Cats working in a cafe. Girls working in a cafe. Stray cat taken in and given shelter. Abandoned girl accepted into a community. Is there a feline trend going on this month? NEKO WORKs’ Nekopara vol.2 Shimai Neko no Sucre is much anticipated, but HARUKAZE’s Nora to Oujo to Noraneko Heart is also surprisingly funny. The fandisc Otome Riron to Sonogo no Shuuhen -Belle Époque- and CUBE’s Mamiya-kunchi no Itsutsugo Jijou are also sure to please. There should be plenty to keep you busy this month. How purrfect~!
Zen seems to be MIA again. There’s not much green in winter.
Nekopara vol.2 Shimai Neko no Sucre
Circle: NEKO WORKs
Game site: ネコぱら vol.2 姉妹ネコのシュクレ
Release date: February 20, 2016
Comments:
This is the latest volume of Nekopara, featuring Azuki and Coconut. All the catgirls are now helping out at Kashou’s patisserie “La soleil”, along with his imouto Shigure. Azuki has a sharp tongue and isn’t honest with herself, but she’s actually quite skillful and good at looking after others. Coconut is sincere and earnest, but she often tries too hard. In the past, they used to get along better than anyone, but now they bicker constantly due to small differences.
YESSSS MORE NEKOSSSSSS!! AZUKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ichibun no Ni Koigokoro
Company: 天ノ葉 (Amanoha)
Game site: 1分の2恋ゴコロ
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from November. This is the first game by Amanoha. Aoi doesn’t go to school; instead he works hard every day on part-time jobs to care for his two imoutos, Hina and Runa. While he does have some regrets about not attending school, he is satisfied and motivated by the sight of his imoutos’ smiles.
One winter day, Aoi was working harder than usual in order to celebrate his imoutos’ birthday, which was fast approaching. Then he reunited with his former kouhai Minori and met his shy neighbour Koyuki. These encounters brought about changes in Aoi’s relationship with his imoutos.
The story is written from both the perspective of the protagonist Aoi and each heroine, to develop a greater sense of romance. There’s no trial out yet (even though they said it would be available in December), but all the heroines are cute, especially his angelic imoutos. This is the first story by Nakamura Panda, so I’d suggest approaching it with tempered expectations.
Do I even need to say it?
But it’s not a fandisc!
You’re right. It’s much worse.
Kadenz fermata//Akkord:fortissimo
Company: ラクリマ (La’cryma)
Game site: Kadenz fermata//Akkord：fortissimo（カデンツァ フェルマータ アコルト：フォルテシモ）
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from December. This is the all-ages PC port for the PSV title of the same name which came out in December 2014. The only difference is the inclusion of an append patch in the limited edition which focuses on the normal life side of the story. But basically it’s just an opportunity for those that don’t have a PSV to play the game (and La’cryma to milk the series further). Wait for the H version that’ll likely come out in a couple months!
Circus is that you?
Considering there’s a lot of staff overlap, pretty much.
That explains so much.
School of Fantasia
Company: 玉藻ソフト (Tamamo Soft)
Game site: スクールオブファンタジア
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from January. This harem RPG is the professional debut for doujin circle Tamamo Studio, under the name Tamamo Soft. All of a sudden, there were children who were born in Japan with special abilities. They were segregated to a school located on Tendoujima, an island in the southern sea. Meanwhile, the relatively normal Yorito drifted on to the island after being swept by the waves from his adventurer father’s raft. After Himeno saved his life with artificial respiration, he ended up transferring into the Tendoujima Gakuen. Since he was suspected of being a spy, he accepted a request to explore the dungeon where monsters dwelled in order to establish his innocence. He enjoyed a pleasant life with the girls at the school, getting to know them better and solving their worries, but soon he became involved in various events while investigating the dungeon.
The RPG system still looks like a doujin, but you know you’re on the big stage when you manage to snag some recognizable seiyuus (Ogura Yui, Momoi Ichigo, Toono Soyogi). The protagonist is your usual brute who has great strength, but lacks common sense. I’ve always wondered why they do put swords in the hands of these people…
Chaos. Pure chaos is how I would describe this game. The plot is all over the place the gameplay as well. I would like to give them some credit for maybe trying to change things up even in a bad way, but its just much too pathetic an attempt. Just because you can make things work as a doujin group where expectations are low doesn’t mean the same standards apply when doing things professionally.
