It has been five years, but key’s Angel Beats! -1st beat- will be the first of six games in a series which will expand upon the events and setting of the anime. This month also shows that there’s plenty of ways to get a harem: dress up as a trap in MOONSTONE Honey’s Ojou-sama to Himitsu no Otome, have your mom set you up in ApRicoT’s Maple Colors HHH ~Class Zen’in Ore no Yome!~, or run a candy shop in Galette’s Lollipop Factory. I’ll have my eyes glued to the viewfinder for ALcot’s LOVEREC.. Oh camera spirit, show me what’s most precious in life!
A month where titles are only noteworthy due to the fame or infamy of their parent company or existing content and not their own merits. Lazy games that rely on a brand name are nothing new, but it is depressing to see so many in a month.
Angel Beats! -1st beat-
Company: key
Game site: Angel Beats！ -1st beat-
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
Five years after the airing of the original anime, Angel Beats! is finally released as an all-ages game. This is the story of boys and girls who confront their fates while in the afterlife. After his death, Otonoshi found himself at a school for those who have died. He meets a girl named Yuri, the leader of the “Afterlife Battlefront” (SSS) who rebels against God and fights against it day and night. Standing in their way was God’s messenger, the pretty girl “Tenshi”. With no memories of his life, he didn’t understand what was happening in this world, but he joined the fight with Yuri.
I always thought that Angel Beats! would be a game when it was first announced and well, here we are. It will be released as a series of six volumes, telling the stories for each character so that they can move on. The first game focuses on Girls Dead Monster’s Yui and Iwasawa, and Matsushita, covering the events up to episode 10 in the anime. However, even players who did not watch the anime should be able to fully enjoy it. It’s fully voiced, featuring the same cast as the anime, and of course Maeda Jun is in charge of the scenario. I wonder if he’s putting more time into these games or the upcoming anime Charlotte.
It’s nice to see the cast again. While the trial just goes over the first two chapters (episodes), there are plenty of choices where you can go in a different direction, although mainly for comedic effect. For example, you can choose a nickname before you remember your own name, like ‘Lolicon’. I like Yui-nyan a lot, so I may decide to play this if I have time. It’ll probably take quite a few years for them to complete all the games.
More of Key choosing to do what they are bad at instead of what they are good at. Angel Beats has always been them rushing headlong along the wrong path so I am sad to see them still going with it. Their strength as a company has always been generic high school based romantic comedy and drama. Any time they step outside of the more slice of life style during their stories, even momentarily, the writing and concepts all go to hell. Sure it may not be a deal breaker if all you want is a simple laugh while not paying much attention to it. However it muddles the merits and quality of what they are truly good at. All the supernatural stuff and extra bits are just something Key has always had trouble with. I really wish they could accept that and make content that catered to what they do well instead of insisting on emphasizing what they do poorly. While comedy may work to some extent without involving the reader in the setting and story progress, it severely undermines the drama as well as the connection of the reader to the characters.
This trend is nothing new, even back with Kanon, while I liked Mai as a character, her route was god awful, and only made me feel much more detached from her character. Tomoyo from Clannad kind of highlights the issue well, the comedic scenes of her kicking the best friend were fine, the generally irrelevant other delinquent fighting stuff felt awkward and forced.
Bit of a long rant, but it is depressing to see a company that can do so well at something abandon it in favor of emphasis on settings and characters that lie in the exact opposite spectrum. Even more so when the issue was not popularity, at least at the time Key chose this direction for their brand putting their name on anything would have been an instant success, which makes it all the more baffling.
LOVEREC.
Company: ALcot
Game site: LOVEREC.
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
The story takes place at the end of April in a small school in Funakura, a quiet town close to the sea. Akira is a shutterbug who loves taking videos even during meals. He left the film research club to start a videography club with his osananajimi Chiho. He wished to create a work which will make people smile. However, the film research club’s young prodigy director Miyuki strongly opposed it. It was decided at the school’s information session that if they can defeat the film research club at a competition, then they would be recognized as a proper club.
He ran around finding members for the new club, but they still did not have enough members as the deadline approached. Just as their future looked bleak, there was a strange flash from his cherished video camera that he’s had for the past 10 years and a small girl appeared before him.
