @_@

PhoenixG

2009-02-27, 01:10

How about he likes it both XD

Micchi

2009-03-04, 00:50

Got sidetracked from my Shin Koihime Musou playing and started up Tapestry. I've been impressed with it so far with the wide screen HD, manga-style text bubbles and multiple perspectives to tell one coherent story. It's full of comedy, but the drama will probably come soon enough. Hopefully I'll manage to finish this before the rush of March releases.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/MiharuAmakase/008_Saki_Dream.jpg

I've posted a list of the ones that interested me on my blog and it's... a lot. And most of them are high quality too. Amazing OPs. I don't even know where to start >_< Delicious fryable heart!!!

Leo_Otaku

2009-03-05, 23:56

It is hard to keep up with the titles LOL! Keeping up with anime tiotles is one thing. Is there a recommended site that has reviews? The name escapes me I know of one >.> It is hard to sort though the threads in here we need like a section LOL

Shinova

2009-03-06, 16:42

Erogereview is one site. There are other's like Hemisphere/Erjheblahblah's site, Verbal Rubbish, etc.

Sterling01

2009-03-06, 19:51

There's also sites like Getchu

MeganeShounen

2009-03-15, 07:00

Just wanted to share this, for the sheer cuteness.
Info courtesy of Hemisphere and Algester.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7329/topopv.jpg (http://www.lumpofsugar.co.jp/product/happydays/special/04.html)

It's nothing big, but seeing Tayutama and Tenshinranman in the same image is enough to make me happy. Even if it's just a normal dual-promotion, I still like the idea of the two games... :heh:

johnishida

2009-03-15, 14:43

I just hope their relations improve to the point we get a FD with Yuzu's and Sugar's characters on it :D

Nochgo

2009-03-15, 20:01

Hmm I don't play ero-games much, because its a pain to go through all the kanji and stuff ^^; Anyhow, recently I played fate/stay night and ToHeart 2 (yes, very ancient...) I should really go look for some english patches or something.

Might go ahead and look for Fortune Arterial, it sound interesting :D

LeviathanDarkly

2009-03-15, 20:09

No Name Losers has released a standalone build of the first chapter of the first ef game, Miyako's route. They're currently working on the entirety of the latter tale, which would be Chihiro, Yuuko, and Mizuki's routes.

Grab the release and some more info here: http://tsukuru.info/b/?p=405

They would also greatly appreciate it if you could report any errors you find while playing here: http://tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Miyako:_Error_Reports

Thanks! More translation releases coming soon.

Sterling01

2009-03-15, 21:40

So..... how many times has NNL died and then came back to life?
It has to be at least 20 times by now.
I wouldn't hold your breath for latter tale.
After all these are the "BREAK THE SUPPORT DISC (http://www.lurkmore.com/wiki/Break_the_support_disk)" people

GipFace

2009-03-15, 22:38

Aww, need some camphor oil for your burn, Sterling01? Wind was released nearly three years ago. But I suppose like a hot ex-girlfriend, you just can't get enough of us. Act your age (31, if it's even true), grow up, and maybe come up with a better attempt at trolling. Actually, the 4chan thread is gut-bustin' hilarious. The staff is having a great time reading kiddie posts.

LeviathanDarkly - It's probably not a good idea to link to the download because it's against AnimeSuki policy. The double standard lives on!

Sterling01

2009-03-15, 23:24

Wasn't trying to be mean. Just stating the fact that NNL has given up on ef quite a few times.
Though I am curious as to why the change in opinion happened

GipFace

2009-03-16, 00:37

If you want to direct your incredulity at someone, direct it at groups that haven't actually released anything. Like maybe Gamepatch, or NDT. Who knows how long they'll take? ~_~

We gave up on ef once, not "twenty" times. Consult the readme if you want to know why.

Hrm... of course 4chan picked up my previous post. I'll take a quote from chapter 1 itself. If there's a reaction, it means they still care. I never knew they loved me so much. The biggest haters are the ones who check my website every day, pick apart every blog post, and follow my every move like I'm some sort of mega-celebrity. Ho ho ho! The irony in that is too delicious.

Anyway, it'll be real entertaining to see how this all unfolds. A no-nonsense release was exactly what every pirate wanted, yet they're still complaining. I'm still giggling at the fact that they're trying to stir up drama when there is none.

sagematt

2009-03-16, 11:34

direct it at groups that haven't actually released anything. Like maybe Gamepatch, or NDT

NDT

Oh, really? http://radicalr.pestermom.com/game.html

MakubeX2

2009-03-19, 02:57

Kazune Yamamoto just handed in her resignation to Studio e.go. Seeing as how dependant e.go is on her works, will this spell the begining of the end ?

Micchi

2009-03-19, 12:05

That's very interesting news. While I'm not a fan of their works, they have been around for a decade and produced a lot of games, so it's surprising that it'd disappear like that. It's something to do with staff relations?

I think usually if a company relies on a main artist instead of multiple brands/artists, the head illustrator leaving pretty much means the end of the company. Then again, do people follow companies or artists more?

m3rryweather

2009-03-19, 12:28

I'm not sure if that is usually the case but she is one of the directors of E.go and everyone on the team are leaving too so it would make sense that the company will go down under.

And just for the heck of staying on topic, I would be playing Flyable Heart but I have finals. ;_;

Micchi

2009-03-19, 12:33

It's a bit disappointing though.

I'm kinda slowly working through FH. Coming from Tapestry, it's basically a total reversal so far with all the comedy. Love the SD drawings XD

Btw, welcome to AS, m3rry :3

johnishida

2009-03-19, 14:06

I'm spending most of my time on FH (thanks to the fact that my finals are over :D)

Currently on Yui's route. So far, it has been just what I expected! The game has lots of mysteries surrounding it's characters which was kind of surprising for me... Specially the male lead is the very definition of "Mysterious Transfer Student" hahaha!

Bane Rieko

2009-03-19, 18:51

Ashlotte

2009-03-19, 21:50

I feel kind of weird saying this, but right now my favorite eroge is Yume Miru Kusuri~ A Drug That Makes You Dream.

It's so darn DEPRESSING for an eroge! I cried multiple times while playing this game, especially during the Aeka route. Curse you Antoinette!

Has anyone else played this game and cried too?

Haha why would you feel wierd...And yea it is one of the more enjoyable translated VNs out their thus-far. Crying though...hmmm I don't think so, but it was a pretty emotional ride just the same. ;)

Bane Rieko

2009-03-19, 22:04

Haha why would you feel wierd...And yea it is one of the more enjoyable translated VNs out their thus-far. Crying though...hmmm I don't think so, but it was a pretty emotional ride just the same. ;)
Because I'm a girl who usually plays yaoi visual novels... It's completely out of my genre!

Autumn Demon

2009-05-10, 14:53

Are there any other eroge like Doushin Same Heart where you zap between different playable characters in English?

Avisch

2009-05-10, 15:48

Been experimenting witha quite a few Eushully games
-Ikusa Megami Goddess Zero
-Himegari Dungeon Meister
-Meishoku no Reiki

They're challenging but very interesting.

mikita

2009-05-11, 17:52

ever17 isn't ero but i love it <3
Fate is also great
playing Tomoyo after atm

serenade_beta

2009-05-20, 00:17

http://d.hatena.ne.jp/moonphase/20090519#p2

...
Crossnet... \(^o^)/OWATA...
Just what happened...

Micchi

2009-05-20, 16:18

http://d.hatena.ne.jp/moonphase/20090519#p2

...
Crossnet... \(^o^)/OWATA...
Just what happened...

Not sure myself, but they haven't released anything recently... it's just been sister companies Favorite, Apricot and Apricot Cherry. So maybe they just became independent?

meh

2009-05-27, 10:00

My favorite VN has to be Fate Stay Night. It's just absurdly good. Although more recently, I finished and enjoyed both G-Senjou no Maou(REALLY REALLY GOOD) and Remember 11.

Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo was a title I wanted to try after how G senjou managed to impress me.
And, hell, I wonder why I didn't check this title before.

You know, I haven't heard a single bad review of this game. Yet for some reason I just can't play through it. The beginning portion seemed so... boring. Which I found unusual since G Senjou no Maou got my interest from the get-go.

Anyway, trying to play this and Clannad. Two games that has been taking up space in my hard drive for a while now. Both are games that seems to be "Must Play" and neither has caught my interest yet.

