Why is this summer so hot? Maybe it’s because people are getting fired up for GIGA’s BALDR HEART or mirai’s Hanahime＊Absolute!. For me, I’d rather cool down with a slow title like tone work’s’ Gin’iro, Haruka. There’s not too many titles to choose from this month, but that’s why they call it lazy summer days.
A month of downs, and… more downs. In fact we have a veritable syndrome of downs to deal with this August. Not only are there few games, the few games there are make me wish I was a Timenaut that could go back and abort these walking proofs as to why siblings do not work as heroines responsible for this month before they had the chance to kill my brain cells and waste my time. Also yes, it is too bloody hot here.
Nanairo Script ~Prelude~
Circle: Timenauts
Game site: なないろスクリプト～Prelude～
Release date: August 14, 2016 (Comiket 90)
Comments:
This is the first game by doujin circle Timenauts. Haruki worked as an illustrator for the large bishoujo game company Disir. He was a much talked-about newcomer with a name sounding like a famous writer’s and whose drawing ability was popular among social networks. Soon, he became the company’s main illustrator, producing games in tandem with fellow writer Ayano over the span of four years.
However, instead of good sales and great reviews, Haruki had lately become the target of some nasty criticism. He was then abandoned by his partner and left adrift on a sentimental journey. He ended up in the far-away countryside where the villagers were quite enamoured with him. Will he be able to regain his past brilliance as an illustrator and return to work?
This is just the all-ages prelude to the main story, which will be 18+. The art is by Rubi-sama and some others from Skyfish poco. While I wouldn’t expect too much from the story, there’s really not much you could complain about a 200 yen title. That’s cheaper than Nekopara!
I take that as a challenge, thus I shall pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Micchi and complain away.
First up the sheer pretentiousness of making a character an illustrator for what is essentially the game you are playing. It is almost as if this is a doujin group dedicated to circle jerking to power their crystals in order to make this wild fan fiction fantasy of theirs come true.
Furthermore who complains about the illustrator when games start getting boring? I mean the vast majority of games have acceptable art, stylistic choices and personal preferences aside that is. Very few professional companies have bad art, and manage to survive for long. Only two I can remember offhand being Rosebleu and Navel. Given he managed to survive for four years and was anticipated pretty much means he knows how to use his line and gradient tools in photoshop.
Usually what makes or breaks a game are the writers, so shouldn’t the mob with pitchforks be going after that Ayano trollop? Could have been about him soothing the upset emotional girl in bed or something. Which is just as bad of course, but at least they are complaining about the right thing. It’s almost as though the people making the game are hoping the focus on illustrators makes readers not pay attention to the writing in favor of the pretty pictures, because that’s what the game is about.
Honestly I don’t much care about his story, I mean, why should I? The whole thing is just an excuse to get in some panties while writing what they know, or rather what their illustrators say their job is like. Ya know, to avoid focusing on the writing, and therefore having accountability for themselves. Maybe its just the embarrassment that their job is coming up with ideas for long (Or short) cylindrical object A to go spelunking into cave B. I know I wouldn’t be trying to glorify my job if I worked as a writer on just about any eroge in the last decade or so.
I hesitate to call just about every eroge’s visuals “Art”. Because frankly, good or bad, they aren’t very artistic. Most don’t have a clue what art is, and you can tell this by playing the Canvas series. It is like they know the words oil and watercolor and that they use brushes to apply those words to fabric. And that’s it. Depicting an imitation of reality be it cartoony or as realistic as possible does not automatically make things artistic. So why is the photoshop jockey for Disir going all spastic about “What an artist dies in me” over some blog douche saying his art sucks.
I know the game is cheap, but even if it was free I wouldn’t want to play it, so maybe they should be paying me two dollars for wasting my time. Yeah yeah, charage get by ignoring everything else save tarting up the same basic five or so archetypes so maybe the heroines make all the garbage worth it~! Except as I have said countless times, that excuse is little more than the fuel for terrible games. Yes you may like a character for whatever reason, but if the setting and story that surrounds them is good they are a better, and more memorable character than they are if it sucks.
