For all of you who just can't get enough of me, I have a new rants, thoughts and etc blog called Wakeless Days. Yes it will have visual novel related stuff. In fact there is a post about Nanatsuiro Drops DS up right now.
No, this won't slow my posting here at all :3 Unfortunately it won't speed it up either....
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Tea Society of a Witch
- Title - Tea Society of a Witch (魔女のお茶会)
- Author - FrontWing
- Style - Multi-path Visual Novel (interactive)
- Trial - No
- Engine - Hirameki Anime-Play (DVD Player Game)
- Price - $19.99
- Website - http://hirameki-int.com/apdvd/products/teasociety/index.html
- Get - Mutio's Store/Amazon (please buy from this as I believe V-N.net gets a cut from it)
Graphics - Very stylized "chibi"-esque character designs for all the "adult" characters. I found the art slightly disturbing/jarring at first but quickly adapted to it. The colors are clean and lively so this depends greatly on personal taste. The backgrounds don't really stand out. Sometimes the game will have a small overlayed 3D scene appeared the resolution compare-able to a Game Boy Advance. Pleasantly, there are a lot of lovely CGs throughout the game not just all concentrated to the endgame. 9/10
Music/SFX - The music is decent but not memorable, same for the vocal songs. There is a vocal song for each ending. Plenty of appropriate sound effects. 8/10
Voice Acting - Everyone but the protagonist is voiced. The voices are appropriate to character but not splendid. 8/10
Story - This is basically a romantic comedy. There is no grand plot connecting all the routes. TSoaW has a very typical dating-sim flow : get to know girl, go on date with girl, fix the girl's problems, confess love to girl, and finally end up going steady with the girl. It's fun, its cute, you'll smile, but don't expect it to move your heart. Unfortunately, two of the endings from the PC version were cut out. 7/10
System/Extras - Works on my JVC DVD player, Windows Media Player VLC (however OP movie will not play)and, my favorite, WinDVD (unlike other Hirameki games). I have not tested it with other programs besides the above but this is by far the most compatible AnimePlay game I have. Most people hate this format. I don't mind it. The pace of the DVD is set for luxurious reading time which may be too slow for most people (myself included). The game is simple enough you can remember passwords in your head unlike Hourglass of Summer or Phantom of Inferno. The DVD comes with a grayscale artbooklet but thats it for extras, no music mode or CG mode. 3/5
Overall - As long as you know what you are buying you will enjoy this game. If you want a serious literary masterpiece you are in the wrong place but if you can put up with AnimePlay and just want a fun love story or three go buy it.
Score - 35/45 - 78% - average
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Little Busters! : Impressions of Komari's Route
First of all this is not a review. I have not finished Little Busters! yet so I am NOT reviewing the game anytime in the near future. I am simply posting my opinion on the first route I have completed.
Little Busters! Opening Movie
Info: Title: Little Busters Studio: Key Price: 8,800 yen (before tax) Website
Despite all the high expectations and "disappointments" and associated drama the community loves oh so much... I like this game and don't regret a cent of the over-inflated price I had to pay Himeya for it. This impressions post is based on Kamikita Komari's route.
First of all the art. The art is so varied and clean and simply adorably moe. There are a lot of CG's also varying from panty shots to simple events to emotional climaxes. The standing character CGs are also numerous and include some side and back views. The first press limited edition which I have, came with a nice book with a lot of the art inside it.
Secondly the music is also superb. The opening song is no Tori no Uta but its still good and the BGM is more enjoyable than some opening songs in other games. The first press limited edition which I have, came with a nice arranged album of some of the music.
Thirdly the minigames are fun but not crippling. You can turn them off if you wish but if you don't the results ultimately do not affect the outcome of the game (which is good because I can't hit a ball if my life depended on it) The sprites for the batting practice are very adorable also ;3
Lastly, the story. First let me say this. My "Japanese skills" are pitiful, pathetic, slow, unreliable, etc. So if I'm off on a point don't kill me. I used Rikai-chan to help read and its slowwww but educational XD. The trunk of the game is fun and enjoyable and all the characters are vibrant and have their chance to shine. The two subcharacters of the trunk, Futaki Kanata (I have only seen her in the trunk events of Kudo's route) and Sasasegawa Sasami and both well developed and well voiced.
This section will have minor spoilers for Komari's path so you have been warned.
Komari's path has no magic, no curses, reincarnations, coma projections, nothing of that sort. It is about facing the truth and accepting reality. It is about the harm of living in a dream. To me, these points were very powerful though the pacing was not the best it certainly was not bad by any means. The end also switched to Komari's POV which was awkward for me but not crippiling. I love her ending song also >.> End minor spoilers
So far, Little Busters! is better than Piece of Wonder by a great bit and from what I hear I am not even to the good part yet. If you can read Japanese I suggest you pick it up.
Little Busters! Opening Movie
Info: Title: Little Busters Studio: Key Price: 8,800 yen (before tax) Website
Despite all the high expectations and "disappointments" and associated drama the community loves oh so much... I like this game and don't regret a cent of the over-inflated price I had to pay Himeya for it. This impressions post is based on Kamikita Komari's route.
First of all the art. The art is so varied and clean and simply adorably moe. There are a lot of CG's also varying from panty shots to simple events to emotional climaxes. The standing character CGs are also numerous and include some side and back views. The first press limited edition which I have, came with a nice book with a lot of the art inside it.
Secondly the music is also superb. The opening song is no Tori no Uta but its still good and the BGM is more enjoyable than some opening songs in other games. The first press limited edition which I have, came with a nice arranged album of some of the music.
Thirdly the minigames are fun but not crippling. You can turn them off if you wish but if you don't the results ultimately do not affect the outcome of the game (which is good because I can't hit a ball if my life depended on it) The sprites for the batting practice are very adorable also ;3
Lastly, the story. First let me say this. My "Japanese skills" are pitiful, pathetic, slow, unreliable, etc. So if I'm off on a point don't kill me. I used Rikai-chan to help read and its slowwww but educational XD. The trunk of the game is fun and enjoyable and all the characters are vibrant and have their chance to shine. The two subcharacters of the trunk, Futaki Kanata (I have only seen her in the trunk events of Kudo's route) and Sasasegawa Sasami and both well developed and well voiced.
This section will have minor spoilers for Komari's path so you have been warned.
Komari's path has no magic, no curses, reincarnations, coma projections, nothing of that sort. It is about facing the truth and accepting reality. It is about the harm of living in a dream. To me, these points were very powerful though the pacing was not the best it certainly was not bad by any means. The end also switched to Komari's POV which was awkward for me but not crippiling. I love her ending song also >.> End minor spoilers
So far, Little Busters! is better than Piece of Wonder by a great bit and from what I hear I am not even to the good part yet. If you can read Japanese I suggest you pick it up.
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