Klashikari

2009-05-27, 10:16

You know, I haven't heard a single bad review of this game. Yet for some reason I just can't play through it. The beginning portion seemed so... boring. Which I found unusual since G Senjou no Maou got my interest from the get-go.
I personally think Sharin no Kuni start was much more engaging. True enough, the action rolls much quicker in G senjou, but it takes an AWFUL time before Haru barges in the fray.
Hence, I personally had less attention trouble with Sharin, as you had everyone's antics, especially Ken's, while in G Senjou, you were stuck with Kyousuke, Kanon, Tsubaki and that creepy troll Eiichi.

Thinking back at the start of G senjou, it was a good thing I didn't play Sharin first, as the start of G senjou would ironically bore me big time (lots of eiichi's antics, rinse and repeat).

meh

2009-05-27, 10:25

Woah. Such different reactions. I think my main problem with Sharin's beginning is that I'm not sure what everything's about. It's just a whole bunch of different people doing there own stuff.

Oh well, I'll definitely give it another go.

Klashikari

2009-05-27, 10:29

True enough. The problem with Sharin is the fact that the premises can leave a big interrogation: you certainly feel something is weird with" school girls being considered like bunch of criminals", and it will give even more incompatibility feeling regarding the possible themes etc.

However, things will go quickly engrossing when you will have further interactions with Natsumi, then with Sachi's route.
In term of comparison with G senjou though, Sharin and G senjou share a lots of epic moments and very dark/debatable themes and aspirations. But unlike G senjou, Sharin is way more consistent in term of story telling (less on the suspense side, doesn't rely on surprise plot twist. Not like G Senjou's one was bad, but was generally considered as a letdown for most readers).

Sterling01

2009-05-27, 11:47

Currently engrossed in Tenshin Ranman.
I don't know if my heart can take the massive amount of moe~ this.... HHHNNNGGG

johnishida

2009-05-27, 17:14

Currently engrossed in Tenshin Ranman.
I don't know if my heart can take the massive amount of moe~ this.... HHHNNNGGG

You got it already!!?! >_<! I envy you! :(:(

relentlessflame

2009-05-27, 17:18

You got it already!!?! >_<! I envy you! :(:(I'm not sure if it's really something to boast about, at least on these boards. The ship date is Friday. :uhoh:

Anyway, I did order that game based on the comments from a few people from these boards (and also on impressions from Dengeki G's and Hime). I have to say that my initial impression was that the secondary heroines seemed almost more interesting than the main ones to me, but we'll see... :heh:

johnishida

2009-05-27, 17:46

Yeah, I guess... But, is not like he's posting a link to it or something xD

I'm most interested in both of sub chara routes, sakuya-hime and Sana. Also, I would trade an Aoi route for a Wataru one xD

Tamad

2009-05-27, 17:59

Pretty down on School Project right now. This game has one of my most favorite HCG sets, so now that I actually get to play through it makes it all much more satisfying.

Sterling01

2009-05-27, 18:29

The ship date is Friday. :uhoh:
Hmm... didn't know that. But from what I've played I have to agree that the secondary characters > main characters

Hourai Rabbit

2009-05-28, 04:51

Working my way through The Sagara Family right now. Its been fairly standard so far but I do like the way the endings have been written - I'm a big fan of heartwarming stuff. Planning to read Da Capo next. And Eien no Aselia. And Tears to Tiara. And Chaos;Head. And Saya no Uta. And...

izmosmolnar

2009-05-28, 05:58

Well I played through "Moon. DVD", but I'm far from impressed :uhoh: (so I wouldn't really call it favorite heh)
It is truly astounding, that it was almost done by the same group (apart from two guy), which designed such crying games like Clannad, Air, Kanon. Not surprisingly they've also involved an ending with magical aspect here too, like the already mentioned latter games.
edit: Forgot to add. The english translation was very well done! Really impressive and professional, especially considering the pace they have shown, and the length of the game.
I've only found one typo in the game, and all the sentences were properly nicely structured. Hats off to the fantranslation group, and everyone should keep an eye on their great work.
I'd estimate about like 70-80% of the H content as semi-rape, or a really sick bizarre fetish (and I pray I'm not going to ever see echi scene involving excrementing, that's just... wrong and stomach-disturbing).
The gameplay was a bit tedious like that (even more so than for example EVE Burst Error or Divi-Dead), IMHO the story was mediocre at best, and the ending was kinda meh.
And I was really pissed, when I had to restart the whole game, because always making the "sane decisions" at the delusions eventually led to a Bad End midgame. How should I've known, that I have to make the pervert decisions all the time? :/ Fair enough the captors are informing about the decisions from time to time, but I had no idea, I have to listen on them. They are evil after all, I wouldn't expected that I have to follow their advices, and choose the "pervert" choices.

Edit: well maybe less than 70% of the eroge content is rape, since there are far too many missing CGs in my extra menu now. However there is one ending only, and I'm sure as hell I don't want to restart it for the third time, just to unlock those CGs...

Sterling01

2009-05-28, 20:50

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1875/ev3mif02bv.jpg
Tayutama -It's happy days- is what you get when you mix Lump of Sugar and Fan pandering (that fucking poll).
Now don't get me wrong the eroge is great you get things like...

Lots of Kimono sex
Bear Suit sex (I'm not joking)
Loli sex
Maid sex
Wedding Dress sex
Gothic Lolita Sex
Bondage
And generic Gym uniform sex

While I haven't read the actual story which I'm guessing is Mashiro focused I can say it's a pretty good fandisc

maekei

2009-06-04, 00:49

Ethics Organization of Computer Software(EOCS)
decided
no rape,no confinement,no sex training,no slave
in ero game.
and ero game maker can not put HCG which looks like rape secene(but if it was less than 20%ok)

F××k American who tranlated ero game without permisson and Equality now.

[Will be diffcult to sale]
Tukihime remake. Rance series. Cross days.Balder sky dive2,Kizuato(might already pass the exam) Nitro＋soft.and others

Master Anime

2009-06-04, 01:22

Just finishing Happy Day's
And now currently playing Tenshin ranman hime route :D

mikita

2009-06-04, 04:27

It's not an EROge but I'm back at Clannad after the whole new DVD Kyou-arc thing and rediscovering why I love Tomoyo

Pirkaf

2009-06-04, 06:04

Gang Rape Club

johnishida

2009-06-04, 06:15

I'm currently on Tenshin Ranman and already finished Mahiro's route and already in Aoi's! I love this game! I knew Yuzu Soft would not let me down!

Micchi

2009-06-04, 11:36

I finished Sana's and loved every minute of it. Aoi's is boring me so far though...

johnishida

2009-06-04, 14:15

I finished Sana's and loved every minute of it. Aoi's is boring me so far though...

I planning on leaving Sana and Hime for the end since their routes are the ones I'm the most interested in.

Yes, Aoi's route is kind of boring but, it gets a lot better eventually. Just bear with it for the moment.

m3rryweather

2009-06-04, 18:37

I've finally shoved my rear in gear and started playing Tenshin Ranman and Happy Days. Lots of kimonos man. Like LOADS. The "Mifuyu/Nue" route was pretty sweet. I still don't have any clue why Nue is so freaking popular but I'm warming up to her now.

I'm thanking Yuzusoft for giving my favorite character, Mahiro, at least a subroute since they never released a fandisc before.

Micchi

2009-06-04, 18:49

I'm thanking Yuzusoft for giving my favorite character, Mahiro, at least a subroute since they never released a fandisc before.

Where's the Honoka route!? T_____T (I mistook her for Gumi-chan one time...)

johnishida

2009-06-04, 19:32

Where's the Honoka route!? T_____T (I mistook her for Gumi-chan one time...)

Yeah, where is it!? I demand one!!

Seriously, Yuzu Soft tend to have some really great sub-characters but, if they are going to give them routes then should have given route to all of them! >_<

KnightHart

2009-06-04, 20:17

currently playing hana to otome,Miyako route.
but damn,Seika-sama sure is cute

Kohei Hasekura

2009-06-19, 02:34

Nothing really make me interested atm.. Therefore, i need some epic recommendations XD

kyosak

2009-06-23, 04:59

Anyone here play 'Gore Screaming Show'?

I just beat Akane's route (the happy ending) and it was pretty good but it left too many questions unanswered... >.> Maybe the bad endings will clear these up?