“I am the camera spirit. Let me protect you, Master”
After meeting the easygoing camera spirit Hitomi and the pro video editor Nori who doesn’t attend school, his surroundings began to greatly change.
Why do we create things? Why do we fall in love? Why are we there?
They experience the emotions of youth – anxiety, anger, laughter, sadness – as they gradually move forward together true to their own feelings.
ALcot games are typically must-play for me. It’s hard to top Clover Day’s, but I enjoyed the trial even if it was a bit slow-paced in the middle. The characters are fine, especially requisite imouto charas Hitomi and Nori, and there’s the little bit of magic that adds spice to the story. If I had to name the motifs of this game, it would be smiles, goals and finding your own way and desires. There’s friendship, drama and climatic moments. I’d say it feels more like an ALcot Honey Comb title than the parent brand.
I wonder if my camera has a cute spirit inside it too. Hitomi is so cute, calls him ‘nii-sama’ and is voiced by Uehara Aoi (Chrono Clock‘s Miu, Mayosube‘s Vier, Sakusaku‘s Konami). Hau~ omochikaeri~!
In a game like this what Micchi calls “spice” I call poison. What could have been a heartwarming story of growing up in a chosen path of life was turned into cheap H scene bait with a couple generic heroines. The two causes for this change are the obviously silly camera spirit, and the less obvious but even more pointless club drama to create conflict. Choosing to go with both the camera spirit and club drama weakens the emphasis on what matters, why? Because the spirit is an easy and simplified get out of jail free deus ex machina for the writers both for creating dramatic attachment and for solving problems. Along with that, club drama is perhaps the worst source of conflict in eroge. It is only used when all other options are either too hard for the writers, or they just too lazy so want to churn out a generic game a week faster.
If they really wanted to include something supernatural there was the better option of say while taking pictures or video at a shrine capturing something unexpected on film that eventually leads to meeting the enshrined god or goddess. Why is this a better approach? Well first off its not a magical camera ghost that just shows up to solve a problem and help the protagonist carry on. But more than that it provides more attachment through gradual meeting, without being introduced as nothing more than a solution to all problems, but as an actual character with a role and growth.
As far as the club garbage, it serves no purpose from the beginning other than to sow the seeds of conflict. However my real issue lies with the the lack of investment the reader would have in the event and characters growth while struggling against it. An example of how it would have improved without it would be the protagonist struggling with trying to express himself properly through his camera, how to capture what he really wants so he can really share that with others. Along the way meeting other people through various ways and situations each offering a different solution that results in a new approach for both of them in the future. All within the confines of his existing club of course.
Alcot may focus on charage, and may not have had any really special stories sure, but there is some difference between a good charage and a bad one. A difference that is more than simply whether or not you like the characters. Even a character you like won’t leave the same impression in a story that doesn’t even try to bring them to life.
PENDULUM
Company: KAI
Game site: PENDULUM
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
PENDULUM takes place after the events of KAI’s debut title Walpurgis. It had been four years since the abominable ‘Circle of Doom’ incident and true peace still had not fully returned to the world. Various areas were still infested with grotesque angels (circulars) and it was up to a group of girls with magical powers, Magus Order, to rid them once and for all.
It appeared that their efforts had lowered the numbers of the circulars. However, people started questioning the existence of the Magus Order when their powers rivaled that of even the military. This caused a rift among the members of the Magus Order itself, resulting in a split of the group.
But even in the midst of the confusion, the fact remained that circulars are threatening the world. They cruelly murder humans and revel in hearing their screams and suffering. The Lightning Lancers division of the Magus Order descended from the assault dropshop Orthros into this hell which no one wishes to see, to fight against these ‘angels’ before disaster envelops the world once more.
Lots of tentacles doing stuff that tentacles do. They must be happy to have bishoujos walk straight into their arms tentacles.
Oh the excuses they come up with for tentacles.
Ojou-sama to Himitsu no Otome
Company: MOONSTONE Honey
Game site: お嬢様と秘密の乙女
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
This is the first title by MOONSTONE Honey, a sub-brand that combines moe and ero. Yuuri looks like a cute girl, but he’s actually the son of the world-famous women’s fashion brand Shinohara family. He is in line to take over as the president of the giant corporate group in the future, but he is quite uncomfortable around girls. He would blush just standing in front of them and of course, he couldn’t talk properly with them either. Because of this, he can’t get a girlfriend nor even any female friends.
