Jump to content

Clephas

Global Moderators
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    6524

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    167

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Clephas

    Summer 2023 anime discussion

    in Anime/Manga Talk

    Posted

    Seija Musou's original WN and Ln were both high quality.  It's questionable whether that will translate to the quality of the anime though.

    Summer is mostly sequels and isekai for me... I didn't see anything especially interesting on the list otherwise.  I am surprised they are reviving Bleach at this point, and I'll definitely watch the Kenshin remake (though the story hasn't aged that well).

    Looking for Visual Novels with more realistic romances

    in Recommendations

    Posted

     

    Haruka ni Aogi, Uruwashi no - While some might say the setting is unrealistic, the romances in the main school routes are very emotional and impactful even given their situations.  Every path stands on its own in the main school routes (the redheads in the branch school routes have related routes), and there is a tight focus on the relationship from the moment of the path split, with the relationship being slow burn early on in all three cases.

    Gin'iro Haruka

    Hoshi Ori Yume Mirai

    Edit: To clarify, the best place to look for VNs with actual romance (vs harem guy gets to choose anyone) is VNs made between 2004-2014.  To be frank, most of the supposedly romance-heavy VNs that came out after that were relatively low quality.  Tone Works VNs stand out as an exception, as all of them have extremely good romance from beginning to end.

    Anybody knows the hook code for Baldr sky zero?

    in Voluntary Tech Support

    Posted

    https://vndb.org/t20195

    This thread has the answer to your question, but I'll go ahead and add something.  Mono games generally split content across multiple threads and h-codes don't do anything because the proper threads are in a different place each time you open the game.  I also suggest you use Textractor's Remove Hooks function to get rid of the extra hooks that don't have any usable text, or you'll crash your pc (this is from playing Zero myself).

    Edit: also, slowdown of the game is pretty much inevitable if you use a text-hooker, unfortunately.  I tried everything to figure out a way to stop that from happening, but gave up and just played without one in the end, simply because it was so annoying.

    Ange's Top 100 Favorite Visual Novel Characters

    in Visual Novel Talk

    Posted

    Except for the first three, not in any particular order.  Limiting it to fifty instead of a hundred though.

    1.  Belche- Draculius

    2.  Shigure Sora- Devils Devel Concept

    3.  Kamio Ami- Semiramis no Tenbin

    4.  Kaito- Akatsuki no Goei

    5.  Shannon Wordsworth- Evolimit

    6.  Kuki-sensei- Ayakashibito

    7.  Mercurius- Dies Irae

    8.  Ashley Horizon- Silverio Trinity

    9.  Zephyr Colerain- Silverio Vendetta

    10.  Veratyr- Silverio Ragnarok

    11.  Valzeride- Silverio Vendetta

    12.  Gilbert- Silverio Trinity

    13.  Ragna- Silverio Ragnarok

    14. Narita Shinri- Hello, Lady

    15.  Shou- Karenai Sekai to Owaru Hana

    16.  Ren- Karenai Sekai to Owaru Hana

    17.  Arcueid- Tsukihime

    18.  Rin- FSN

    19.  Maia- Hapymaher

    20.  Saki- Hapymaher

    21.  Yayoi- Hapymaher

    22.  Keiko- Hapymaher

    23.  Adelheid- Floral Flowlove

    24.  Souma Ria- Kin'iro Loveriche

    25.  Sylvia- Kin'iro Loveriche

    26.  Kanori- Minamijuujisei Renka

    27.  Tanizawa Tsukasa- Kanishino

    28.  Miyabi- Kanishino

    29.  Tonoko- Kanishino

    30.  Shino- Kanishino

    31.  Mimori Ichirou- Hatsuru Koto Naki Mirai Yori

    32.  Kazami Yuuji- Grisaia no Kajitsu

    33.  Sachi- Grisaia no Kajitsu

    34.  Kazami Kazuki- Grisaia no Kajitsu

    35.  Kaze no Ushiro ni Ayumu Mono- Jingai Makyou

    36.  Suu Sasamaru- Kitto, Sumiwataru Asairo Yori Mo

    37.  Okita Soushi- Kikan Bakumatsu Ibun Last Cavalier

    38.  Ayame- Tenshi no Hane o Fumanaide

    39.  Suzu- Ayakashihibito

    40.  Soushichi- Ayakashibito

    41.  Cinema- Komorebi no Nostalgica

    42.  Fluorite Alvega- Komorebi no Nostalgica

    43.  Cactus- Ou no Mimi ni wa Todokanai

    44.  Kuro- Sakura, Moyu

    45.  Shinku- Irotoridori no Sekai

    46.  Celica Sylphil- Ikusa Megami series

    47.  Hime- Tiny Dungeon series

    48. Toshirou Kashima- Vermillion Bind of Blood

    49.  Musumi Koutarou- Izuna Zanshinken

    50.  Kiritooshi Hiro- Yurikago yori Tenshi Made

     

    How annoying is Minatogawa Tamami? (Moshimo Ashita ga Hare naraba)

    in Visual Novel Talk

    Posted

    Tsundere annoyance is generally a matter of perspective and usage.  Old-style tsundere usage is fairly stale and boring, and in that sense this VN hasn't aged well.  However, the draw of this game is that it is an old-style nakige more than anything else.  