Yuka's reason for being attached to Kyouji? Why did she kill Yoshiki's wife?

patnam

2009-06-23, 09:28

WAiting for CROSS DAYS... dunno when to be released...!!!

Golden Witch Drugs

2009-06-23, 15:43

Currently playing Little Busters! EX Saya's route... Damn, her route is confusing, but the game is the best ever saikou (>v<)/

Micchi

2009-06-23, 15:53

Been playing trials for July releases lately. Owarinaki Natsu Towa Naru Shirabe and Sorairo were pretty good. Still waiting on Natsuyume Nagisa's demo.

Another 3 days till this month's releases...

izmosmolnar

2009-06-23, 16:03

Been playing trials for July releases lately. Owarinaki Natsu Towa Naru Shirabe and Sorairo were pretty good. Still waiting on Natsuyume Nagisa's demo.

Another 3 days till this month's releases...
I was kinda hoping you might clear some of the titles in your backlog as there are some interesting titles there, which I would be really interested to read reviews about ;) .

DidCart

2009-06-29, 17:28

I'm going to start a new eroge, which one you guys recommend me to play?
Choose one that have an english version, please.

Dist

2009-06-29, 20:19

My all time favourite is Yume Miru Kusuri. Touching story and when the eroge scenes came to, I wasn't even very excited. The story was simply too good.

Well, for a real eroge my current favourite is Wanko to Kurasou. I picked it up as someone recommended it as a good loli eroge. But after I started playing, I found myself quickly skipping past the loli scenes, as I was more interested in Risa :P

kuroishinigami

2009-06-29, 20:49

Seems like most of those ero-games with good story is Japan only >.<. Personally I would like to try those games, but swtching setting for Japanese games and everyday use is to much a hassle(lots of people in my house is not good with computer so using Japanese setting will just confuse them lol). Any good story eroge that has been english translated out there?

serenade_beta

2009-06-29, 22:24

Seems like most of those ero-games with good story is Japan only >.<.

Don't worry. By the time the banned words officially start removing eroges off the shelves (if they aren't already or something), a good amount of those eroges are going to heaven...

izmosmolnar

2009-06-30, 02:01

I'm going to start a new eroge, which one you guys recommend me to play?
Choose one that have an english version, please.
Indeed Yume Miru Kusuri is enjoyable, it's definitely one of the better commercially translated VN. I recommend that to everyone new to the eroges, and I hardly heard disappointments so far.

Skyfall

2009-06-30, 07:52

While this might be more related to Suggestions subforum ... besides the already mentioned Yume Miru Kusuri, i would suggest Snow Sakura - while somewhat of a typical romance on one hand, it also has comedy in spades and managed to leave me out right laughing on more than one occasion - a very humorous and entertaining title, well worth the time. Kana: Little Sister is a rather universally praised title, so you might want to give it a shot. Unlike Snow Sakura though, this is not an uplifting title and is quite drama heavy. If that doesn't bother you, fire away.

If you can live without the ero part, i would immediately put forth Ever17, a great SciFi/"mystery" title, having a story that amongst the more intellectually written ones out there. The sheer impact of revelations near the end of finale left me dumbfounded (in a good way), and i was far from alone in that. The story centers around a group of people getting trapped inside and underwater amusement park during an accident, and the unfolding events that follow. Would be my first recommendation from the lot.

Sugar_Prayer

2009-06-30, 09:59

Right now, I'm really enjoying KiomoKawaE and Koenji Joshi Soccer 2.

DidCart

2009-07-01, 14:01

Thank you all for the suggestions!

Garet Jax

2009-07-03, 21:09

A bit of potentially interesting news: J-List/JAST has announced a partnership with Nitro+. Demonbane is the first listed title.
http://www.nitroplususa.com/

Sugar_Prayer

2009-07-03, 22:15

Still enjoying KimokawaE.

And i just started playing Nursery Rhyme. Very cute story line. :)

becky-chan

2009-07-03, 22:26

At the moment my favorite has to be Fate/Stay Night,playing the Unlimited Blade Works arc and I have to say its truly epic.

izmosmolnar

2009-07-04, 06:02

A bit of potentially interesting news: J-List/JAST has announced a partnership with Nitro+. Demonbane is the first listed title.
http://www.nitroplususa.com/
Indeed. I'm really hyped that JAST is affiliating themselves with Nitro+.
Demonbane (http://vndb.org/v231) is the first title they are planning to release, hopefully soon. It seems really great to be honest. It has everything good: Lolis, Mecha, Lovecraft... And I've only read positive reviews about it so far (albeit it's anime adaptation (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6512) is considered mediocre. animesuki thread about the anime (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=26902&highlight=demonbane&page=9)).
It's sad that there was already a 50%ish fan-translation (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Zanmataisei_Demonbane) though, which might have been finished with some time investment.
The other title they are planning to release is Jingai Makyou (http://vndb.org/v400), which also seems quite good. Did anyone played that in japanese (or korean)? I honestly don't know anything else about that title, besides the plot synopsis.
Plus they also revealed that Kazoku Keikaku (TL note: Keikaku means plan) is going to be the Gold edition.
Anyway JAST really going into the good direction with licensing titles with good stories.

On the other hand Mangagamer is also quite crafty, as they licensed Higurashi and Shuffle, which both has a considerable western fanbase. However both had/has some fantranslation in the works, and I feel kinda bad that the fantranslators' hard work goes unfinished and unrequited by the majority.
Shuffle has a 100% translation somewhere inaccessible, according to the translators, but now we never going to find out in the end, despite that it was one of the most anticipated fan-translation project few years ago (might have been on the same level as the FSN game).
I wish Mangagamer will be clever enough to negotiate with the Sonozaki Twins, because I really want them to feel appreciated what they have been doing in the recent years, and it'd also help Mangagamer if they could use the already released scripts which the twins wrote (at least it'd be quicker to release the question arks with that move, as the first 1,5 arks doesn't require any proofreading or TL). I'm secretly hoping they might also recruit the SF twins to help them in localizing Higurashi.

Plus they also have the license for Shin Koihime † Musou (http://vndb.org/v1967), another title with many positive response. Apparently it's sequel also has an anime adaptation (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9498) (animesuki forum about the anime (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=67080&highlight=Shin+Koihime+Musou)). However according to myanimelist (http://myanimelist.net/anime/6112/Shin_Koihime%E2%80%A0Musou), the original game -the one which gets localized- is going to have a different Anime adaptation estimatedly in autumn (AFAIK kinda like a prequel series to the above one). So if everything goes well the audience maybe able to play the game and watch the anime at the same time, like the japanese audience.

So MG effectively going to localize 3 promising VNs, and all of them is recognizable already in the west, thanks to their anime show. It is quite a good move, even though I disagree with demoralizing the VN fantranslations. However it's also speculated that they might announce something else later today, because the official announcements are going to happen a bit later. All this Mangagamer news we have is from their flyers so far.