Since he doesn’t understand girls’ feelings, it would be impossible for him to lead a fashion brand for women. So, his family recommended (forced) him to attend the prominent Magnolia Girls’ Academy. As a normal girl, he should be able to quietly get through this unfamiliar school life, but why are the prettiest girls at the school flocking to his side…?
Well, I guess that’s what happens when you’re the youngest child in the household and have 5 older sisters. He wouldn’t have problems with girls if he had 5 imoutos instead. Even though it’s by MOONSTONE Honey, the staff is pretty much the same as the other MOONSTONE games. It has a similar feel to ensemble’s cross-dressing games and in fact, the protagonist looks awfully like Otokana‘s. As with ojou-sama school settings, there’s also the ‘Engage’ contest, which is like marriage with the exchanging of rings after a confession. Among the heroines, the androphobic kouhai Yumina catches my eye. She’s so shy and adorable, almost as much as the trap Yuuri.
Because apparently you need to understand a girl’s feelings and be in touch with your inner maiden to run a company. Even assuming he is supposed to be a designer I highly doubt one needs such insight to either staple lace on everything or go nuts with scissors on fabric. Even more having sisters kind of makes it less sensible, give him some brothers or something so he would feel more awkward. Justify it as him trying to understand fashion trends or something rather than having him be awkward around boobs necessitating this trip to the petting zoo.
I think he’ll be the one that’ll be petted.
Oh the poor poor thing.
Sono Hanabira ni Kuchizuke o New Gene!
Company: 聖ミカエル女子学園 (St. Michael Girls’ School)
Game site: その花びらにくちづけを にゅーじぇね！
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
This is the latest game in Fuguri-ya/YurinYurin/St. Michael Girls’ School’s Sonobira yuri series. The girls at St. Michael’s affiliated school are all excited for the main school’s ‘best couple’ voting event and decided to hold their own contest too, like their admired onee-samas. Lovely and affectionate couples were soon nominated, starting with the osananajimi pair Nagisa and Rina, and twin sisters Ai and Aya.
New transfer student Hazuki thought that it would not concern her, but she was chosen as well. She was paired with the pure and refined maiden Manami, who she greatly looked up to, but was like an unattainable flower to her. They were far from being a couple, so it would be futile even with the full support of their classmates. Hazuki decided to ask Manami to be a best couple with her anyway and she surprisingly agreed.
More yuri. They all looks so cute. Especially the twins. I support twin yuri.
Nature finds a way, apparently. Let us hope none of them are part West African frog.
Maple Colors HHH ~Class Zen’in Ore no Yome!~
Company: ApRicoT
Game site: メイプルカラーズHHH ～クラス全員俺の嫁！～
Release date: May 29, 2015
Comments:
This is the latest title in ApRicoT’s Maple Colors series. Shinji transferred into the special class at Kouka Gakuen, where he was the only male student. He was forced to do so by his mother, the school’s board chairwoman, who wanted him to find a bride so she can have a grandchild as soon as possible. All 14 of the girls in his class were gathered there as his potential brides. He was given a permit which allowed him to have sex with any of them. While he was met with cold stares at first, they soon warmed up to him as they worked together preparing for the school festival. So begins his harem-like school life with his classmates full of individuality.
It’s a change from their previous games where all the students in the class are troublemakers; instead, it’s become a harem game. It retains the bright colours that’s a staple of the series. The idea of a free sex pass is one that’s already done by softhouse-seal in their Zettai series. If I had to choose one of them, I’d go with Kuu or Kokoa.
You know they aren’t even trying anymore when a parent is on their school board and sets them up in a class of girls along with a license to sex. I suppose I can admire the fact there is no attempt to hide the laziness behind some gimmick, so at least they are honest. Which is better than when companies try to lie about this crap, so kudos to Apricot for giving us trustworthy tripe.
Lollipop Factory
Company: Galette
Game site: ロリポップファクトリー
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
Haruki is the owner of the import candy shop “Lollipop Factory”, which used to be a dagashi-ya shop run by his late grandmother. Now it’s a cute and colourful candy shop which is popular among the students at the nearby girls’ school. One day, five girls from the nearby Kotohana girls’ school came to gain work experience. He becomes close to them through sweets and soon forms a relationship with them!?