Nora to Oujo to Noraneko Heart
Company: HARUKAZE
Game site: ノラと皇女と野良猫ハート
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
Nora lives together in Sakuragabuchi with Shachi, a girl younger than him whom his mother had adopted. After his mother’s passing, they were able to grow up just fine with the support of those around them. Shachi loves Nora very much, and wakes up him every day while straddling him in bed. Then they head to school and enjoy their time with their friends, including their childhood friend and discipline committee head Michi, and his cheerful gyaru-like kouhai Yuuki.
One day, Nora came upon a girl named Patricia in a park on his way to school. She was a Princess of the Underworld and she came to the world of the living on her mother’s orders to destroy everything and remind humans of death. However, the life energies were too strong for her and she was overwhelmed by it. Nora took care of her while she was feeling ill, and she fell in love with him as a result. She asked him to explain the ‘mysteries of life’, but why does that include reading porn books…!?
This game doesn’t take itself seriously at all, with a far-fetched plot and cheeky writing (although I wish they would avoid describing actions using parentheses in speech). The voiced narrator is dramatic and talks like one in a children’s story, and slapstick gags are numerous. At one point in the trial, Nora wonders what everyone was talking about. That’s pretty much how I felt while playing. It’s entertaining, but I’m not sure why since nothing makes sense. In particular, things go really downhill after he gets turned into a cat (in a good way). However, this particular setting is new for a comedy, so I’m actually inclined to play this. I’d just need to turn my brain off. Nya.
Happening LOVE!!
Company: つみきそふと (Tsumiki Soft)
Game site: ハプニングLOVE!!
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from January. This is the debut work for Tsumiki Soft. Due to their parent’s transfer abroad for work, Shun returned with his imouto Miku to live in their hometown. The town had changed slightly from what he had remembered. He reunited with his energetic osananajimi Haruka, and met Sanae, the smart and beautiful grand-daughter of the school chairman, and the mischievous and voluptuous senpai Misaki. The days he spends with them shouldn’t be that unusual, but since they are overly unskilled at love, they are lively and full of exciting happenings.
That’s whipped cream and this is a nukige.
^
World Election
Company: Whirlpool
Game site: ワールド・エレクション
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
Twenty years ago, the separate worlds of the demons, gods, machines, beasts and humans were unified on “Reformation Day”. A world government was established and peace was achieved. On that same day, a new breed of humans with special powers appeared.
Kei is one such “neo’s” who attends Valeron International School. He didn’t encounter any problems until a meteorite crashed in front of him and out came the mysterious girl Kururu. She was the God of Destruction who warned of the impending end of the world, but it seemed like she lost her memories.
At the same time, the preparations for the student council election were underway at the school. Kei ended up running for the election due to a trivial reason, and soon the school’s most famous and dangerous characters all joined him in the election. Thus begins the biggest and worst electoral campaign in school history.
A meteorite collides with your heart♥ Ya~y! This is the 10th anniversary title for Whirlpool and their games really haven’t changed much over the years. They’re still heavily fantasy-based and quite wild without paying too much attention to the story. The trial didn’t impress me too much, although it’s got a nice cast of seiyuus (Kiritani Hana, Kazane, Uehara Aoi, Akino Hana, Moka Choko). In particular, I like the wolfgirl Faura and angel Pafil (although I want to see her be more amaenbou, maybe if she’s alone with him).
Otome Riron to Sonogo no Shuuhen -Belle Époque-
Company: Navel
Game site: 乙女理論とその後の周辺 -Belle Epoque-
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
This is the fandisc for Otome Riron to Sono Shuuhen, which also requires you to have played the original title Tsuki ni Yorisou Otome no Sahou. It features after stories for Resona and Meryl, as well an another story and after story for Bluette. It’s a fandisc and there’s plenty of fans who’ll eat this up.
Amaekata wa Kanojo Nari ni.
Company: 戯画 (GIGA)
Game site: 甘えかたは彼女なりに。
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from January.
“It’s not like I can’t make friends. I just don’t want to.”