---------------
Oh boy, that might be one of the best years for Visual Novels in english! We already had many great titles, but there is still more to come.
By a really rough estimation these are the VN titles we might see at the end of the year:
Cross Channel (http://amaterasu.oxyhost.com/index.php?page=projects) (Fan-translation and since Ixrec is so immensely quick with TL ( :heh: ), they might even finish another title after CC. Plus they will going to have a public vote to decide what title to translate)
Family Project (http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GC033&Category_Code=) (official TL)
Cat Girl Alliance (http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GC035&Category_Code=) (Official TL)
Raidy II (http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GC036&Category_Code=) (official TL)
*A Downhill Night title* (Official TL, most probably one of these preorders: 1 (http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JU&Product_Code=P016&Category_Code=games), 2 (http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JU&Product_Code=P017&Category_Code=games), 3 (http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JU&Product_Code=P018&Category_Code=games))
Demonbane (http://www.nitroplususa.com/2009/06/demonbane-an-introduction/) (official TL)
Jingai Makyou (http://novelnews.net/2009/07/03/jast-usa-announces-partnership-with-nitro/) (official TL)
Devils Devel Concept (http://www.darktranslations.com/news/) (Fan TL)
Sumaga (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Sumaga#Translation_Progress) (if the Fan TL is not stopped)
G-Senjou no Maou (http://nekorelated.wordpress.com/category/g-senjou-translation-project/) (Fan TL, likely finished by septemberish)
Koisuru Otome to Shugo no Tate (http://nekorelated.wordpress.com/category/koitate-translation-project/) (Fan TL)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (http://www.mangagamer.com/main/Information/News/1) (official TL,)
Shuffle (http://www.otakuism.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6115&start=0#p89207) (official TL, will update link when it's officially announced)
Koihime Musou (http://www.otakuism.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6115&start=0#p89207) (official TL, will update link when it's officially announced)
Edelweiss fan disc (http://novelnews.net/2008/08/21/mangagamer-talks-overdrive/) (official TL)
Kira Kira fan disc (http://novelnews.net/2008/08/21/mangagamer-talks-overdrive/) (official TL)
Umineko Episode 5 (http://witch-hunt.com/) (Fan TL, hopefully by Witch Hunt <3 )
Naisho no Jikan (http://kodomo.scarletdevilmansion.com/) (Fan TL)
Eien no Aselia (http://dakkodango.com/) (Fan TL)
Remember11 (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Remember11_-_the_age_of_infinity) (Hopefully. Fan TL)
Symphonic Rain (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Symphonic_Rain) (Fan TL)
Sengoku Rance (http://yandere.gray7.com/) (Fan TL, and TakaJun might even finish something else after Rance, who knows.)
Chaos; Head Noah (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Chaos;Head_Noah) (Fan TL, maybe it'll be finished by the end of the year, but since it's a Xbox 360 port it's a pain in the ass to localize)
And maybe even Little Busters (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Little_Busters!) (Fan TL, Well I'm hoping that at least by the end of the year, we might have a route or two. I never give up hope ;).)
Pure Pure (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Pure_Pure_The_Story_of_Ears_and_Ta ils) (Fan TL, link to forums (http://s1.zetaboards.com/FOTS_Translations/index/))
Possibly even Fate/Hollow Ataraxia (http://amukunau.blogspot.com/) (The translator seems quite fast enough, so we might have a chance to play it in english by the end of the year)
Some of the links might contain NSFW pictures, be warned. That list is by no means complete, neither it is a genuine irrefutable prediction, and nor it is some kinda "urging" message to the fan-translators, it is just a strictly hopeful estimation entirely wrote by me. Don't consider it like some kinda deadline or something, just as some silly thing which might happen if everything goes well.
You can follow the progress for yourself by the links provided. And I apologize if I forgot about some Title, that list was just from the top of my head, and by a quick search to the various sites I sometimes frequent.

ZODDGUTS

2009-07-04, 06:52

Good news about Nitro+ games being brought over. Currently playing Sumaga with translations.

relentlessflame

2009-07-04, 19:50

Plus they also have the license for Shin Koihime † Musou (http://vndb.org/v1967), another title with many positive response. Apparently it's sequel also has an anime adaptation (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9498) (animesuki forum about the anime (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=67080&highlight=Shin+Koihime+Musou)). However according to myanimelist (http://myanimelist.net/anime/6112/Shin_Koihime%E2%80%A0Musou), the original game -the one which gets localized- is going to have a different Anime adaptation estimatedly in autumn (AFAIK kinda like a prequel series to the above one). So if everything goes well the audience maybe able to play the game and watch the anime at the same time, like the japanese audience.You totally confused me with this paragraph, what with the sequels and prequels, and so on. :heh: I'm not sure if this is what you said, or what you meant to say... but Koihime Musou is the original game, and that's what the original anime was loosely based off of. Then, to coincide with the airing of the first anime, they released Shin Koihime Musou, which is a different story set in the same universe. They're making a new season of the anime, and it's also called Shin Koihime Musou. So, I take it that MangaGamer is localized the second game, then?

izmosmolnar

2009-07-04, 20:05

I haven't seen neither the first anime, nor played any of the games either, so I had a hard time figuring it out too. :heh: But I think you are right, and that's also what I wanted to say before getting fed up to make heads and tails out of all the stuff.

According to VNDB and AniDB: the first game, Koihime † Musou ~Doki ★ Otome Darake no Sangokushi Engi~ (http://vndb.org/v369) is the one with the already finished mediocre anime (no english translation for the game).
However Mangagamer licensed it's sequel, Shin Koihime † Musou ~Otome Ryouran ☆ Sangokushi Engi~ (http://vndb.org/v1967), and that's also the one title which might receive an adaptation (http://myanimelist.net/anime/6112/Shin_Koihime%E2%80%A0Musou) in autumn. Which means we might play and watch the anime at the same time, and that'd be quite good if it happens.
So yeah, if I'm correct Mangagamer licensed the second title of the "series", probably a continuation of the anime we might know here on the west.

Is there anyone here who played the game in japanese or korean anyway? It would be nice if someone could confirm they are indeed the continuation of the existing anime, how necessary is it to know the "first title", and I'd be interested to know how good of a game is it. I'm really not the most reliable source to summarize the relations between stuff I'm not entirely confident.

Micchi

2009-07-04, 21:48

Shin Koihime Musou is a retelling on Koihime Musou with an extended cast and updated battle system. In Shin Koihime Musou, you have to choose one of the three groups at the beginning and the story progresses from there. There are some common events, but overall, they're not really the same. You don't need to play the first before the second.

I've played through half of Shin Koihime Musou while my friend Zen played the original version. The battle system definitely got better in the new game. However, since there's so many characters in Shin, there's not enough screentime for everyone, ending up with many paired routes. Due to this fact, most of the original game's stories were longer and better. Oh, and the loli twins aren't in Shin.

I think the game is ok though. The parallels with actual events from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms keeps things interesting.

izmosmolnar

2009-07-05, 04:06

I see, so it's like an improved version of the same/similar story with advanced battle system and more characters. Sounds interesting enough. I definitely take a looksie how does it seems like.
I'm not entirely sure about MG releasing it in the end, as they didn't mention it at their announcement. Oh well...22:55:59 <MangaGamer> Q: Lots of fan translation out there, what efforts are there to work with fan translators?
22:57:02 <MangaGamer> A: I think it’s a case-by-case situation. We don’t have any ideas like fan translations are bad. If we’re able to use that and get it at a relatively affordable price. Might be able to release video games at lower prices as wellAt least they mentioned buying fantranslations if the circumstances are so, which means they are sensible enough to cooperate I hope. However they didn't answer to the Sonozaki Twins' email-inquiry yet, so I don't know what's going to happen in the end. We'll see.

Shinova

2009-07-08, 04:21

http://clochette-soft.jp/amamiso/index.html

New game from clochette. I happened to visit their site again (which is not blocking foreign IPs yet fyi, along with Marmalade and Skyfish) and saw their announcement, to which I thought, "YEEEEEESSSS!!!!!!!!!!"

Kamipani had its flaws, but overall it was good and Megumi's arc is very moving. More from clochette and more of Shintaro's awesome art is always welcome!

Interesting thing though is that the EOCS' heavy restrictions on eroge content goes into effect on October, which is most certainly when this game will be released or afterwards and it's most certainly already been under development for a long time, so I wonder how clochette will deal with this (same with marmalade, who also have a game that's coming out in October).

relentlessflame

2009-07-08, 12:39

Interesting thing though is that the EOCS' heavy restrictions on eroge content goes into effect on October, which is most certainly when this game will be released or afterwards and it's most certainly already been under development for a long time, so I wonder how clochette will deal with this (same with marmalade, who also have a game that's coming out in October).I, sadly, haven't played a Clochette game yet, but I guess I would wonder why you think this game would be affected by those restrictions. Even the keywords proposed are not so draconian that they'd prevent normal school-themed romantic comedies from being released (and, without knowing more, that's what this looks like to me...?). I'm sure this and most of the other big name-brand games will see only minor discernible changes, if any.

johnishida

2009-07-08, 15:13

I have yet to read Suzunose7 when they announced the FD and now they announce a complete new game!? Businesses must be doing really well for them.

Shinova

2009-07-08, 15:58

I, sadly, haven't played a Clochette game yet, but I guess I would wonder why you think this game would be affected by those restrictions. Even the keywords proposed are not so draconian that they'd prevent normal school-themed romantic comedies from being released (and, without knowing more, that's what this looks like to me...?). I'm sure this and most of the other big name-brand games will see only minor discernible changes, if any.

There's a list of to-be-banned items and incest and group sex are two of them. In other words, goodbye Sana, goodbye Harem Ending! AAARGH!!!

Oh and there was another bit about the only sexual position allowed being consensual missionary. Booooooring.

relentlessflame

2009-07-08, 16:10

There's a list of to-be-banned items and incest and group sex are two of them. In other words, goodbye Sana, goodbye Harem Ending! AAARGH!!!

