XBlaze Code: Embryo is VN of the Month for me due to personal reasons. Other masterpieces are Seihou no Prismgear and Tojita Sekai no Tori Colony . Clephas liked the last one and also Otome Riron to Sono Shuuhen -Ecole de Paris- . Micchi in addition to Otome Riron is interested in Amairo＊IsleNauts and Gleamgarden no Shoujo.
1. XBlaze Code: Embryo [130725] Arc System Works 1 2 3 4 5 6
The protagonist, Touya Kagari, is a resident of Shin Yokozaki City and a sophomore at the prestigious Hakuou North Academy. An earnest and responsible young man, Touya appears to be no more than your average high school student.
While returning from his part-time job, he heard a mysterious sound coming from the depths of the Restricted Ward, an area off-limits to unauthorized personnel due to a horrible disaster that happened there ten years ago…
His curiosity having gotten the best of him, Touya ventured ever deeper into the ruins of the ward, eventually coming across a man who appeared to be gravely injured. Concerned, Touya rushed to his side, asking if he was okay and if he needed any help.
But as Touya approached, the man suddenly stood up and attacked, screaming, “You’re an enemy!”
And in the midst of invisible ringing bells, psychotic strangers, exploding walls of flame, and almost certain death, a small, cute girl with an enormous sword came charging in…
And despite her frilly, fragile appearance, her battle prowess was beyond reason or doubt. The name of Touya’s savior was Es, a soldier belonging to the Mitsurugi Agency.
Seithr, Drives, Unions, and secretive organizations…
Yanked from the comfort of his everyday life, Touya was forced head-long into a world where the threat of death was everywhere and even allies could be his downfall…
The wheel of fate has begun to turn…
And the story of the Azure, and that of Touya Kagari and the mysterious girl Es, began.
There are English reviews. This game inspired me a lot, so I wrote the following mini-review back then:
I initially picked this game after reading gangrelion review on it where he basicly said that no game would ever be the same after trying Xblaze Code: Embryo. This game upturned my vision on visual novels completely for a number of reasons
1) Good action and great story plot
2) Voiced protagonist and every single sub-character
3) Animated faces
4) Characters talk to each others interactively so that one usually stands with its back to us
5) Great built-in encyclopedia and online news determining future element
6) Long enough length to get good impression and short enough to not get boring
7) No 18+ content so no temptation to skip scenes
This game actually gave me a kick to seriously play visual novels and when I'm serious I always use system approach when studying my object of interest slashing through each title from each year. I usually find a base of objects of my interest and explore every single title that I get interested in. This is how this blog started.
2. 3-nin Iru! ~Happy Wedding in Livingroom~ 3人いる！ ～Happy Wedding in Livingroom～ [130726] Riffraff
In the midst of a recession, Atsuyuki spent every day attending university and doing part-time jobs to pay off his tuition and living expenses. Of course, he had no time to get a girlfriend nor go out with his friends. However, his part-time job suddenly disappeared and he no longer had a source of income. He was at a loss of how to accrue so much money to cover his expenses.
Returning home for a visit, his uncle recommended a live-in part-time job to him. He quickly jumped at the opportunity which offered both money and a place to live. Arriving at a fine new single house, he was greeted by three girls who introduced themselves as his wife! Just what kind of part-time job was this!? It was for researching newly-wed families, but what was he supposed to do!?
Moege
3. Amairo ＊ Islenauts 天色＊アイルノーツ [130726] Yuzusoft 1 2 3 4 5 6
Even though he had secured a teaching job after graduation from university, he was unsure if he wanted to continue being a teacher. One day, he was invited to be a teacher at a girl’s school… on the floating island!? Raizerg has streets reminiscent of Europe in the Middle Ages, employs fantasy technology and is inhabited by various races only thought to exist in a dreamworld. How will his new teaching life unfold in this fairy tale-like setting?
There are English reviews
4. Amane Switch ~Yamanai Ame to Yanda Kanojo Soshite Ore~ 雨音スイッチ ～やまない雨と病んだ彼女そして俺～ [130726] Kokuchou 1 2
Mizushima Shinji lives a normal school live being even forced to become class representative. He even has an ex-girlfriend Minegishi Youko who still keeps approaching him with her bright and cheerful personality. Then one day transfer student Amane rolls in and falls for protagonist. But this school has many her old bully acquaintances, and her life becomes a deluge of misery.
There are English reviews
5. Ashita mo Kono Heya de Aimashou 明日もこの部室（へや）で会いましょう [130726] Milk Pudding
Hikaru is the deputy leader of the photography club at Nikongahara Gakuen. He had started liking cameras 5 years ago, but he still wasn’t sure if was the hobby for him. In particular, he wasn’t able to take any good pictures in the past half year. One day, the student council notified the club of their impending dispandment due to their poor results, low member turnout and high usage of space. To avoid its dissolution, the club leader Azusa assigned ‘goals’ for each members. However, Hikaru was to decide his own goal himself.
Azusa and the club advisor told him that he should aim for the grand prize at a contest or the school festival. Not only that, but it should be a portrait of a girl. They told him he had the ability to capture the charms of a woman, but he had never succeeded before since he was so shy that he couldn’t even talk to them. He only has 2 months to find a subject and overcome his nervousness.
Very weak debut work, selected as kusoge of the year at some popular poll.
6. Gangsta Republica ギャングスタ・リパブリカ [130726] Whitesoft 1
There once was a relatively unknown rumour that those who cannot cast aside the dirt from their hearts should visit that shop and they will meet friends one day. Most people did not pay attention to this vague rumour, but for those who hold a different disposition, this was how they found friends.
Kanae was in the "Charity Club" room at Seitengi Gakuen, wondering if there was anything bad that was going to happen. The students and teachers did not view the noisy club as an official one, especially since he calls it the "Gang Club" himself. The club’s slogan was to "change the world with evil". For example, to play with kids and steal their valuable time as a child, or to help an old lady with her moving and to cheat her out of candy in return. That is their "evil" and it is this "evil" that makes the club members friends. Welcome to their gangster republica.
There is an English impression
7. Gleam Garden no Shoujo -Witch In Gleamgarden- グリムガーデンの少女 -witch in gleamgarden- [130726] Cosmic Cute 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
There are girls in the world known as ‘witches’ who have the ability to bring disaster to their surroundings by merely wishing for something strong enough. This ability known as ‘gleam’ is said to be caused by a mental abnormality. Their numbers had increased rapidly over the past few years and society has gradually become more chaotic as a result. The ‘gleam garden’ is a place where witches are interned and where they are taught how to control their abilities so that they do not harm others. Touji is a ‘protection controller’, supporting four girls who had been cast off by society for being witches. He wants to lead them to a new life, and also to find out about the truth of his own past.
There are English reviews
8. Koi Saku Miyako ni Ai no Yakusoku o ~Annaffiare~ 恋咲く都に愛の約束を ～Annaffiare～ [130726] Hearts 1 2
In the near future in Japan, Annaffiare is a theme park located on a giant floating man-made island where dreams come true. There is also a separate ‘city’ on the island where the employees and those related to the theme park reside and go about their lives. Kazuomi was born on Annaffiare and attends a school specializing in management and administration of entertainment facilities. One day, he undergoes on-site training at the theme park and learns about the feelings of the girls, strengthening the bonds between them.
There are English reviews
9. Mizukano! ~Mizugi no Kanojo to H Shiyo~ みずカノ！ ～水着の彼女とHしよっ～ [130726] Etoiles
In the future, the ice in the South Pole had melted, causing the global sea levels to rise. The popularity of swimsuits had exploded as people got accustomed to a life next to the sea. One of the top-selling swimsuit makers bought one of the new islands Takaojima and built a research school there. At this dormitory school, those who help out with creating new swimsuits do not have to pay a portion of their tuition.
Kaito returned to Takaojima, where he had once lived on when he was a child, on a personal request from his father to help collect impressions from girls trying out a new series of swimsuits planned for a competitive show. The results would be used to help develop better swimsuits. His father lent him a cat-shaped robot called Noritama, which is connected to the company internal network and has the special ability of breaking down swimsuits to the particle level and reforming them into new ones. Will he be able to create the best swimsuit ever with the girls’ help?
It's not a full-scale moege or swimsuit fetish work due to substantial common route and individual routes, but it's still somewhere near.
10. Namaiki Delation ナマイキデレーション [130726] Madosoft
Shinjuurou managed to avoid supplementary lessons by passing the make-up test. However, his joy was fleeting, as he was tricked by his teacher to be a member of the cultural festival committee. Since there was no one else there, he had to find other members to join as well… but why are all those joined so cheeky?
Scenario is subtle and routes vary in quality due to six writers. It's possible to find one or two good enough routes, but overall it's average.
11. Ore to Kanojo ga Mystery na Ken ni Tsuite 俺と彼女がミステリーな件について [130726] P.W.
Ayumu is able to see and hear things that other people can’t. He used to be bothered by it as a child, but now he has become used to it. When his father got a long-term overseas appointment, they sold the house expecting that he would naturally come along with them. However, Ayumu told them that he would rather stay in Japan. They relented only when they found him a place at his aunt’s apartment in the countryside where he had lived as a child.
Ayumu reunited with his cousin Touka and joined her mystery circle club at his new school. Every one of its members are quite interested in various mystery elements, from black magic to UFOs. The warmth and enjoyment that he felt in the club made him at ease and soon it became an irreplaceable thing to him.
Picture is cute, but routes are unbalanced and each focusing some weird thing like UFO or demon summon and done poorly.
12. Otome Riron to Sono Shuuhen -Ecole de Paris- 乙女理論とその周辺 －Ｅｃｏｌｅ ｄｅ Ｐａｒｉｓ－ [130726] Navel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
This is the sequel to Tsuki ni Yorisou Otome no Sahou, taking place in Paris with imouto Resona as the main heroine. It continues from the bad ending in the original game, with Resona and Yuusei moving to Paris to attend École de Philia girl’s school after he could not longer attend the one in Japan. Once again he dresses up as the maid Asahi, although this time serving Resona. He gradually meets other girls there: the pure Meryl with promising talent, the welcoming ojousama Bluette, classmate Liliane, and fellow foreign student Dietlinde. Yuusei/Asahi chases after his dream, while Resona wishes for the courage to be independent. But can they achieve those goals in a difficult new world and their older brother possibly after them?
In addition to the new story, the limited edition version includes after story of the 4 main heroines. Luna, Minato, Ursule, and Mizuho also appear as subcharacters.
There are English reviews
13. Seihou no Prismgear 星逢のプリズムギア [130726] Elysion
The floating university town of Nikkou Gakuen is located in Tokyo Bay. It is a place where researchers and users of ‘power gears’ train hard night and day. Power gears are a new type of energy, allowing users to change into power assist suits. Shuu attends the school, aspiring to be an engineer. Joining up with the failing student Satsuki, will they be able to make it to the top at the school’s gear battle tournament?
Setting is complicated enough and story good enough to enjoy till the end. SOL scenes are boring, but battle scenes compensate for that. Writer is a professional novelist. Momentum dulls by the middle and there may be lack of excitement, but it's still a very good game.
14. Senjin Otome -Makina ni Yadorishi Kokoro ga Negau wa...- 戦刃乙女 －マキナに宿りし心が願うは…－ [130726] Debo no Su Seisakusho
Takato lives alone since his parents are hardly in the house due to work. He enjoys a pleasant school life with his osananajimi Akane and best friend Shuuichirou. One day, he received a delivery the size of a coffin from his parents, inside of which was a sleeping naked girl. She was accompanied by a note telling him to seek out the truth with her. At that time, the girl opened her eyes and his fate began to change.
Action
15. Tojita Sekai no Tori Colony 閉じたセカイのトリコロニー [130726] Tiny Bell 1 2 3 4
This is the first game by Tiny Bell, a sister company of bonbon-company.
Minato was confessed to by the new transfer student Nodoka who he had just met. This day was one that he had been longing for. There were awkward and embarrassing moments at first, but he gradually became charmed by her and enjoyed a comfortable relationship surprising to his classmates and osananajimi.
A month later, they spent the night together and they promised not to forget each other since they loved each other so much. When he woke up, he found himself back on the morning of the confession.
There are English reviews
16. Yes, Your Highness [130726] Tiny Bell 1
A war had continued for a long long time in a certain country. With peace and order lost, it was no longer the happiest country in the world and poor people filled the streets. It had become difficult for people to see hope in their futures. At that time, Munakata was called the hero of the country – never having suffered a defeat in any battle. The new post which was bestowed upon him was not in the blood-stained and mud-caked battlefield, but rather in a faintly-fragrant and extravagantly-decorated mansion. His duty was to protect the royal princess Sakurako while she spends her days sheltered away from the outside world.
There is an English review
BLOCKED
1. Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai! A-2 真剣で私に恋しなさい！A-2 [130712] Minato Soft 1 2 3
A fandisc featuring routes for Seiso and Cookie 4 IS, as well as an after story for Monshiro. Fandisc
I choose Yume ka Utsutsu ka Matryoshka as VN of the Month. Chephas hesitated between the two, but chose Karumaruka ＊ Circle . Micchi adds Ichiban Ja Nakya Dame Desu ka and some imouto nukige to his set of interests.
1. Yahari Game demo Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru. やはりゲームでも俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。 [130919] guyzware 1
The story follows two loners, the pragmatic Hikigaya Hachiman and beautiful Yukinoshita Yukino, who despite their varying personalities and ideals, offer help and advice to others as part of their school's Service Club, assisted by the cheerful and friendly Yuigahama Yui. It largely depicts various social situations faced by teens in a high school setting and the psychology driving their interactions.
Anime Spin-Off
2. Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii wake ga Nai. Happy End 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない。 ハッピーエンド [130926] guyzware 1
The game further expands on the story of the Oreimo light novel series, giving the player, who takes on the role of Kyousuke Kousaka, the choice to follow the story of his complicated life with his younger sister Kirino and their friends.
Anime Spin-Off
3. Baldr Sky "Zero" バルドスカイ ゼロ [130927] Giga 1 2 3 4
When Edward came to in the virtual world, he was in the middle of a battle. A giant humanoid robot (simulacrum) distracted the enemy (virus) which was targeting him by yelling at him. The girl Sakura and him fought off the enemies’ attacks together and then helped out a girl who was being chased by the state army. As he was about to depart the virtual world, he remarked to Sakura that he could not remember his own name. Coming to in the real world, he found himself in a foreign room. He soon met Sakura again. She belonged to the Squall team of the Fenrir mercenary unit and this was their base. In the Southeast Asia State (SAS) where reality and the virtual world are separated, the only way to survive in this never-ending war was to pilot a simulacrum, so he volunteered to join Fenrir.
Action has English reviews
4. Himegoto Union ~We are in the Springtime of Life!~ ひめごとユニオン ～We are in the springtime of life!～ [130927] Seven Wonder 1 2 3
Saizou seems to be a typical student, but he’s actually a ninja-in-training! Maybe destiny had something to do with it, but he met four girls who also had secrets which couldn’t be told to others. They were the blonde transfer student Himeria (who’s actually a princess), his model-like senpai Yuuki (who’s actually a heroine of justice), the beautiful swordsman Hijiri (who’s actually a girl in disguise), and his small kouhai Koharu (who has superhuman strength in certain situations). Himeria revived the local history research group, which became the ‘secret union’.
There are English reviews
5. Ichiban Janakya Dame Desu ka? 1番じゃなきゃダメですかっ？ [130927] Rosebleu 1 2 3 4
A slightly old-fashioned wooden apartment called Ittokikan (Maison Ittoki) lies at the top of a gentle slope located nine minutes walk from the train station. It is a place inhabited only by girls who are disappointed with their male siblings. Shou was to be a new resident, but naturally he was refused entry to the apartment. However, he was able to open their hearts with his initiative and positive disposition and was accepted into their group. In turn, they became lovestruck with him and it was suggested that he become an older brother figure to everyone in the household. This prompted the declaration by his non-blood related imouto Hisui that she will stop being his imouto. Could they be satisfied all being second for his love?
There are English reviews
6. Imouto Spiral 妹スパイラル [130927] Macaron Soft
Seiji is a normal male student without a girlfriend, except that he has strange dreams almost every day. One day, he was going to be reunited with his younger sister whom he haven't seen since they were small. However, not one, but five younger sisters were waiting for him! It happened that some incident caused the protagonists from different parallel worlds to disappear and their younger sisters went searching for them. All of them ended up coming to Seiji since he was the same as their brothers. At the same time, strange dimensional distortions started appearing around him, threatening the balance of all the worlds. How will he and his younger sisters confront this crisis?
Production values are on the rise, but story is very subtle, and imouto special feeling is gone.
7. Karumaruka ＊ Circle カルマルカ＊サークル [130927] Saga Planets 1 2 3 4 5 6
“You’re the master of this world!” With those words, Kaito was invited by his energetic turtle-toting underclassman Nicole to Seikai Academy’s student council room to join the star-crossing circle. All of the girls in that group are peculiar in their own way. Once every year, on the night of Tanabata, they gather to try to access ‘Karumaruka’. If they are successful, then they would be freed from their curses and their fear of the future.
There are English reviews
8. Magical Marriage Lunatics!! [130927] Moonstone 1 2 3 4 5
Yuuta is just your typical guy who enjoys an ordinary school life with his childhood friend Yuuna. Suddenly one day, a mansion appeared in his backyard, inhabited by the vampire princess Luce. One by one, other other-worldly princesses came to him, all of whom had made a childhood promise to be his bride when they grew up. He didn’t remember the promises, but then Yuuna also joined into the fray and proclaimed that she’s the one who will always be with him.
There are English reviews
9. Natsu no Osananajimi to, Fuyu no Kanojo 夏の幼馴染と、冬のカノジョ [130927] Nephrite 1 2
The town of Nagashimo only experiences two distinct seasons due to its topography, with only short periods separating summer and winter. Seiji returned to his hometown at the beginning of summer after 10 years away and was happy that nothing appeared to have changed. Together with his lively osananajimi Karin, fellow proud transfer student Mitsu, onee-san-type cousin Yurari, complete-changed friend Atsu and imouto Yume, they founded the animation club to help the school with events.
There are English reviews
10. Noblesse of Rouge ノブレスオブルージュ [130927] ChuableSoft 1
Toshiya’s twin imouto Rui is part of the student council at Alexandra girls’ school, a school for the nobility, and is highly admired by all students. Rui injured her leg in a training accident and wanted him to take her place until she heals completely. The student council officers (D’Artagnan, Athos, Aramis and Porthos), fondly called the “three musketeers”, are happy to see ‘Rui’ again. Will he be able to keep up this disguise until Rui returns?
There is an English impression
11. Rance 01 - Hikari o Motomete - ランス01 光をもとめて [130927] Alice Soft 1 2 3
This is a remake of the original Rance title which came out 24 years ago. The womanizing warrior Rance is accompanied by his magician slave Sill as they search for the kidnapped noble daughter Hikari. It uses an old-style chip-based battle system, but the layout is pretty polished. It comes with some spiffy BGMs as well. If you always wondered how Rance or Hani came about, now’s your chance to find out.
Localized remake RPG has English reviews
12. Sangoku Hime 3 ~Tenka Shinsei~ 三極姫3 ～天下新生～ [130927] Gesen 18 1
This is a continuation of the Sangokuhime series, with over 350 generals. In addition to the three kingdoms, there’ll be routes for Kouhosuu Gishin (Huangfu Song) and Ryofu Housen (Lu Bu). In the new battle system, up to 18 units can fight simultaneously and there are 6 different general types, which adds more balance. There are also 16 different types of troops which can be employed.
