The story follows the East German Army's 666th TSF Squadron in its battles and political conflicts during the BETA's westward push in 1983. The East German Army 666th TSF Squadron "Schwarzesmarken" (Black Marks) are a special-forces unit tasked with assaulting BETA forces through unconventional tactics; specifically, they target Lux and Magnus Lux to deny the BETA the advantage of ranged firepower. Their orders are given the topmost priority, such that it is common practice for the 666th to ignore allied distress calls that will result in deviation from their original mission, even if only for a short moment.
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The epitome of apocalyptic horror.
There are no spoilers for any Muv-Luv content in this.
Schwarzesmarken is, similarly to Total Eclipse, a Muv-Luv series visual novel hybrid adaptation/replacement/director's cut of the original Schwarzesmarken light novel series and anime, featuring much more content than either of those.
Where that differs, however, is that SM is also a multi-media project. The actual order you'd ideally go in would be: Bernhard im Shatten (prequel light novel) -> Schwarzesmarken: Two homes One Road (prequel light novel) -> Schwarzesmarken-related TSFIA (which are on the Muv-Luv wiki, do not look them up without finishing at least Alternative) Schwarzesmarken short stories -> Schwarzesmarken VN disc 1 (Bloodstained Crest) -> Schwarzesmarken Requiem LN vol 1 -> Schwarzesmarken VN disc 2 (Martyrs) -> Schwarzesmarken Requiem Volume 2 LN -> May You Be Happy LN.
Looks pretty complicated, huh? Yes, it's unfortunate that I was not aware of this since I just read the VN first (I did read everything else later, though). You aren't usually really told this unless you're involved in either the Japanese or western Muv-Luv communities.
Apparently a big reason SM is a multimedia project is from a budget standpoint, but I don't really like that aspect of it. Some critical characterisation and history are described in those prequels and other novels. I prefer stories to be self-contained in the sense of not constantly having to jump between mediums. If you just read the VN you'll think that they're being vague on purpose when alluding to something, but they're not exactly doing that. Another issue (which is unrelated) that I might as well point out here, is there is one scene that I found pretty distasteful.
So my dislike for the multi-media approach notwithstanding, how is Schwarzesmarken? Well, for one, the chibis are back after being gone in Total Eclipse, which is wonderful. And just like Total Eclipse, it has a lot of movement and looks gorgeous. In addition, this takes an interesting approach of having a classic VN structure where you have three routes based on your choices. Now, those three routes vary greatly, unlike the "routes" in Unlimited, for example. My personal favourite is Lise's, and since this is a spoiler-free review, I won't be describing it or the others.
The visuals in this are good as well, taking the same approach as TE where they sometimes have scenes from the anime inserted into some fights. This is helped by the fact that the setting of this story is the winter in 80s Cold War Eastern Germany. The technology is lower tech than the other Muv-Luv entries, and it adds a unique flavour to the strategy and tactics of warfare.
The setting is greatly explored, which is something you'll appreciate if you have researched Cold War history. Like all politics in Muv-Luv, nothing is black and white, and everyone has complex motivations. Interestingly, multiple times throughout the VN, you get interviews (featuring real life of photos) with people who were around at the time, such as doctors or other civilians, and they give their own interpretation of events, adding to the theme of ambiguity.
The characters are very interesting in this, with everyone having their own ideals and take on the political climate and the state of their country. People come from different walks of life, not always compatible in how they see the world. If you like the light novel series and anime 86, you might like this.
The story is meant to be continued in Eurofront: Duty -Lost Arcadia-, but even if that never comes out, given the state of âge, this project is fairly self-contained and has satisfied me to the point of greatly enjoying it and recommending it. Although, despite not having Muv-Luv in the title and taking place decades before the others, I still would recommend only reading this after Muv-Luv Alternative, due to spoiling expectations on the lore and warfare of the series.