Oh and there was another bit about the only sexual position allowed being consensual missionary. Booooooring.The latter is definitely a lie (reminds me of the lie people believed when "shoujo" was on the list - "oh no, only yaoi!" Stupid people... :heh: ), and the former is a definite over-statement. The "incest" issue has been dealt with in this sort of fiction since time immemorial, and "group sex" needs a lot more definition to know what specifically they consider problematic. It wouldn't surprise me if this is more about "gang sex" (a.k.a. gang rape) as opposed to consensual sex scenes with multiple partners.

In other words, don't believe all of what you've read, especially on certain sources. Yes, some things are being restricted, but there'll be plenty of material for the more conventional/popular sorts of ero-games going forward. These sorts of lies and half-truths that are being spread are just Chicken Little material.

MeganeShounen

2009-07-09, 09:03

relentlessflame

2009-07-09, 12:04

Was just informed a while ago of a possible fandisc to Da Capo II Plus Communication/Situation, named Da Capo II Fall in Love. And this is right after they did Da Capo II For You. :heh:

Then again, one of the staples of VNs nowadays is that Circus will always make Da Capo spinoffs no matter what. Kinda like how TypeMoon games (written by Nasu) will always have references to magic, or how Navel favors the artistry of Suzuhira and Nishimata, perhaps?

And I'm not saying that Circus making more Da Capo games is bad. Nope. :)Yes, that fandisk was confirmed in last month's Dengeki G's Magazine, and it's more-or-less the counterpart to Spring Celebration but this time featuring the 6 new heroines that were added in Plus Situation/Communication. And I'm not really annoyed by it either in the sense that all of the fandisks have had pretty respectable content quotas with new stories and art. But it sort of makes me wonder if next after this and D.C.V. could be D.C. III? I guess we'll see...

Shinova

2009-07-09, 15:18

One of our VN staples isn't that Circus make Da Capo spinoffs but that they milk it beyond all realms of possibility. :D

izmosmolnar

2009-08-08, 03:06

Holy hell! Minori's Eden* has one of the most awesome Opening ever produced in my opinion: 6p3UYUP4IYI

Dagger

2009-08-08, 14:09

Shinkai truly gets better every single time. Amazing. And as a form of marketing, it never fails to hook me. Sigh. :heh:

izmosmolnar

2009-08-08, 14:58

serenade_beta

2009-08-08, 16:02

Holy hell! Minori's Eden* has one of the most awesome Opening ever produced in my opinion: 6p3UYUP4IYI

Muh... A disappointment from the great praise I read. ef's first OP had a lot more impact. (Better than the 2nd ef's OP at least?)
In various parts, looks a lot like ef's movie. Though I guess it is because the creator is the same, so it can't be helped... Let's just say.
The song....... meh... The movie synchro makes it sound better though.

DarkWarrior

2009-08-08, 20:11

The visuals are amazing, but it has the same ear-grating vocals as ef's opening. :heh:

Game looks interesting though, I'll definitely keep an eye on it.

relentlessflame

2009-08-09, 13:45

Hm... Was he involved with the above Video, Dagger? (As far as I can tell) his name is not in the video at all, and some say he hasn't mentioned anything about the OP in his blog either.
(Still my jaw is literally hanging open watching that vid. Truly remarkable work whoever made it.)I think it's most probable that he's simply adopted a pseudonym (for the same reason nearly everyone adopts pseudonyms in this industry), but otherwise I suppose this could also be the work of some of his students/assistants/etc. Either way, the style is unmistakable.

rg4619

2009-08-09, 15:56

For some reason, they left out a director's credit.

Otherwise, the animation staff is the same as before. Shinkai no longer creates the actual movie visuals (only storyboards and colour specification) since they have specialists working on the CG camera work, backgrounds, and character animation. There's now a clear distinction between director and production team.

Wrath88

2009-08-12, 02:58

Recently started on Kazoku Keikaku, and I'm liking what I've gone through so far, which is only Aoba's route. Wakamoto's VAing is funny as usual, and the route's emotional intensity made me feel like I was going through Yume Miru Kusuri again.

izmosmolnar

2009-08-12, 04:32

Well I'm a tiny bit disappointed in Kazoku Keikaku / Family Project to be honest. It's not really motivating so far for me personally. Finding out stuff like who's stealing the panties and other such things are kinda boring me, and most of the characters are not really my cup of tea either to be frank. Albeit I admit that Hiroshi is funny on a few occasions. With the exception of him, the Manager and Masumi, I find the others quite meh.
The main character is a bit too rude and illogical quite often, and I don't really like that the choices I make aren't really important (the guy is like "LOL I won't do that", but then why did you give me a choice?). Well I'm still not sure how far I am, so I imagine once the emotional stuff comes, I'm probably going to like it a bit more.

Wrath88

2009-08-12, 09:24

Yeah, makes you wonder why exactly they give the choice if you're still going to go down that path. That's minus pts for the story system, but I'm fine with the rest.

Finally finished Tayutama and its fandisk, so its time to move on the Princess Lover.

Micchi

2009-08-12, 14:18

Finally got around to finishing Primary. It was quite cliched/cheesy, a bit disjointed at times, and very pastel and pink, but I liked it a lot. I'll probably play Rin ga Utau, Mirai no Neiro (the sequel to the doujin Miku game by Supplement Time) before starting Natsuyume Nagisa.

izmosmolnar

2009-08-13, 00:05

...before starting Natsuyume Nagisa.How are you going to counter the "DRM" which requires the player to run it with japanese Windows, Micchi? I've read that it here (http://visual-novels.net/vn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=932&Itemid=2) that you cannot run the program, unless you have japanese Windows installed. Or you indeed have a Japanese OS?
I hope not many company is going to follow that kinda prevention, because it'd be quite inconvenient to obtain one. And I imagine there has to be a few japanese eroge player too, who for some reason have the Windows installed in a foreign language (I for one, not using the localized OS either).

Sterling01

2009-08-13, 00:12

How are you going to counter the "DRM" which requires the player to run it with japanese Windows, Micchi?

In this case, the version check can be circumvented by copying in a older version of RealLive from another Visual Arts game.

sellyanes

2009-08-13, 00:20

Hi all....

According to me Shingetsutan Tsukihime is the which attracts me more because of its graphics and very interesting story about it. I think every one should try it once.

izmosmolnar

2009-08-13, 00:26

In this case, the version check can be circumvented by copying in a older version of RealLive from another Visual Arts game.I see, I didn't know there is a clever way to solve it. Thanks for elaborating Sterling.

PhoenixG

2009-08-13, 06:12

How are you going to counter the "DRM" which requires the player to run it with japanese Windows, Micchi? I've read that it here (http://visual-novels.net/vn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=932&Itemid=2) that you cannot run the program, unless you have japanese Windows installed. Or you indeed have a Japanese OS?
I hope not many company is going to follow that kinda prevention, because it'd be quite inconvenient to obtain one. And I imagine there has to be a few japanese eroge player too, who for some reason have the Windows installed in a foreign language (I for one, not using the localized OS either).

well it looks like a program named NTLEA can by pass it

Micchi

2009-08-13, 07:34

In this case, the version check can be circumvented by copying in a older version of RealLive from another Visual Arts game.

Ya, this and NTLEA works. Someone already uploaded the bypass and it worked fine for me.

izmosmolnar

2009-08-13, 09:53

Well, it's nice to see you folks can bypass that thing.

__________
By the way, if anyone is interested, the folks @ TLwiki released a teaser patch for Sharin No Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo containing the entire Chapter 1 in english (Here's Klash's review (http://animehistory.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/sharin-no-kuni/) if that's the first time you've heard about the game).
Statistically the teaser patch covers about 10% of the whole script (similarly to G-Senjou). The unedited translation of the game is about halfway done already, so the group's desire to release the full patch by the end of the year seems reasonable IMO.
Announcement and the patch-download links can be found here (http://forums.novelnews.net/showthread.php?t=35682).

Mueti

2009-08-16, 06:18

Leaving current favorites aside - what are your favorite visual novels of all time?