TBS
13. Yume ka Utsutsu ka Matryoshka 夢か現かマトリョーシカ [130927] Effordom Soft Crown 1
Mamoru lives on the island of Shinonoshima, enjoying every moment with his osananajimi Miyako and close friends Isuka, Shiori, Nagi, Aoi and Kazushige. Their time together is irreplaceable to him and he believed that it would continue forever. However, he did not know he was about to fall into the abyss of despair.
He fell into a deep sleep due to a certain incident, and when he woke up, no one else remained except Miyako. Not wanting him to remain in sorrow, she told him about a ‘tradition’ passed down through generations. On the 100th night after the loss of their precious ones, if they are able to gather memories deeply connected with them and offer them to the island’s protective god Wadatsumi, then it might bring their lost ones back. They prepared for the ceremony while clinging on to the belief that it will work.
There is an English impression
What a small number of new releases. Getsuei Gakuen -kou- is the only game that catches the eye for me, though including it might be not fair as its Windows version came only couple years later. Clephas chose fandisc of Walkure Romanze. Micchi likes Cocoro@Function and Chiisana Kanojo no Serenade
1. Getsuei Gakuen -kou- 月英学園 -kou- [131010] Arc System Works 1 2 3
The game revolves around the protagonist, Kou, who has just barely been transferred to Getsuei Gakuen High School, and right on his first night after the transfer, he encountered the mysterious hostile creatures that prowl the night --- the "Hazards". He survived the ordeal, after being saved by a fellow student girl of the same High School, but just as he assumed he was safe, the girl turned around and killed him... or so he thought.
The very next moment, he woke up on his bed, all safe and unharmed. Puzzled by the previous night's encounter, he set off for school, only to realize that "today" is the "first" day of his transfer... again.
There are English reviews
2. BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma ブレイブルークロノファンタズマ [131024] Arc System Works 1 2
The game takes place after the events of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. The Story Mode has three scenarios: Chronophantasma, Sector Seven and Six Heroes.
January, 2200AD
It's been over one week since the loop came to an end.
Having destroyed the Cauldrons, Ragna had finished his quest.
However...
There was still unfinished business in his books.
To defeat his now-revived nemesis, Terumi.
Terumi abducts the Successor of the Azure, Noel, and forces the Master Unit, Amaterasu to appear in the human plane.
Hatred and vengeance awaken the Sword of the Godslayer, Kusanagi (Mu -No.12-).
Ragna sacrifices his own flesh and blood to save Noel, but even that Terumi had predicted.
In a small window of opportunity, Terumi nullifies Takamagahara.
It was all a part of their—
The NOL's highest commanding leader, the Imperator's will.
Later, Kokonoe restores Ragna's flesh...
...and he sets his course for the Federation's Hierarchical City: Ikaruga.
Little did he know, he would encounter the phantoms of time, the Chronophantasma, at his destination.
Fighting has English reviews
3. Chiisana Kanojo no Serenade ちいさな彼女の小夜曲 [131025] feng 1 2 3 4
The ‘ningyo matsuri’ (mermaid festival) is held every year in the village of Suminoe-chou, which faces the Pacific Ocean. Takumi helps out with his family’s popular cafe Mermaid with his osananajimi Mizuka and his mother Isana.
On the night of the festival, Takumi came upon a girl with a beautiful voice. She was surprised at the unexpected visitor and accidentally slipped into the sea. He saved her and since he couldn’t let her be in her drenched state, he invited the mysterious girl Shione to his house. When Isana decided that Shione would stay in their house and Matsuri, who he had met at the festival, transferred into his school, his days gradually began to change.
There are English reviews
4. Cocoro＠Function! ココロ＠ファンクション ! [131025] Pulltop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Halfway through the 21st century, we are surely approaching something called the “network golden age”. The Multi-purpose communication card “Orca” provides a phone network (that goes without saying), an overwhelming number of apps to use allowing one to shop from their home telephone, and even a way to receive school lessons.
Even IDs and the health insurance cards are all incorporated into the Orca card. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that one’s entire life is influenced by this one small card.
I, Hayami Taiyou, lives in a city that supports cutting-edge Orca cards, also a student of Makoto Advanced Academy (something like this city has the best ones).
Blessed with friends, and although i have no large problems occur in my daily life…… A bug occurred in some students’ Orca card after a sudden automatic update was applied. An unusual app called “Cocoro Function” was installed. And it seems I was one of them, and apparently due to this app, my inner thoughts are revealed to the people around me.
“Chairman! Bad News!”
“What’s wrong? (But, I would never get tired of groping your bouncing boobs)”
“Chairman! You pervert!”
You can’t delete the app, but on the other hand you couldn’t live without Orca either. After that, it was impossible to hide my erotic delusions. Furthermore, apparently there are other apps at school that have special features that are also causing problems. The troubles in school are gradually building up.
I had to do something, and with that in mind, I gathered a group of people also bothered by this mysterious app, and started up the Cocoro Function Countermeasure Committee (CFC), in order to try to solve the problem.
Can everyone else and I retain our peaceful school life!?!
There are English reviews
5. Monobeno -Happy End- ものべの -happy end- [131025] Lose 1 2 3 4 5
After six years, Tooru returned with his younger sister Natsuha to the remote village of Monobeno deep in the mountains of Kochi prefecture. They reunited with the Akashaguma (child-like Yamori Youkai) Sumi, the Kasayou Hishakaku and his childhood friend and self-proclaimed fiancée Alice. They played in the mountains, visited the shrine, and were visited by the Ushi Oni Tooko just like in the past.
Just as they were getting used to living in Monobeno, it was time for the Shichi Seisai summer festival dedicated to the local deity Himemiya-sama. The festival was lively, concluding with the masked dance. While watching the dancing, Natsuha suddenly started shaking, complaining that her body felt cold. Tooru quickly took her to Naotake — the doctor and Alice's father, but nothing seemed to be wrong with her. They went to play in the nearby stream the next day. Hearing the waterfall caused Natsuha to panic and runoff in fear, but once again, they couldn't find a reason for her peculiar actions. That night, she appeared in front of them very much an adult, and she bled in her nether regions for the first time. Unable to figure out what caused these inexplicable changes, they could only calm her down and watch over her. Another shock awaited them in the morning when they found Natsuha had returned to her normal size, but without any memories of the day before.
They decided to head back to the city for a proper examination. Unfortunately, there was a major landslide that blocked off the only world into the village. Natsuha wished to leave badly, saying that something scary is coming for her. What was causing Natsuha's changes? Was it a disease or a curse? Tooru was determined to find the cause and a way to save Natsuha.
There are English reviews
6. Usotsuki Ouji to Nayameru Ohime-sama -Princess Syndrome- うそつき王子と悩めるお姫さま –Princess syndrome– [131025] Whirlpool 1 2 3
It’s been two years since the mysterious disease “princess syndrome” had been made public. It affects young girls during puberty and the split personality-like symptoms range from mild to serious. In serious cases, she could become like a totally different person due to her wavering feelings and gain a special ability called ‘märchen’ which could cause great problems to those around her. To combat this problematic illness, all carriers (called ‘princesses’) were gathered at Saint Andersen Private School on the secluded island of Yumegashima. One day, a boy Yuuji came to the school. He was the ‘fake prince’ who could put a stop to their rampaging.
There are English reviews
7. Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. 変態王子と笑わない猫。 [131031] guyzware 1 2
Yōto Yokodera is a second-year high school student who is arguably the biggest pervert at school. His problem is that he is not good at showing his real emotions. One day, his equally perverted best friend completely transforms and gets rid of his "impure thoughts"; a feat he attributes to the power of the statue of the "Stony Cat". As the rumors suggest, by wishing upon the statue and giving it an offering, one can wish to remove a personality trait from themselves that one does not wish to have anymore. However, this will remove the unwanted trait and give it to someone who does need it.
As Yōto is making his offering to the statue, a girl named Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi arrives to make her wish to be able to be more like an adult and not show her emotions so easily. Both of them wish upon the stony cat and to their surprise the next day at school, Yōto is unable to tell a single lie, and Tsukiko is unable to show any sign of emotion whatsoever. After realizing that they do not like the change that happened, they work together to try and find out who has received their trait that was taken away in order to get it back. They meet Azusa Azuki, an attractive second-year girl who has just transferred into their school. She is always being confessed to by many boys in school, but she has no friends and is always alone. Yōto finds out that Azusa is the one that received his unwanted personality trait and tries to get it back. As the two try to get back the unwanted trait, they develop feelings for each other.
Anime Spin-Off has English reviews
8. Tears to Tiara II: Haou no Matsuei Tears to Tiara II 覇王の末裔 [131031] Aquaplus 1 2 3
Hamilcal, nicknamed Hamil, is the successor of the Hispania’s throne, but his country was conquered by the ever growing Holy Empire. He and his people are treated as slaves and Hamil has to pretend to be a fool (acting almost like a retard) just to discourage his people from doing a counter attack that would surely fail.
On a fateful night, he meets a strange girl who claims to be the main goddess of his religion, the Goddess of War, Ashtart (Tart). She treated Hamil’s wounds and sang a lullaby to help him sleep. This was certainly the happiest day of Hamil's life, but everything crumbled when messages from the empire interrupted their sacred festival to officially announce the slavery of the Hispania’s people, and as a symbolic act, they decided to sacrifice Tart for heresy against their supreme god Watos.
This made Hamil go into a rampage, summoning the forces of the God of Conquest, Melqart and releasing all the magic he had been building up for 7 years to assassinate a whole army by himself. However, Hamil failed to notice that Tart was set on fire by one of the empire’s guards, and he desperately jumped into the flames to rescue her. Deeply moved by Hamil’s bravery, every Hispanian in the festival started to root for him and their savior goddess, their restored faith revitalizing Tart’s power, saving her from the flames. Rejoining with Hamil while still inside the flames, they performed the sacred ritual of marriage between a goddess and a mortal to use the power from their magical resonance to summon an army of giant elephants and machines from the Heavens and, with it, they smashed many other Imperial troops. Taking advantage of the situation, Hamil ordered every Hispanian troop to attack. This was how he came to be known as the Conqueror King and how he retrieved his whole country in a single night.
RPG is localized and has English reviews
BLOCKED
1. Kyonyuu Fantasy Gaiden 2 巨乳ファンタジー外伝2 [131025] Waffle 1 2 3 4 5
Set 5 years after the events of Kyonyuu Fantasy Gaiden, the story begins in the Kingdom of Hillsland, now sadly a shadow of its glorious days under the rule of King Ruin Demedium more than a century and a half ago. In the midst of the kingdom’s troubles with the kingdom of Fronce an amnesiac masked man with red hair washes up near a harbor. Unfortunately for him, upon entering town the masked man discovers too late that aside from memories he’s also lacking clothes and is quickly arrested by the authorities. Soon after his incarceration the man, taking the name Mask for lack of anything else , is given a chance at pardon (along with a group of imprisoned mermen pirates) in exchange for defeating a monster that has taken up residence in Boinbara’s castle. Meanwhile in the kingdom of Edellant, King Lute Hende has been apparently bedridden for nearly a month with none save the queens and his advisors having seen him since this sudden onset of illness…
Nukige, but with English reviews
2. Walkure Romanze More&More ワルキューレロマンツェ More＆More [131025] Ricotta 1 2 3 4
Fan disc of Walkure Romanze ~Shoujo Kishi Monogatari~ containing after stories for the 4 heroines of the original title, plus full routes for Bertille, Ayako, and Akane.
The world’s best knights gather at Winford Academy and it’s gotten quite lively with the jousting tournament nearing. Due to a misunderstanding, Takahiro’s osananajimi Mio was challenged by the proud Bertille to a match at the tournament. Since she hadn’t even rode on a horse before, he ended up guiding her to victory as a begleiter (knight’s assistant). With many watching the wonderful match, his skills as a begleiter were noticed by many students and they took quite an interest in him! However, he was unsure if he wanted to continue on as a begleiter or to return to being a knight. How will he fare in the both the arenas of jousting and love?
Fandisc
Houkago no Futekikakusha is VN of the Month with Sakigake ⇒ Generation! as another decent game. That's exactly how Clephas considered, and with so few releases in May there's little room for discovery. Micchi in addition to Clochette title has expectations for Majo Koi Nikki and Haruka Kanata.
1. Shizuku no Oto しずくのおと [140505] aiueo Kompany 1 2 3
Manten Aquarium---a secret place nestled in the city.
Mayumi Nakanobe and Himeno Tamagawa
investigate the urban legend whispered about back in middle school. How much of the urban legend was based in truth?
Where water turns to blood, where the ghost of the dead curator swims---.
Where Mayu may reunite with her missing young sister---.
Where a trivial incident leads to strife between best friends---.
Where a choice may choice is made to part ways---.
Mayu and Hime confront the aquarium's many tragedies.
This summer, will you visit the aquarium too?
Game is localized and has English reviews
2. Golden Marriage ゴールデンマリッジ [140530] ensemble 1 2 3 4 5
“So long as there’s love, then I don’t need money”… that’s a lie! There’s no way that one could live without money. But that doesn’t mean that “pure love doesn’t exist, money is everything in the world”. It is only human to have these feelings, even if one cannot place a value to them. They balance their dreams and reality in this love drama of sorrow and joy, which leads them towards the ultimate end: marriage.
There are English reviews
3. Haruka Kanata はるかかなた [140530] SORAHANE 1
“Could this be… a kiss?”
So uttered the girl as she regained consciousness. She took out a notebook labelled "Wishlist" and checked off an item. The list read "Kiss", "Meet family", "Eat lots of tuna".
"That just now… wasn't it a kiss?"
To clear up any misunderstandings, it was no kiss, but mouth-to-mouth breathing. I had only intended to save her as she lay unconscious on the observation platform, and yet…
My name is Nanami Kanata. All that's left of my family is my sister Yui and our caretaker Asahi, who works as a sister in a nearby church. It was supposed to be just another ordinary day.
"You're back."
When I came home later that day, the girl was waiting for me. Her name was Haruka. We had the same eyes, hair, aura, and blue feathers that served as mementos of our father. It was only natural: Haruka and I were fraternal twins.
It was the beginning of a heartrending love story with a tinge of mystery.
English impression touches only technical side. But even with that cast aside scenario is too loose on the main Haruka route. There's a lot of drama and trauma that only get partially fixed in the end. Resolution is opportunistic, of course. Scenario has high points, but its elements are cooked poorly. If you've run out of decent nakige, it might be a nice one to play with all the patches piled up.
4. Houkago no Futekikakusha 放課後の不適格者 [140530] NostalgicChord 1 2 3 4 5
It’s autumn at Shuuka Gakuen, a full-boarding private school. The first-years have finally adjusted to life at the school, the second-years are enjoying their time, while the third-years are reminiscing with graduation approaching. Itsuka is your average third-year student who likes soccer and hangs around with his close friends: twin osananajimis Asagao and Yuugao, fellow soccer club member and best friend Jun, partner-in-crime Kousuke, iincho Kanade, and homeroom teacher Shiori. There’s nothing particular special, but they enjoy each day happily. But then one day, their lives completely changed.
There are English reviews
5. Kozukuri Shiyou yo Souma-kun ~Ecchi na Musume Demo Ii Desu ka?~ 子作りしようよ ソーマくん ～えっちな娘でもいいですか？～ [140530] Concerto Soft
Souma is a young man who doesn’t like flashy things or things that stand out. His quiet life was turned on its head when a princess from another world came to his room. She told him that if he doesn’t have sex and make someone pregnant, then he will disappeared from this world. The girls around him become more assertive to save their dear Souma. During this short period left, will he be able to choose one of them and impregnate her?
I expected at least an attempt to present some kind of story, but it's just chopped individual routes made for H.
6. Majo Koi Nikki 魔女こいにっき [140530] Qoobrand 1 2 3 4 5
Alice attends Hekihou Academy with her friends Yakko and Keiko, where she's a member of the photography club. She lives alone except for her pet dog Qoo, and she holds down a part-time job as a waitress at Dragon Burger. Her life is busy and content, but sometimes she feels like there's something she's forgetting, something she left undone. Maybe even something important.
One day Alice and her friends visit the clock tower. There, an unusual book falls into Alice's lap: the diary of a mysterious and rather perverted young man. Why do all the girls Alice meets show up in the diary? Why does nobody remember the events in the diary? And why does Alice feel so strongly that she wants to meet that young man?
There are English reviews
7. Sakigake ⇒ Generation! サキガケ⇒ジェネレーション！ [140530] Clochette 1 2 3
Shuuho attends Ubutsuchi Academy in the town of Minahama on the shores of Lake Ubutsuchi. He loves games a lot and started up an ‘entertainment research’ club with his younger sister Ririko (who also loves games just as much) and his best friend Atsumori, where they gather to play games after school every day.
One day, the transfer student Anon asked them if they wanted to try playing a game which no one else had played before. Of course they were very interested, but Ririko’s best friend Yuria was openly distrustful of the idea. She was secretly a true ‘magician’ and sensed magical ability coming from Anon. However, since she wouldn’t give such an explanation to them, so she soon gave up trying to convince them otherwise. The five of them began to play the game that’s still in development: “Wizard Generation”.
As soon as they started, they found themselves in the middle of an open field. “Wizard Generation” was an extremely realistic VR game which appealed to all five senses. They were surprised at this unprecedented piece of technology and soon become absorbed in playing the game, even Yuria who did not initially accept it. Soon, the class rep Ouka and Shuuho’s childhood friend Natsume also joined their party. However, while they were enjoying the virtual game, the real world was about to reach a turning point.
There are English reviews
BLOCKED
1. Ai Shimai IV Kuyashikute Kimochi Yokatta Nante Ienai 愛姉妹IV 悔しくて気持ち良かったなんて言えない [140530] Silky's 1
Kenji Nishiyama is a fat ugly man that wastes all his money with prostitutes. After losing his job (and money), he decided to blackmail a woman to start a secret sex life with him under the threat of showing her daughters a picture of her husband talking to a prostitute.
Later on he try to use what he got with the mother to get the daughters too but, thought in a way it worked, his relationship with them and the reason they stay with him are very different from what he was expecting.
Nukige has an English impression
Teito Hiten Daisakusen is VN of the Month. Kami no Ue no Mahoutsukai and Chaos;Child are also masterpieces, but with the latter I'd recommend anime over the game. Clephas chose Kami no Ue no Mahoutsukai at the time, but Liar-Soft game was unavailable at the time.
1. Kadenz Fermata//Akkord:Fortissimo [141211] La'cryma 1
It is not the end (fermata) to this story of battles.
In order to bring upon “justice”, a special force under the direct command of an organization was formed across the border. Its name was the “Seventh Chord”. Having excelled in manipulating magic (rune) in combat using her life force and living in secret from society, Freya was the only girl who has shown excellent results as a knight.
Freya was summoned to the island of eternal summer, where she was born and raised, by Julius, Seventh Chord's commander and her elder brother who she reunited with after being separated for a long time, for her first mission. And that mission, was said to have never been accomplished in history; it was to “defeat a mythical god”. Although it was handed down as a legend before, the "God" that was subdued was revived in this present day and age once again.
