My list for what stuff I some how managed to get through in 2018. Also there is a blizzard outside right now.
Season of 12 Colors/Memories of Paper Plane (I do not know which name to put this Visual Novel Under):
I do not know why I find Chinese so calming and soothing compared to Japanese, but it does work well in a Visual Novel setting. This is a small project Visual Novel that goes through the memories of the characters to explain how precious time is for all living creatures.
Cons:
It is too … well I guess it is a fairly decent length for the story they are trying to explain. Yet, I still wish it could have been longer.
If you are playing on full screen you either have to use other means to exit out of the game or put it back into window mode to push the X button in the top corner. This is not a problem if you just read the whole thing in one sitting, but it can be a problem if you do multiple sessions.
The story is actually fairly good and is something we all can relate to. The slight problem is that the translation may not have been done properly to express what is actually going on. It took me a little time to understand what was actually going on in the story, but I did eventually figure it out.
Pros:
CHINESE for the WIN!!!
The story is very interesting and has a connection that everyone living creature can understand. You should treasure all your experiences in life since you never know if you or your loved ones will disappear any time soon. It can be a little tough to follow since it is not spelled out for the readers, but the story does give the reader some chance to think about how the story is progressing, or backtracking.
Anyone else who likes the Chinese language would also enjoy this little project. There really is not a ton of voice acting, but the few spots there are add to the story very well. This is also an enjoyable short story that can teach people the value of life and the memories that one makes. I would highly recommend for people who want to read this and enjoy a different kind of Visual Novel experience.
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This is a small project Visual Novel, from I’m guessing Russia, that has weak translation, slightly altered children’s songs and below average story. I will give them some credit since it is a small project and they are probably just testing their skills in the VN world, and probably is better in Russian, but did not work so well being translated over. The story follows a dryad who is apparently not very good at her job and wants to get the attention of her mistress. She eventually finds a recipe for a love potion and ends up collecting the ingredients on her quest for love. Yet, even the “Good Ending” has her being fired from her job and it seems like there are no good ending at all. That or the good ending is just not reading this Visual Novel. If you want a short Yuri story, or quick achievements, then you can go ahead and read through it, but I still think Lonely Yuri would be a better option for a short Yuri story.
A book that I might have to actually pick up and read. That is correct; this is a book that was transformed into a Visual Novel. This visual novel follows the path of a Sara Crewe as she is sent to a boarding school to be educated in the ways of being a proper lady. She learns to make friends and gains some enemies through the story, but she is well liked by her fellow classmates. She ends up becoming a slave after her father dies and can not pay for her enrollment at Miss Minchins Seminary. She makes a friend with the other prisoners (maids) as she learns how to work as a servant instead of being waited on by others. The best part comes when she gets her riches back from her father’s friend who came to rescue Sara from her life of misery. Cons: Miss Minchins is probably the worst person I have read about in any book/visual novel before. While I can see the things that she does can be seen in other areas of the world, it just feels awfully wrong how she treats her students. She is supposed to be an educator who is helping her students learn and improve, and instead only cares about the money that she is getting form her rich student’s family. In fact all she cares about is the money that she gets, that she does not see the ending come after forcing Sara to be a slave for her to pay off her debt. She tries to get on Sara’s good side when Sara gets her money back, but Sara remembers all the horror and Miss Minchins eventually gets left with nothing in the end. I know that the VN is based on a book and they could only really get so much from the book to adapt, I kind of wish there was a little more detail on school life and her friendship with the other students. There are some decent scene and some interesting moments, but they feel a little short and even cut off at times. I kind of wish there could have a been a little more elaboration on how their school life was progressing and how the other students might be going about their lives. Otherwise, it was still a decent and enjoyable read. Pros: This was a very enjoyable read with wonderful music and art. The music definitely helped to enhance the scenes and help the reader get more connected with what was going on. The story was very well written and even though I did not read the actual book, I felt like it would have been enjoyable to read such a wondrous story. I may look into finding a copy and reading through it to see how the author goes about his version of the story. There is also some Yuri in the VN and I actually like that it does not go to overbearing with it. Now days it seems that there needs to be nudity with Yuri projects, but this one decided to not go that extra step. There are some moments where the girls are kissing and some bed scenes, but they still have cloths on and are actually keeping it a little safe for most people. I prefer these kinds of stories and VNs over ones that actually go into the fan service realm.
How to make a Mega Man clone using magical girls? Well apparently they did an excellent job when they came up with this game idea. This is definitely worth trying for those who like harder Mega Man games and the classic games combined. Cons: There are some unbalanced enemies and bosses in this game that make the game a little off putting some times. While I understand they need to put some easy bosses in to allow players to be able to get their hold on the enemies, there is a just a little bit unbalanced nature when you can take down some enemies without getting hit while others you struggle even with their weakness. Grolla’s Story is way too hard for most players and those who want to play through it will struggle or even give up. The best option may to be watching someone else play it so you can get the story, without suffering through the hard nature of Grolla’s story. I am sure with some practice you probably could get through it, I managed five bosses with her, but it still is pretty tough. Pros: This is a well-developed Mega Man clone that has a great story, great characters, great design and good music. While it does take elements from the more enjoyed Mega Man games, it does also have some of its own ideas in the story and game. The gameplay is very strong with only a few minor issues on precision, but otherwise it is very enjoyable. All in all, if you enjoy Mega Man games and want a clone that has magical girls and uses some nostalgic ideas from early Mega Man games, then this is a game that you would enjoy. It is well worth trying if you are willing to give it a shot.