    If you want a change of pace, this - and other games like it - probably isn't the best choice.  While it isn't terribly dark, it is a game that is focused on creating emotional catharsis through contrived 'sad' situations that are later resolved (the standard style made popular by Key's early games).  If you want an emotionally light game, there are a ton of high-quality and emotionally 'light' rom-coms and sol-focused vns out there.  If anything, there is such a plentitude of that type of VN out there that it makes up more than two-thirds of all the non-nukige VNs released over the years.

    Virtual World in Visual Novels.

    in Recommendations

    Posted

    13 hours ago, Dreamysyu said:

    Hikari no Umi no Apeiria

    That one has to be one of the weirdest ones I've ever read, and that's saying a lot.

    As for virtual worlds, keep in mind that most of these aren't 'game worlds' but rather virtual worlds in which the characters live most of the time.  The spoiler box contains ones for which this is a spoiler.

    Spoiler

    Reallive

    Strawberry Feels

    Owaru Sekai to Birthday

    Re:Lief

    The Baldr series

    Death End re;Quest

    Augmented Reality

    Harvest Overray

    Electro-arms

    Post-apocalyptic Visual Novels

    in Visual Novel Talk

    Posted

    Tokyo Babel

    The protagonist is Tendou Setsuna, a young man assigned the role of climbing through the transformed Purgatory to Jacob's Ladder after the maker of all things starts squishing parallel earths like bugs, the remaining angels and demons coming together to support a traditional journey of atonement in hopes that God will relent.

    Winter 2023 Anime Discussion

    in Anime/Manga Talk

    Posted

    On 1/4/2023 at 9:33 PM, Nemesis said:


    Maou Futekigousha - Kind of got bored of the story already, lol. Dropped the novels, manga, and the anime already. I can't stand an action story with zero tension.


    Eiyuu-ou, Bu wo Kiwameru Tame Tenseisu: Soshite, Sekai Saikyou no Minarai Kishi - this one is a fun LN with a battle-junkie MC who was reincarnated as a female.



    Isekai Nonbiri Nouka - an extremely boring LN about an OP reincarnator farming. If you like watching paint dry, go watch this.



    Kaiko sareta Ankoku Heishi (30-dai) no Slow na Second Life - This one is an ok LN about a former soldier from the Demon King's army quitting and starting a new life in the countryside. But his slow life is constantly bothered by events from his past. There are some interesting scenes, but overall rather boring.

    Saikyou Onmyouji no Isekai Tenseiki - It's a rather generic Isekai LN, but I'm a sucker for Onmyouji stories. The strongest onmyouji was killed by his disciple and reincarnated into an isekai. The twist is that the hero in this world is similar to his disciple.

     

    Maou has style and feels but yeah, no real tension since no one can beat the protag or even really get close to it.

    Eiyuu-ou is one of like a dozen LN/WN series that have become popular in recent years where a powerful person reincarnates to get away from his responsibilities or forcefully restart his life.  tbh, I thought it wasn't one of the better ones of this type.  I honestly don't understand why they bothered making it into an anime.

    Isekai Nonbiri Nouka- Yeah, this series is incredibly slow-paced and the poster boy for the 'slow-life reincarnator/transporter/summoned hero' sub-genre.  Unless you want a ton of SOL iyashikei, it isn't really a great series.

    Kaiko Sareta Ankoku Heishi- This one is a pretty fun read so far, but it is also yet another slow-life type.  At first, this genre was fun, but after like the fiftieth one, it started to feel like when I played all those romcom VNs for my blog.

    Saikyou Onmyouji- I actually really liked the books.  Well, the ones I got through before I got distracted, anyway.  I thought it was interesting because the protagonist is something of a monster at heart.  I tend to like stories where the protagonist is a little evil but still human.

    Winter 2023 Anime Discussion

    in Anime/Manga Talk

    Posted

    The season is really heavy on fantasy and isekai, which brings out mixed feelings in me.  I prefer those genres, so that makes me happy, but it also has the effect of dampening enthusiasm amongst Japanese watchers for next season.  I'd much rather have a few high-quality shows than one good show and a bunch of third-rate ones.  