After analyzing the "abilities" of these mythical gods, the organization created the “strategic creation technology weapon” to fight against them. This ultimate scientific weapon, known as “Miracle”, was handed down to Freya, to challenge these mythical existences to a fight.
The enemies have transcended human intelligence, and their immortal existence has the ability to recreate the "powers" of a mythical god. The seven “Mahoutsukai”.
The seven people who gathered in the name of justice. The "Kisekitsukai" of the “Seventh Chord”.
Ultimate Science (justice) vs. Mythical Magic (another justice)
A fight that no one had expected. Before long, the truth will begin to lead one to a sad fate.
Mission Rank: SSS-Class.
The seven knights were gathered to cut open the impossible fate, and set foot into the unexplored stage of humanity that will slowly become a holy war.
Strategy
2. Chaos;Child [141218] MAGES. GAME 1 2 3 4 5
It's been six years since a massive earthquake leveled the city of Shibuya. Now, in October 2015, while researching a number of recent murders, Takuru Miyashiro realizes a horrible truth. These murders are the return of a series of killings that plunged Shibuya into terror six years ago. And at the same time, people called gigalomaniacs, with the powers to make their delusions real, are beginning to awaken.
Game is localized and has English reviews of which I covered a few sources
3. Amakano アマカノ [141219] Azarashi Soft 1 2 3
It’s only the end of November and the hot springs town Yomase-machi was already a winter wonderland, having been dyed white from the falling snow. Yuuki moved to this snowy town to help his grandparents shovel snow at their home, the former boarding house Yamanouchi-sou. He met many warm-hearted people, including the shrine maiden Sayuki who worries about her inability to properly greet strangers, his mysterious but playful housemate and senpai Mizuki, and the local cafe’s cheerful and energetic kouhai mascot Koharu. Even though he was still feeling lost, he tried to get used to living in this snowy land. During that time, his grandfather suggested that he find love while he is still young and lead a new life in earnest. Now’s the time for him to take the first step and fall in love.
There are English reviews
4. Kami no Ue no Mahoutsukai 紙の上の魔法使い [141219] Uguisu Kagura 1 2 3 4 5
There was a small library on that island. It was the Yuugyouji family’s private library built solely for one girl, Yoruko, who didn’t attend school and spent all her time there. With lots of intriguing books on its shelves, there was no happier place for a bookworm like her. There were also other wonderful and pleasant people who resided there: the protagonist Ruri and his cool sharp-tongued imouto Kisaki, the freeloading tennen moodmaker Rio, and the curious and honest “detective” Kanata. It’s as if they were all brought together by someone or something. Their love of books was the beginning of their youth. Before long, the lonely library became full of light and they became close like childhood friends.
Two years later, Ruri returned to the library after leaving the island due to family matters. Nothing seemed to have changed from six years ago, except that there was a secret which they were not aware of back then: “Anything that is written in the magic book will become reality”. If it’s a romance novel, then a miracle-like love story will unfold. If it’s a fantasy novel, then vampires will appear the next day. If it’s a horror novel, then there’ll be a ghost beckoning you from behind.
Yoruko’s strong will. Kisaki’s beauty. Rio’s cheerfulness. Kanata’s brilliance. Let’s fall in love with them and books.
There are English reviews
5. Kanojo no Seiiki 彼女のセイイキ [141219] feng
This is the first title in feng’s low-price Seiiki series, focusing on childhood friend Fuyuka Akiyoshi.
The protagonist’s childhood friend Fuyuka came from a rich family and was neat and pretty, so she was like the idol of the class. All the boys admired her, but they also found it hard to get close to her. He felt the same way as he had liked her since they were small. Maybe she was his first love. However, they grew distant from one another after they went to separate schools.
One day while returning from Akihabara, he was mistaken for a train molester. The victim was Fuyuka, who he hadn’t seen for a long time. Even though it was just a misunderstanding, she told him that if he wanted her to forgive him, he’ll have to become her butler.
Feng was not snatching stars from the sky even with full-price games, so there's just no point
6. Tsuki ni Yorisou Otome no Sahou 2 月に寄りそう乙女の作法２ [141219] Navel 1 2 3 4
A boy returns from his home country…
The protagonist Sakurakouji Saika had a burning passion in his heart: to receive the highest scores in the world-famous designer school: Filia Academy.
Aka, earn the Highest Award at the “Academy Show” at the end of the school year. His parents did the same, and they are his role model. This was his dream… Well, was to be his dream at least
Saika hears of a bad news from his uncle (Ion), however, that…
“Filia Academy Designer School will restrict males from next year”
With such a shocking news in mind, Saika considers his options.
However, he understands his status now, and decides to throw away his history as a male and attend this school.
This is because if he attends under a master, he will be able to hide his true identity and attend as a simple “servant”.
Therefore Saika borrows the name “Kokura Asahi” (spelled different in Japanese) and becomes the maid of “Est”.
Getting into the school is the easy part: the real difficulty is from now. Even with the best outfit, walking down the runway alone isn’t sufficient.
Fashion, Acting, and Music all need to be considered when getting on stage.
So Saika (aka, Asahi) will become closer with the girls from the 66-story apartment he prepared named “Sakura no En” (Paradise of Cherry Blossoms)
Will Saika be able to find a perfect partner while hiding his identity and receive the highest prize at the Academy Show?
There are English reviews
7. Himawari to Koi no Kioku ヒマワリと恋の記憶 [141226] More 1 2
Youth only comes once in a lifetime. It’s the time to go out and play with friends, do your best to achieve your dreams, and fall in love. Yuu is a second-year student at Ishigami Gakuen who is wasting his youth away. He thinks that he should do something about it, but lacks the motivation to take the first step. He soon meets four girls who have their own worries: Ai, the school’s #1 beauty who calls herself a delinquent; Akane, his classmate who yearns for the spotlight; Shiori, a quiet girl who is looking for ghosts; and Kana, his osananajimi who wants to get along with her friends once more. He spends precious time with each of them in turn.
There are English reviews
8. Prism Princess ~Futari no Himekishi to Kokan no Monshou~ プリズム・プリンセス ～ふたりの姫騎士と股間の紋章～ [141226] Pajamas Soft
One day, a naked girl appeared in hikikomori Naoto’s room. She stripped off his pants and declared: “I’ve found you, son of the demon lord! Now die!” She swung at him with a sword that she pulled out of nowhere, but it was stopped by another naked girl. “I will definitely protect you…” On top of that, his childhood friend is an idol and his younger sister is not just a chuuni, but secretly a powerful magician!? What the hell is going on?
There is no True route or even harem scenes, so there only rather short individual routes. The gist of the the is erotic bakage parody. With the right mindset and expectations this can be a very enjoyable game. Among the visual novels of 2014 it's the most appealing one to take up for review. With this kind of clothing I guess I need to be extra careful for Youtube not to give me hell like it happened with both Soleil games.
9. Teito Hiten Daisakusen 帝都飛天大作戦 [141226] Liar-soft 1 2
This is a world which looks very similar to ours, or possibly a world which shares the same history, but developed in another way. In 1926, the bustling imperial capital of Japan, Tokyo, is a strange blend of newly developed mechanical technology and automatons from the olden days. A great world war had ended not too long ago and another loomed in the horizon, but even with the special procurements in preparation for war and rising anxiety in the city, the general populace were still enjoying their lives full of pleasure and prosperity.
However, there was an influx of atrocious crimes menacing everyone from the poor to the rich: murders in back alleys, child abductions, robberies with arson, currency counterfeiting and property destruction. It did not seem to be work of humans. Accounts of strange persons in the city soon spread, and it was agreed upon that they were the work of the spirits, specifically the tengu. One tengu who had come to the city to enjoy the culture in his own way, Garan, resented being blamed for all these crimes. He sensed that these incidents were linked to his bitter enemy, the kijin, and sought to annihilate them.
There are English reviews
10. Unionism Quartet ユニオリズム・カルテット [141226] Clip☆Craft 1 2
Fehde, a ceremonial duel with its origins in the Middle Ages, has morphed into the wildly popular sport ‘fehda’, with the combatants being called ‘knights’. Akito transfers into a school (Camelot) which trains knights and thanks to the Princess Yurina of the Albion Kingdom, he was made a member of the Knight Order (“Union”) and tasked with the goal of winning the school’s grand tournament, Vartok Fehda. He started out as an unknown, but people started knowing his name once he fought past many strong opponents and progressed deeper into the tournament. Will he be able to come out on top and claim the title of strongest of them all?
There are English reviews
11. Ame no Marginal 雨のマージナル [141230] Stage-nana 1 2 3 4
A serious visual novel telling the story of a man who steps into an elevator, only to find himself transported to a strange and mysterious world.
In this world, there is no time, no aging, no hunger, not even death. There is nothing to be seen but weathered stone, white clouds, and endless rain.
The only other person there, Rin, tells him to get out.
Just what story does someone who has lived alone in this place for untold years, decades, even centuries...
Will a day come when the rain finally ends?
Game is localized and has English reviews
BLOCKED
1. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru 結城友奈は勇者である [141217] Minato Soft 1
The story takes place in the era of the gods, year 300. Yuuna Yuuki lives an ordinary life as a second year middle school student, but she's also a member of the "Hero Club," where club activities involve dealing with a mysterious being called "Vertex."
This game was released with the first DVD and Blu-ray Disc volume for the anime. This is a short, fan disc-like game that takes place during approximately the first half of the anime. It contains ten short scenarios.
Fandisc
2. Hello Lady! -New Division- ハロー・レディ！ -New Division- [141219] Akatsuki Works 1 2 3 4
This is the fandisc for Hello Lady!, bundled with the visual fan book. It adds if stories for popular subheroines Mori and Mitori. Fandisc
3. Rasen Sokou no Dystopia -The Infinite Set of Alternative Version- 螺旋遡行のディストピア -The infinite set of alternative version- [141219] LiLiM
A father lives with his two beloved daughters. A traveler came before them and said,
"It comes when snow falls in summer. The destruction of the world, you can still stop it."
With a thunderclap, calamity springs forth from the bottom of the earth.
A voice from beyond the walls calls to the disaster stricken people.
"The fruits are to be our slaves. That is Law."
The traveler brandishes a sword. The father shields the daughters behind his back.
Three fruits to be protected. The time will come when choices are to be made.
Whatever shape it may take. The world will change. It must change. On the fate of those looked after.
―Lose your thoughts, don't become like me.
------
Kou, the protagonist, belongs to a family in charge of a derelict shrine.
Along with his childhood friends Azusa and Yurina, who lives next door, and his best friend Souma, they live a life of little worries.
When summer vacation is nearing, Miu, a female transfer student arrived in Kou's class.
That night Kou saw Miu wandering around holding a long object, and he asks her about it.
"I'm looking for something. A very old book. It's something that's... in this town."
That book has long been kept in the shrine of Kou's family, the Oosakaki.
With that in hand, thunderbolt strikes, and the 'law' of the world is set in motion.
Nukige is listed for opening's sake
4. White Album 2 - Mini-After Story WHITE ALBUM2 ミニアフターストーリー [141225] Leaf 1 2
Features the after stories for both Kazusa's and Setsuna's true endings.
Fandisc
5. Holy Breaker! -The Witch Betrayed Blue Moon Wicca.- Holy Breaker! -The Witch Betrayed Blue Moon Wicca.- [141228] H.I. design office 1 2 You play as the protagonist Izumi Tsukumo, a second-year high school student who accidentally witnesses a fight between Tenma Minase, a witch, and Abeno Haruka, a demon hunter. Doujin has an English review
6. Neko Para Vol.1 Soleil Kaiten Shimashita! ネコぱら Vol.1 ソレイユ開店しました！ [141229] NEKO WORKs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
What's NEKOPARA? Why, it's a cat paradise!
Minazuki Kashou, the son of a long line of Japanese confection makers moved out to open his own shop "La Soleil" as a patisserie.
But upon moving out, hidden amongst his things were two of the catgirls ("neko"), Chocola and Vanilla, that the family had been raising. When he tried to send them back, they begged and pleaded until he gave in and now they've opened La Soleil together.
With two nekos who really, REALLY love their master trying their very best and occasionally failing -- a heartful comedy opens for business!
See the Sayori NEKO WORKs’ mascots Chocola and Vanilla like never before, moving, and in full voice on screen. And now with the E-mote System, the characters smoothly move on screen changing expression and poses in countless ways.
Nukige has English reviews
7. Libido Sensou リビドー戦争 [141230] Furu: Dokei Boys at the all-boys school are desperate to get acquainted with girls in the neighboring academy. Then one boy comes with a plan to make their dreams come true...
Doujin is listed for the sake of opening
8. Unred Night ＵＮＲＥＤ ＮＩＧＨＴ [141230] Gensou Eigakan 1 Lovey dovey scenes, main girl being cute, some drama, confession scenes Doujin has an English review
Year 2014 has overall less normal releases and masterpieces that 2013, but there is still one kamige Nanairo Reincarnation and one hilarious mindscrew Bradyon Veda to represent it strongly.
I tried to include everything notable in the list, even Aokana, but still only ended at 27 masterpieces. Somehow even number of openings degraded to under 150 from usual close to 200. Visual Novel Openings 2014 .
My list of masterpieces in 2014:
12 no Tsuki no Eve
Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm
AstralAir no Shiroki Towa
Baka Moe Heart ni Ai o Komete!
Bradyon Veda
Chaos;Child
Dekinai Watashi ga, Kurikaesu.
Endless Dungeon
Hello Lady!
Hikoukigumo no Mukougawa
Houkago no Futekikakusha
Kami no Ue no Mahoutsukai
Kimi no Tonari de Koishiteru!
Kimi to Boku to no Kishi no Hibi -Rakuen no Chevalier-
Koi Suru Doll to Omoi no Kiseki ~Poupee de Souhaits~
Minamijuujisei Renka
Nanairo Reincarnation
Racial Merge
Reminiscence Re:Collect
Sakigake ⇒ Generation!
Satsukoi ~Yuukyuu Naru Koi no Uta~
Sekai o Sukuu Dake no Kantan na Oshigoto
Sekai to Sekai no Mannaka de
Semiramis no Tenbin
Soushuu Senshinkan Gakuen Hachimyoujin
Teito Hiten Daisakusen
Zannen na Ore-tachi no Seishun Jijou.
For year 2013 Clephas chose Nanairo Reincarnation , and I see the point here.
As for reviews, I recordered all three of Seihou no Prismgear , Shoujo Shin'iki ~ Shoujo Tengoku -The Garden of Fifth Zoa- and Prism Princess ~Futari no Himekishi to Kokan no Monshou~ quite some time ago, and videos are coming up soon, but don't want to write reviews without some inspiration, so it may take a while.
There are only four classical visual novels to choose from, but among them there are three masterpieces - Sorcery Jokers , Sakura Nikagetsu and Fairytale Requiem. Clephas nominated the first two. Micchi emphasizes only the last one , plus a fandisc.
1. Hana Hime * Absolute! ハナヒメ＊アブソリュート！ [150703] Mirai 1
In 2025, the social game Crown Hearts about the battle between the princes' 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 brocon 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 ‘king’ and his seven ‘flower princesses’, and a ‘queen’ and her seven ‘star princes’.
Koharu was chosen as the king 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!?
TBS
2. Senri no Kifu 千里の棋譜 [150708] Child Dream
A mystery and shogi battle game set in the modern world of shogi and featuring seven popular real-life shogi players.
“How did the master player disappear?” Set in the modern world of shogi, incidents like this are frequently arising. What is the meaning of the keyword “clairvoyance”? This is a detective mystery game that depicts the profoundness of a gambler, and the pains of a young man aiming to become a professional shogi player. Explore crime scenes, solve mysteries, and figure out the culprit from a unique cast of characters including real-life shogi players.
Detective
3. Dai Gyakuten Saiban -Naruhodou Ryuunosuke no Bouken- 大逆転裁判 ‐成歩堂龍ノ介の冒険‐ [150709] Capcom 1 2 3 4
Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodou Ryuunosuke no Bouken is an an Ace Attorney prequel game. Unlike previous canonical games in the series, which are set in the near future and feature somewhat futuristic technology, Dai Gyakuten Saiban is set near the end of Japan's Meiji period, when the profession of "defense attorney" was still a fairly new concept in Japanese society. The game stars Phoenix Wright's ancestor, Ryuunosuke Naruhodou, as well as a female judicial assistant named Susato Mikotoba. Although the game initially takes place in Japan, the two later travel to the United Kingdom and work cases alongside the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes.
Detective
4. Makai Shin Trillion 魔壊神トリリオン [150723] Compile Heart 1 2
More than a thousand years passed since the legendary battle against the Heavens. The demons of the Underworld lived an evil, yet fulfilling life in peace. And so it remained, until the appearance of Trillion, a demon god of destruction that sought to consume the world.
Its power unfathomable, it destroyed the Underworld’s forces. Even Zeabolos, the Great Overlord himself, was defeated.
On the brink of death, Zeabolos heard a mysterious voice from deep within. “It is too early yet for the lineage of the Great Overlord to fall…” Zeabolos was revived, his shambled body patched together again by a young necromancer named Faust.
Zeabolos gained the power of the Soul Grimoire, and decided henceforth to fight.
SRPG
5. Fairytale Requiem フェアリーテイル・レクイエム [150724] Liar-soft 1 2
An isolation ward dedicated to the treatment of "fairytale syndrome", best known as "Paradise".
Those afflicted with "fairytale syndrome" believe that they are characters in a fairy tale, and the inpatients here are never seen without the books of fairy tales that they treat as their bible, living their lives according to the stories written within.
Into the midst of these fairy-tale girls and their paradise comes a boy with no memory.
Who he is, why he is here or what he must do, he knows not. He cannot depend on the girls, whose devotion to their temporary roles is enviously strong.
But then he discovers a sketchbook in his room, in which is written, in a messy hand:
──One among these girls is a sinner.
There are English reviews
6. Sakura Nikagetsu さくらにかげつ [150724] Orange Yell 1 2
The falling of the sakura blossoms is the season of first encounters and farewells. Just as Yasumi was beginning his first year at Saint Linette Academy, four girls came to live at his house. He had earned the title of “human breeder” for raising his three useless, but famous childhood friends properly. So, it was a given that the four girls who came were also useless themselves.
Hako, a sheltered girl who looks perfect but is incapable of doing anything at all.
Nayu, a childish and friendly miko who doesn’t do anything.
Shimai, a cursed girl who has absolutely no motivation.
Mamori, a self-proclaimed medium who looks down on others, but knows little about the world.
They can’t cook, take a bath alone, sleep at night, fix their hair, or return home without getting lost. It’s extremely difficult and chaotic trying to raise them properly, but he enjoys these happy days.
However, he has a secret which he cannot tell others. He actually has a reason for helping these four girls. One month ago, one of his childhood friends, Korobu, had slipped like her usual klutzy self and died in an accident. He still had something to tell her, so he agreed to a deal with the masked ‘angel’ Sakura. If he can raise the four girls that she brought to him properly within two months, then she will allow him to see Korobu for a short time.
There are English reviews
7. Sorcery Jokers ソーサリージョーカーズ [150724] 3rdEye 1 2 3 4 5 6
Inner yearnings...
Immutable ideals...
Dreams and reality...
One day, all of a sudden, magic came into the world. The existence of magic wasn't a secret known only to a certain few, but was announced by the current government and quickly became common knowledge.