Let us all take a trip through the country as we connect with a potential lover in the process. This is a decent Yuri visual novel as the reader learns the joy of living on the road through the experience of the two main girls Amber and Marina. Cons: The start of the VN seemed a little slow and kind of made me want to stop reading for a little bit. Yet, I am glad that I did actually give it a chance and continue to read through the rest of the story. While I understand the music choice since it is set in the Western parts of the United States, it is just not really my taste of music. It does have some decent songs and there is a really good Native American style song that I really enjoyed listening to, but it was not a very common song to hear. Pros: I think this is their first project, and it is a decent small project with some well don’t story and graphics. The also do a decent job with the Yuri aspects for a visual novel since they do not go too erotic for some of these kinds of visual novels. The story is also very enjoyable since it almost seems realistic for an actual event. Instead of just assuming that every character is already a lesbian and knows how to be one they actually let the love blossom slowly and surely. The story seems almost as if it could have happened for two people who actually went through this adventure. This is actually an enjoyable read for those who like Yuri or are willing to experience a little bit about the national treasures of the Western United States. It does have some minor issues here and there, but it is actually still a fairly enjoyable read if you are willing to give it a try.
I'm not going to deny I was hoping this would not be on the site. A Harem based Visual Novel with some … Uh, I really hate to complain about projects since most people put forth a lot of effort into making the project as decent, if not better, as they can. Yet, I really can not say too many good things about this VN. Pros: It does have some decent artwork and a few of the voice acting is not terrible, but it does have its ups and downs. It is an easy achievement to get for those achievement hunters out there. Cons: It is not a complete piece of trash, but it does have its issues. The recording of the voices almost seems like it was done separate, in their homes or off site, and tends to be too low or not sufficient enough for the rest of the game. I had to turn down the BGM to half and raise my own master volume up to accommodate the volume differential. The story was WAY too short to really get to know the characters or experience the game. It could have been a little longer to help the reader learn more about each character individually. This is probably what really ruins this whole VN for me is that it being so short makes for a low quality reading experience. It does give a fast achievement for those hunters, but it really does not go well for those who want to actually enjoy a good read. I really do not want to ruin this for others, and there probably are people who will enjoy this. It is not a complete waste for everyone, but it does have some off putting moments and is not for everyone.
A calming, relaxing game that involves underwater microorganisms and small creatures that you need to eat in order to evolve and eat bigger creatures. Cons: While the music is not that terrible, it can get a little boring since there are so few tracks that help enhance the experience. I ended up listening to my own music while playing since it got a little boring listening to the music over time. Though again this is a relaxation game so you may only play one or two stages at a time. This is probably the best way to play through this game. Some of the creatures you have to deal with can be a bit annoying to deal with and it can be hard to figure out where the gems are that you need to collect from the creature. I encountered a few times where I got a little frustrating trying to find the last few gems that I needed to consume a creature. They do give a small hint after a while when you can not find the last gems. Pros: This is not a terrible relaxation game if you need something to help calm you down from a bad day. If you also like marine life and microorganisms it can also aid in the enjoyment of making it through each stage. While a completionist may get slightly frustrated having to find all the gems in the stage, it does give those who are just interested in playing the game a chance to finish the stage by just collecting one of the colors instead of all. This can be a good out if you are getting upset with trying to find that last gem. I did have some enjoyment and some of the later stages actually get easier to help with some of the more frustrating middle stages, but it may not be something everyone would enjoy. It can be enjoyable if you play one or two levels at a time and since there are only fourteen stages it can be finished in a few weeks’ time. It is not a horrible game for casual people who just want something to pass twenty to thirty minutes a day.
A small lifestyle episodic kinetic novel, that goes through the struggles of a Diner in a dying, desolate land and the people who work at the Diner. The small Diner starts out with the owner Leon and his coworker Lucia and grows with the addition of a spunky girl named Aisia. Cons: It is hard to give it many cons since it seems to be episodic and will explain more of the story and events as they release more episodes. Though, something episodic is not very enjoyable to end up playing or reading until everything is out, this can lead to people waiting for the next part to come and getting anxious to read the rest. I do not feel too terrible with it being episodic since I actually feel that it did a decent job explaining the events of what is going on with the current characters and how they go about their lives. It is written fairly well which makes it decent to read and does not really seem like it would affect the reader’s experience. Pros: Even though it was a small project and is short, I do feel it was well written and does not slack on story telling or details. It is very well written for a short project and is done decently. It explains how each character fits perfectly in the story and gives each character enough time to develop through the short time period. I do wish it could have been a little longer, it is just good to know that there is another one out that continues the story and hopefully it will be a little longer with some more story. If you are not good with episodic stuff then I would wait to see how many episodes there are and get them all together as a bundle. Otherwise, if you are able to go through the wait of the story, then I would recommend this as a decent read. It may be short, but it does do a decent job at putting a good story together. Plus VAMPIRES.
