Tag: Visual Novel

Editorial

Premature Ramblings on the When They Cry Tradition

Ryukishi07 is somewhat of a god in today’s anime fandom. Though he’s been writing professionally for less than a decade, his When They Cry series has become one of the most recognized franchises across the subculture, appearing everywhere from spoilerific 4chan threads to bad YouTube AMVs. Though it feels like it’s been a lifetime since then, it was only a few years ago that I first felt the horror and masochistic adoration for the anime adaptation of Higurashi; and since then, the name “Ryukishi07” has been synonymous in my mind with “crazy but awesome.”

Anyway, after finally giving in to the pressure from the internet, I found time to start playing Umineko no Naku Koro ni (which, interestingly, makes seagulls seem almost as dramatic a background motif as cicadas). So far I’ve only finished the first episode, so what follows will be a bit of rambling on my part (and it spoils the two Higurashi seasons as well as the first episode of Umineko, so beware). Since most of you know more about the story than I do at this point, I won’t bother speculating – instead, I’ll try to explore the beginnings of an idea on Ryukishi07’s original structure and recurring themes that make all the difference in an otherwise unoriginal genre.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Review

War is better when it’s Moé – Gadget Trial

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you haven’t heard of Gadget Trial. If you follow visual novel translation news then you can skip the next few lines, but in essence, it’s a surprisingly lengthy VN by the apparently well-known Kogado studio. Like most SRPG VNs, Gadget Trial mixes strategic gameplay with visual novel-style dialogue, but unlike most of them, it seems heavier on the gameplay. That’s what makes it feel long, regardless of the actual hour count.

All things considered, though, that doesn’t matter very much. Really, what matters more is the Tomokazu Sugita-voiced military commander and the loli artillery units.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Analysis

On Visual Novel Structure

The time it takes to pick up on the structure of the average VN is more or less equal to the time needed to realize that Key will either make you cry or die trying. Whether it’s in the recurring truths of the anime adaptations, where the Little Sister Always Wins and the harem lead is a veritable failure, or in the basic tree trunk/branch analogy that’s used throughout the medium, it goes without saying to visual novel fans that the structure holds little surprise. Such familiarity with the way VNs are written and programmed can help when playing a game for the first time, aiming for the route you want, but the repetition can work against itself. So, how can visual novels maintain a standard branching or linear storyline and not be utterly predictable in terms of structure? At the very least, I’m sure the writers of Brass Restoration know the answer to that question.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Analysis

The Dual Perspectives of Saya no Uta

I won’t bother praising Saya no Uta outright: a quick glance at its ratings should tell you a thing or two about the quality of the story, without even factoring in its reputation. My Nitro+ experience is currently limited to this game and the Chaos;Head anime, which most people would rather forget, so I’m not sure how Saya compares to their other stories, but suffice to say it does a good job of electrocuting the mind more efficiently than a Satoshi Kon film.

In retrospect, however, the story contains a strange kind of tenderness to it; a sort of delicate interior beneath the harsh, rotting-flesh-coated exterior. Most wouldn’t notice it initially – or at least I couldn’t, considering my sanity was severely compromised at the time of playing – but there’s a bit to be said about the game after one has finished it, and after they learn the startlingly innocent truth behind the game’s namesake.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Review

Enter Gakuensuki! CCY-senpai wa 17sai Hits the Blogosphere, almost

You heard about it. Read about it. Anticipated it. You remembered Ren’ai Blogger, thinking of the possibility that it was not the first and last, but instead, the beginning of a revolution.

Or maybe you have no clue what I’m talking about. That’s fine too. What matters right now is that aniblogger lolikitsune has released a demo of his upcoming blogosphere-based visual novel, complete with art by Sixten and Choux, contributions from the rest of the community, and side-splitting parody dialogue that I haven’t seen in a doujin VN since The Best Eroge Ever. If this isn’t enough to pique your curiosity, read on.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Analysis

Fate/stay night Fate route: Innocence in the Shell

fate-stay-night-fate-route-3

Saber was an interesting young lady. With her knights’ armor coating her body and her brilliant golden hair tied humbly back, she could not be so easily defined by the word “beautiful.” And yet, the instant Shirou set eyes on her, he was not mesmerized by her cold confidence and imposing stature, but rather, by the softness that dwelled just beneath the surface, forced into slumber.

However, there was much more to this young lady’s story than a bittersweet tale of love between a man and a spirit. She was once a warrior that fought valiantly for her country, who was determined to lay her life on the life to defend the lives of strangers…but even so, the innocence that remained within her never faded away.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Memories of Eternity