So there, you can complain about a 200 yen title.
You just had to work in that dig at the Canvas series, didn’t ya?
I see that as not so much me working it in as their fault for doing it wrong, thus being the shining successful example of what to never do. Which in this case amounts to saying “If you can’t tell the difference between the Mona Lisa and some little twerp’s finger painting of blue flowers you probably should not be making a story about art. Since I did like that game aside from their complete lack of investment or knowledge on the central theme the whole thing is made an even more glaring fault.
Ichibun no Ni Koigokoro
Company: 天ノ葉 (Amanoha)
Game site: 1分の2恋ゴコロ
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from July. 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. The main takeaway from the trial is that our protagonist Aoi is a responsible siscon onii-chan. Minori is also my type too. 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.
BALDR HEART
Company: 戯画 (GIGA)
Game site: BALDR HEART
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
Due to a certain incident, the Simulacrum-piloting mercenary Sou lost his fighting ability and as a result, his job as well. He returned to his foster father’s home on the island of Wadatsumi, followed by his former partner Yuuri for some reason. Soon after his arrival, he saved a girl who had lost her memories, Tsukuyomi, and she ended up staying at his home.
Although there were no decent jobs on the depopulated island, he readily received a work request from a mysterious individual. It was to transfer into the island’s only school Kouka Academy and investigate if its students were involved in the terrorism that has besieged the island. Standing in his way as he set forth to infiltrate the school was the student council president Mao and her Simulacrum. At that moment, a girl who called herself a fairy appeared before him and began to assimilate with his Simulacrum…
This is the newest title in GIGA’s intense robot battle action BALDR series, this time returning to 2D. The varied armaments, thrilling combos and base battle system from games past remain unchanged, while a new ‘armament girl (FEI)’ has been introduced. Strengthening the bond between you and the FEIs (fairies) opens up new armaments and specials. Characters from other games, such as Baldr Sky‘s Rain and Senmomo‘s Akari, also make cameos as FEIs. There’s also a survival mode that opens up after you clear each stage. While illustrator Hinooka Shuuji is new, we should much of the same from this series. It seems a little bit more school-oriented though. Even though I’m not big into these types of games, I have to admit the trial was pretty fun to play and the controls and system are quite intuitive.
For a long time now I have been saying Giga can only do the Baldr series decently and all else they make is pretty much forgettable garbage. Finally it seems the time has come for me to amend that. Giga as a company no longer exists for me.
Baldr Heart is like they took all the worst bits they created to ruin their high school romance games and filled Baldr to the brim with those ideas. Story is nonsensical and all over the place, characters are only the stereotypes just cuz. Has to be a loyal partner who secretly lusts after him as well as the school president who starts out opposing him. Frankly the whole cyber DnD Naruto thing is about all they have left. Which in all honesty isn’t all that impressive on its own. Concept wise it isn’t bad, but the execution is still pretty lackluster by actual game standards.
Personally I have the same problem with every gameplay based eroge, I would rather play a real game, or read a better written novel. Both elements need to be at least on par for whatever the current standards are at a games release. Yet because of the split focus none of these games can even reach average in either realm. So, no, I won’t be playing this game. I suggest no one else does either so maybe Giga won’t think this is a good idea thus further ruining the series with their next installment. But since the Japanese market prefers repetition and brand recognition chances are just because its Baldr it will work out. Hence Giga can join Type Moon, Nitro+, Circus, Navel, soon to be Frontwing, and probably a few others I forgot on my blacklist.
Corona Blossom vol.1 Gift From the Galaxy
Company: フロントウイング (Frontwing)
Game site: Corona Blossom vol.1 Gift From the Galaxy
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
Keiji is a young man who is very skilled at dealing with machines even though he does not like them. After failing his university entrance exams, he began helping out at his grandfather’s workshop, which specializes in repairing heavy-duty industrial robots (VORKS). He was loved by the regular patrons and enjoyed a peaceful life in the countryside.