I will be combining all three games into this one post here since the Steam Version gives you all three in one. This is a short detective RPG game where you go around investigating incidents and use your dragon friend to find out who is lying to you. Cons: All three investigations are actually pretty short and can be done within an hour each. This kind of make me a little upset since the game is actually enjoyable and I kind of wanted to keep playing more. You can technically spend a lot more time finding hidden items that will help in your investigation, but you have to really look for those. This also only adds maybe an additional half hour to each game. While the legendary weapons are kind of hard to find, without a guide, they do kind of make the game a little too easy. I really only found them in the third game and found them to be a little over powering. The games are not hard enough that you have to have them so they are more just there for speedrun or fast achievement hunting. Pro's: The story, which is connected between all three games, actually is very well done. It follows a con man (Leonhart) and his dragon (Efina) as they uncover different lies that people have told while trying to hide their guilt. Efina just so happens to be a dragon who can make lies appear and eat them, which allows Leonhart to figure out who is guilty and who is innocent. The two end up growing closer as you progress through the games and it shows that different kind of people can end up getting along and learn to trust each other more. The RPG elements in the game are actually fairly simple and kind of help to break up the investigation parts of the game. Most of the battles are pretty short so you are not wishing they would stop so you can get back to the investigation parts. You do not even have to do most of the battles, only the ones that are story based. Yet, it would be helpful to have some extra levels to be able to handle some of the bosses you encounter. These are short casual games that most people would probably enjoy. It kind of has that visual novel feel since it does have a lot of story to it, but there is also the RPG element that makes it feel like it is an actual game. I would recommend this for people who are busy and like to enjoy detective style games with some enjoyable RPG elements. The exploration parts of the game which gets you items to upgrade your characters are also a plus.
It’s a Mega Man Thing. So yeah, this is the second game in the RKS series and probably the better sister to the original. Cons: The game does use a lot of references that many people may feel is a little too close to home for comfort. I usually do not mind that people use references in games, but some people do especially when games use items and ideas that are pretty close to the original games. If this bothers you, then maybe do not take it as offence but instead as a chance to play your favorite levels or areas from a different perspective. This game is a little bit harder than the original. This does not bother me too much, but it can be a little issue for those interested in these kinds of games. I would suggest playing the first one before playing this, but you could still also enjoy playing this one before the original. Some bosses are actually a little easier than other, the Count, while others can be a little tricky even with their weakness. Yes, I do know there is a one hit mode after beating both Freudia’s and Pamela’s Story, so if you really want a challenge it is there. A lot of the same bosses from the first RKS game show up in this version. They do have different patterns and attacks which add some different strategy for beating them, but some people could find this a little off setting. I kind of hoped they could have had some different characters, but the story does connect with the first game so it actually makes sense to keep these characters in the game. Pros: Just like the original RKS, this one is still a very good Mega Man clone that has some very enjoyable moments. While a decent amount of attacks do come from Mega Man bosses, they at least change them slightly in a way to still add new play styles to the game. They did a good job at working on this and it even adds more bosses and content to add to the experience. I was actually able to beat the “Sword” side of the game and thought that both stories were enjoyable and worth playing through, if not at least watching. While Pamela’s side is a little harder, it was not as painful as Grolla’s in the first game. She actually felt a lot better than Grolla in the combat department and I felt I could make it through the game with her after a lot of practice, and many cross tanks. This is another good example of a good Mega Man clone that has what most people come to for a Mega Man game and still provides some different style and ideas to give new comers a good view on this genera. I would recommend playing this for anyone who likes these kinds of games or maybe watching someone play through it since it is enjoyable to do that as well.
A small project game that revolves around some psychological issues that people could end up experiences after an accident in their life. This is probably a game for casual players who like to explore, solve puzzles and take their time playing through a game. People with busy schedules may also find some enjoyment in this game since the player could do ten to fifteen minutes at a time if they are not able to play very long. This is a short game, so it will not take very long to make it through even for slow explorers, but it does have some interesting secrets and events that may make the game enjoyable to seekers of these kinds of things. Otherwise, I do not know if I would really recommend this to other kinds of players. There is not too much content to keep the game entertaining and kind of feels a little to lacking in some places. I had some trouble with backtracking and finding out where I needed to go in order to get through the next puzzle, but most of them are really easy as long as you do not mind the backtracking. I do know it was a small project and they tried their best with what they had, yet it just seems a little lacking and could use some more information to help the players. I may, and hope not to, not have experience the kind of tragedy that is expressed in the story which may not have given me a good connection with the game. If this is something you might be interested in, I would suggest giving it a chance and see what you might think of the game. Otherwise, maybe just watch someone else play it or just pass it up. I had some good moments with the game, but it just started to wear on me a little in the end.