Jump to content

A Sky Full of Stars - How is it really?


exaccuss

Recommended Posts

5 minutes ago, exaccuss said:

I enjoyed the game. I wouldn't say it was fantastic, but it was still pretty enjoyable. I will most likely read it again if it ever got a restoration patch, but i doubt that anyone is in a hurry to start making one right now.

...?

 

Edited by Plk_Lesiak
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, exaccuss said:

I enjoyed the game. I wouldn't say it was fantastic, but it was still pretty enjoyable. I will most likely read it again if it ever got a restoration patch, but i doubt that anyone is in a hurry to start making one right now.

We're actually working on one right now :P

Lesiak linked the project thread above, so I won't link it again, but yeah, go check that out for progress and what not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, exaccuss said:

I enjoyed the game. I wouldn't say it was fantastic, but it was still pretty enjoyable. I will most likely read it again if it ever got a restoration patch, but i doubt that anyone is in a hurry to start making one right now.

Yeah, there's a project to restore the H scenes as well. You already have the link above so I wouldn't need to link it anymore, but instead I'll let you knew that the cut was pretty noticeable (Around 16% of overall original scripts size). Hope that you'll also support the project as well, and hopefully you'll have fun if you read it with restored H scenes at the future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

I'm currently reading the steam version. Not bad, however I think they somewhat screwed up with names.

I mean - they could drop honorifics, but still should retain distinction between using first- and last names. There are some moments, where characters switch from last name to first name, and the effect of that gets completely lost in translated version (unless you listen carefully to spoken lines ;)). Anyway, for "realistic" stories set in Japan I'd prefer both honorifics and names left intact - as often it gets used as "plot device".

Good example is one scene early in common route

 

When Hikari and Akito look at the moon for the first time

where Hikari completely switches her way of addressing Akito (and their classmates are pretty surprised about it) - she goes from "Sorami-kun" to "Akito", dropping honorifics at all. It's pretty big change, yet completely lost in English text, which uses "Akito" all the time from the beginning.

Apart from that issue, it is quite readable.

Edited by adamstan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't really note the addressing of names as I was doing a Let's Play of this game. You really have to hear the dialogue carefully to note the difference. Given the mistake, it is also hard to see how the silent main character addresses other people.

I have the original JP version of the game with Pulltop's 15th Anniversary pack if I ever need reference.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know about buying from Moenovel. While censure is indeed bad, their market is Steam, and eroge are butchered without a second thought there (but also in other cases, like Littlewitch Romanesque from JAST, and I don't see people torching JAST).

It's worth noting that I find involving yourself with Romanesque's girls a bit too much, so I actually got the discounted pornless edition on Steam. In the case of Miagete Goran, I wasn't interested in the porn, so I also bought it on Steam.

About the game? It's like Konosora cranked up to 11. An unfolding story with tons of slice of life and some drama (I still don't know how good it is), more ambitious and, I think, it lasts more hours than Konosora. Roughly comparable to Hoshimemo, if you liked that. Heard that some heroines from Miagete Goran (like Saya) are considered pretty good, so there's that.

It's also worth mentioning that, if I'm not mistaken, this game has heavily anticipated as one of the most desired novels to come West, prior to its release. I guess it's pretty harsh to keep yourself from tasting what you like just because the company did something bad (i. e. removing porn). So, in the end, it's your choice.

Depending on your economy, you also have to factor in costs. VNs cost a lot in the West. If companies did sales more frequently and with better bargains, without having to wait for 10/10, novels in Steam would sell way less. This may seem silly but it's indeed a factor. Why should I get a VN I'm in doubts with if I can get another thing, like another videogame for example?

Let's face it, this time Moenovel only committed the porn-removal crime, which was unavoidable for a Steam release (the TL is decent). I don't know if we should wage eternal war on them, instead of relying on them to bring over some more titles we like. Of course, they've settled comfortably on moege, so they are bound to sell decently, but if moege isn't your cup of tea then you have a lot of reasons for ignoring them. That attitude changes a lot if you're a moege fan.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i forgot i even created this topic :wahaha: 

I'm definitely looking forward to the restoration patch and will definitely play through it again when it is completed. I usually skip the sex scenes, but it would definitely be nice to see that they are restored. It's very disappointing we have to rely on community support to get the full experience though. :amane:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Okarin said:

Depending on your economy, you also have to factor in costs. VNs cost a lot in the West. If companies did sales more frequently and with better bargains, without having to wait for 10/10, novels in Steam would sell way less.