One day, a meteorite suddenly fell on the town and he found a metallic life form attached to it, who looked just like a forgotten girl from his past. Thus began his strange life with R-ne. After a while, she learns how to speak and tells him that she wished to return to her planet. He was moved by her words and vowed to send her back to space, no matter what.
However, the space pirate (rare metal hunter) Lily appeared before them, with her sights set on R-ne. Will Keiji and his friends be able to send R-ne back safely to her homeland?
This is a crowdfunded bilingual title which was released in English on Steam last month. The August release date is for the packaged version sold in Japan and shipped to backers. It is an all-ages kinetic novel, but a separate 18+ patch is available for download. It also uses the E-mote system. While it is a low-priced title, it is produced by a solid staff headlined by illustrator Nanaca Mai. I’ll probably try it out just for her art, since it feels very low budget compared to their other games.
Well Frontwing, that was fast, what do you have to say for yourself after Giga’s awful showing this month? Would you like to join them in the rubbish bin?
It would seem Corona Blossom makes their answer a resounding yes. Much like Giga, Frontwing’s few functioning human beings were taken over by the awful stupidity tumor the rest of the company is made of. Involving an english speaking audience in the development of a game is already the worst idea humanity has every had. If this crap becomes common I’m quitting. I just cannot handle stupidity of that level. Maybe if being a weeb was legitimate grounds for murder I could keep my motivation going through altruistic contributions to the human species with rampant cleansing of that particulary brand of stupidity from the gene pool. Letting those brain dead halfwits dictate market trends is just going to make the already ailing industry turn into weeb wars. In fact this probably makes Frontwing my most hated game company. Not only does their god awful writing ruin everything they come up with. Not that Grisaia was any good without the awful writing mind you. But that they were willing to do this crap while being successful shows how little integrity they have as a company. It’s one thing to be stupid as a last ditch risk to make some money and fuel something better. Completely another matter when you already have hordes of idiots throwing money at you for terrible half assed games you barely have to put any effort into.
The game itself shows its origins with all sorts of nonsense. Basically just read the above summary, and laugh at it. Rather than spend ten thousand words picking apart this crap, I’ll save my time. Afterall I’m secure in the knowledge that anyone with more than one working braincell can spot why this is bad in every respect with no redeeming qualities what so ever.
It’s a bit amusing how times have changed after all the anti-foreigner bans a few years back. I don’t think that the English community affected the development. The premise was conceived beforehand and they just merely used the Western audience to help fund it (not entirely). The 18+ patch thing is another issue though.
It is not about the english fanbase working on the game itself. It is about the english fanbase being a direct part of the market. Which is just as bad really. The only people who would enjoy a game like this are those stuck in the cesspool of blind retarded sheep that is the weeb mind. What this means is that those loons will be buying said game. When they buy the game this money goes towards the lazy developers who shat this out making more of these games. Other companies then see the wonderful success in marketing to the hordes at the bottom of the pyramid and stop making real games in favor of catering to this drooling inbred mob.
Triangle Love -Apricot Fizz-
Company: Campus
Game site: Triangle Love -アプリコットフィズ-
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
Mitsuru gets along quite well with Karin since they both enjoy going to the game center, bowling, playing darts and doing karaoke, among other things. Since Karin has a best friend in Ayame, it was inevitable that she would join them when they hung out. Even though it was one guy with two girls, they got along quite well and they spent most of their time together.
Soon, Mitsuru began to have feelings for the outspoken Karin, who looks like she’s always playing around but actually has strong conviction, and the shy yet kind and considerate Ayame. Since they shared so many hobbies, Karin and Mitsuru gradually became attracted to each other and started going out. While Ayame had feelings for him as well, she was content to stay one step back and watch them while they continued to hang out as a group.
Just before their second year, Karin suddenly transferred schools. Since her new school was quite far away and they wouldn’t be able to meet casually any more, she decided to cut ties with him. Even after Karin’s departure, Ayame was unable to convey her own feelings to Mitsuru since she didn’t want to betray Karin.
Their ‘more than friends, less than lovers’ relationship continued for a year, until Ayame finally decided to confess to him at the beginning of their third year. However, Karin returned on that very day. What will become of their triangle relationship?