I haven't played as much as many of you, I reckon, but I tried to at least come up with a top 3:
1. Tsukihime
2. Koi ni Ochitara
3. G Senjou no Maou

The latter I only finished yesterday, but it impressed me like nothing has in the last year or so. There were times when it felt hard going on at all, playing as the terrible person you are in there, but it sucked me in so much I just couldn't stop. And it's now one of the very few games were I actually finished more than one route. At really tense moments I actually felt my heartbeat going up, something I haven't had with those games since Tsukihime, I think. Which incidentally was not only my first visual novel but is still my favorite one.

Micchi

2009-08-16, 14:30

1. Da Capo / Da Capo II
2. Tapestry
3. Flyable Heart

DC was one of the first games I played and I've been hooked on the series since. Tapestry was a hidden gem for me, but with all the drama, I'd need to take breaks in between routes. I really loved FH's feel and of course Ito Noizi's art.

It's obvious what I like: moe-ge and naki-ge. Well-executed tried-and-true plot devices with good art and a cast of likeable characters. I love a little magic involved too. Action-oriented VNs really don't appeal to me.

Shinova

2009-08-17, 23:36

Alicesoft has a new game on their website and this will probably be my first taste of an Alicesoft game cause it's got Urotan as an artist and his art is insanely smexy and from the sample cgs his art in color looks even smexier.

Wrath88

2009-08-18, 00:21

Da Capo, huh... apart from Kotori's route, I felt like sleeping through the rest of them, especially Nemu's, for some reason.

Fate T Harlaown

2009-08-18, 18:08

Currently playing Shuffle and aiming for the Nerine route. Its good so far but I wonder if it will be able to replace Yosuga no Sora as my favorite game. =D

Dist

2009-08-18, 18:30

I'm playing Shuffle too. Though I haven't gotten so far yet so I can't say if this game is able to surpass Yume Miru Kusuri.. I've seen the anime adaptation though, and it was one of the best animes I've seen so I have my hopes up. I'm going for the Asa route, then probably Sia after that.

I doubt I'll even play the game through Nerine route, simply because I don't like her.. at all.

Miyamoto Shin

2009-08-19, 10:14

Dies Irae - Also Sprach Zarashtura and Une Fille Blanche are what I'm playing atm.. Any Japanese non-translated VN players here?..

Micchi

2009-08-19, 15:12

Dies Irae - Also Sprach Zarashtura and Une Fille Blanche are what I'm playing atm.. Any Japanese non-translated VN players here?..

I usually play the new (untranslated) games. Working my way through Natsuyume Nagisa at the moment. I think there's a bunch of others who do the same, most of whom use text hookers.

DidCart

2009-08-19, 18:42

You guys that play the japanese games, do you know japanese or you just see the pictures? :p

Micchi

2009-08-19, 19:07

You guys that play the japanese games, do you know japanese or you just see the pictures? :p

I know most of it since I've taken courses in it (and studied on my own). If there's a word I don't know or remember, I just do a quick check.

Of course, it depends on the games you play. Some of them are harder to read than others.

Miyamoto Shin

2009-08-19, 23:11

I know most of it since I've taken courses in it (and studied on my own). If there's a word I don't know or remember, I just do a quick check.

Of course, it depends on the games you play. Some of them are harder to read than others.

Something like Une Filler Blanche really twist my brain to understand.. *Sigh*.. It got 45 endings as well, what a hell..

I usually play the new (untranslated) games. Working my way through Natsuyume Nagisa at the moment. I think there's a bunch of others who do the same, most of whom use text hookers.

I see.. there are some of you that also plays untranslated one.. Text hooker works just fine.. Even though it needs some considerable skill to interpret the non-sense translation..

I feels like giving up on Une Fille Blanche and replay my most precious Tayutama again..

Micchi

2009-08-20, 01:17

I see.. there are some of you that also plays untranslated one.. Text hooker works just fine.. Even though it needs some considerable skill to interpret the non-sense translation..

Deciphering babelfish is an important skill to have. :heh:

johnishida

2009-08-20, 10:25

Deciphering babelfish is an important skill to have. :heh:

Indeed.

Also, it always good to learn, at least, the hiraganas and katakanas and use of particles such a wo, ni, ha, etc.

Dist

2009-08-20, 10:32

Meh.. completed Asa route on Shuffle. ( It was way too short x_x ) I was kinda awaiting to see the break down of Kaede but it wasn't there. Is there an actual route for this ( Nerine/Sia? ), or was that just something that was made into the anime out of nothing .. ?

johnishida

2009-08-20, 12:16

Micchi

2009-08-20, 15:06

Also, it always good to learn, at least, the hiraganas and katakanas and use of particles such a wo, ni, ha, etc.

Agreed. Knowing the kana set, particles, basic grammar (especially for verbs) will go a long way. You can build your vocabulary as you go along.

And ya, Kaede is quite tame in the game.

Zwei

2009-08-20, 20:10

Just completed Discipline: Record of a Crusade, I expected good endings like the anime but they were all tragedy except 1 >.<, same with Stepmother's Sin, now I'm playing Tears to Tiara(which is awesome) and Crescendo.

MrTerrorist

2009-08-21, 06:21

Has anyone ever played a game series called........
Sono Hanabira Ni Kuchizuke Wo.

izmosmolnar

2009-08-21, 08:23

Has anyone ever played a game series called........
Sono Hanabira Ni Kuchizuke Wo.Well there is an english translation (http://sonohanabira.countpacula.com/) underway for the first game (http://vndb.org/v917), and according to VNDB (http://vndb.org/r1844.4) they are supposed to be in the editing phase for over a year already (so I'm having some doubts). While I haven't played it, I'm sure to give it a try once the patch will be out finally (if it ever will :/ ).

Miyamoto Shin

2009-08-21, 08:34

Well there is an english translation (http://sonohanabira.countpacula.com/) underway for the first game (http://vndb.org/v917), and according to VNDB (http://vndb.org/r1844.4) they are supposed to be in the editing phase for over a year already (so I'm having some doubts). While I haven't played it, I'm sure to give it a try once the patch will be out finally (if it ever will :/ ).

Well.. Can't get my hopes up with that.. I got some trauma for over-joyed by Fortune Arterial's translation project back then and the project was dropped.. Oh well.. It's in the past now.. One of the best VN ever.. If anything, I'd hope for Tayutama English translation now..

izmosmolnar

2009-08-21, 09:31

No I wouldn't hold my breath for Sono Hanabira either unfortunately. If the translation is indeed finished then it would make sense to recruit a few willing editors / qcers to release it shortly, but it's been almost over a year already, and the game isn't even long to begin with...

While it's possible someone would try his hands with Tayutama, there isn't any such effort currently AFAIK. On the other hand there's a partially done "abandoned" project for Itsusora (http://itsusora.seiha.org/index.php?title=Main_Page), Lump of Sugar's earlier game (I'm still secretly hoping Sterling might decide to pick it up again <.< ).

I'm playing my first untranslated VN with AGTH and Translation Aggregator, Flat's "Killer Queen". I really love it so far, really intense and enjoyable game. (I feel bad for missing so many things due to the improper TL though.)

Miyamoto Shin

2009-08-21, 10:33

Hahah.. I think I'll take my word back about wanting a Tayutama translation project now.. I guess it's best to keep it Japanese so fewer people would play the game. That way, I feels like Mashiro is more exclusively mine XD (Stupid reason I know, but I mean it.. I love Mashiro to that extent)..

Anyway, Is there none of you guys played Dies Irae - Also Sprach Zarathstra

http://www.getchu.com/brandnew/265765/c265765table2.jpg
http://www.getchu.com/brandnew/265765/c265765sample1.jpg
http://www.getchu.com/brandnew/265765/c265765sample2.jpg

MrTerrorist

2009-08-24, 07:25

izmosmolnar

2009-08-24, 07:56

Dist

2009-08-24, 10:47

Is that true MrTerrorist ? I'm amazed if that's so.

We lack good yuri titles indeed.. Well there's Aio Hana atm but I don't like the eye glassed girl ( Why is it, that nearly always, they have glasses in yuri manga/anime >.< )

Just hoping that if there's anime adaptation, it's done by some good studio and won't be just hentai adaptation with crappy art instead.

MrTerrorist

2009-08-24, 12:14

I wouldn't mind it really, since I gladly welcome all the eroge adaptations. It'd be nice and refreshing to see another Yuri-VN adapted. (Albeit there are some other candidates I'd love to see in anime-format a bit more than Sono Hanabira, and most of them are untranslated too.)

I'm playing Policenauts (http://vndb.org/v2528) now and love it.