Does anyone know or can semi-accurately guess the actual cost of localising this VN (or VNs in general like IFHHW)? I'm sure a lot of people would like to know. Thanks in advance! :)

 

26 minutes ago, Okarin said:

Let's face it, this time Moenovel only committed the porn-removal crime, which was unavoidable for a Steam release (the TL is decent). I don't know if we should wage eternal war on them, instead of relying on them to bring over some more titles we like. Of course, they've settled comfortably on moege, so they are bound to sell decently, but if moege isn't your cup of tea then you have a lot of reasons for ignoring them. That attitude changes a lot if you're a moege fan.

Key point being this time around with this VN. They pulled the same old shit with cross channel which was released far later.

Show us haters that they changed for good and we'll repent :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I say "VNs cost a lot in the West", I mean it literally. For the consumer. A new release normally carries a 40-something dollar price tag, quite a lot even if the game lasts long. Because you might want something else for that price.

That explains the success of Steam-based VNs.

About Chross Channel, that seems more a rushed release that serves an obscure purpose. It's not a game people were expecting a lot like Miagete Goran. It had a TL already and they only took over it because it's a semi-forgotten VN, i. e. because they can. It's bound to sell less because lots of people will have already read it. Anyway, it's unwise to upset people that buy it for the nostalgy.

Edited by Okarin
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Okarin said:

When I say "VNs cost a lot in the West", I mean it literally. For the consumer. A new release normally carries a 40-something dollar price tag, quite a lot even if the game lasts long. Because you might want something else for that price.

Crap. I thought you meant VNs cost a lot to localised, lol. Still would like to ask my original question: do u (or anyone) know the cost of localising a VN such as this? I'm sure a lot of people would like to know

6 hours ago, Okarin said:

About Chross Channel, that seems more a rushed release that serves an obscure purpose. It's not a game people were expecting a lot like Miagete Goran. It had a TL already and they only took over it because it's a semi-forgotten VN, i. e. because they can. It's bound to sell less because lots of people will have already read it. Anyway, it's unwise to upset people that buy it for the nostalgy.

Excuses. Reasons such as "they only took over it because it's a semi-forgotten VN, i. e. because they can" or "It's not a game people were expecting a lot like Miagete Goran" cannot justify them from butchering VNs TLs. You make it sound like they are doing the western audience a big favour by bringing it over officially, and thus can justifiably do a lousy TL as a result or something.

 

And, while I didn't know what the situation on the IMHHW was, I do know it was a big hit in it's native Japan. I'm pretty sure people were hyping and expecting a lot out of the localisation as a result. Now you tell me how did the TL turn out, lolz

Edited by phantomJS
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If anybody is interested, I compared Hikari route between english and japanese versions to check how the h-scenes were handled. It seems like Pulltop actually made separate all ages version, but released it only in English - for example there are some voiced lines in all-ages version, that I didn't found in original (although I could have missed some of them as I was mostly skipping through it).

Here are differences that I found.

Common route:

Spoiler

In bath (hot spring) scene, nipples are removed in all ages version, which looks pretty weird when girls stand up - I think it would have been better to use good old steam if they had to cover them ;)

Hikari route:

Spoiler

1. First h-scene is in the traincar, right after final confession in the rain. In the all-ages version Hikari says "You have to kiss me 100 more times", then there is black screen. After that she says "We kissed a lot". Voiced line is something like "Kissu shichatta...", while in +18 version she says "Ecchi shichatta...", then the rest of that dialouge plays similarly. After that they notice that the rain has stopped and get outside. In +18 version another hot springs scene happens, which is ommitted from all-ages version. Instead they talk about Hikari coming to Akitos room, and he says "I want to be with you until morning". So the implied off-screen sex happens in different moment than the actual h-scenes took place. And we aren't sure if they did it - just that they wake up together. More on this later.