Today, it's an age where magic is used as a resource and has permeated throughout many different fields. A city was founded on Agartha, the island where magic was discovered, and research continues to this day. This is a story about the fates of those who live in this magical world.
Watch as six radically different people find their paths converging...
Mutsumi Haruto, a 9th-Class Caster at the First National Magical Academy. A slightly half-baked boy who can't turn a blind eye to wrongdoing.
Senri, an OutCast. An anonymous inhabitant of the city's nightlife.
Rikudou Asahi, a 9th-class Caster at the Academy. A unique girl facing trials on her way to the Land of Dreams.
Atori Riku, a 10th-Class Caster at the Academy. A CEO's daughter who's not on the same wavelength as her peers.
Kousaki Fiona Annabel, an apprentice sister at the local church. Her smile never goes out.
Noah, the Unknown. A girl spotted on Agartha.
Casters and OutCasts... What fate awaits these two divergent forces?
The miracle of magic which governs the world will shape the fates of those within it.
Game is localized and has English reviews
8. Ya・Ku・So・Ku ☆ Love Harem ヤ・ク・ソ・ク☆ラブハーレム [150724] Chien
Touma is very close to his imouto Nobara and osananajimis Kasumi and Yuriko. Even though all three had feelings for him, their relationships never progressed any further than friends. Each of them made a ‘promise’ with him when they were small. While the ‘promises’ varied slightly, in the end, they were all wishes to “be together forever”. If Touma chose one of them as his girlfriend, then it will ruin relationship with the others. So, their relationships remain at a standstill.
Then another girl Iris appeared into this complicated situation, claiming to have made a promise to marry him. She was very forceful in her approach, while being oblivious of the others. This was the spark for the rest of the girls to take matters into their own hands. Touma realizes that he loves all four of them equally. Is there a way for him to make all their ‘promises’ come true without hurting anyone? Will this love story end happily for everyone?
Moege
9. Date A Live: Twin Edition Rio Reincarnation デート・ア・ライブ Twin Edition 凜緒リンカーネイション [150730] Compile Heart 1 2
That day, Shidou felt something strange with the duplicate key he found in his house. The thing that he should have handed it to someone for sure. However, he doesn't remember to whom he should have handed it to. At that moment, a small noise appeared above his head, and takes the consciousness of Shidou.
Upon being awakened, Shidou found himself in a world where Arusu Maria exist, who does not have a physical body in reality. And then, a certain girl appeared before Shido.
Sonogami Rinne ― At one time, a girl that Shidou had failed to save.
Shidou, who regained the memories of when he had known, becomes possible to investigate the cause of the resurgence of Eden <Paradise of Calamity>.
In the midst of it, who appeared before Shido was, a young girl whose appearance resembles that of <Ruler> ― Rio.
"It's no good if you don't find the most important thing to you."
What does Rio means by "the most important thing"? Is she an existence related to Eden <Paradise of Calamity>?
In this closed world, the action should Shido take in order to regain the everyday life is only one―
By dating and make them fall in love!?
Anime Spin-Off
BLOCKED
1. Akai Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai 紅い瞳に映るセカイ [150724] Favorite 1 2 3
This is a fandisc for the Irotoridori no Sekai series, focusing on everyone’s favourite hotcake-loving magician Shinku. Yuuma and Shinku return to Arashiyama-sou for a short visit with their precious daughter Sora. Their friends hear about their arrival and returned to spend time with them under the same roof like old times. They have finally achieved the normal days which they had yearned for, and it is full of bright smiles and happiness. Fandisc
Yet again a month with just four classical visual novel releases and zero masterpieces. Seikishi Melty ☆ Lovers wins just because it's of higher quality compared to rivals. Clephas saw no winner here. Micchi does not mind playing moege Ren’ai Phase and nukige Boku to Koi Suru Ponkotsu Akuma.
1. IS2 Love and Purge IS＜インフィニット・ストラトス＞2 ラブ アンド パージ [150903] MAGES. GAME
Set several days after the "World Purge" chapter, Infinite Stratos 2 has players developing relationships with the IS heroines as Ichika Orimura. "Braveheart Points" signify Ichika's manhood, and will fluctuate depending on choices made during conversations, with endings changing as a result of the final value.
In addition to chatting it up, Ichika can give the heroines a massage to deepen their bonds and increase Braveheart Points. Techniques involve tapping and rubbing properly, though, so you can mess up and fail, losing points as a result.
Anime Spin-Off
2. Saki Zenkoku-hen 咲-Saki-全国編 [150917] Kaga Create Co.
An adaptation of the sequel to the Saki anime, Saki Zenkoku-hen. It depicts the trials of the Kiyosumi High School mahjong team in the Tokyo National Tournament.
Anime Spin-Off
3. Hime-sama Love Life! 姫様LOVEライフ！ [150918] Princess Sugar 1 2
Due to his father’s work, Yahiro began living together with his imouto Io. Walking home after wrapping up the enrollment procedure at their new school, they noticed a large truck stopped outside of their house. Since they had already moved everything in, they wondered what it was doing there. They found the door unlocked and nervously went upstairs worried that there might be a burglar. Instead they found a girl pushing a giant piano with all her might… while in her underwear. They stood dumbfounded at the absurd sight. Why was there a half-naked girl in their house? Soon she noticed them and yelled at them to get out. A few minutes later, she came out in a beautiful dress.
“I am deeply sorry for my earlier actions. My name is Ruria Fondina. I have come here to live with you as family.”
She was a princess from a certain island nation. That was only the beginning as many other princesses showed up at their door one by one!
There are English reviews
4. Sangoku Hime 4 ~Tenka Ryouran Tenmei no Koi Emaki~ 三極姫4 ～天下繚乱 天命の恋絵巻～ [150918] Gesen 18 1
Countless man-made and natural disasters have driven people mad and the continent into chaos. In the midst of the Yellow Turban rebellion, a few brave warriors declared their desires to take supremacy over the nation. Akito is a young man, wandering in search of his purpose in life. Only he has a mysterious ability – a kind heart unbefitting of these troubled times.
TBS
5. Seikishi Melty ☆ Lovers 聖騎士Melty☆Lovers [150918] Akabei Soft3 1 2 3 4 5 6
In Ederant, the greatest honour regardless of gender is becoming a knight. Till enrolled in the knight-training school Equites and must find a partner for the knight examination. He met the smart but naive Sefi, the motivated cool beauty Frey, the mysterious gun-toting Lil, and the foreign giant sword-wielding Canon. His pure admiration of knights would soon change into a greater wish due to these girls with the same aspirations.
There are English reviews
6. Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen うたわれるもの 偽りの仮面 [150924] Aquaplus 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The only thing I can remember is coming to in the middle of an unfamiliar snowscape. Where that was or how I got there, I don't know. I couldn't even remember my own name. The memories just wouldn't come.
I only had a moment, left at a loss, to ponder what to do — but fate seemed intent on furthering my misery as a giant, insect-like monster burst from the snow and ice to attack me.
Naturally, I ran like hell. The creature cornered me anyway.
That's when SHE appeared, as if from nowhere — the beautiful, mysterious girl who saved my life.
She told me her name was Kuon. A beautiful, mysterious girl...
...with a tail and ears like a beast's.
RPG is localized and has English reviews
7. Ren'ai Phase 恋愛フェイズ [150925] Giga 1
Yaegaki Jun has plenty of male friends around, but when it comes to girls, he has none. He’s also never had a girlfriend. With Christmas approaching, one of his internet friends asks him if he really plans to spend Christmas alone, without even trying to get a girlfriend. Jun had never really bothered with the idea until his friend mentioned it to him. Maybe he should just spend his entire life without bothering to find one.
But then again, does he really want to spend the rest of his life like this? Never even daring to take a step forward in an attempt to change it? His friend’s words managed to spark a change in his beliefs.
“Alright! I’ll try to find a girlfriend before Christmas Eve!”
And with those words, he begins his search for love…
There is an English review
8. Valet ☆ Style -Loyalty of Valet- ばれっと☆すたいる -Loyalty of valet- [150925] CroixSoft 1
There are two kinds of students at the prestigious Konoe Gakuen: the children of wealthy families (masters) and those who study hard to become the best butlers (valets). Their school life is one full of grace and dignity. Kazuma, an extremely poor guy who constantly works part-time jobs, was thrust into this different lifestyle after it was discovered that he was actually part of a noble family. He even had his own personal butler. Surrounded by valets and ojou-samas, what kind of encounters lie ahead for him?
There is an English review
BLOCKED
1. Boku to Koi Suru Ponkotsu Akuma. 僕と恋するポンコツアクマ。 [150925] Smile 1 2 3
Ren’s virginity is in danger! His childhood friend Riria was frantically trying to pull down his pants and begging to touch his dick. The truth is that she’s actually a succubus and was embarrassed not having any sexual experience at her age.
He was suddenly pushed into the school’s special dormitory. It was a girls’ dormitory full of ponkotsu (affectionately useless) demons: Yuu, the yuki-onna who was extremely sensitive to the cold; Arle, the mummy girl who is uncomfortable with tightness and loves the feeling of freedom; Emiri, the hopeless angel who has no sense of modesty and who is also his step sister; and, Miyabi, the witch who passionately develops a love drug to bring happiness to the world. The dormitory was built to rehabilitate them and since he was mistakenly moved there, he was assigned as an assistant to watch over them. His happy and troublesome days as a teacher for these cute but incompetent demons has begun.
Nukige has English reviews
Kikan Bakumatsu Ibun Last Cavalier is the only masterpiece in December. Clephas seems to be of the same opinion, at least it's the only praising review within that month. Micchi is anxious about QUINTUPLE☆SPLASH , Amakano -Second Season- , Tenmondokei no Aria and some loliconge.
1. Chou Kagaku Dasshutsu: Gear Detective 超科学脱出：ギア・ディテクティブ [151202] Intense
The story follows Detective Kyosuke Ayana, who has the ability named chronokinesis which allows him to look back in time in a limited field of view, for up till 5 days back. Detective Ayana is hired to find a serial killer threatening the quiet neighborhood of Camellia Hills - but soon finds himself in much bigger trouble as he investigates the crime scenes.
Detective
2. Himouto! Umaru-chan ~Himouto! Ikusei Keikaku~ 干物妹！うまるちゃん ～干物妹！育成計画～ [151203] FuRyu Corporation 1
Doma Umaru is a high school girl who lives with her older brother Taihei. At school, Umaru appears to be the ideal student with good looks, top grades, and a lot of talent. Once she gets home, however, she reverts into a layabout who spends her time lying around, playing video games, and constantly depending on her older brother, much to Taihei's dismay.
Anime Spin-Off
3. Rei-Jin-G-Lu-P レイジングループ [151203] Kemco Corporation 1 2
After breaking up with his girlfriend, grad student Haruaki Fusaishi goes on a motorcycle trip to forget her, only to end up stranded in the remote settlement of Yasumizu. The next day, as he is repairing his bike, a mysterious mist drifts in, and all the villagers shelter inside their homes. Confused, Haruaki sees a mysterious figure with the body of a human and the head of a wolf that kills him.
Haruaki finds that instead of dying, however, he has instead looped back in time. After managing to hide from the creature this time, he discovers the village must engage in a ritual known as a "feast." Several of them have been replaced with spirits of ancient "wolves" that will kill one villager each night, and it is up to the villagers to discover who amongst them are the wolves, and execute them. Caught in an all-out war of doubt and trust, can Haruaki survive and discover the mysteries behind the feast and his looping...?
There are English reviews
4. Steins;Gate 0 [151210] MAGES. GAME 1 2 3 4 5
"This is the story of the 'future' that could not be saved."
December, 2010 - Beta Worldline: The protagonist, Okabe Rintarou, at the end of suffering through countless hardships and sorrows, has abandoned all efforts in saving "her." Okabe sinks into the depths of despair, and his friends grow concerned for his well-being.
But what of "she" who could not be saved?
Learn of her through the tale of "Zero," where new characters and encounters converge.
Yes... "she" is still there...
-----
After a journey of worldlines untold, Okabe returns to the act of daily life, attempting to discard his previous life in favor of his studies, albeit he remains crushed by grief and misery for his inability to save "her."
Visiting a college seminar, he comes across Professor Alexis Leskinen and his assistant Hiyajou Maho, who were both on the same team and school as "her." There, he discovers "Amadeus," an incomplete system capable of digitally storing human memories. Okabe is invited to test out the program, as it contains none other than... "her" memories. Little did he know that the system known as "Amadeus" would once again draw him into a world of conspiracies most dark.
There are English reviews
5. Sorairo Innocent 空色イノセント [151211] Akabei Soft3 1
Kuutarou really wanted to soar in the sky. But when his aviation school closed down after a bankruptcy he was instead forced to transfer to a new school. There a new life was waiting for him, a new club and a new routine, raising water birds from the moment they were born from their eggs. He enjoyed his new life, which was filled with lively days of trying to raise these young birds together with his friends form the club.
All of that lasted until one day, the day he learned of the existence of an airplane club. And even though the club currently isn’t active he found new hope in the fact that someday he might be able to soar through the sky. With his refound desire he and his friends take action, doing everything they can to once again challenge the skies.
There is an English review
6. Owari no Seraph: Unmei no Hajimari 終わりのセラフ 運命の始まり [151217] Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
In 2012, the world allegedly comes to an end at the hands of a "human-made" virus, ravaging the global populace and leaving only children under the age of thirteen untouched. It is at this time that vampires emerge from the recesses of the earth, likely followed by age-old horrors of the dark thought only to be myth. The vampires sweep the earth and claim it in a single violent stroke, subjugating the remnants of humanity and leading them beneath the surface to safety. This "protection" comes at the price of donating blood to their captors. At the age of twelve, Yuuichirou and his friend and fellow orphan Mikaela plotted to escape along with the children in Hyakuya Orphanage. However, this resulted in their deaths and Mikaela sacrifices himself in order for Yuuichirou to escape and be saved by members of the Moon Demon Company, an extermination unit of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army. Four years later, Yuuichiro dedicates his life to destroy vampires and seek revenge against them for murdering his "family".
Anime Spin-Off RPG
7. Miagete Goran, Yozora no Hoshi o 見上げてごらん、夜空の星を [151218] Pulltop 1 2 3 4 5 6
When Akito was small, he would gaze at the stars every night with his childhood friends Hikari and Saya. He felt excited seeing the twinkles of countless stars through the telescope lens, so close that it felt like he could reach out and grab them with his hand. It inspired dreams of journeys into space, exploring the Milky Way and solving the mysteries of the galaxy. However, now he no longer looks up at the night sky and was called the ‘astronomy club member who doesn’t watch the stars’.
He received an invitation to attend the revival of the ‘Pleiades meeting’ with astronomy clubs from other schools in the area and decided to go to their next meeting to turn it down in person. There, he had an unexpected reunion with Hikari, whom he hadn’t seen since she moved some place far away. Together with Saya, senpai Orihime and kouhai Korona, his long-lost desire to look up at the stars has been rekindled and their star-filled youthful days full of new precious memories begin.
Game is localized and has English reviews
8. Sono Kojou ni Yuusha Hou Ari! その古城に勇者砲あり！ [151218] SofthouseChara 1
The hero Oura arrived at an old castle on his journey to defeat the demon king. By chance, he discovered an ancient super-weapon called the ‘hero cannon’ (yuusha-hou), which only activates after having sex with girls! Together with the failure succubus Tina, envious osananajimi and healer Flare, overly serious royal knight Mira, and selfish magician Ekuri, Oura’s ecchi battle begins!
Tower Defense
9. Sorakoi ソラコイ [151218] Chelsea Soft
Hikari and Takuto were born on the same day and have been together ever since. Learning how to crawl, graduating from diapers, running their first errands, riding a bike… they were always together every step of the way. That’s what it means to be childhood friends after all. They went to the same Kinomori Gakuen and joined the movie research club. They believed that they would always be close childhood friends forever.
However, one day while they were watching a movie in the AV room, a mysterious girl appeared before them, proclaiming that she was Takuto’s true osananajimi. He was flabbergasted as his osananajimi should be Hikari by his side, but that girl looked exactly like Hikari. Neither of them would give up their position as his osananajimi, so it became a full-fledged competition. How will it affect their fates, along with those of the other members at the club?
Light romantic comedy that's too short for full price and with a not satisfying revelation
10. Amakano ~Second Season~ アマカノ～Second Season～ [151225] Azarashi Soft 1 2
This is the second season of Amakano, with a new group of heroines in a similar winter setting. The protagonist came to the snowy town of Yomase to start a new life at the quiet inn Enki. Meeting the kind and cute, yet mischievous wheelchair-bound Kanade, the timid and earnest library committee member Yuzuka, and the cheerful and reliable student council leader Ruika helped him feel at ease in his new surroundings. However, there was another girl Honami who transferred on the same day, and she did not feel comfortable like he did. He wished to help her enjoy it, and that feeling would be the beginning of his love life.
There are English impressions
11. Izumo 4 [151225] Studio e.go! 1 2
This is the latest game in Studio e.go!’s tactical battle RPG IZUMO series and the first since 2007 when they became Debonosu Works. Daichi attends Yakumo Academy with his sister Misora and childhood friend Honami, and is part of the local history research club. One chilly autumn day with the annual culture festival fast approaching, he was spellbound by a girl in the hallway who had very abnormal looks. Her hair was bone white and her eyes were blood red. She vanished an instant later like an illusion. He met her again the next day and was dragged into an extraordinary world.
RPG has an English review
12. Kikan Bakumatsu Ibun Last Cavalier 機関幕末異聞 ラストキャバリエ [151225] Caramel Box 1 2 3 4
During the Bunkyuu Era, the Tokugawa shogunate that had remained in power for three centuries was being pressured by both foreign countries to open its borders and feudal lords who aspired to restore Imperial rule, and was on the verge of collapse due to internal and external scheming.
The political strife shifted from Edo to Kyoto, with heroes and conspirators alike attracted to the Imperial capital. At that time, a new squad called Shinsengumi was formed on the orders of the Military Commissioner Matsudaira Katamori to maintain peace and order. Only women known as "shouki", who can harness power of mystical stones known as "kishouseki", were eligible to become its members.
Okita Soujirou was working as an instructor at the Shieikan dojo in western Edo. Without any relatives, he considered the dojo master Kondou Isa and her sworn sister Hijikata Sei, who both saved his life when he was young, to be his family. When women of the dojo were called to help in forming the Shinsengumi, they asked Soujirou to disguise himself as a woman and join them. Now known as Okita Soushi, Soujirou held only one goal in him mind - to protect Isa and Sei, even if he couldn't hold the same power as a real "shouki".
There are English reviews
13. Quintuple ☆ Splash [151225] Parasol 1 2 3
Sakiomi is a student at Seiryou Gakuen, a girls’ school which just recently became co-ed. One day after final exams and before spring break, the school chairwoman suddenly gathered everyone together to announce that due to financial difficulties, the school will be shuttered and merged with its sister school, Shiraho Girls’ School. All the students had to move to the other town, and Sakiomi found himself surrounded by girls at a townhouse dormitory, including former student council president Sae, osananajimi Mio and imouto Tomoe.
Just before the start of the new school term, he unthinkingly walked towards the pool after attending the information session at his new school. He noticed a beautiful girl Sahori there, and it would be the beginning of a love story centered around him.