This mid-priced title will only have a route for Ayame, which is a similar set-up to their previous game, Tsumikoi. It also takes place in the same school as the other Campus games, Mahoshi Gakuen. Karin will be the heroine for the sequel. The subtitle ‘Apricot Fizz’ refers to the cocktail, which supposedly has the meaning of ‘I want you to notice me’. I’m a sucker for these type of stories, so I’ll spend a few hours playing this.
Finally, a game this month that isn’t terrible. Just not my cup of tea as it were. Micchi and I tend to disagree quite heartily on these games. As I am not into drama for drama’s sake, I tend to avoid things like this though honestly nothing here stands out as awful. I won’t say good either because that will depend entirely on the writing and how well they can bring out the characters and their development throughout the story.
However at least there is nothing where the basic concept compels me to skin the characters alive while using their skin to enact a puppet show that illustrates how things are properly done. So it has that going for it. If you are into the angsty drama type games I honestly suggest waiting for the second game before playing. Always better when you have options, in case of feeling bitter about the result, you won’t have to wait for Karin to be released from her cage.
Hanahime＊Absolute!
Company: mirai
Game site: ハナヒメ＊アブソリュート！
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from May. This is the first title by mirai, a sister brand of Minato Soft. In 2025, the social game Crown Hearts about the battle between the prince’s country ‘Stella Crown’ and the princesses’ country ‘Floris Hearts’ was a smash hit, and pro gamers have become as popular as star athletes. Koharu attends Luminus Academy with his pure osananajimi and hopeful new pro gamer Maher, kind and slightly bracon imouto Hiyoko, and Hiyoko’s friend and extremely popular net idol Ayane.
One day, they attended the opening ceremony of the annual Crown Hearts event “Divine Crown Battle”. However, this year, they announced the new “Crown Hearts VR”, where one may battle others in the real world using the latest in virtual reality technology. Sixteen entrants were chosen for the “Divine Crown Battle VR” tournament: a ‘prince’ and his seven ‘flower princesses’, and a ‘queen’ and her seven ‘star princes’.
Koharu was chosen as the prince by the AI girl Polina, who appeared out from the Crown Hearts world. He must battle in the tournament alongside the sword princess Maher, love princess Hinako and many others. It was rumoured that the winner would have his or her wish granted. Are you ready for this new generation battle royale!?
The battle system in the game is pretty much the same as the one from Twinkle☆Crusaders (attack, charge, unison, EX). You can choose between three levels of difficulty. While the art is still by Kannagi Rei, the story writers are all different. As usual, they’ve got all the colours of the rainbow covered. I wonder if there’ll be more and more VR/fantasy worlds in the next couple years…
This is one of those times I just want to skip, leaving maybe a single word of disgust. Is it too much to ask for a company to put some effort into the games they make? This is really just too terrible for words. Story is basically irrelevant, setting is just there to throw some girls at the protagonist within a relatable theme for the reader. Gameplay is nothing special or new either. So why something so useless is allowed to exist boggles my mind. I can only hope few people are suckered into this so we don’t have to see a sequel eight years down the line about NTRing the original heroines.
Yuuwaku Scramble
Company: MOONSTONE Honey
Game site: ユウワク スクランブル
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
Haruto is an ordinary student, whose mother remarried one day. She then left on her honeymoon and left him in her new partner’s house, where he reunited with his childhood friends, sisters Asuka, Yuki and Miku. He was excited to live with them, but also worried if they would be able to open up to each other.
The three sisters welcome him with various means, but due to their different personalities, they ended up competing with one another instead. They each wanted to be the one to take care of him, and he was thrown into a scramble between the three pretty sisters, which was both one of happiness and difficulty.
As they live under the same roof, their feelings for one another grow fonder, transforming from one of kindness to that of love. Where will Haruto’s relationship with the three sisters end up when Christmas arrives?
Sister trio nukige GO~~~~~~!!! Miku remind me a lot of Imopara‘s Koharu, right down to the tennis uniform. Gotta love those koakumas! Hau~ omochikaeri~!