 

Spoiler

2. Scene in the astronomy club room.

In all ages version Akito lies next to Hikari thinking "Is that an invitation?" and tries to make a move, but notices that she's already asleep, and that's it. Pretty smooth change ;) .

As a side note - maybe that's some error, but when they make anti-rain charms next day, the charms "sprites" are missing from the +18 version.

 

Spoiler

3. Scene in Akitos room

In all-ages version Hikari gets annoyed when Akito unfastens her bra too easily, so she wakes up little pissed, and catches his finger. Then, still holding it, she straddles him and demands answers. In +18 version this dialogue happens when they have sex (after half-asleep titjob), however some voiced lines are different. In all ages she says "Answer or this finger will never poke any boobs again", and earlier she thinks (voicedly ;) ) if she should get angry at him and kick his ass or not. Then after confirming he wasn't cheating she says that she doesn't mind him touching her and doing other stuff but for their first time she wanted to see his face - this line isn't there in +18 version for obvious reasons. And - if she speaks about first time, does that mean that they finally didn't do it after going home from the train? Some inconsistency here.

Then in both versions she goes out to take a bath, and when she returns, most of the dialogues (about having a future together) are the same. Then there is final line when she pushes him on the bed and says "If you call me fat I'll hit you". And then the screen goes dark. So all-ages version reader may think that they have sex at this moment - but again, as with the first scene, it is after actual removed h-scene ;)

 

So overally I think it was handled pretty cleverly. Dialogue was reworked - and it seems that even some voiced lines were added or altered - to seam it together and don't leave the impression of "butchered" story - it all flows smoothly. It's a pity that they didn't release +18 english version, but as for making all-ages version - not bad job.

Edited by adamstan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If that's the case, then it's good for Pulltop I guess. But I still think that they should at least release it as all age version in Japan first before release it overseas, not the other way around. That way, at least the overseas fandom would be slightly mad at them and Pulltop can promote all age Miagete at console (ie PSV). Oh well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I completed the game (and then skipped through JP version).

To my utmost surprise, I think I actually like all-ages version more :o Only in Hikari route h-scenes are well placed in my opinion - in the others, some of them seem a little forced, as if they were put there just to meet the quota.

As for all-ages version - it feels quite natural in all routes, and I actually liked some of the replacement scenes better.

Spoiler

For example, I think that first scene in Saya route was handled really nicely. I actually liked that approach of starting slowly and  - as to quote Akito himself - "It would be a waste to experience all our firsts at the same day". It is nice change of pace from eroge-standard "sex ASAP" ;) But maybe I'm too oldfashioned :P

So to sum it up - I didn't feel like anything was missing from all-ages version. It is decently reworked, so it doesn't feel "incomplete" or "butchered" at all to me. Waaaay different than poor hackjob they did with Konosora. Translation still has some weak points, but it's almost decent ;) . So if you don't mind lack of h-scenes - it is worth playing.

Edited by adamstan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

After read Adamstan's review above, perhaps I can treat Miagete translated version as standalone VN that was different from the original one. But still it didn't mean that Pulltop can cut ~7,500 lines from the H-scenes alone for overseas release only, and I still think that if they really want to approach all age player at least they should rereleased it at the console for the Japanese player first.

PS - Forget to said that they put the effort for one of SD CG (The one when Akito show his d*ck to both of Hikari and Saya) in which they drawing the new version of that, so at least Pulttop put some slightly effort on that - the original SD CG is quite graphic to me.

Edited by littleshogun
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Veshurik said:

Oh, can you show me both version of those CG, please? That's interesting?

 

They don't change the scenario due to all ages?..

As for the scenario, apparently none of those are changed other than the lead in to the sex scenes. For the SD CG, here's the original one (Very NSFW picture) and I'll post my picture from the censored version below (A bit NSFW though because it show naked Akito).

Spoiler

NSJFMxe.png

Picture source is from a Let's Play of Miagete video on Youtube.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...