Lastly, I'll mention the music. Evan Call, composer of Violet Evergarden (and later the Muv-Luv Alternative anime), composed the OST to this. And it is amazing, it sounds like something out of Metal Gear Rising or Devil May Cry. The popular fripSide duo also composed vocal tracks for this and the anime, with this one being my favourite.
Schwarzesmarken is, similarly to Total Eclipse, a Muv-Luv series visual novel hybrid adaptation/replacement/director's cut of the original Schwarzesmarken light novel series and anime, featuring much more content than either of those.
Where that differs, however, is that SM is also a multi-media project. The actual order you'd ideally go in would be: Bernhard im Shatten (prequel light novel) -> Schwarzesmarken: Two homes One Road (prequel light novel) -> Schwarzesmarken-related TSFIA (which are on the Muv-Luv wiki, do not look them up without finishing at least Alternative) Schwarzesmarken short stories -> Schwarzesmarken VN disc 1 (Bloodstained Crest) -> Schwarzesmarken Requiem LN vol 1 -> Schwarzesmarken VN disc 2 (Martyrs) -> Schwarzesmarken Requiem Volume 2 LN -> May You Be Happy LN.
Looks pretty complicated, huh? Yes, it's unfortunate that I was not aware of this since I just read the VN first (I did read everything else later, though). You aren't usually really told this unless you're involved in either the Japanese or western Muv-Luv communities.
Apparently a big reason SM is a multimedia project is from a budget standpoint, but I don't really like that aspect of it. Some critical characterisation and history are described in those prequels and other novels. I prefer stories to be self-contained in the sense of not constantly having to jump between mediums. If you just read the VN you'll think that they're being vague on purpose when alluding to something, but they're not exactly doing that. Another issue (which is unrelated) that I might as well point out here, is there is one scene that I found pretty distasteful.
So my dislike for the multi-media approach notwithstanding, how is Schwarzesmarken? Well, for one, the chibis are back after being gone in Total Eclipse, which is wonderful. And just like Total Eclipse, it has a lot of movement and looks gorgeous. In addition, this takes an interesting approach of having a classic VN structure where you have three routes based on your choices. Now, those three routes vary greatly, unlike the "routes" in Unlimited, for example. My personal favourite is Lise's, and since this is a spoiler-free review, I won't be describing it or the others.
The visuals in this are good as well, taking the same approach as TE where they sometimes have scenes from the anime inserted into some fights. This is helped by the fact that the setting of this story is the winter in 80s Cold War Eastern Germany. The technology is lower tech than the other Muv-Luv entries, and it adds a unique flavour to the strategy and tactics of warfare.
The setting is greatly explored, which is something you'll appreciate if you have researched Cold War history. Like all politics in Muv-Luv, nothing is black and white, and everyone has complex motivations. Interestingly, multiple times throughout the VN, you get interviews (featuring real life of photos) with people who were around at the time, such as doctors or other civilians, and they give their own interpretation of events, adding to the theme of ambiguity.
The characters are very interesting in this, with everyone having their own ideals and take on the political climate and the state of their country. People come from different walks of life, not always compatible in how they see the world. If you like the light novel series and anime 86, you might like this.
The story is meant to be continued in Eurofront: Duty -Lost Arcadia-, but even if that never comes out, given the state of âge, this project is fairly self-contained and has satisfied me to the point of greatly enjoying it and recommending it. Although, despite not having Muv-Luv in the title and taking place decades before the others, I still would recommend only reading this after Muv-Luv Alternative, due to spoiling expectations on the lore and warfare of the series.
Lastly, I'll mention the music. Evan Call, composer of Violet Evergarden (and later the Muv-Luv Alternative anime), composed the OST to this. And it is amazing, it sounds like something out of Metal Gear Rising or Devil May Cry. The popular fripSide duo also composed vocal tracks for this and the anime, with this one being my favourite.
Still have Martyrs to read, but good VN already
Art is great, ost is amazing, it has its flaws on the second half but I totally forgive it, 5 stars
The Muv Luv formula at its best