That’s what Hiroto says as he pretends that it was his own choice to be alone, but it would have been rather difficult for others to approach him with his slightly frightening looks and general surliness. His classmates also kept their distance from the strikingly beautiful Tomomi, who would chide anyone who bothered her.
One day, Tomomi came up to Hiroto in the courtyard while he was enjoying lunch by himself. He thought she was going to confess to him, prompting a stern rebuke from her, as she was flabbergasted at his unexpected misunderstanding. Actually, she wanted him to come with her after school to the ‘assistance committee’, which is committee under the control of the student council for helping troubled students. However, he hadn’t heard anyone say goods things about it; in fact, it was dreaded to the extent that it is nicknamed the ‘meddling committee’.
The plot sounds awfully like Oregairu. But it has Kino Konomi art and ero, so that’s gotta mean something, right? I think I prefer this over the Kiss series.
A quick question, as I was sure there was some game by Giga I intended to play recently but I forgot. If anyone has played a game from them other than Baldr that was any good please let me know.
I second Micchi here about it sounding like Oregairu. Going to depend heavily on writing here. As the game will thrive on comedy and keeping the reader interested. As they have a series to copy from we can hope they did their homework at least I suppose.
Oh I don’t like the art either. Not so much style as shading or lack thereof makes the contrast feel too weak.
Mamiya-kunchi no Itsutsugo Jijou
Company: CUBE
Game site: 間宮くんちの五つ子事情
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
The Mamiya household that runs the seaside cafe Seamore is comprised of a set of quintuplets and their parents.
Cheerful, active and positive eldest daughter Yakumo, who is bright and excels at sports, even if she is sometimes quite clumsy.
Kind second daughter Moeri has the most common sense and is good at looking after others, but she can’t be honest with her feelings with the one she loves.
Oldest son Ryouta helps resolve any problems among the sisters, who greatly love and rely on him.
Third daughter Tamane is a domestic girl who takes care of most of the housework. She is a bit concerned about her weight lately.
Cat-like youngest daughter Nekoto doesn’t speak much and is a bit strange, but she makes friends very easily.
Even though they’re sometimes worried about their father’s tendency to wander, life in the Mamiya household is relatively peaceful.
However, one day just before summer vacation, the wealthy Ririka who had fallen in love with Ryouta at first sight, transferred into their school. She declared that she will take Ryouta to be her husband under the pretext that her family had lent their family money to start up the cafe and that she would erase their debt. His sisters sensed a strong danger that their dear brother would be taken away by a total stranger, so they decided to work hard to pay off the debt before the summer ends.
Having played and loved Kurafuta, this is definitely on my list of play this month. It’s a good mix of cute and ecchi, with some comedy thrown in. I will conveniently ignore the question of how these quintuplets could all have different hair and eye colours. Which girl do I like the most? You would think it would be the youngest one (Nekoto), but I’m actually more drawn to Moeri and Tamane. I think it would reduce my chances of coming across an oshikko scene.
Teaser
Tsumi no Hikari Rendez-vous
Company: minori
Game site: 罪ノ光ランデヴー
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
In front of the lone tunnel leading out from the small village of Tamasato, Yuuto draws a picture of a mermaid living in the deep ocean where light does not reach. One day, he looked up from his drawing and there was a girl in front of him who looked just like the one on his canvas. She called herself a ‘sinner’ who came to this town to repent for her sins. Yuuto and the townspeople welcomed the girl, Ai, to their town.
Come spring, the entrance ceremony was underway. The new students took pictures and videos in front of the school with their parents to commemorate this special day. However, it was a depressing event for Yuuto, who lives alone after the death of his father and the abandonment by his mother and older sister. While he had gotten used to it, this time he suddenly felt very lonely due to the recent passing of grandmother, the sole close relative he had left.
Upon finding out about Yuuto’s loneliness, Ai confided that she was abandoned by her parents. She searched for a reason for living, whereas he ran away from reality through his imaginative drawings. Even though they were polar opposites, their backgrounds also made them quite similar. Gradually, they became closer to each other, while harbouring secrets of their own.
I’m still not a fan of the balloon parade that minori’s been on lately, but at least their stories haven’t suffered much as a result of the increased emphasis of (quite) ecchi scenes. The feeling I got from the trial is very similar to that from Yorino, with secretive heroines and not-so-happy endings. The story revolves around the fairy tale “The red candle and the mermaid” with themes about sinning and light. The pacing is good and it kept my attention to the very end. It’s probably worth checking out.