Is that true MrTerrorist ? I'm amazed if that's so.

We lack good yuri titles indeed.. Well there's Aio Hana atm but I don't like the eye glassed girl ( Why is it, that nearly always, they have glasses in yuri manga/anime >.< )

Just hoping that if there's anime adaptation, it's done by some good studio and won't be just hentai adaptation with crappy art instead.

Yes it's true. It was announced at Comiket 76 by the creators of the game themselves. The studios that going to make it is subsidiary of their studio that does animation. And their adapting based on one of the games. Here's a clue which game it is.
Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!

BTW, it's a straight Yuri Hentai anime adaptation. Excuse me while i'm gone.

Dist

2009-08-24, 17:37

ZODDGUTS

2009-08-24, 21:56

Looking forward to this game by the writer/creator of Tsuyokiss and Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de.

http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=559705

http://i25.tinypic.com/j98umb.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/16c6io4.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/2evdsmx.jpg

Looks great especially the female lead? Also the game is somewhat related to Kimi ga Aruji as it takes 2 years after that game but in a different setting. On the link you should recognize one certain character that looks older now...

MrTerrorist

2009-08-25, 08:21

Yuri Hentai Anime Adaptation ? That doesn't make any sense. Which is it, hentai or anime ?? Or is it like Shojo Sect.. while it has hentai content, it's not all about porn ? x_x

Also I didn't quite get you what you meant by the studio and the hint.. What game first into my mind was Shana, but that doesn't make any sense because you're talking about a GAME.

You don't get it do you? Fine I'll explain.

It's Hentai. Yuri Hentai. You happy now?

Apparently, you didn't get the hint since people who know the games or played it will instantly figure out which game their adapting.

But since you can't, I'll give another hint.

Remember the first hint? Now, keep that in mind. Now, look at all of the main girls in the series. Out of the 6(The rest, including the teacher, her kidnova student or those extra three girls don't count), which one do you think will the one most likely to say the first hint?

I hope you finally get it.

Spuffy

2009-08-25, 14:16

Anyway, Is there none of you guys played Dies Irae - Also Sprach Zarathstra

I finished the updated re-release version, Dies Irae - Also Sprach Zarathstra - Die Wiederkunft, of it about two weeks ago. In my opinion one of the better games I've played. A huge ammount of nice graphics and excellent oundtrack along with one of those stories perfectly fitting my taste. Ocassionally somewhat hard to read with odd "Light-wording", but thats what I got my trusty good old Sharp PW-8100 for.

It took Light almost 1½ years to fix the first disasterous version, but the results are good. All these parts of the story making no sense and other mistakes have been rewritten. Pointless "bad ends" with random sex scenes not contributing to anything have been removed and one contributing to the story has been added. There is even a new intro movie, allthough I did prefer the first one. It was also a nice move having a fandisc like retail price tag and providing it for free to all customers buying the first game. Seems like Light will also release a final free add-on at the end of December.

izmosmolnar

2009-08-26, 01:57

If anyone's interested, there is a poll at one of the fantranslation groups (http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/) (the fellas translating Cross Channel) deciding which game to translate next. It's currently only about preliminary voting phase, and the main purpose for now to select a reasonable ~10 out of those 50+ VNs.
Registration is required, and trying to abuse proxies, voting multiple times will result in a ban though.
Here's the thread with various information (http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/forums/index.php?topic=25.0) which games are available what's there to know about them etc. , and then anyone can vote on THREE candidates in the thread here (http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/forums/index.php?topic=45.0). I copypasted the full list down below in the spoiler tag.
3 days ~Michiteyuku Toki no Kanata de~ ; AIR ; Ayakashibito ; Baldr Force ; Baldr Sky Dive1 "LostMemory" ; Beat Blades Haruka ; Daiakuji ; Daibanchou/Big Bang Age ; Extravaganza ; Flyable Heart ; Forest ; France Shoujo ~Une Fille Blanche~ ; Gore Screaming Show ; Gunjou no Sora wo Koete ; H2O: Footprints in the Sand ; Haruka Ni Aogi Uruwashino ; Hatsukoi ; Himawari ; Hime Gari Dungeon Meister ; HoneyComing ; Hoshizora no Memoria ; I/O ; Ikusa Megami Zero ; Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora Ni ; Kara no Shoujo ; Kitto, Sumiwataru Asairo Yori mo ; Kizuato Remake Edition ; Konatayori Kanatamade ; Konna Ko ga Itara, Boku wa Mou...!! ; Kono Yo no Hate de Koi wo Utau Shoujo YU-NO ; Kusari ; Magical Language Lyrical☆Lisp ; Moshi mo Ashita ga Hare Naraba ; Mugen Kairou 1 ; Narcissu: Side 2nd + Narcissu 3rd -Die Dritte Welt- ; Never7 -the end of infinity- ; Nursery Rhyme ; PP -Pianissimo- Ayatsuri Ningyou no Rinbu ; 12Riven -the Ψcliminal of integral- ; RuiTomo ; Saihate no IMA ; Secret Game -Killer Queen- Depth Edition ; Seinarukana ; Sekien no Inganock -What a Beautiful People- ; Shikkoku no Sharnoth ~what a beautiful tomorrow~ ; Shiokaze no Kieru Umi ni ; Shoujo Mahou Gaku Little Witch Romanesque ; Shuumatsu Shoujo Gensou Alicematic ; Suigetsu ; Swan Song ; Wizard's Climber ; Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito ; Yoake Mae yori Ruri Iro na; Yosuga no Sora - In solitude, where we are least alone.

edit: the first poll is closed already

izmosmolnar

2009-08-29, 02:59

edit: the first poll is closed already
Second poll is open (http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/poll/). That poll is closed, so no one apart of the admins know how the current results are standing. The voting requires forum registration (http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/forums/), just like last time, and you can only vote on one game this time around. These are the Visual Novels you can vote on, and provided it wins, it has a good chance of getting translated:

Baldr Sky Dive1 "LostMemory" from Giga! (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S9ZblMgUWQ&fmt=22))
Extravaganza from Black Cyc (OP (http://hitori2010.blog95.fc2.com/blog-entry-196.html))
Gore Screaming Show from Black Cyc (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwSUuo6RLVk&fmt=18))
Himawari from Blank Note (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdDsAjo5hes&fmt=18))
Hoshizora no Memoria -Wish upon a shooting star- from Favorite (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbQHSyD1ifI&fmt=18))
Never 7 from KID (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaO8W4WxGHY&fmt=18)
Rui wa Tomo wo Yobu from Akatsuki Works (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiGV3mPlaDA&fmt=18))
Saihate no Ima from Xuse (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCvMP4ihPYY&fmt=18))
Sekien no Inganock -What a Beautiful People- from Liar Soft (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36xf5Rp62I&fmt=18))
Swan Song from Le.Chocolat & Flying Shine (OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xum5cZojDqM&fmt=18))

If you click on the names at the polling page, you can find more information than you would need. (((And if you are undecided, please vote for Swan Song ^^ ))).

edit: The poll is closed already (http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/forums/index.php?topic=57.15). The winner was (and therefore it's going to be translated) Sekien no Inganock.

MeganeShounen

2009-08-30, 22:35

Ah crap. Now I feel bad about not finishing more of Atelier Kaguya's (Team Berkshire Yorkshire) games earlier...

They're going to release a fandisc (http://www.a-kaguya.com/products_BY/prisara/index.html) that spans 2 of their most recent games, Prima Stella and Sara Sara Sasara. And seems like, as per fandisc rules, they're going to make a few of the side characters obtainable... ... and even characters that I didn't even think that would be obtainable...
(Whaddya mean that cute little Otama from Sasara is obtainable!? Aaaargh. :heh:)

Great, now I have to play Prima Stella as well, while trying to finish other games. T_T

Wrath88

2009-08-31, 11:57

Currently on Shuffle, FINALLY!! And I doubt I need to spell out who I'm going for first.

space cowboy

2009-08-31, 13:10

Tears to Tiara is probably my favourite recent play. I love the story and characters, the action is pretty simply but keeps me going. Great game by Leaf.

johnishida

2009-09-01, 19:05

I'm currently reading Sevens, have only read Sakura's and Aki's routes. They we Ok, nothing especial.