There are English reviews
14. Tenmon Dokei no Aria 天文時計のアリア [151225] Campus
No one knows who built the mysterious clock tower at Mahoshi Gakuen, nor why it was built, but there was a legend associated with it.
“You will find happiness if you hear a song from the astronomical clock.”
One day, Taiga heard singing emanating from the clock tower. Upon reaching the top, he found Aria, a self-proclaimed ‘star spirit’ who bestows happiness upon others. However, as she was about to give him ‘happiness’, he refused it, saying that happiness is a thing borne from the heart, not something that one can receive in an instant. Despite being a ‘happiness’ giver, Aria did not know what true happiness was.
“If I live together with you, I may learn what ‘happiness’ is. Teach me what it truly is.”
With that, she gave up her immortality to be reborn as a human and attend the school together with him.
Single heroine, too many H scenes
15. Holy Breaker! 2 -The Wish In The Night Of The Star Talers.- HOLY BREAKER！ 第2巻 -THE WISH IN NIGHT OF THE STAR TALERS.- [151229] H.I. design office
Sequel to Holy Breaker!, this VN will be first sold at Comiket 89. A few months after Tsukumo met the jet-black witch Minase, a new scheme began to take hold just when he had healed from the life-or-death battle. The gears of the world began to turn with his meeting with the German visitor Saten and subsequent clash with the ‘zero’ spiritual user Licht.
Sequel deepens narration as from one straightforward conflict we move to triangular conflict with different individual motives. Alas, story does not feel finished still.
16. Narcissu Sumire ナルキッソス スミレ [151231] Stage-nana 1 2
"For ten years... I just stood in place...
Where I should have gone right, I went left. Where I should have gone left, I went right.
I probably could have realized my mistake and turned back quickly.
But instead, I just kept on going recklessly.
I had become lost..."
Narcissu Sumire is the latest chapter in Narcissu series, once again revisiting deeply personal stories of living and dying. It follows the journey of two heroines, both are filled with deep regrets over mistakes that they've made in the past.
There's Sumire, a young woman who had spent the past ten years only playing video games and being a shut-in, refusing to go outside. After a decade of playing games alone, she falls ill and is sent to the 7th Floor hospice. When confronted with her imminent death, she realizes that she will leave this world having no significant memories, completed nothing, and leaving nothing behind.
Then there is Akari, a young woman who has spent the past ten years alone in a hospital, the result of a tragic sequence of misunderstandings and circumstances. Now, full of regrets about what happened, she wishes only to live "in the world of closed eyes" and sleep -- forever.
But one day, the two lost souls cross paths, and in that chance meeting their journey begins...
Doujin is localized and has English reviews
17. Inuwashi ~Urabure Tantei to Ojousama Keiji no Ikebukuro Jiken File~ イヌワシ～うらぶれ探偵とお嬢様刑事の池袋事件ファイル～ [1512] orange inc.
In Ikebukuro, a series of phantom slasher incidents by someone wearing rabbit headgear has been occuring.
During that time, Hina Washimiya visits the Inugami Detective Agency run by Eiji Inugami. Hina is the younger sister of Tsukasa Washimiya, who was Inugami’s partner back when he was a police detective. She has the ability to read people’s minds and the thoughts that dwell in objects, and asks Inugami to investigate the phantom slasher case alongside her to uncover the mystery behind her brother’s death.
From there, numerous cases occur and the mystery deepens… and eventually Ikebukuro gets involved—.
Detective
BLOCKED
1. Kansen - Clipping Chronicle 姦染 Clipping Chronicle [151218] Speed 1 2 Set a few days before the initial outbreak of the Kansen Virus in the Tohoku region of Japan. Shibue Akira, Suda, Ashina Rui, and Kiyohara Riri are on their way to the Summer training camp facility where they are training for the sport's nationals hosted in Autumn. The Summer training camp will also be hosting participants from other schools located in the Tohoku region. On the way there, they see an abandoned car which is only one of the mysterious events leading up to the survival of their lives from the people infected with the Kansen Virus. Nukige has English reviews
2. Fairytale Encore フェアリーテイル・アンコール [151225] Liar-soft
This is the fandisc to Liar-soft’s mysterious fairy tale horror Fairytale Requiem, including a main story featuring new heroine Dorothy which takes place before the events of the original game, and three side stories for Odil/Odette, Rapunzel and Gerda. The isolated medical center “Paradise” treats those that are afflicted with ‘fairytale syndrome’, where they believe they are fairy tale characters. The young doctor Ikeno, formerly an aspiring fairy tale writer who had his dreams crushed, couldn’t keep up with the patients who acted out their fantasies as they wished.
One day, a girl who carried the book “Wizard of Oz” arrived at the institute. She had a lively and pure personality like Dorothy, but she was suffering since her body was very weak and she could not move well. He couldn’t ignore her situation and unknowingly pretended to be her ‘three followers’. Although his actions made the depressed Dorothy happier, they also made her more delusional.
Fandisc
3. Grisaia no Zankou グリザイアの残光 [151225] Frontwing 1 This game was released with the fifth DVD and Blu-ray Disc volume for the Grisaia no Rakuen anime. It contains several short stories taking place somewhere during Grand Route of Grisaia no Meikyuu, revealing some interesting facts about Yuuji's and Asako's past. Fandisc
4. Kurui no Tsuki 狂いの月 [151225] Jirai Soft
Main character is blessed with wealth and skill, a perfect human being. He's often called "chosen of God", but what he actually wants is to rebel against God, destroy this world and receive God's justice.
Nukige listed for the sake of description
5. Tsuyokiss Festival つよきすFESTIVAL [151225] Candy Soft 1 2
This is the latest in CandySoft’s Tsuyokiss series, as part of its 10th anniversary. It features new heroines Kachiki and Kitsune, along with side stories for the Tsuyokiss NEXT heroines and subcharacters.
After the graduation of the ‘legendary era’, the fighting between the student council and the public morals committee at Ryuumeikan Gakuen had simmered down. Sanagi was loved by the student council leader Hakari and also friends with the public morals committee chief Neko. He thought he could spend his days at the school quietly, but that all changed one day when a mysterious intruder was chased by the public morals committee member Kitsune. Her name was Kachiki, bearing the famous surname Kiriya of the former student council leader during the ‘legendary era’, which still carries influence at the school to this day. Thanks to her appearance, the original strong girls showed up at the school once more.
Fandisc
Year 2014 had significantly less releases and only occasionally pleased with masterpieces. Still, counted twenty masterpieces. Can't choose Silverio Vendetta since it's a part of trilogy, so Kikan Bakumatsu Ibun Last Cavalier remains the best candidate for VN of the Year. Visual Novel Openings 2015 .
My list of masterpieces in 2015:
Ayakashi Contract
Boku no Hitori Sensou
Chrono Clock
Fairytale Requiem
Hana no No ni Saku Utakata no
Hatsuru Koto Naki Mirai Yori
Kikan Bakumatsu Ibun Last Cavalier
Koko kara Natsu no Innocence!
Kurogane Kaikitan -Senya Ichiya-
Kyuuketsuki no Libra
Love Rec.
Rakuen no Shugosha
Sakura Nikagetsu
Sakura no Uta -Sakura no Mori no Ue o Mau-
Sanoba Witch
Silverio Vendetta
Sorcery Jokers
Soreyori no Prologue
Sumire
Tokeijikake no Ley Line -Asagiri ni Chiru Hana-
As for review from 2015, I'd go for Schwarzesmarken to see its merit myself, but it should take me a while.
Foreword: Now when I've run out of RPGs till September 2nd and I don't feel eternally burdened by writing a review, I can finally get to it. Battle and guns is what brought this game into my sphere of interest. But is it really a chunige?
Synopsis:
The floating university town of Nikkou Gakuen is located in Tokyo Bay. It is a place where researchers and users of ‘power gears’ train hard night and day. Power gears are a new type of energy, allowing users to change into power assist suits. Shuu attends the school, aspiring to be an engineer. Joining up with the failing student Satsuki, will they be able to make it to the top at the school’s gear battle tournament?
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77L0WqXVWKQ&list=PLwGwDxf37gEnB4I_g3cVHj6DNaBSAuxd-
Character Design rating: 6/10
Protagonist rating: 5/10
Story rating: 5/10
Game quality: 5/10
Overall rating: 5/10
It's no use hiding that this game is nothing that I hoped for, and that was rather demotivational. But what's even worse is that game is about sports - something that I detest in any form. Remember that sniper riffle shot? You better do since it's the only cool CG in the whole game. With invention of power gears the competition of such athletes becomes the most spectacular show of prowess. It involves shooting the flying ball with guns and some power actions, but it's still not even remotely close to a real battle. I'm actually this vague about the rules because I don't really get them. Rules are glanced once and never returned to. And game does not even try to make an effort. It feels like watching baseball without knowing the rules, and then out of the blue winner is announced, and this winner is always protagonist's team. There's zero visualization. The best shot you can hope for is someone running, maybe even three persons running. Instead of action we just watch competitors talking all the time, and then it all suddenly ends. And the worst thing is that there are no charismatic rivals - all are just masked nonames (except for Mia and Kaoruko who have meaning for some routes). So I'll try to treat this game as charage focused around sports. Might it even be a spiritual ancestor of Aokana (but you already see that it's not given the effort applied to explaining setting)?
So you see the way I discuss these boring "battles", but it's actually the best thing in the game. Everything else is even worse. So least important side-heroine Ageha route becomes the best as it devotes little time to SOL and H (just one event). Cyborg chibi Mii route is the worst of the three as it's paired with another chibi heroine Mia and does not bring any real cybernetics to the table which results in boring endless SOL. The true route pairs two main heroines - Ruchiru and Satsuki (even synopsis assumes this route development as in other routes protagonist does not join Satsuki). It tries to unite both childhood memorable event heroine Ruchiru and Satsuki who has drama with her sister into one mystery as main character sees Ruchiru in Satsuki for some reason, but even this hook fails to deliver anything but beaten chiche and cheap drama as a result failing behind Ageha simple and straightforward route. Don't expect any revelations - route can easily finish with just winning a battle. The main character is reasonably strong and capable, but it's nothing different from the bulk of vns.
Let's wrap it up as this game hardly deserves a lengthy discussion. Seihou no Prismgear is extremely boring, especially during common route that is supposed to be the best part of the game usually. Deployment is uselessly long and tiresome with zero excitement. True route makes it a story game but with a tightened forced scenario fit for the undeveloped setting. Battles are not only visually skipped but also described with as little detail as possible. Any possible complexity is killed by a simplistic shounen winning spirit and things like that. Two out of three routes fall into youth drama category. But is it really a bad game? No. And I have no one to blame but myself for expectations betrayal. At the same time there is nothing really exceptional in it. It's definitely worth a try if you're looking for a light drama charage in this kind of setting. But personally I can't look at anything that is not a masterpiece charage.
Clephas ended up choosing nothing, but I'll stop at Ai Yori Aoi Umi no Hate , will need to eventually review it. Micchi only pointed at delayed titles and one fandisc.
1. Shiin 死印 [170601] Experience 1 2 3
The Tokyo metropolitan area's H City. In this suburban city, a strange rumor has been spreading recently. Those who possess the «mark» will die. The «mark» is unexpectedly engraved onto the body, as if it was a chewed up birthmark, and is said to result in an unknown death.
As a matter of fact, a strange incident occurred where someone met a suspicious death. This incident has become an urban legend, and has propagated various speculation such as it being the result of a ghost encounter somewhere or unknowingly coming into contact with a curse.
Having lost your memory, you stand before a western-style house said to protect those who possess the «mark». As if drawn to something, when the doors to the house open, you're greeted by a beautiful doll who is the lord of the mansion.
«Welcome to Kujou Mansion.»
The doll continued to speak.
«You will die if you stay like this.»
«But that doesn't mean that there isn't a way to be saved.»
The countdown to «death» had already begun…
Game is localized and has English reviews
2. Ojou-sama wa Sunao ni Narenai お嬢様は素直になれない [170623] ensemble 1 2
Souichi seems to be a normal student, but he is actually an experienced bodyguard. One day, he was asked by his mother, who is also a bodyguard, to transfer into Reihou Gakuen to help her protect a certain girl at the school. Reihou Gakuen used to be a famous girls’ school, and even after turning co-ed, it is still predominantly full of girls. Moreover, he was surrounded by eccentric girls for some reason. One of them was the girl who he was supposed to protect, and she smugly said:
“From now on, you are my ‘schwester’!”
The girls seemed unapproachable at first, but he began to see another side of them as he got closer to them.
There are English reviews
3. Osomatsu-san The Game: Hachamecha Shuushoku Advice -Dead or Work- おそ松さん THE GAME はちゃめちゃ就職アドバイス -デッド オア ワーク- [170629] Otomate
Visual novel game based on 2015 anime adaptation of Akatsuka Fujio's 1962 "Osomatsu-kun".
"Osomatsu-kun" story revolves around the Matsuno sextuplets whose faces are all the same: Osomatsu, Karamatsu, Choromatsu, Ichimatsu, Jushimatsu, and Todomatsu. The "Osomatsu-san" revolves their story 20 years later, trying to survive in the middle of the modern era.
Anime Spin-Off
4. Ai Yori Aoi Umi no Hate アイよりアオい海の果て [170630] AXL 1 2
In the future, nations and civilizations have disappeared due to rising sea levels caused by tectonic movements and global warming. The survivors lacked technique and talent, but they were able to restore an ancient battleship and attach a spare hydrogen engine to it. Then, a long long time passed, and all land was inundated by the sea, and humans barely survived aboard the self-navigating self-repairing ship.
Ao is a boy who lived in the town aboard the ship. He helps out his parents with plowing the fields and fixing the fishing gear. There is no entertainment aside from visiting the floating market once a month and gazing at the passing ancient flotsam and pondering what they were once used for. It was a relatively depressing life akin to living in a closed society.
One day, he entered the ship’s engine area, which the adults had told him absolutely not to enter. There was a picture from long ago, showing girls in colourful clothes dancing at a school in front of a large crowd of happy children. This was a ‘culture’ which has long since been lost. Moreover, he found a girl sleeping within a capsule. She was wearing the same clothes as those shown in the picture.
The capsule opened when he touched it, as if he had authenticated something. The girl appeared to have lost her memories, aside from one thing: that she is an idol. An idol’s job is to sing and dance, and to spread happiness to everyone. Ao and the self-proclaimed idol Ai set out to revive the idol culture in this small world floating on the sea.
There is an English impression
5. Akaneiro no Kyoukaisen 茜色の境界線 [170630] Alcot Honey Comb 1 2
One night, Shuu met the fox spirit Tomoe. In order to become a goddess, she must subdue the ‘tatari’ (curses) which devour all. Shuu’s hometown of Kanbe has been struck by these curses since some time, and despite the efforts of Tomoe and the half-youkai Kasumi, their numbers have only increased. Now Shuu’s kouhai Shion has also become targeted by them. In order to protect his hometown and those precious to him, Shuu joined the fight against the tatari. As they cross the line between the human and demon worlds, the world becomes dyed madder red.
There is an English review
6. Haruoto Alice ＊ Gram 春音アリス＊グラム [170630] NanaWind 1 2
Seiryou Gakuen is a popular high-ranked school in the seaside city of Minato which prides itself on the latest facilities and student independence. Since a year ago, it has been managed concurrently by the student council and the new entrants council.
Soutarou is a second year student who is part of the ‘twilight club’ (tasogare-bu) that was formed under special circumstances and is governed by the student council. It helps with minor things like searching for lost objects and resolving troubles and worries. Even though every day is busy, they are carefree and he gets to walk to school with the student council president who he looks up to and talk with the beautiful club leader.
One day, he received a letter with no name on it:
“Will you be able to solve the repeated problems that will happen from now on?”
At the same time, a helicopter descended upon the school. The club was then beseiged by various troubles: negotations with the two school councils, a place with snow cherry blossoms, a mysterious clock tower, and a mysterious ability that could be used only by a few select people. There are many secrets called ‘alicegram’ which lie buried in the town. Will Soutarou be able to solve them all?
There is an English review
7. Pure Song Garden! ピュアソングガーデン！ [170630] Pulltop 1 2
In 2027, advances in virtual reality technology have allowed for the creation of a ‘mixed reality’, combining both reality and virtual reality. It is not uncommon to see ‘virtual idols’ performing, and the most popular one is Ai, who was created using the newest state-of-the-art VR technology. Kanata is part of the M3 (Music Mediaworks Mate) circle of music lovers, along with his self-proclaimed guardian and cohabitant Kuon, and kouhai Asuka, who is interested only in weird ‘sounds’, among others.
One day, they were able to attend the huge virtual live event “Pure Song Garden” as part-time staff members thanks to the connections of Ritsu, a lady who lives in the same apartment as Kanata, and who used to take care of him when he was a child. Before the event, Ritsu brought them to the stage and did a start-up test for Ai as a special demo for them, but when she appeared, something felt off.
Actually, it was not Ai, but a beautiful girl Iroha who looked just like her. She said that she came from fifty years in the future for a short trip. Her ‘navigator fairy’ Suzu, a girl with fairy-like wings who accompanied her, explained that only Iroha’s consciousness travelled from the future and that she was only temporarily using Ai’s virtual body. At that time, there was a great commotion on the event grounds over Ai’s sudden disappearance. Iroha will have to take over Ai’s role on stage at the live, and Ritsu and the M3 members did their best to support her.
Everything was going smoothly at “Ai”‘s performance when a warning sounded and an unexpected error occurred! The “VR hazard” accident resulted in Iroha unable to return to the future.
There is an English review
BLOCKED
1. Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm EXTRA1 蒼の彼方のフォーリズム EXTRA1 [170630] sprite 1
A senpai who she admires.
The senpai who she loves.
Friends with whom she could confide her worries and do her best.
Just by showing a little bit of courage, she was able to obtain so many precious relationships.
Mashiro thought that she has finally reached the happy end. However, she was barely passing her classes. She lost completely in a sweets battle to Rika and Arika. On top of that, Misaki and Asuka declared that they are Masaya’s lovers!? At this rate, her dear senpai would be taken from her, she’ll have to repeat a year, and Mashiro Udon would go out of business!? Mashiro’s mother, Botan, suddenly suggested that she and Masaya go on an overnight date. She declared that she’ll make a tasty bento for him and dress up nicely. With the help of the others, she trained really hard to up her feminine qualities before the date. Will they reach the true happy end!?
Fandisc
2. Tantei Seven タンテイセブン [170630] Digital Cute
Bango doesn’t like his own name, which has caused him to be teased since he was a kid. However, he has friends by his side: childhood friend Kasumi, best friend Reiji, and Reiji's younger sister Mariya. Together they formed the ‘paranormal research clab’ (the complete idiot Kasumi misspelled the name) at Kototoi Academy in Mina-Asakusa.
However, without the adequate number of members, their official club status was denied and their club room was taken by rival clubs. Bango and Kasumi were eager to find other members to search for supernatural activities with them. They gathered many unique individuals and they came upon strange events.
It all started when they entered a house full of junk in search for a lost cat. The place was a den of psychic phenomena, a theme park of malicious spirits. Yet still they advanced into the deepest parts of the house in pursuit of the mysteries of the former tenants. At the same time, a series of bizarre incidents befell the area around the school. First, a commotion regarding a dangerous drug. Then, the death of a cat who had been skinned. Finally, there was even a murder.
There was a doll left behind at each crime scene. Who is the culprit? They must use the special powers which they have possessed since their childhood to solve the crimes.