The special feature for this sweet love comedy is ‘mouth communication’, such as feeding each other (whether by utensil or mouth) and finger licking (lots of peropero). And of course the small stature and childish personalities of the heroines. As a ladies’ man, Haruki believes that one should not treat a girl like a child even if she is much younger than you. This is the sign of a true gentleman. I love sweets too, and it’s better than Chiccha Love Apart even if doesn’t seem to use the candy shop setting much. His imouto Setsuko is hilariously perverted. Have fun with LOLIFAC!!
Please die.
Otome ga Kanaderu Koi no Aria ~Kimi ni Sasageru Encore~
Company: ensemble
Game site: 乙女が奏でる恋のアリア ～君に捧げるアンコール～
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
This is the fan disc for Otome ga Kanaderu Koi no Aria, featuring after stories for each of the 5 heroines and added heroine Kanade, while chara poll winner Kei will get a route as well. Two additional patches (for Mikoto and Kotori/Yuuhi) will also be available for download from their website for a month after the release.
It’s fully voiced, including our trap protagonist ‘Izumi’. The trial was just for Kei and it had the same feel as the original (except they know he’s a guy now). He’s still dressed as a girl because he’s cuter that way. I still need to play Otokana… guess this will go on the backlog as well.
While this game was similar in setup to Otome blah blah Canvas, which I will just call Canvas from now on, it was far inferior. The writing between the two was the difference between night and day. Even though the characters themselves were fine in Aria they were poorly developed, the setting was awful and gimmicky, the protagonist was awkward and felt forced, and last but not least the routes themselves were bland as a tofu taco. Suffice it to say Aria was boring. Almost painfully so. Not saying it was a bad game, just not good, and certainly not deserving of a fandisk regardless of whether the characters were appealing or not.
You’ve had a tofu taco!?
I had a nightmare about one once, never again.
Neyuki no Gen’ei -Shirohana-sou no Hitobito-
Company: シルキーズプラス A5和牛 (SILKY’S PLUS A5 Wagyuu)
Game site: 根雪の幻影 -白花荘の人々-
Release date: June 26, 2015
Comments:
This is the first title by SILKY’s PLUS A5 Wagyuu. Shigeaki used to be a carefree womanizer until he met Kaho, whom he immediately felt destined to be with. It took over a year to convince her to be his girlfriend, so he has grown to love her above any other girl. He is certain that he would not meet another girl better than her.
To celebrate their beginning as a couple, they visited the Western-style boarding house Shirohana-sou in the mountains. They were greeted by the beautiful Touko, who used to be the dorm mother when the building was a dormitory of the missionary girls’ school that Kaho graduated from. After some pleasant chatter, they were led by Touko’s daughter Kikyou to their room. The guest room was quite well made and felt almost luxurious. He had planned to just spend a relaxing time with Kaho in the mountains, but it seems like he would be able to enjoy this vacation more than he had envisioned.
That was what he innocently thought at that time. He could not have imagined that they would soon be caught in a world far away from their normal days.
Even though it’s under the same brand, this game is by a different group than last year’s surprise work Nanairo Reincarnation. It appears to be a horror mystery, at least the setting is what’s typical for the genre. There’s probably something similar hidden in the basement, like in Dark Blue. However, it seems like there’s quite a drop in quality from Nanarin.
Difficult to judge completely, but the setup doesn’t sit well with me. I never like games where the protagonist is in a relationship already, especially one like that as it makes everything else feel so wrong. Instead of choosing a girl to pursue its choosing between not cheating and who to cheat with, or dumping the girl for someone else. Either way it makes the protagonist through which the reader views everything into a douchebag.
Micchi’s Top 3 for This Month
- LOVEREC.
- Angel Beats! -1st beat-
- Otome ga Kanaderu Koi no Aria ~Kimi ni Sasageru Encore~
Zen’s Top 3 for This Month
- I would rather be a magical girl,
- In a sea of tentacles.
- Otome ga Kanaderu Koi no Aria ~Kimi ni Sasageru Encore~
It’s nice to have a quiet month every now and then.
I would agree if more months were not quiet to the point of silence.
