SHUFFLE! Essence+

[DJLowrider]

Not a double-post, just another minor update on the Essence+ site. The front page for the game's official site now shows Ruri, Daisy, Tsubomi, Sakura and Kareha.

Not sure if there's anything to read into this, but Daisy certainly seems to be the most prominent on the page.

Edit: New sig, av & custom title for me. "3D" = DDD = Delightful Delightful Daisy. Yes I still prefer Asa, but I couldn't resist the opportunity. XD

[DJLowrider]

Still not a double-post. Another update on the official Essence+ site. There's another new character listed in the new characters section...

[BlueGenome]

... Kikyou?

What are they implying here?

Spoiler for SHUFFLE! PC & OTS:

Sia & Kikyou's paths were pretty much 'folded' into one in the original (with the exception of a few minor details), so is this just Navel saying "Hay, technically there's another character here too! Even though she doesn't have her 'own' path, and she isn't really new!"?

Or are they saying that Kikyou might become more separate from Sia in Essence+?

Damn you, Navel. And damn your impenetrable Flash-based site too.

[DJLowrider]

Speculation time again!

Spoiler for Speculative bullet points:

• Since we've basically confirmed Tsubomi has a route, I'm going to wager that you'll need to complete Kareha's route first in order to unlock hers.
• Perhaps listing Kikyou as a separate "new character" is a hint at what Sia's new, extended route will be like.
• I would love to see more (read: ANY) interaction between Kikyou and the other characters. In the original game she only ever appeared and talked to Rin. Perhaps this separate listing hints that such will happen this time around.

I'm checking the Essence+ site daily now for new stuff as it becomes available, and I will continue to update in this thread whenever something new comes up.

[DJLowrider]

8/10 Official Essence+ Site Update:

Character voice samples are up for Kareha, Lisianthus and Nerine. Nothing earth-shttering to report, though, all their voices are the same as in the previous games.

[Riker]

攻略可能ヒロインの数は？

総勢12名とのこと。
具体的に誰なのかは不明だが、シア(キキョウ)、ネリネ(リコリス)、楓、亜沙、プリムラ、カレハ、ツボミ 、麻弓、桜、撫子、ルリ、デイジーと予想されてる。

Mmm, 12 heroines.

Originally Posted by BlueGenome

... Kikyou?

What are they implying here?

Spoiler for SHUFFLE! PC & OTS:

Sia & Kikyou's paths were pretty much 'folded' into one in the original (with the exception of a few minor details), so is this just Navel saying "Hay, technically there's another character here too! Even though she doesn't have her 'own' path, and she isn't really new!"?

Or are they saying that Kikyou might become more separate from Sia in Essence+?

Damn you, Navel. And damn your impenetrable Flash-based site too.

Originally Posted by DJLowrider

Speculation time again!

Spoiler for Speculative bullet points:

• Since we've basically confirmed Tsubomi has a route, I'm going to wager that you'll need to complete Kareha's route first in order to unlock hers.
• Perhaps listing Kikyou as a separate "new character" is a hint at what Sia's new, extended route will be like.
• I would love to see more (read: ANY) interaction between Kikyou and the other characters. In the original game she only ever appeared and talked to Rin. Perhaps this separate listing hints that such will happen this time around.

I'm checking the Essence+ site daily now for new stuff as it becomes available, and I will continue to update in this thread whenever something new comes up.

IIRC, in Sia's ending in "On The Stage"...

Spoiler:

...Sia/Kikyou split into two seperate entities. Therefore it's likely that completing Sia's path unlocks Kikyou's.

[BlueGenome]

Originally Posted by Riker

IIRC, in Sia's ending in "On The Stage"...

Spoiler:

...Sia/Kikyou split into two seperate entities. Therefore it's likely that completing Sia's path unlocks Kikyou's.

Did I just read a win? I think I just read a win. (Also I'm fulfilling my obsessive-compulsive need to ignore spoiler tags. Silly me.)

Originally Posted by momochi

For people who had played the original shuffle! and it's sequels Tick tack and Really? really!, would it be recommended to try out these two sequels before starting Shuffle Essence? I originally planned to play the original but stalled that idea when I heard that there will be a new release.

While I'm probably a liiiitle late here, I just almost-completed Tick! Tack! so I can assure you that it is a Good Game (TM). There were a lot of ero scenes in it (most of which I skipped anyway) and the plot isn't very interesting*, but the characters are solid and it's still genuinely enjoyable to play. However...

Spoiler for Tick! Tack! Sage's & Ai's paths:

But What The Fsck Navel?! Giving Ai a proper ending and not Sage?? Was it really too hard? Don't you like decent endings if loli's are involved**? Sage is awesome!

** Primula's ending was pretty weak too (but not to this level).

/rant

* My opinion may be tainted by the fact I found the other characters more interesting than (blue-haired) Nerine.

[Serous]

Just reading about this is getting me pumped out. I hope mangagamer will get this as well. I've already have Shuffle! but I wouldn't mind forking out more for this game.

[DJLowrider]

8/17 Official Essence+ Site Update:

Voice samples are now up for the entire original cast (except Rin, of course). On the "New Characters" page, voice samples are now up for Mayumi, Sakura and Daisy as well.

[Micchi]

Hearing Daisy's voice sample makes me really happy.