Nukige listed for the sake of an opening
Year 2017 is probably the last great year with respectable number of releases each month and almost 20 masterpieces. Clephas ended up choosing Aoi Tori, but I generally choose some chunige, so it's Suisei Ginka this time. Visual Novel Openings 2017 .
My list of masterpieces in 2017:
Ai Yori Aoi Umi no Hate
Aoi Tori
Blade x Bullet - Kinrin no Soleil
Bakumatsu Jinchuu Houkoku Resshiden Miburo
ChronoBox
Haruru Minamo ni!
Hataraku Otaku no Ren'ai Jijou
Hikari no Umi no Apeiria
Kanojo wa Tenshi de Imouto de
Kizuna Kirameku Koi Iroha
Kin'iro Loveriche
Ojou-sama no Hanbun wa Ren'ai de Dekiteimasu!
Omokage Railback
Oni ga Kuru. ~Ane ga Hinshi de Pinchi Desu~
Silverio Trinity
Suisei Ginka
Tsuihou Senkyo
Yami to Hikari no Sanctuary
Yoru Meguru, Bokura no Maigo Kyoushitsu
As for future review out of 2017, I already mentioned earlier that it will be Ai Yori Aoi Umi no Hate.
Maoten is VN of the Month and Curio Dealer is a runner-up. Micchi expectedly favors Summer Pockets and Koi wa Sotto Saku Hana no you ni and some fandisc
1. Fate/Extella Link [180607] Sega & XSEED Games 1
Above the ruined earth lies the realm of SE.RA.PH, a virtual world inside a lunar supercomputer. In this last refuge for humanity, powerful Servants — sentient, digital recreations of famous figures from Earth’s lore and history — battle rogue programs (and each other) to establish dominance and enforce their kind of peace.
But peace may never come again, now that a new threat has arrived to wage apocalyptic war. Standing against the destruction is the hero Charlemagne, a dashing young knight with a hint of sadness behind his bright smile. Join Charlemagne and his comrades — the bumbling paladin Astolfo, the flamboyant Emperor Nero, the mischievous fox spirit Tamamo no Mae, the cynical rogue Robin Hood, and many others — as they rush across the battlefield in the name of humanity.
Game is localized and has English reviews
2. Curio Dealer キュリオディーラー [180629] AXL 1 2
Rajasthan is a town that sits at the foot of a huge tower that is said to have been built by an ancient civilization and is so tall that it appears it can reach the heavens. There are many unknown machines and objects found in the tower which can be sold for large sums of money, but it is guarded by robots which seek to exterminate all intruders. It is up to adventurers to complete this dangerous job of obtaining these treasures.
Rowan is a young man who runs a used goods shop, mainly repairing and identifying treasures which adventurers retrieve from the tower. However, every day he wondered if he should be following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who was one of the best treasure hunters the town had ever seen.
That’s when a girl carrying a huge sword visited his shop. It was one of the most prized treasures which belonged to an adventurer who had once reached the pinnacle of the tower but did not ultimately return. She told him that she wished to know why her father did not come back and aspired to be an adventurer to see the same views as him. He decided to help her attain her unrealistic dream.
There is an English review
3. Hatarakanai Honey Life ハタラカナイはにーらいふ [180629] LimeCat
The protagonist is proud of being completely ordinary, but this summer his life has been turned upside-down. This was because his four childhood friends had shut themselves in his home!
After two years of being hikikomoris, their parents finally had enough and gave them the choice of finding a part-time job or being sent off to do manual labour for distant relatives. Of course, they chose the former, which was a government program to help hikikomoris return to normal. He was entrusted with helping them for the duration of the summer vacation. He hoped to fulfill their parents’ requests and to help them return to how they were before. At the same time, they all came to him since they held secret feelings for him. Thus begins their summer days together breaking free from NEET.
Rather ugly kusoge
4. Koi wa Sotto Saku Hana no you ni 恋はそっと咲く花のように [180629] ensemble 1 2 3
"What there is, is only a dream"
"Whatever we try to do, we face success or failure"
The protagonist, A student named Sumeragi Rei, helps out with the cooking for his family's Western restaurant, Trattoria Felice. It’s hard work for him and his mother, but they are loved by the townspeople. During the night, Rei practices cooking in order to improve his skills in the kitchen. The joy and excitement of the people in the city can be clearly seen, even though the residents are facing hardships.
On one normal day, Rei was out of the house earlier than usual to meet his childhood friend Misato, whose house is located next to the Rei's house. As usual, Rei and Misato enjoy the sights around them as they walk to school in silence.
On this day, a third-year transfer student named Kotoishi Iori joins the same school as Rei and Misato. When Rei first meets eyes with Kotoishi, they both feel a strange spark of interest...
Around Rei, various types of gatherings and events begin to occur in his vicinity.
All the meetings between female students and Rei may be the start of a new love story in his life: This is a love story that ends with "marriage".
There is an English review
5. Maoten まおてん [180629] Candy Soft 1 2
It was said that in July 1999, the chains binding the despicable demon king in the depths of Hell will come loose and 666 demons will spill out into the human world, wrecking chaos upon mankind. However, when the date arrived and the gates of Hell opened, the demons quickly decided that it was impossible to rule over 7 billion humans when they themselves did not number more than 700, and chose instead to assimilate into human society.
Ten years later, most people enjoy a peaceful life without knowing the events of the past. The demons settled in the small town of Misaki near the Kanto Sea and lived happily away from the public eye… until a girl who called herself the ‘demon king’ transferred into their school.
There are English reviews
6. Rhapsodic Holiday ラプソディックホリデイ [180629] Confiture Soft
Asuma is an amnesiac who was guided by the talking owl Poritan to the town of Hisuigaoka, which was rife with phantom thieves. After many twists and turns, he ended up joining a group of phantom thieves who were normal students by day, but operated during the night.
One day, the school principal Uta, who was also one of their clients, asked them to steal the emotional energy (FCP – Fragment Component Partes) which was being used for evil deeds. He had the feeling that excitement lies ahead in his future, but also felt a tinge of nostalgia.
“It’ll be the key to regaining your memories.”
Game is actually a comedy with phantom thief entourage being only a stage. Tempo is good, but without serious development it's nothing but an average comedy.
7. Summer Pockets [180629] Key 1 2 3 4
Summer Pockets is set on an isolated, rural and peaceful island on the Seto Inland Sea called Torishirojima, which has a population of about 2,000 people. The protagonist is Hairi Takahara, a young man not native to the island. Hairi grew up in an urban setting, but after an unpleasant incident he uses the recent death of his grandmother as an excuse to come to the island to take care of her estate sale. Once there, he gets to know four girls who are the focus of the story. They include Shiroha Naruse, who forgot her summer vacation; Ao Sorakado, who is pursuing the legends of the island; Kamome Kushima, a high-class girl looking for a pirate ship; and Tsumugi Wenders, a younger girl trying to find herself.
Game is localized and has English reviews
8. Uchi no Kanojo 家の彼女 [180629] Argonauts
Keisuke started working this year and is satisfied with his life, since he found a job in his desired field, even though it’s for a small company. However, despite the motivation and satisfaction of living alone for the first time, he did feel a bit tired from it and wondered if he should find a girlfriend.
Then one day, his younger childhood friend Ayame came to his place. Her parents had to leave overseas for work and were worried about leaving her alone just before the important examination period, so they told her to stay with him as he was quite close with their family. Living together under the same roof, they soon began to view each other as more than just childhood friends.
Won't block this as it's first work of the company, but all the next single heroine nukige are going to trash bin immediately
BLOCKED
1. Miagete Goran, Yozora no Hoshi o: Interstellar Focus 見上げてごらん、夜空の星を Interstellar Focus [180629] Pulltop 1 The FD to the events of the original Miagete Goran, Yozora Hoshi o involving two heroines: Hikari and Saya. Fandisc
2. Happy End ni Hana o Soete ハッピーエンドに花を添えて [180601] milkcat
The season of beginning.
The season of encounter.
The petals carried by the spring breeze lead to a calm scenery.
They are attracted to each other as if they blend in.
The curtains open from such an encounter,
A heart-full story about the daily lives of two people!
Doujin with an opening
3. Nee x Nee! Docchi ga Suki? Docchi mo!! ~Yasashii Onee-chan to Cool na Onee-chan ni Hasamarete Boku wa Mou!!~ 姉×姉！どっちが好き？どっちも！！ ～優しいお姉ちゃんとクールなお姉ちゃんに挟まれて僕はもうっ！！～ [180629] ANIM M&W
Main character was brought up by his two sisters and got attached to them more than to family members.
Nukige with an opening
Foreword: I have no trouble with underdeveloped futuristic settings, so I thought I could look at this game from a different perspective. Here's the result.
Synopsis:
In the future, nations and civilizations have disappeared due to rising sea levels caused by tectonic movements and global warming. The survivors lacked technique and talent, but they were able to restore an ancient battleship and attach a spare hydrogen engine to it. Then, a long long time passed, and all land was inundated by the sea, and humans barely survived aboard the self-navigating self-repairing ship.
Ao is a boy who lived in the town aboard the ship. He helps out his parents with plowing the fields and fixing the fishing gear. There is no entertainment aside from visiting the floating market once a month and gazing at the passing ancient flotsam and pondering what they were once used for. It was a relatively depressing life akin to living in a closed society.
One day, he entered the ship’s engine area, which the adults had told him absolutely not to enter. There was a picture from long ago, showing girls in colourful clothes dancing at a school in front of a large crowd of happy children. This was a ‘culture’ which has long since been lost. Moreover, he found a girl sleeping within a capsule. She was wearing the same clothes as those shown in the picture.
The capsule opened when he touched it, as if he had authenticated something. The girl appeared to have lost her memories, aside from one thing: that she is an idol. An idol’s job is to sing and dance, and to spread happiness to everyone. Ao and the self-proclaimed idol Ai set out to revive the idol culture in this small world floating on the sea.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwGwDxf37gEnpaH9OQ9KwwjYq1sfNK_rV
Character Design rating: 7/10
Protagonist rating: 6/10
Story rating: 3/10
Game quality: 8/10
Overall rating: 6/10
The score shows that I enjoyed the game less that I hoped to. As expected, I did not find setting faulty. Giant self-reliance ship-town totally makes sense to me even without showing causes for this. As long as setting remains believable. The problem with this game is that everyone in future forgets the meaning of singing and dancing. And that's plain stupid as those things existed since the stone age. And then there's this frozen idol girl Ai. She is more of a cliché than a living person considered that she remembers none of her relatives or friends, but miraculously remembers anime, hobbies, singing and dancing. And the whole common route she asks everyone what other things are and everyone asks her what singing and dancing is. SO stupid that game actually cries in full voice "dump me".
Rage minute over, so let's try to look at other game's aspects. AXL is mostly famous for its funny SOL. And sometimes I even felt that fantasy plots have to focus on different social roles of heroines and move plot somewhere, so there's not enough funny SOL. Ai Yori Aoi Umi no Hate looks like an opposite idea - let's strip all seriousness and all the plot and just focus on lively idol-themed SOL entirely. And being brought to the extremes it loses so many important things. Listening to pretentious fluffy crap from Ai and everyone adoring that is so weird I want to facepalm each time.
I made an effort and got to each heroine end, so I can say individual routes are rather good and varied from each other. But Nanami route is probably the strongest one due to adventure spirit and getting away from the so poor setting as far as possible. But what's the point if no one sees them and if sudden bursts of stupidity constantly remind of the very flawed basis it all stands on? AXL usually shines with character interaction. There's usually some club or some society structure in which heroines have to communicate between themselves. But in Ai Yori Aoi Umi no Hate there's almost no horizontal communication. It's either individual sketches or interaction with protagonist or interaction with sub-character like Naotora. There are a lot of scenes when all heroines are on the same screen, but during these gathering times heroines usually are just asking open questions or talking to protagonist Ao. It's probably possible to find pieces that contradict this statement, but I failed to find vivid examples.
In the end I'd like to say that readers aren't stupid. I'm willing to be fooled and tricked, but content needs to be trustworthy. Without it any amount of effort applied becomes zero as an outcome. Idol theme also contributes to the simplicity and thus lack of depth. In this regard it's probably the worst AXL work so far.
Raspberry Cube looks like the best candidate from the presented ones. Micchi also likes CharaBration and Kemono Musume no Sodatekata
1. NG [180913] Experience 1 2
Face the nightmares you thought were merely urban legends. Use your wits and trusty flashlight to search for clues to your sister’s disappearance. Team up with shady characters to uncover a dark mystery, making deadly decisions just to survive. The choices you make determine your fate and affect the lives of everyone around you.
This chilling companion story to the award-winning Spirit Hunter: Death Mark game brings terror home as fearful spirits invade local streets and parks – even your own home. Experience frightful sounds and stunning environments illustrated by artist Fumiya Sumio.
Game is localized and has English reviews
2. Aerial Life アエリアル・ライフ [180928] Prekano 1
The protagonist is a part-time beta tester at a game developer company which runs the popular VR game Aerial Life. However, there was an unknown bug after the latest major update and he became trapped in the VR world, along with fellow beta-tester Otome, who lost her memories of the outer world. Unable to log out, they had to stay in the virtual world for a while and complete the grand quest. Will he be able to recover her memories and break free from the game?
There is an English impression
3. CharaBration! ~Otome wa Koi shite Charabureru~ きゃらぶれーしょん！ ～乙女は恋してキャラぶれる～ [180928] Akabei Soft3 1 2 3
Rikka’s dream is to become a servant for his sickly cousin Hai. This spring she joined him at Rinka Gakuen, a school for the upper class, but she caused trouble shortly upon arrival and was confined to a special correctional dormitory known as ‘the prison’. He refused to believe that the pretty and refined Hai would do such a thing, so he dressed as a maid to infiltrate the dormitory as Yuki with the help of the student council president Yukia.
However, when he met her again inside, he discovered that she was actually a carefree tomboy… exactly the opposite of what he thought she was! Moreover, everyone else there had a completely different side! Hai had an absurd request for him: she wanted him to help set her up with… himself. His dual life with doubled-faced girls has begun!
There are English reviews
4. Hime to Otome no Yakimochi Love 姫と乙女のヤキモチＬＯＶＥ [180928] Princess Sugar 1
The former girls’ school Kokoronomori Gakuen recently became co-ed, but girls still greatly outnumber boys. Kazuki is the son of the school’s chairman and serves as the student council president. However, only he knows that his father had disappeared after incurring grave debts and that he is also acting as the chairman. His childhood friend and vice-president of the student council Sara and former student council leader Nanoka began to suspect something was amiss.
At that time, a group of exchange students arrived from overseas. It was another one of his childhood friends, the princess Alize, and her attendant Majoroline. The students’ excitement seeing these mysterious foreigners was palpable, and it became even more chaotic when Alize suddenly kissed him in front of the whole school.
“I’ve always dreamed of the day when I would be able to meet you once more”
Majoroline explained that the school had been formally acquired by the Kingdom of Stanhal to serve as a cross-cultural bridge between the two nations. He was greeted by them when he returned home, and had no option but to live with them since he was saddled with debt. His co-habitation life with the deeply-in-love Alize begins.
There is an English impression
5. Kemono Musume no Sodatekata ケモノ娘の育て方 [180928] Sweet & Tea 1 2 3 4
Shuuji picked up a strange girl in the mountains near his hometown and ended up taking care of her. Iroha had been ‘spirited away’ more than ten years ago and lacks common sense and the ability to converse. Even though this constantly caused him problems, he was enamoured by her innocence.
However, the world is not always a friendly place and her lost time will never be restored. An uncertain future awaits Iroha, but Shuuji is determined to protect her.
There are English reviews
6. Raspberry Cube ラズベリーキューブ [180928] Madosoft 1
Satoru was a delinquent who one day decided to change for the better and aimed to do one good deed each day. He returned to his hometown to live by himself and saved the landlord’s daughter Mikoto from some thugs, helped the lone gardening club member Minato with tending the fields, and did part-time with Yuu at the military shop since they were short on staff.
However, his meeting with the student council president Ruri was somewhat different. The next day, he saw her once more and thought that she had come to thank him, but when he chased after her, he soon found himself waist-high in a pit. She took a picture of him in his pathetic state and left without helping him out.
“Does she have a grudge against me because of something I did in the past?”
There is an English impression
7. Sono Hana ga Saitara, Mata Boku wa Kimi ni Deau その花が咲いたら、また僕は君に出逢う [180928] Campus
Akito came to Mahoshi Gakuen as a transfer student and got lost as he walked around the unfamiliar vast campus. A girl with gentle eyes, Yuki, called out to him. She showed him around the school, ending at a flower garden where the flowers were still budding.
“Let’s meet here again when the flowers bloom”
Low-price single heroine work. Supposedly good, but I just don't play games without distinctive story for romance.
BLOCKED
1. Boku no Amayaka Seikatsu -Seishou-chou Kankouka, Mainichi Ecchi na Locodol Katsudou!- ボクのあまやかせいかつ－星湘町観光課、毎日えっちなロコドル活動！－ [180928] Carol Works
Akito came to Mahoshi Gakuen as a transfer student and got lost as he walked around the unfamiliar vast campus. A girl with gentle eyes, Yuki, called out to him. She showed him around the school, ending at a flower garden where the flowers were still budding.
“Let’s meet here again when the flowers bloom”
Nukige with an opening
2. Boku to Kanojo no Gohoushi Dousei 僕と彼女のご奉仕同棲 [180928] Tokohana
Akito came to Mahoshi Gakuen as a transfer student and got lost as he walked around the unfamiliar vast campus. A girl with gentle eyes, Yuki, called out to him. She showed him around the school, ending at a flower garden where the flowers were still budding.
“Let’s meet here again when the flowers bloom”
Nukige with an opening
Rather modest year, overall. There are still as many as 17 masterpieces, but number of games has decreased significantly, and I barely got 100 openings in Visual Novel Openings 2018 . Without a strong chunige title I'll opt out for the strongest mystery title as VN of the Year, and that's Butterfly Seeker .
My list of masterpieces in 2018:
AI Love: Koisuru Otome wa Kikaijikake
Butterfly Seeker
Curio Dealer
Haru to Yuki,
Karigurashi Ren'ai
Kieta Sekai to Tsuki to Shoujo -The World was Prayed by The Girl Living A Thousand Years-
Kotonoha Maichiru Natsu no Koe
Lost Echoes
Maoten
Mirai Radio to Jinkou-bato
Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru: Trinkle Stars
Raspberry Cube
Shogun-sama wa Otoshigoro
Shunkyoku no Tyrhhia ~What a Beautiful Dawn~
Yorite Konoha wa Kurenai ni
Yuusha to Maou to, Majo no Cafe
Unjou no Fairy Tale
As for future review out of 2018, I went into Sora no Baroque blindly to see if company releasing Trinity series can really fail, and it's so disgusting visually that it takes time to digest it.
Kami-sama no You na Kimi e is the only worthy game in March. Micchi supports that and also Ore no Sugata ga Toumei ni , plus Icing -love coating- .
1. Kami-sama no You na Kimi e 神様のような君へ [200327] CUBE 1 2
Our time together, now,
Continues onward, towards tomorrow.
Shimae Kaito, a young man gifted with a talent for hacking.