I also got the trial for Palette's new game Mashiro-iro Symphony. Guess will read it later.

kaikaikai

2009-09-02, 03:03

I'm really surprised.
Everyone play japanese ero-game?
Japan could'nt keep a top secret.XD

MeganeShounen

2009-09-02, 08:30

I also got the trial for Palette's new game Mashiro-iro Symphony. Guess will read it later.

That game's art caught my eye some time back, though I've heard someone say it's an utsuge (crying game?). Wonder if that's true?

johnishida

2009-09-02, 08:34

That game's art caught my eye some time back, though I've heard someone say it's an utsuge (crying game?). Wonder if that's true?

Well, I'm still reading the trial and nothing that suggest that has happened yet, except maybe for one part of Shingo's past but, apart from that, it's been quite wacky and funny.

Yes, it was the art that also caught my attention. That and Ange ;)

Micchi

2009-09-02, 10:31

Yes, it was the art that also caught my attention. That and Ange ;)

Palette always has great art. Ange is my current wallpaper XD

Just finished Natsuyume Nagisa and it was really really really good. The way the prologues, routes and true end all tied together was well done. Although, it did make me feel sad and a bit empty at the end. My favorite was Hitsuji's route. If you have time, I'd suggest you try this out.

(I'll write review next week or something, I'm way too busy lately)

Mueti

2009-09-04, 02:28

Finished Sharin no Kuni ~Himawari no Shoujo and Saya no Uta.

Sharin had some pacing problems imo, as I perceived the whole Touka-chapter as kind of uninteresting and too damn long. Other than that it was excellent but I still liked G-senjou better.

Saya no Uta...well, that's a different beast. While I love horror I basically hadn't seen anything that actually frightened or disturbed me since I was a child. Until now, that is. I'm glad I didn't read anything about the game before playing it - had I known the themes I'm pretty sure I hadn't touched it. Which would've been a damn shame.

The scene when Oumi goes to Fuminori's to confront him. Wow. I held my breath the whole time. But what takes the cake...kinda; is when Fuminori successively walks in on Saya eating her and joins in without realizing what it is he is eating. That whole scene disturbed me like nothing I can recall. It actually made me feel physically ill for a while.
And of course it actually only gets worse from there....but you get used to it! And after a while your sense of what's right and what's wrong gets totally messed up. That game really fucks with your head. I haven't read anything quite like saya before. It was quite short but very, very intense...and beautiful.

Brilliant, brilliant stuff.

Shinova

2009-09-11, 20:24

I also got the trial for Palette's new game Mashiro-iro Symphony. Guess will read it later.

I've breezed through it. Basically some dudes and girls from one school, protagonist and his imouto included, are going to a prestigious ojou-sama girls school for test prep or something. You get the hijinks that come from that, and the main heroine is the tsundere that's most strongly against the co-ed plan, and so on. There's this sempai and her weird cat creature pet, and a half-Brit ninja meido.

EDIT: Amatsu Misora Ni's website has updated. Character list and story summary available, and looks like we've got another kami-sama heroine, but seemingly one the cast has already been familiar with and one that isn't a short tsurupettanko. Has a lot of spunk and zest, the new kami-sama.

Sterling01

2009-09-19, 18:06

Well I forgive minori for the block.
eden* has good music and fucking beautiful CGs. Now if I could only get Plus mosaic working
Also is シオン, Zion or Shion?

MeganeShounen

2009-09-19, 23:36

Well I forgive minori for the block.
eden* has good music and fucking beautiful CGs. Now if I could only get Plus mosaic working
Also is シオン, Zion or Shion?

From the official site, seems like "Sion" is used. But for me, "Shion" is aesthetically better. :heh:

I was going to ask around for opinions regarding Pri☆Sara... then again, it's just a fandisc, so it has to contain "that"...

Sterling01

2009-09-20, 01:11

Pri☆Sara is basically just a load of smut... good smut but smut regardless

Shinova

2009-09-21, 02:43

Aterlier Kaguya smut is of a divine level. :)

Semi-breezed trial for Kiss x Maou x Darjeeling. There's kiss, there's maou, haven't seen darjeeling yet. The story and gameplay suffers from a common slow pacing syndrome that plagues many games, but the story and characters are fun so far.

Micchi

2009-09-21, 03:22

I played through the trial for Kissmaou too.

All I have to say is: Shinobu <3

Now I'm not sure if I should play this or Koisora first in the October batch. I think I'll try out the Koisora trial first.

Oppius

2009-09-21, 06:04

I heard a rumor that Shuffle, Da Capo and Suika AS now available in English, was that true?

As a yuri fan, I am disappointed that no yuri-based eroge ever translated into English except Lightning Warrior Raidy, if you count that one as "yuri" as you play as a woman instead of a man. Yaoi already have several. I also heard a rumor that Sono Hanabira ni Kuchiduke Wo English translation is at work but there is no proof about that.

Sterling01

2009-09-21, 07:59

chaos_alfa

2009-09-21, 11:44

MrTerrorist

2009-09-23, 14:30

As a yuri fan, I am disappointed that no yuri-based eroge ever translated into English except Lightning Warrior Raidy, if you count that one as "yuri" as you play as a woman instead of a man. Yaoi already have several. I also heard a rumor that Sono Hanabira ni Kuchiduke Wo English translation is at work but there is no proof about that.

Here's your proof! (http://sonohanabira.countpacula.com/)

BTw, if you remember, i told you that one of the games of Sona Hanabira series was going to be an anime (H-Anime that is:D).

I gave you a clue of which game it was but none of you figure it out so i gonna tell it to you the answer straight:

Sono Hanabira Ni Kuchiduke Wo: Anata to Koibito Tsunagi

:thinker:Yes, it's actually the 3rd game of the series. You should have realize the connection in the clue i gave you since Reo looks like & sorta sounds like & acts like Shana.

Well, let's hope it's a very good adaptation.

ZODDGUTS

2009-09-23, 16:56

Finshed playing MinatoSoft recent game Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai!. Really fun game with a great cast as good as Tsuyokiss cast was maybe even better. The games main theme is friendship not only do you see the main characters but the side characters helping each other out when their need of help.

Love Momoyo's character she's a bit of a perv very similar to Shinra's character from Minatosoft previous game Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de, except Momoyo is a perv to all girl's that she finds to be either cute or good looking. Oh and she also kicks ass, she's the most strongest character in the game. :p

http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=559705

Fun game lots of ass kicking by the girls. Especially the Momoyo. :p

http://i38.tinypic.com/20fxl51.jpg

Since it's likely to get adapted into anime since the game was the best selling game last month and also the writer and creator of Tsuyokiss/Kimi ga were made into anime hopefully it gets a good Adaptation.

izmosmolnar

2009-09-26, 20:22

I finished "Kono Yo no Hate de Koi wo Utau Shoujo YU-NO (http://vndb.org/v1377)" recently, which is regarded as the very best work of Kenno Yukihiro (who's my favorite writer), and it's currently the second highest rated game at Erogamescape... And I just can't find appropriate enough words to reflect how much of an epic game that is.
Seriously, during all my time I've spent on games and VNs (over 110 vns that is), that was the _BEST_ ever story I had the chance to read.
It's just... I can't find any faults in it, the whole game was a total, sheer awesomeness. Some themes the game involved might be a bit odd (well not as much as Saya for example), yet it totally makes the player just burn in all the emotion (sadness, happyness, shocks), and the ending is just something out of this world.... Every piece of the puzzle just flawlessly went to its place, and the sudden twist at the very end is just.... Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
Even though the game is superlong (it was the longest eroge for more than 10 years actually), and I played it for about 12-13 days, I think that every second I have spent on reading was totally worth it, because being familiar with something so superb just feels really good.
It's a shame I probably lost a bit too much due to dictionary-ing and due to the machinetranslators. Hell figuring out the letters from Father, or the discussion between the MC and another character at the very end, which explains the various things took me about one and a half / two hours to grasp (yes, that's one really long conversation with no real break in between, and it's totally mind-boggling). Other than those, I was surprised that the majority of the script consists of not that difficult dialouges.

Is there anyone here who had the opportunity to play it? How did you like it then?

____
By the way, if anyone is interested by any chance to translate it, (God, I pray that I'll see the day when it might be translated), we uploaded the scripts for the Windows version, created some tools for insertion, and we made a working test voicepatch on a Translation Project Page (http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Kono_Yo_no_Hate_de_Koi_wo_Utau_Sho ujo_YU-NO). Feel free to contact me in case of interest.