    Maou Gakuin's second season is my current obsession, with the continuing Kage no Jitsuryokusha coming in a close second (especially given the cliffhanger of last week's episode).  

    My second rank of interests include: Bofuri 2, Vinland Saga 2, Kamitachi ni Hirowareta Otoko 2, and Hyouken no Majutsushi (read the novel, something to look forward to if they didn't botch it).

    Third Rank includes: Shinka no Mi 2, Spy Kyoushitsu, Ningen Fushin, Eiyuuou, Nouka (incidentally, this one's LN is huge in Japan, but it is one of those slow-life isekai reincarnation stories, so don't expect a ton of action), Saikyou Onmyouji (this one's WN is pretty good, but I doubt we'll see the best parts before the season is over), Kaiko Sareta Ankoku Heishi (Just like Nouka, this one is pretty popular in jp, but I dunno how well it will transfer), Isekai Hourou Meshi (another slow life isekai, moderate quality in the books, localized LNs), 

    Fourth Rank (no real hopes for it): Benriya Saitou ( couldn't get into the LN, maybe the anime will be different), Rougo ni Sonaete, Revenger, Ars no Kyoujuu, Ooyukiumi no Kaina, Trigun Stampede (nostalgia), and Tensei Oujo.

    When the good ending isn't the longest/last ending

    in Creative Corner

    Posted

    4 hours ago, TheLemmaLlama said:

    Hm, so it seems like most VNs still have the 'good' ending as the 'last' ending at least?

    After thinking about it a bit, I think the feeling I'm going for is 'the bad endings are *conclusive* and therefore more dramatic in the sense of "something has been DESTROYED and there is no recovering from this"'. Whereas with the good ending, a major 'block' is overcome and that's what makes it cathartic, but the change basically happens within the characters and there isn't any particularly dramatic external consequences; it's basically just 'life goes on' but now they're no longer stuck in the loop they were in for the majority of the story and can move forward and work on their other issues at their own pace. So I do think I want it to be more of a lowkey sense of relief; just a breath of fresh air , like if you've been lost in a tunnel it's less 'you BLOW UP the cave walls and emerge into the dazzling light of day' and more 'oh, I found the exit ... thank goodness ...!' - I think I like the sense of realism it brings 😄

    If you know of any examples that might've been aiming for that (whether executed well or poorly), I'd love to check them out - but regardless you've been a big help and given me a bit to consider; I guess it's ultimately up to me to decide if it's work risking the pitfalls you specified by attempting to do what I currently have in mind XD

    The key to making a truly good 'bad' ending is including a level of conclusiveness to it in the greater context of events.  Bad endings which are basically random are generally useless (make one bad choice and all of the sudden the MC dies, for instance).  However, if you include at least some progression after the choice or set of choices that creates the route to the bad ending, you can bring it to life in and of itself.  Essentially that is what utsuge do.  The best of them create a conclusive narrative that makes sense within the greater narrative as is defined by the 'true' ending. 

    A lot of writers - particularly the ones that use the ladder-style choice structure - botch things here by creating a true route that invalidates all other endings due to setting elements included.  Aiyoku no Eustia  is a classic example of a botched attempt at a true ending, as the true ending completely invalidates the story of the other endings.  

    This isn't much of an issue if you read slowly (those who read a single VN over the course of months or a year), but for someone who finishes an average-sized VN within a week or a month, it is a glaring flaw.  Even small inconsistencies and setting clashes standout in that case, and it is glaringly obvious in the case of VNs with true endings or grand routes.  

    In Akeiro Kaikitan, while there is a true ending, no single ending is neglected.  All of them are somewhat bittersweet and some are downright bad (Youko's ending comes to mind, as it is the result of literally everything going wrong).  My favorite path in the game, the path for the tochigami twins, is a classic example of how a bittersweet ending can leave an intense impression that overshadows the true ending.  As cathartic endings go, it is pretty close to the ideal.

    Another game that can be considered mostly extended bad endings is Jingai Makyou (by Nitroplus).  Even the single 'happiest' ending in the game is an ending where the protagonist casts aside his humanity, for instance.  Even then, it is a matter of interpretation, as some would find the alternate endings for the same path to be 'better' depending on their outlook, even if it cost the characters deeply in the process.  

    Yet another approach I experienced in the past is the one used in Ore no Tsure wa Hitodenashi.  In this one, the endings are separated into 'blue' and 'Happy' endings.  The happy endings are just that, straight-out happy endings.  However, the blue endings are endings where the inhuman heroines follow their darker desires and things go in a completely different direction.  This utilizes the drastic contrast to enhance the experience both ways.  It also built up the characterizations in a way that was surprisingly effective.