Despite being merely a student, Kaito broke through the most advanced security system and gained administrative privileges to the C-AI (Central AI) that governs countless AI. In this day and age, the majority of the infrastructure essential to humanity's daily living has been optimized with AI. Kaito, who now had the power to do anything, issued his command:
“I want to meet a girl who loves me, Shimae Kaito! She has to have large, cute eyes, be kind and will spoil me, oh, and have big boobs!”
However, the reply came back, "No qualified persons found. Displaying results: 0 out of 0."
Kaito was dejected when his search got no hits, but the AI activated a late-night robot factory and built a robot according to his specifications.
Some days later, a girl who looked exactly as he described showed up at his door - Tsukuyomi. She had superhuman physical abilities and loved Kaito immensely. However, being an AI, she lacked all common sense. Having determined that she still fell short of being his ideal, she decided that she had to express her "love" for him in the most perfect way possible.
-You, who are like a God-
What future waits for Kaito and his ideal (albeit robot) girl?
There are English reviews
2. Jinki Resurrection ジンキ・リザレクション [200327] Giga
Set 2 years after the end of the Complete Edition of the original manga.
Ryouhei woke up in a hospital, having lost all his memories, even his own name. In search of clues on how to regain them, he arrived in Kyoto and was welcomed by a group of girls who were part of an organization called Angel. He would end up living together with the three girls: the friendly Aoba, the reserved Akao, and the openly-hostile Kanae. He thought that it wouldn’t be that bad living like this with them, but it would soon all be turned upside down by the existence of large humanoid robots called “Jinki”.
Did Giga really make a worthy chunige based on a solid source like manga? Of course, not. It's made afterstory specially to focus on humiliation scenes and bad-endings and safely ignore story element which is so small that can be neglected.
3. Soushin no Ars Magna 創神のアルスマグナ [200327] Ninetail 1
Once upon a time, the Great Founding Alchemist guided the people from a world where everything turned to dust to the new continent of Archeus. It is a harmonious and fertile land protected by man-made gods called ‘Soushin’ (Gods of Creation), created by spinning the ‘laws’.
However, after a long time passed, the ‘Dust’ also began to encroach on Archeus. The ‘Soushin’ were driven mad and turned into ‘Gods of Calamity’, spawning monsters that wrecked havoc on the land and threatened the populace.
They would not sit idly by while the world was gradually swallowed the ‘Dust’, and a group of alchemists gathered at the top alchemist school, Cagliostro Academy, to attempt to continue the miracle from the past.
RPG has an English impression
4. Ore no Sugata ga, Toumei ni!? Invisible to Suuki na Unmei 俺の姿が、透明に!? 不可視の薬と数奇な運命 [200327] Hulotte 1 2
"Directions: Take the proper dosage to become invisible!"
The protagonist, Matsuyuki Haruki, was watching a stream of a popular virtual net idol when suddenly a raffle was held for all the viewers. What was to be the reward?
"I will gift the winner with the right of having a~nything they want come true!"
Having nothing to lose, Haruki entered the raffle and, against all odds, won!
“I’ll be coming over right now. Looking forward to meeting you!♪”
At that moment his doorbell rang and it was the virtual net idol Kuzunoha Chitose herself waiting at his front door. She handed Haruki some mysterious pills.
"Um, what are these...?"
“I shall explain! They’re pills that will make you invisible! Yay! Let me know how it goes~!”
She left with a smile just as quickly as she had arrived, leaving him at a loss for words. Even though he had his doubts, he tried it out immediately and was shocked to find that he could no longer see himself in a mirror!
Next he snuck in and spied on his cousin Ame taking a bath. She had been rather distant to him lately, but while he was freely admiring her amazingly sexy and well-developed body...
"I love you, Nii-san."
Hearing her confession, he unthinkingly reached out and touched her!
When he did so, the invisibility effect wore off!
While both flirting with her and being scolded by her, they together check the directions on the drugs...
-Effects: Bodily invisibility
-Dosage: Max of one capsule per day
-Caution: In the event that you touch another person's body, the effects will immediately end
Haruki, who was a constant thrill-seeker, couldn't contain his excitement at what he knew would be the thrill of a lifetime. Ame, however, was going to fight tooth and nail to turn him back into a respectable human being.
So begins his adventures of getting chewed out by cousin and fellow classmates, while having a roaring good time.
This is the heart-warming story of a supernatural youth. (Or is it?)
There are English reviews
5. Icing -Love Coating- アイシング-love coating- [200327] Hachimitsu Soft 1
"Directions: Take the proper dosage to become invisible!"
The protagonist, Matsuyuki Haruki, was watching a stream of a popular virtual net idol when suddenly a raffle was held for all the viewers. What was to be the reward?
"I will gift the winner with the right of having a~nything they want come true!"
Having nothing to lose, Haruki entered the raffle and, against all odds, won!
“I’ll be coming over right now. Looking forward to meeting you!♪”
At that moment his doorbell rang and it was the virtual net idol Kuzunoha Chitose herself waiting at his front door. She handed Haruki some mysterious pills.
"Um, what are these...?"
“I shall explain! They’re pills that will make you invisible! Yay! Let me know how it goes~!”
She left with a smile just as quickly as she had arrived, leaving him at a loss for words. Even though he had his doubts, he tried it out immediately and was shocked to find that he could no longer see himself in a mirror!
Next he snuck in and spied on his cousin Ame taking a bath. She had been rather distant to him lately, but while he was freely admiring her amazingly sexy and well-developed body...
"I love you, Nii-san."
Hearing her confession, he unthinkingly reached out and touched her!
When he did so, the invisibility effect wore off!
While both flirting with her and being scolded by her, they together check the directions on the drugs...
-Effects: Bodily invisibility
-Dosage: Max of one capsule per day
-Caution: In the event that you touch another person's body, the effects will immediately end
Haruki, who was a constant thrill-seeker, couldn't contain his excitement at what he knew would be the thrill of a lifetime. Ame, however, was going to fight tooth and nail to turn him back into a respectable human being.
So begins his adventures of getting chewed out by cousin and fellow classmates, while having a roaring good time.
This is the heart-warming story of a supernatural youth. (Or is it?)
I call such H-tilt short romance stories vanilla nukige
BLOCKED
1. Yumeutsutsu Re:Idol 夢現Re:Idol [200326] Kogado Studio
Short story spin-off to Yumeutsutsu Re:Master, and introduction to the world of Yumeutsutsu. The members of Eureka Soft come together to solve a problem that could endanger the whole world: Ai Ohtori's personality is too weak. To fix that, she will need to... become an idol?!?Short story spin-off to Yumeutsutsu Re:Master, and introduction to the world of Yumeutsutsu. The members of Eureka Soft come together to solve a problem that could endanger the whole world: Ai Ohtori's personality is too weak. To fix that, she will need to... become an idol?!?
Fandisc
2. Koisuru Otome to Shugo no Tate - Re:boot The "SHIELD-9" 恋する乙女と守護の楯 Re:boot The "SHIELD-9" [200327] Team AIGIS 1
This is a remake of AXL’s 2007 title Koisuru Otome to Shugo no Tate, with new routes added for Yuuri and Setsuko. Senomoto Hisashi’s art has changed a bit over the years, while the cast has stayed pretty much the same aside from Yuuri (Nekoyashiki Mai). Of course, the graphics are now in widescreen full HD and compatible with Windows 10.
Remake
Hokenshitsu no Sensei to Shabondama Chuudoku no Joshu is the only game I can point out.
1. Ai Kiss 2 アイキス2 [201127] Giga
Same art school, same two female childhood friends and many new acquaintances. Summer comes, and girls start to compete for popularity.
I'm speechless
2. Dohna Dohna -Issho ni Warui Koto o Shiyou- ドーナドーナ いっしょにわるいことをしよう [201127] Alice Soft 1
Asougi City, a company town facing the Seto Inland Sea-
Though a single corporation controls every aspect of their lives, the citizens live without any kind of worries or doubts, and enjoy the peace that has been given to them.
However, within this pristine city lurk pockets of unrest. Known as “Clans”, these groups repeatedly perform acts of civil disobedience, including “Hunting”, armed theft of people and things, and “Hustling”, the selling of bodies for profit.
With clans growing in influence, the corporation motioning to stop them, and the "Memorial Festival" fast approaching, the city is soon shaken by conflict, consuming the lives of all within it.
SRPG is localized and has English reviews
3. Hokenshitsu no Sensei to Shabondama Chuudoku no Joshu 保健室のセンセーとシャボン玉中毒の助手 [201127] Citrus 1
"Say, Sora"
"An Okuribito may perhaps be the school nurse for a Tamabito huh?"
Sora Kazami, along with a girl who wears a straw hat around her neck and is always blowing soap bubbles Shirobana, is on a journey to send off Tamabito.
A Tamabito is more commonly referred to as a ghost and people like Sora who send them off to the afterlife is called an Okuribito by some folks.
Sora had a purpose.
It is to find his missing sister who already lost her life and became a Tamabito.
He wanted to happily send off his beloved sister, who had raised him as a parent, with his own two hands.
And then come this spring.
While in the middle of their journey, Sora and Shirobana stopped by Saika Town.
It is a peaceful rural town known for its field of dandelions and natural hot springs.
They were told by an acquaintance that many Tamabito are gathering in this town.
And within those Tamabito, Sora's sister may be one of them.
While staying at a hot spring inn, Sora makes use of his Okuribito expertise as the health teacher of Saika Girl's School, where the headmistress is his acquiantance, in order to earn for the expenses of their stay.
All the while interacting with the female students as the school nurse.
All the while attentively listening to their concerns as a part of counseling.
Together with his partner Shirobana, they solved various incidents that occur in the school.
Dandelion symbolizes a love so sincere.
But also that of separation...
There is an English review
4. Isekai Sakaba no Sextet ~Vol.1 New World Days~ 異世界酒場のセクステット ～Vol.1 New World Days～ [201105] iMel Inc. 1
One day without warning, a young cook working behind the scenes at an Akihabara maid cafe suddenly gets spirited away to another world! The new world he finds himself in is one of fantasy, where magic exists and monsters run wild.
Without a way to return to his own world and at a total loss, a monster appears out of nowhere and is about to attack him when, at the last moment, Lupine, the owner of the tavern “Stray Sheep” appears and saves his life.
Brought to “The Stray Sheep” by his lifesaver Lupine, he finds nothing but a sad empty tavern with not even a single customer.
With nowhere to go, the main character decides to aid Lupine in reviving The Stray Sheep, knowing that if enough adventurers come by, one of them may know a way for him to return home.
Utilizing the cooking skills he cultivated during his time in the maid cafe, can he be the one to save the tavern from its precarious management situation?!
You’ll laugh! You’ll cry!
Set against the backdrop of a fantasy world’s tavern, this slightly naughty, slapstick love-harem drama is about to begin!
Game is released in English and has English reviews
5. Kangokutou Mary Skelter Finale 神獄塔 メアリスケルターFinale [201105] 1 2 3
The Jail—a living prison that feeds on the humans trapped within its confines.
The Jail appeared a number of years ago with the caving of the city around it. Now twisted creatures known as Marchens and treacherous Nightmares roam its halls.
The Blood Maidens, reincarnations of old stories and folk tales led by Jack, successfully escaped the Jail and managed to make it from the underground prison to the surface…
Although they had hope for the surface, the scene Jack and company first saw when they emerged… was thousands of dead bodies submerged in a sea of blood, and the maniacal laughter of “Genocide Pink” (executioner girls).
Scattered by the overwhelming slaughter and mayhem of Genocide Pink, their only ray of hope was seemingly destroyed.
Scorched Pillar, a member of Genocide Pink born to kill humans; Jack, a Blood Youth who would give even a drop of a blood to save a friend; Mary, a match girl who plays the light of the meaning of life; Zyu, a mysterious boy who calls himself “Tower Base”; Red Riding Hood, a Blood Maiden distressed about her father; and Clara, a regular old nobody.
Everything leads to the “Foul Feeding Overseer Tower” that floats high in the sky… This is the finale of the prison break drama of the girls who follow the lights of hatred and friendship in attempt to escape the tiny earth star.
RPG sequel is localized and has English reviews
6. Ren'ai x Royale 恋愛×ロワイアル [201127] ASa Project 1 2 3
"I, the new transfer student Hanamaru Mari, like Komachi Hirotaka! Please go out with me!"
Being agitated by his juniors;
Hitting on the student council president;
Chasing after idols.
The protagonist who lives every day carelessly, Komachi Hirotaka.
In the midst of that kind of daily life, a sudden confession...
Her brief statment became the impetus which started the conflict that would engulf the dumbfounded protagonist.
"Why are you ignoring me and being lovey-dovey with these random women!? Are you saying you don't care about me anymore!?"
"Senpai... you know you can always tell Renna anything... anything at all."
"Is the reason Onii-san won't pay attention to me because of all these floozies surrounding him?"
Largely without the person being fought over knowing about it, an underhanded and petty battle royale for true love unfolds between the 4 girls!
Whom shall the Goddess of Victory smile upon!?
There are English reviews
7. Suiren to Shion 水蓮と紫苑 [201127] Hibiki Works
Minase ── an isolated island due to its poor accessibility. However, the protagonist used to go there a lot in his childhood.
After entering medical school, his parents were worried about him losing his edge due to the daily study schedule. They wanted to refresh him. The protagonist comes to the island again after being advised to visit his cousins during his summer vacation. He remembers his childhood with them, and being treated like a real family member.
Suiren was beautiful when she was a child, and she was very kind and was like a real sister to him. Shion was like a tomboy little sister and used to follow him around.
The protagonist wonders how the two of them have grown up. He can hear their voices afar from their house. Upon his arrival, he reunited with the two grown-up sisters.
Suiren has become a gorgeous woman with a beautiful feminine body overflowing with tolerance and kindness. Shion, who has grown into a pretty girl, has a somewhat disgruntled look and only talks to the bare minimum necessary.
An older sister who never changes and a younger sister who has changed. Feeling puzzled, as recommended by Suiren, who seems to have been waiting for the main character, the protagonist stay at their house for a while.
How will he spend his time with them on the island under the summer sun?
Only slightly better than Natural Vacation, but without animation.
8. Hibikino-san-chi wa Eroge-ya-san! 響野さん家はエロゲ屋さん！ [201122] Sonora
In the residential district Kamiitsukomachi's old shopping district lies Hibikino Shop. This general store closed down after the grandfather owning it finally retired.
His three granddaughters, attached to it, and unwilling to let it disappear, decided to renovate it.
Hibikino Shop, loved by its community since 50 years, under the pressure of Yukari, the good for nothing of an eldest sister, became... an eroge store!
Hibikino Shop finally reopened.
A store of this size being too much for only three sisters to handle, and with only Yukari to know about this peculiar kind of products, they asked the second daughter's childhood friend Kurama Ren, our hero, to help them, as a part-time worker.
This is a story about the eroge industry from the perspective of a salesclerk.
Due to setting humor feels fresh and good, some aggressive characters fascinate, yet story-wise it's all about opportunism, so nothing to write home about.
Somehow both number of masterpieces (14) and number of openings I am able to collect in Visual Novel Openings 2020 decreases yet again. Silverio Ragnarok symbolizes the whole trilogy for me, so I consider it to be the winner in 2020 , but I admit It can change after I review Hakuchuumu no Aojashin . Also plan to do the same with Hoshizora Tetsudou to Shiro no Tabi just because I did not find an English review. Then it will be Tsui no Sora Remake 's turn, next undecided, probably something from 2009 and further.
My list of masterpieces in 2020:
9 -Nine- Yukiiro Yukihana Yukinoato
Adabana Itan
Akatsuki Yureru Koi Akari
ATRI -My Dear Moments-
Hakuchuumu no Aojashin
Hokenshitsu no Sensei to Shabondama Chuudoku no Joshu
Hoshizora Tetsudou to Shiro no Tabi
Kami-sama no You na Kimi e
Kara no Shoujo - The Last Episode
Marco to Ginga Ryuu
Secret Agent ~Kishi Gakuen no Shinobi Naru Mono~
Seishun Fragile
Silverio Ragnarok
Tsui no Sora Remake
I was never fan of Purple Software yet as of now I claim Realive to be VN of the Year 2019. Curious, right?
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwGwDxf37gEkRtsaFVrm8TiT95cw_g3Lz
Character Design rating: 9/10
Protagonist rating: 10/10
Story rating: 9/10
Game quality: 10/10
Overall rating: 9/10
I did not expect much of this game, to be honest. And the way it began did not fascinate at all. Bunch of kids without any real need to change themselves for some stupid reason decided to follow instructions in an unknown mobile app to be reborn as a stronger version of themselves - and those orders of course had to be somewhat perverted leading to etchy situations. There's absolutely no sense in that, just an opportunistic moege setup pretext. But system started to get more and more complexity steadily, so soon I started to feel very involved - each of six players got different RPG-like classes , different lvl 1 tasks, after that different lvl 1 skills and so on on up to lvl 5. At that time I took the bait firmly - that creates myriads of variations to apply various skills for various situations. And tasks were only partially H-oriented and only for classes that suit the theme like idol. Most of tasks were formulated rather neutrally, especially for traditional classes like knight. So first element that lured me was gamification.
Another appealing element was flexible protagonist concept. Chihaya is only nominally protagonists. There are a lot of scenes with different girls alone or communicating with another girl. For those moments game naturally takes any other girl as protagonist or just watches the dialogue from aside. Again, it all happens very naturally and this way we don't get our share of usual irritations because of protagonist. This leads us the the third element that I adore.
Horizontal communication. I address this issue again and again in different reviews because it's that important. And Realive is the king of horizontal communication because of flexible protagonist. It's done so vividly that we can define relation between each pair of girls let alone observe numerous jokes applied to each other in conversations.
And that brings us to humor. I can't say game is humor-oriented. The bulk of humor is sekkuhara jokes and quite some teasing. It's enough to recognize its strong presence , but not to fall the level of bakage.
I'd like to return to plot again, because with explaining the setting, five tasks for each girl and receiving five skills for everyone there is just no time to spare on meaningless filler scenes. Realive basically does not have SOL scenes. Even if some scene resembles one - it's story driven and needed to gather together or prepare for task etc. No room for fillers at all. Because of this story density there's no desire to skip any scene in common route. And thanks to that there was next to zero romance during common route.
I usually rate individual routes lower than common route, and, frankly speaking, this game did not overturn the tendency. I still found myself skipping parts of individual routes that developed in an evident way to me. But this time it was not just about romance and sudden drama as there was a twist - how would heroine use rebirth chance as I did not believe they would selfishly magically get reborn themselves. And they did not disappoint. Oh, and I sincerely enjoyed Kaya route as gothic loli tsundere never gets old - and her reactions at gaming center were purely hilarious. But what's more important - individual routes feel like continuation of common route with the humor, horizontal communication and dating openly happening naturally and only gradually overflowing into individual romance.
As for true route , it was foreshadowed by multiple hooks that it would be devoted to Levi's identity. I still hoped there would be RPG-like action story on top of that, but instead identity theme just got developed deeper.
Why not 10/10 then? For me the primary criteria is whether I skip some parts or try to catch every word. Realive is not such a genius game that breaks conventional rules, but rather a skillfully crafted well designed hand-made masterpiece. If follows a set of rules that I advise for all visual novels to use to make it deep:
Flexible unfixed protagonist
Gamification
Additional complexity layers that do not leave time for fillers
Just romance is not an option, need additional element to focus during individual routes
Horizontal communication should be in the center
Mild humor and teasing is generally better than gags and bakage tilt
Forget about pure SOL scenes without plot meaning
Traditional visual novels once again show full impotence thus leaving Buddy Mission Bond winner by default.