Teaser
Trial OP
Omokage Railback
Company: ハイクオソフト (Haikuo Soft)
Game site: 面影レイルバック
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
During Masashi’s last summer as a student, it was decided that he would transfer schools due to his non-blood-related older sister Juri’s work as the young manager of Yoshioka Construction. His new school would be in the small rural town of Yagurana, located at the end of the railroad. He met the young land-owner Iroha, who vows to protect the land from corporations, and started going to school with her. However, the reason why he was there was because of Yoshioka Construction’s desire to develop the land. Moreover, he was the heir of the corporation itself.
This is the 10th anniversary title for Haikuo Soft and the main theme is ‘reunion’. The conflict stems from whether you want to support the development of the land or protect the town and keep it as is. I’m leaning towards laying off the development since I don’t want to make a cutie like Iroha sad. She’s so adorable (and reminds me of Yotsunoha‘s Nono)! I wanna protect her!
Koisuru Otome to Shugo no Tate ~Bara no Seibo~
Company: アクセル (AXL)
Game site: 恋する乙女と守護の楯 ～薔薇の聖母～
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from January. This is a sequel to AXL’s 2007 work Koisuru Otome to Shugo no Tate, as part of their 10th anniversary. After the wrapping up the Saint Theresa case, Shuuji (call sign Shield 9) had built a solid reputation within AIGIS… as a cross-dressing infiltration specialist. As a result, they kept giving him similar missions, exhausing him to the point that he thought about quitting. On his next mission, he complained that he was sick of cross-dressing, but the chief told him that they had already accepted the case. He couldn’t refuse a request from one who he considers as family, so with a promise that it would be the last such mission, he set out for an ojou-sama school reminiscent of Saint Theresa.
His mission was to run for and win the student council leader position. There were supposedly agents who had infiltrated the school to assist him, but he was not given any further information. He’s only got two months to accomplish the task. The reason behind it is that there was a death threat against whoever became the next student council leader. In addition, there was antagonism between the “Lady Alliance” led by the grand-daughter of the school chairman and the self-governing school committee. Will he be able to secure the leadership and disentangle the web of conflicts at the school?
“I will definitely protect you. So, believe in me.”
How nostalgic! Koitate was the first AXL game I’ve played, and it is still arguably one of their best works. The heroines are different this time (I’ll miss Marina), but the staff has remained exactly the same. So that means it should be just as comedic and suspenseful, right? I sure hope so!
Never played the original, nor do I have any intention to do so. That said the premise is weak. Perhaps if the student council plot line was taken out, at least from the initial purpose then there would be some improvement. These things should be worked into the movement of the plot for logical reasons. Instead of spelling it out as part of the setting. Ah well, if I hear the game is good or at least funny I’ll play it, otherwise it will be forgotten by next month.
Koi to Mahou to Kanrinin ~Unmei no Haguruma-hen~
Company: Prometheus
Game site: 恋と魔法と管理人 ～運命の歯車編～
Release date: February 26, 2016
Comments:
This is the second mid-priced game for Koi to Mahou to Kanrinin, focusing on Kasumi and Hisano. Takeru has been the dorm manager at Hazuki Gakuen since the beginning of the school term. When his osananajimi Kasumi and transfer student Hisano found out about this, they also moved in to the dorm and it became very rowdy every day. He had remained distant to others due to his self-hatred of his innate ability, but he gradually started to treat the girls living in the dorm like family. However, they had feelings for him and became anxious after realizing that he didn’t see them as anything more than family. At that time, a cute girl appeared from a book inside a small shrine in the backyard…
Similar to the first game, there’s a relatively typical eroge setting being described in the synopsis and then thrown some completely unrelated event at the end. I don’t mind mysterious cute girls, but wouldn’t just having the girls be more aggressive for his love be enough? As always from this staff, I’m not expecting much from this title.
Pre-PV
Micchi’s Top 3 for This Month
- Nekopara vol.2 Shimai Neko no Sucre
- Mamiya-kunchi no Itsutsugo Jijou
- Nora to Oujo to Noraneko Heart
Did you know that cats are invincible?