    When the good ending isn't the longest/last ending

    in Creative Corner

    Posted

    5 hours ago, TheLemmaLlama said:

    Thanks for the examples! I didn't know utsuges can have good endings (my VN repertoire isn't the largest lmao :P)

    Hmmm ... I don't think I'd be too mad about that, maybe. I don't want the VN to feel *hopeless* but it is supposed to be pretty sad. Maybe a bad ending that leaves approximately the impact of Undertale's genocide route is what I'm looking for.

    I guess I'm thinking of having my endings that way because with the way events naturally progress, I feel like the point where my good ending happens is the best place for it to happen because the momentum has been built up and everything, and I don't think I want to drag it out artificially. At the very least, leaving a happy last impression is probably not worth sacrificing this ...

    Follow-up question: if a VN has an unambiguously happy, cathartic good ending that at least stands out in that it's the only ending with a unique credits sequence, but also a couple of bad endings (all with the same credits sequence), one of which is the 'missed flag' type and another is noticeably longer gameplay-wise than the good ending, would you say it's a nakige or utsuge?

    It's better if I give an example here.  The example I'm offering up is Houkago no Futekikakusha.  Houkago no Futekikakusha is undeniably an incredibly brutal utsuge... but the true ending can be considered a 'good' ending... if you ignore the fact that in all the alternative timelines, those horrible events still happened.  The main difference between a nakige and an utsuge is that nakige always result in a 'good' ending, even if it is a bit bittersweet, whereas an utsuge's endings will mostly be sad or despairing endings (a single ending can be an exception, but anything more than that and it isn't quite an utsuge).  

    That should answer most of your questions, but I'll go ahead and put up another example... in this case, a chuunige.  Chuunige generally have bittersweet endings, with truly happy endings being relatively rare.  The one I want to mention is Silverio Trinity (second in the series).  Spoilers below:

    Spoiler

    In Silverio Trinity, the protagonist dies in all but one of the endings due to the side-effects of the human experimentation he went through before the story began. 

    Because of this, it fits your condition of a single ending being 'good' while all the others are bitter or sad.  This particular tactic, which is usually used to enhance the emotional response of the reader to the final 'good' ending, can have great results or horrible ones depending on how that last ending is handled.  To be blunt, I've read VNs where a writer took this tactic and ran it into the ground because he couldn't write a sufficiently standout good path to contrast with the bad ones.  The most effective tactic in this case is to path-lock so that one can only reach the good ending by experiencing all or at least one of the bad endings, then making the good ending highly detailed and emotionally impactful (made even moreso by the experience of the other paths).  

     

    When the good ending isn't the longest/last ending

    in Creative Corner

    Posted

    It's not an unusual concept.  To be blunt, Sunao's ending in Semiramis no Tenbin is basically a bad ending that happens if you miss the flag for Ami's ending.  As for bad endings that are longer than the good endings... less common but also something that happens regularly in utsuge in particular.  Sora no Baroque comes to mind, for instance.

    However, you have to ask yourself... do you really want a bad ending to be the one thing people remember when it is all over?  Because the longest and most detailed endings are the ones people remember the most.  In good VNs, the true ending generally is never shorter than the other endings and is often longer many times over for this precise reason.  It is also why - if a heroine exists for the true ending - picking a poor quality heroine for the true ending usually damns the game to the kusoge pile.

    Top Visual Novels Of 2022 / Upcoming Visual Novels Of 2023

    in Visual Novel Talk

    Posted

    5 hours ago, ChaosRaven said:

    Nice list of top five VN's. I also like that the previous years are linked. Would be nice to also have an addendum with all English release of that year - just to know the competition.

    Reminds me that I still have Hello Lady installed. Was a bit hit and miss for me. Interesting protagonist, but the heroines felt more like side characters. Tamao's route was pretty bad, so I stalled the VN for a while. Still have to pick it up again. Just have to find the motivation. Maybe next year...

    Currently I'm reading Amatsutsumi, but it seems a lot weaker than Chrono Clock or Hapymaher so far. Pretty much nothing happens at all - just pure slice of life. I'll probably just play Mana's route and call it a day.

    Besides that, I'm also reading Flowers 4 from this year, which feels rather... low effort so far. Half the characters of the previous titles are gone and none were added, which makes the experience rather boring.

    Not counting Japanese titles, the best English VN for me this year was probably Summer Pockets. Though that wasn't a release from this year.

    Amatsutsumi definitely is more slice-of-life focused.  The only route that is a real exception is the Hotaru route.

    I really suggest you play the complete edition of Hello, Lady (including the materials from Superior), as it contains a non-heroine true route that is excellent.  Also, the extra routes for Hishia and Mitori are worth playing simply because Mitori's provides a lot of insight into some of the background noise of the other paths and Hishia's path gives you more background on Shinri.

     

×
×
  • Create New...