1. Glass Hime to Kagami no Juusha ガラス姫と鏡の従者 [210129] Giga 1
MC is in the lineage that served aristocracy for generations. He meets a blond royalty girl who is crying, and he plays with her a short while. Girl's bodyguards take the MC away thinking he was a bad person, and while being taken away he promises to be by her side whatever it takes.
A reverse Cinderella story is such a great metaphor. Setting is super unrealistic, plus everyone went to the same school. Usual Giga trash.
2. Isekai Sakaba no Sextet ~Vol.2 Adventurer's Days~ 異世界酒場のセクステット ～Vol.2 Adventurer's Days～ [210114] iMel Inc. 1
One day, several days after our protagonist the young cook in the back of an Akihabara maid cafe got transported to another world, our hero gets paid a visit by the lady knight Dahlia at Lupine's tavern.
Dahlia proclaims to the hero, "I want you to make me a woman," which leads to all kinds of misunderstandings with Lupine and Daisy, who have a barrage of questions!
After getting filled in on what she actually meant, it's revealed that Dahlia's aim is to defeat a monster who only preys on women. However, for Dahlia, who has only ever lived by the sword, femininity feels like an alien concept.
To help increase her feminine charms, Dahlia becomes a waitress at Lupine's Tavern, and her inexperience leads to all kinds of trouble with the guests!
Our hero has no idea that this turn of events will lead him to help Dahlia and Veronica take down their archnemesis from the past...
Game is released in English and has English reviews
3. Gohoushi Akuma to Oshioki Tenshi ごほうしアクマとオシオキてんし [210129] Quince Soft
A world not too far from ours...
In this world, apart from the human world where people live, there existed a heavenly world and a demon world.
People live peacefully without knowing about such things.
Doumae Reiya, is a student who lives in a hot spring inn on a remote island, and is the son of the inn's proprietress. However, he and his childhood friend, Kohanai Touka, are worried about the depopulation of the island where they were born and raised.
–But as ordinary students, they can’t do anything about it.
Today, the two go to the familiar shrine to pray.
Suddenly, they are surrounded by a bright light.
The next thing you know, there are three girls in strange outfits in front of you!
He is forced to do a mission that he doesn’t understand: “Rehabilitate the demons."
He finds himself tasked to be the demon’s chaperone; the angel “Cial”, the demon king’s daughter “Luciela”, and his handmaiden “Matty”.
Will the interaction with these sudden visitors go well?...
Just a cohabitation moege with SOL taking majority of time and an abrupt end. Multiple writers don't really add credibility.
4. Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu - Itsuwari no Ousen Kouho Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活 偽りの王選候補 [210128] Chime Corporation 1 2
One month after Subaru’s new life in another world began, an emissary sent by the royal castle suddenly appears with news that the royal selection has been postponed, but offers no reason as to why. The postponement of this grand event that decides the next ruler of the Kingdom of Lugunica stirs Subaru and his friends into action. They return to the royal capital only to find that a sixth candidate has claimed their stake for the throne. But the Dragon Stone prophesizes that only five candidates would be chosen. With one candidate being an imposter, suspicions are immediately cast toward one woman in particular: Emilia. What answers lie beyond the mysterious web of assassinations, betrayal, and conspiracies…?
SRPG is released in English and has English reviews
5. Uchi no Aruji wa Youkai no Joushiki o Shiranai うちの主は妖怪の常識を知らない [210129] Azarashi Soft+1
There are six rules that were established so that humans and youkai can co-exist:
You must never harm a human.
You must never show your true form to a human.
You must obey the laws that humans have made.
You must never enchant a human.
You must never have children with a human.
You must never bring a human into youkai territory.
The Minatsuki family has existed peacefully in the human world and has prospered by obeying these rules. This is a story about Airu, the only daughter of the head of the Minatsuki family, the Minatsuki family butler, Raito, and his co-worker maid, Fuuka.
Amanojaku Airu can't honestly express her feelings and bosses people around. Fuuka has a stiff exterior but can't help teasing whenever she sees an opportunity. This is how they spent their peaceful, everyday life.
One day an incident occurs in the town where they live. Minatsuki Onizou, the head of the household, asks Raito and Fuuka to protect Airu. The two of them must now stay by her side day and night. They accompany her, not just inside of the mansion, but at school as well.
Low price work that's much more about the little youkai lady and maid than about youkai and the six rules.
6. Buddy Mission Bond バディミッション BOND [210129] Koei Tecmo 1 2
Close in on the truth with your partner.
Luke, a police officer aiming to become a hero like his late foster father had dreamed, and Aaron, the “Phantom Thief Beast” whose total damages are said to amount to several hundred billion. A strange encounter will greatly change their fate… This is the story of teamwork—and at times disparity—between dependable partners, the mystery of Luke’s father’s death, and a fiery friendship that confronts an earthshaking conspiracy.
The story is set on Mikagura Island, the metropolis for international show business. To fight against the criminal syndicate “DISCARD” operating in the shadows, four people each with their own intentions come together to form an undercover investigation team. That team’s name is “BOND.” It consists of the police officer Luke (voiced by Ryouhei Kimura), Phantom Thief Beast Aaron (voiced by Takashi Kondo), vivacious ninja of many loves Mokuma (voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa), and cool-headed swindler Chesley (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa). Will you be able to uncover the truth on this island swelled with light and darkness?
The game’s key feature is forming a team of two buddies to investigate and infiltrate. Choose two out of the four team BOND members and switch up partners often while solving the problems that block your path forward. Verifying the traits of each BOND member, and being able to properly investigate with the appropriate members is the key to obtaining information. Depending on the information you obtain, the route when you infiltrate the enemy’s hideout will change. It is important to think about and choose the optimal buddy for the job.
Character designs are handled by Yusuke Murata, who is known for Eyeshield 21, One-Punch Man, and more. The game incorporates comic-like presentations during story and dialogue developments, allowing players to enjoy a digital comic-style story.
There are English reviews
Two releases... just wow. And one is a gameplay title, so guess who wins - Meikei no Lupercalia , which is also a masterpiece.
1. Senkou no Clarias 閃鋼のクラリアス [210226] Team Baldrhead 1 2
While on a field trip to London, Nagai Towa gets lost in the city at night.
After he finally makes it to the train station, he finds a mysterious egg.
"What's with this egg? It's really pretty..."
And then right before his eyes, the egg shatters into pieces. His consciousness fades away...
When he comes to his senses, he finds himself standing in an unfamiliar place. It has the appearance of London, but it's a completely different world.
----Royal Capital Salem
There, he meets a girl named Shelly Linestad who is searching for her father who has been accused of murdering the king.
For the sake of returning to his original world and helping the girl who helped him...
He continues pressing on while wearing the Dragon Armor "Clarias", and at the same time gets ever closer to the truth hidden within this new world.
Beat 'em UP
2. Meikei no Lupercalia 冥契のルペルカリア [210226] Uguisu Kagura 1 2 3
"There is only one method to equal gods.
It's to become cruel like gods."
Salvador Dali
A prodigious young actress passed away.
At the end of the magnificent play, the highly esteemed girl found a kernel of truth.
Years pass and spring arrives.
In a freshman welcoming party, a certain program will catch the protagonist Sewa Tamaki's eye.
"Welcome to the Lampyris Troupe!"
A guerilla public performance that would be held by a student theatre group.
The protagonist, once debuted as a child prodigy but now left the path of the theatre arts, indulged in nostalgic memories.
"Let's peek in for a bit"
An irrational story born out of curiosity.
Once the curtain for the tale unfolds, it probably won't stop until the very end.
An airhead girl who loves to act, Kakehashi Kohaku.
Theatre arts' poster child, Nionomiya Meguri.
A net idol currently rising in popularity, Amatsuka Nanana.
The girl working behind-the-scenes who gave up acting, Hakadori Rize.
"Let's make it the best play!"
They would perform a public play based on Norse mythology entitled "Philia".
While bathed under the dazzling spotlight, they who dance the tale are beautiful.
The white hair with red eyes leads the way.
To a convenient conclusion for you.
There are English reviews
BLOCKED
1. D.C.4 ~Da Capo 4~ Fortunate Departures D.C.4 ～ダ・カーポ4～ フォーチュネイトデパーチャーズ [210226] Circus
A direct sequel to DC4 that tells after stories with the heroines.
The player will once again assume the role of Ichito Tokisaka, a student at Kagami Academy who will enjoy the Kagasai autumn festival with the girlfriend he fell in love with last Spring. The available heroines in this visual novel are Arisu Sagisawa, Nino Tokisaka (Ichito’s stepsister), Sorane Oumi, Hiyori Shirakawa, Shiina Hojo, Miu Mishima, and Chiyoko Hinohara.
Fandisc
I'd rather nominate an absolutely incomplete title Ryuusei World Actor: Badge & Dagger than choose from several moege-like games.
1. Toshishita Kanojo 年下彼女 [210625] Azarashi Soft 1
"When I grow up, I'm going to marry you, Onii-chan!"
This kind of promise is the least likely to be kept in the world.
At least, the protagonist, Yunagimoto Yuusuke, believed as much when he thought back on the distant memory of that promise.
Then, one day, a younger female relative of his showed up at the apartment where he was living alone and said "I'm old enough to get married now. Will you keep your promise and take me as your wife?"
Vanilla nukige
2. DraPri Guu-ta-life 2 竜姫ぐーたらいふ 2 [210625] Whirlpool
It has been a few weeks since Judgment Day, when dragons filled the skies of the world.
People were trying to adjust to a new normal life.
However, in the distant skies of the… Star world, a situation was brewing.
The dragons are split in half over the treatment of humanity.
In the midst of this, the king of the dragons of the “sea” and “water” factions descends to earth (at his own discretion).
In the blink of an eye, he chases humans away from the world’s oceans and declares, “This ocean belongs to us,” and “Humans are off limits."
The world, deprived of summer resorts, fishing rights, and even the right to travel freely between nations, is in a state of great weakness.
And a few days later…
Takeshi and Haru are still lazing around, and Suzuka is taking care of them, when Dorami comes to invite them for a sea vacation.
Although they feel some kind of suspicion, they can’t resist the temptation of the sea.
What awaits Haru and her friends when they stand in the sea, which has now become a magical land ruled by the sea dragon tribe?
(For now, we’ll have a barbecue and fireworks.)
For those who liked prequel
3. HajiLove -Making * Lovers- ハジラブ -Making＊Lovers- [210625] Smee 1
"Dating someone that's not your soul mate is a waste of time.
The only kind relationship I'm interested in is one that's sure to have a happy ending.
If you're going to fall in love, fall in love once.
Find your ideal partner, a person that you love so much that it feels like you're burning up inside."
My beliefs about love were abnormal, clearly. My classmates certainly seemed willing to hookup with anything that walked, and they appeared happy enough.
But I realized something in my 2nd year of high school. My soul mate wasn't going to just fall out of the sky into my lap. I wanted to experience a real, flesh and blood love, not some made up fairly tale version of it that only existed in my head.
-The childhood friend that wants to spend her life at your side-
-The classmate that dreams of meeting her knight in shining armor-
-The underclassman that wants to become an expert at romance-
-The upperclassman that longs to bring happiness to the family she holds dear-
My meeting these girls was nothing but a series of coincidences.
But if what happens next is up to me, then maybe I can decide it starts right here, right now.
I won't know if I'm making the right moves or not until this is all over.
All I know is that the only one that can turn a chance encounter into true love is me.
----
The heroine and protagonist suddenly start dating, and as they spend time together, they fall in love for real.
This work inherits the concept and world view of its predecessor, "Making*Lovers". It is a student version with all the heroines attending a school, with the concept of the shape of love that develops after a relationship is formed and the element of "shyness" is strengthened.
There are English reviews
4. Lilium Wedding Plan リリウム・ウェディングプラン [210625] Barista Lab
Goddess promised marriage when she was young. Main character returns to grandparents' house for a short time. There he is met by the goddess
Lilium who calls herself his wife.
Vanilla nukige
5. Ryuusei World Actor: Badge & Dagger 流星ワールドアクター Badge & Dagger [210625] Heliodor 1 2 3
The Seventh Republic—the city despised by the sun.
Sunlight hasn't reached here since the last great war, and the shadows teem with vicious criminals.
With evil threatening on every side, the National Police Agency is a stronghold of justice.
Detective Ruka Hiryu belongs to the 13th Division, nicknamed the Sideliners, and treated like shit by the rest of the force.
With no major incidents to keep him distracted, Ruka has been investigating the sealed Cult Massacre case in secret.
Things change when the 13th picks up two new members.
The agency is shaken with unreliable rumors about the semi-mythical Shining Union, and as suspicions and conjecture fly like bullets, will Ruka, the 13th, and the NPA be unscathed?
There are English reviews
6. IdolDays 愛怒流でいず [210617] iMel Inc. 1
A young man working at an Akihabara-based agency that manages underground idol groups has been ordered to discover new idols by his boss. Now, he's at the end of his rope.
The protagonist is at a loss, finding that girls with the talent to become the kind of idol he's picturing are few and far between. He's sitting defeated on a park bench when he comes across a girl singing to herself while feeding some cats.
The girl's song is delicate, but her voice shakes him to the core. His heart stolen in an instant, the protagonist turns to the girl and tries to scout her to become an idol. However, the girl flatly refuses him, saying the idea is stupid, only to then disappear.
The next day, the protagonist gets called into the office, where he learns that the daughter of their sponsor has been hired as a member of staff and gets assigned to be her training supervisor. The girl who appears before the bewildered young man is the same one who turned down his scouting offer the day before.
The girl's name is Tsubaki Akanesaki. Though she's had several jobs, she got fired from all of them for getting into fights. What does fate have in store for a young man who's been assigned to train a girl whose a total delinquent?!
Game is released in English and has English reviews
Nothing good comes out of July. But if I had to play one thing, it would be Fuuraiki 4
1. Amayui Labyrinth Meister 天結いラビリンスマイスター [210721] Eushully
After a great adventure over the giant moving weapon ‘Gualacuna Fortress’ Avaro finally acquires a workshop he once dreamed of, but fortress can not move on its own anymore with the magic in its core lost. One day a ghost of the fortress appear, Fia calls her "Kuna" and welcomes to the family. However, spirit is constantly worried about magic anomality on the north-eastern border. So our heroes decide to spend honeymoon investigating the source of trouble.
SRPG
2. Fuuraiki 4 風雨来記4 [210708] FOG
The player is a mid-level reportage writer who participates in “NohiCom,” a reporting competition between magazine publishers, and hunts for stories in Gifu Prefecture.
During the day, you will travel by motorcycle and experience the beauty of nature and the different lifestyles of the people. At night, you will camp and write about the things you saw.
Discover more of Gifu’s charm, write the best articles, and aim to win the competition within the four-week deadline.
Tourist tour adventure is back
3. Fuyu Kiss フユキス [210721] Giga
Japan was in the midst of a record setting cold wave.
My city - Uetsuruto - was no exception, as we were beset by day after day of freezing weather.
Then, one night, I received a text from an unknown number.
"Look outside your window! Snow! It's snowing!"
Sure enough, the world outside my window had been transformed into a white wonderland.
"I'm sorry to text you so late. It's just... you were the first person I wanted to tell."
That was the final message they sent me.
I had no idea who the sender was.
Yet I had the strange feeling that, very soon, I might just fall in love.
In a world of snow, a warm and gentle love story is woven.
When seasons are over to put in the title, there are still twelve months to use with Kiss
4. Parquet [210731] Yuzusoft SOUR 1 2 3
In the near future, a technology called Brain-Machine Interface connects the brain and machines. This technology brings about a new paradigm and opens the gates to the digitization of human memory itself.
From these new discoveries, "he" is born. An illegal experiment mixes thousands of memories into a single vessel, creating a wholly new being.
Having only the memories of others, doubts about who he truly is start arising in his mind, until he gathers the courage to go out into the world in search of his true self.
As he steps into the real world, he meets two girls, Kido Tsubasa and Ibaraki Rino. Both kind souls whose lives have been touched by unscrupulous BMI experiments, just like him. Learning to live together with their secrets, "he" and "they" will bring about big changes...
Game is released in English and has English reviews
5. Asagao wa Ai o Shiranai. アサガオは夜を識らない。 [210730] MELLOW
Main character travels on a train with a remote island as a destination place. That dream of a rainy night will come true...
Middle price work that tries to create a mysterious atmosphere, but gets boring from the middle unless you can appreciate all the beauty of living creature death nonsense. Not a plotge for sure.
6. Shin Hayarigami 3 真 流行り神3 [210729] Nippon Ichi Software
A new set of occult incidents are investigated by police detective Houjou Maki and her partner Sena.
Detective
7. Ore-tachi no Tatakai wa Kore Kara da! 俺たちの戦いはこれからだ！ [210714] Vridge Inc. 1
Get ready to be reborn into a fantasy world, just seconds before the last boss' demise!
You have no memory of your adventure or heroic strength, and yet the people celebrate you as the Hero who saved the realm. This is just your typical adventure game filled with heroes and heroines... except it starts where games usually end.
Game is released in English and has English reviews
8. Houkago⇒Education! ~Sensei to Hajimeru Miwaku no Lesson~ 放課後⇒エデュケーション！～先生とはじめる魅惑のレッスン～ [210721] Escu:de
Rurinofune (lapislazuli ship) Academy ––
The school where ambitious young students from all over the country gather day after day in the pursuit of knowledge. It's not a boys school per se, however, the student body consists of 100% males, which makes people refer to it as the "aromantic stone ship."
However, lately the principal has been employing more professional women teachers, who are adept in many fields. Those women have been enjoying reverence and popularity as though they were idols by the male student body.
Our protagonist, Arato Kanata, had been moving away from his prestigious hometown and came to Japan and attends Rurinofune Academy as an off-season transfer student.
In order to have a chance at graduation, he has to take some after-school remedial classes for several months. And the girls responsible for these classes are those cherished girls that all the students yearn for.
Being closer to these teachers than the average student, the character of Kanata's relationship with them soon turns intimate...
SIM
9. Yuukyuu no Campanella 悠久のカンパネラ [210730] Windmill Oasis
The kingdom of Atlastia --
North of the world, there's a group of flying islands - this is where the flying continent of Atlastia and its well-known titular kingdom is located. And not only in Atlastia itself - everywhere across the flying islands - the legend of a particular clan is being passed down from generation to generation.
The legendary heroes clan, "Oasis."
Even though they had saved the continent 100 years ago, their sub-commander Chester Silver has laid dormant for ages now. Now, about 100 years have passed and as Chester wakes up from his long arduous slumber he...
...bears witness to the Idol Princess Claria singing her songs to entertain the public. He wakes up as being one of her supporters cheering her on.
And then --
Spurred on by Claria's admiration for the Heroes Clan "Oasis," Chester Silver gathers his former companions, the twin sisters Angelique and Juliet Gilbert, to embark on a new adventure.
At the same time, a mysterious woman who had woken up from her slumber in the crypt of a ruin, Colette says:
"Now that Colette has woken up, this world's fate is sealed."
Strange incidents begin to occur in the world and with the causality of 100 years past intertwining, the adventure Chester seeks is closer than he thinks.
For those who liked prequels