[DJLowrider]

8/24 Official Essence+ Site Update:

Voice samples for Nadeshiko, Tsubomi and Ruri are now up, so it looks like everyone who's supposed to have a voice in the game now does. That is, assuming they don't hit us with a bombshell and actually voice Rin as well. I highly doubt it'll happen, but it would be nice.

[DJLowrider]

8/26 Official Essence+ Site Update:

Looks like there's some goods that are coming available before the game hits shelves. Of note are 3 new drama CDs and an "arrange" CD (all of which come with special telephone cards) and something called a Sofmap Original Story. It sounds like it's a small game of some sort with an original story related to the Essence+ storyline. Maybe a prologue of some kind?

Also for sale are a bunch of other telephone cards and other artwork. All of it looks to be coming available on 8/28.

[Midnight Bliss]

I'm so excited for Essence+
I want to do Ruri and Sakura route yes please. ;3; Especially Ruri adoiklsa.<333
And i'm glad there are more routes and all. Shuffle! was a great game with the exception of Asa and Kaede routes, but not that I ever liked them much. :/

[Hagges01]

hmm new intro and release date now, anymore info here? or I miss something

[DJLowrider]

Looking at it more, and using my admittedly not-quite-fluent Japanese skills, I think those CDs and such are pre-order bonuses being offered by various stores that you can pre-order the game through. Game release is still slated for 10/30 everywhere I look.

[BlueGenome]

Originally Posted by Micchi

Hearing Daisy's voice sample makes me really happy.

Ditto

Originally Posted by Midnight Bliss

I'm so excited for Essence+
Shuffle! was a great game with the exception of Asa and Kaede routes, but not that I ever liked them much. :/

Really? I thought Kaede's route in the original was one of the best. Asa's wan't bad either.

And yes, Shuffle! is an awesome game.

Originally Posted by DJLowrider

Looking at it more, and using my admittedly not-quite-fluent Japanese skills, I think those CDs and such are pre-order bonuses being offered by various stores that you can pre-order the game through. Game release is still slated for 10/30 everywhere I look.

Curses! Looks like I'll have to acquire the CDs another way, since I probably won't be preordering. I've yet to find a way to have an eroge arrive at my door without garnering my parent's suspicion, so I might have to get a PO box. And yes, I know how pathetic that sounds .

My mental clock just reminded me that I've been looking forward to the start of October rather than the end . Hopefully Navel will grace us with some more goodies between now and the release date. Thanks for doing the translation work, DJLowrider!

[KoiNoDensetsu]

Originally Posted by BlueGenome

Curses! Looks like I'll have to acquire the CDs another way, since I probably won't be preordering. I've yet to find a way to have an eroge arrive at my door without garnering my parent's suspicion, so I might have to get a PO box. And yes, I know how pathetic that sounds .

Order something from a shop that sells both eroge and non-ero stuff. Try ordering something your parents wouldn't be offended by. If they don't try looking through what you order, try getting an eroge sometime. It might work.

(But isn't eroge illegal in Australia since Shuffle might be considered "porn". Note that I don't know all the laws in Australia, but I thought they had really strict obscenity rules there. Maybe they wouldn't even know it is "porn" if there aren't H-CG on the back?)

[BlueGenome]

Originally Posted by KoiNoDensetsu

Order something from a shop that sells both eroge and non-ero stuff. Try ordering something your parents wouldn't be offended by. If they don't try looking through what you order, try getting an eroge sometime. It might work.

Finding shops that sell ero stuff is surprisingly hard, so I'll probably be using the power of the Internets™ to obtain my Shuffle fix. I suppose I'll have to work something out closer to the release date (and when pricing/stores info is available).

Originally Posted by KoiNoDensetsu

(But isn't eroge illegal in Australia since Shuffle might be considered "porn". Note that I don't know all the laws in Australia, but I thought they had really strict obscenity rules there. Maybe they wouldn't even know it is "porn" if there aren't H-CG on the back?)

IIRC, adult games can't be sold in Australia because of OFLC (Office of Film and Literature Classification) doesn't have a R18+ rating for games, and since this prick refuses to allow one. However, the ownership of such games is still legal. There's also been a lot of conflicting reports re: under-18 characters, but I've got no real idea what's happening there.

Like you said, anyone seeing the game box probably won't realise the content - Customs doesn't open every game crossing the border anyway.

Note to self: leave this country at earliest convenience.

[KoiNoDensetsu]

You could try paletweb. They sell both ero and non-ero stuff, so it won't look suspicious if you order from there. Erogeshop is also an option, but they only sell games/etc. with adult content. I think it will only appear as "himeyashop" (the owner of erogeshop) on your card though. Rightstuf also sells eroge, but only English games. You can get eroge REALLY cheap there and the service is wonderful.
Basically, as long as you are ordering a game with a low ero rate, you should be fine even if your parents see it. Kanon, for instance, doesn't look like it would be ero at all. (excluding the 18 sticker on the side. But it's in Japanese, so no one would probably ever know)
And yeah, some of the laws in Australia are ridiculous. I've been there before and it's beautiful, but I wouldn't really want to live there...
But if you really don't think it will work out any other way, you can use the "internet" to get your games. (though I don't recommend this; buy them when you move. XD)

Good luck in getting your eroge! ^_^

[BlueGenome]

Thanks for the recommendation: I'll check it out. Oh, and when I said I'd obtain it using the intertubes, I meant purchasing online. Sorry if that wasn't clear .

I figure it's about time I start paying for at least some of the games I buy, considering I currently have the cash.