I happen to be a man of principles. In this case the principle in question is that I do not play games when there are exposed boobs on the cover. Games that resort to stripper advertising are well, just that, strippers showing how nuki their ge is.
I think there was a safer cover, but I can’t seem to find it…
That cover is plastered up on the main page of their website. Even if the game itself had a PG picture of a smiling sunflower on it my principles stand.
Giniro, Haruka
Company: tone work’s
Game site: 銀色、遥か
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
It is not uncommon for snow to fall even in April in the northern-most city of Hororo. Yukito is about to start his second year in middle school, excited for what new meetings await him.
Quiet Canadian transfer student Bethly
Friendly and helpful kouhai Hinata
Classmate and drama lover Momiji
Childhood friend and world-class figure skater Mizuha
New imouto via remarriage Yuzuki
From this beginning, there is only one goal. This is a love story which spans 10 years and 3 seasons.
tone work’s has come a long way since their first game (which shall not be mentioned). Ginharu is a long story spanning 10 years, from their first meeting thru to marriage. This results in some moments which are not as exciting since it mimics real (riajuu) life, unlike most eroge which only focus on the adolescence part. And with such a long story, there’s plenty of H scenes (not for the middle school part though). The plus side is that there should be plenty of character development for the heroines, who are all quite charming. I’m particular drawn to imouto Yuzuki, voiced by Kusahara Yui, and classmate Momiji. I guess I should show some interest towards fellow Canadian Bethly, but she doesn’t attract me much.
Yeah, you GTFO old imouto. This game has a shiny new imouto for your viewing displeasure. On that subject who would have possibly guessed that Micchi was enamored with the little sister, certainly not I.
On the actual subject of the game I rather like this idea. Provisionally of course. We get to see a proper development, that yes includes the standard high school era, but also what comes after. The thing which worries me most however is the potential for post high school drama. Most notably issues like cheating which tend to come into play quite often when dealing with adult characters. At the very instant such an issue pops up I’ll be dropping the game or at least that route. As usual however the make or break it will as usual hinge entirely on the writers being able to pull it off. Thus my hopes are not high. I will applaud their ambition while praying to every deity I can think of that there is at least one game worth playing this month.
Inochi no Spare: I was born for you
Company: あかべぇそふとすりぃ (AkabeiSoft3)
Game site: 生命のスペア I was born for you
Release date: August 26, 2016
Comments:
Meguri suffers from the ‘Oumon’ disease. No one knows what causes this disease and there is no cure for it. The sole possible treatment is a heart transplant, but it is nigh miracle to find a suitable replacement heart. That is why her imouto Ria was created as a designer baby. She was born as a spare heart for her older sister.
One sister ravaged by an incurable disease, and the other born for her sake. The only person who knows about their secret outside of their family is Meguri’s friend Ryuuji. As Meguri’s resolve wavers as the time she has left ticks down, what will be the ending to this drama of clashing emotions?
Another heartwrenching story from AkabeiSoft3. This one revolves around the emotions and ethics of a saviour sibling, possibly inspired by My Sister’s Keeper. As usual, the scenario by Nakajima Taiga should be good, and the OP is captivating as well. I wish that Ria could live her life the way she wants to…
Yeah… no. Just really, no no no no no no. I can see where this is going, choose one or the other to save. Screw that. I am not playing a game that makes you feel like absolute shit no matter what you chose. I don’t even care about the story or writing here. Just the premise alone makes me cringe too hard. If I wanted to feel bad about a choice I made I’d vote.
So I guess you’re not voting this upcoming election then. It’s not an enviable position at this point.
It’s like choosing between Hitler and Stalin, you lose either way.
Micchi’s Top 3 for This Month
- Giniro, Haruka
- Hanahime＊Absolute!
- Triangle Love -Apricot Fizz-
Zen’s Top 3 for This Month
- Giniro, Haruka
- Hitler – Still better than the other releases this month
- Stalin – Also better than the other releases this month
I swear I didn’t insult Zen to make him more negative this month!
The Releases insulted me enough in your place.
