Before I begin my review, I need to mention that not only did this visual novel take me over half a year (maybe even close to a year) to finish, some parts I unfortunately did skim through, and I couldn't drive myself to read the tips at the end of the game. In my defense, one of them is called "Stinky Food Showdown!" and I think it was at that moment that I subconsciously decided that I couldn't handle any more. If there is some grand revelation that happens once all the tips are read through, I apologize for not taking it into consideration for this review. However, I have a strong feeling that my thoughts would have remained the same either way.
I think the greatest aspect about this visual novel is the presentation. While I don't think the songs are on the same level as Higurashi or Umineko, the colors are fantastic. The backgrounds are almost ethereal which I think adds a lot to the atmosphere and works well with the overall setting, and the character designs has gone from something of a meme from the last two entries to something well done within the art style.
As for the story itself, I think there are many issues. Firstly, I believe there is too much trying to be done in this first phase. This is a story with over 30 characters with some having their own character arc, and different powers at play with a unique world that is an advanced version of our own. However, I don't think any of these are given the attention it deserves. First off, many of the characters are very bland and can really be merged into one entity in the grand scheme of things. Their overall purpose in the plot are the same. As for the characters arcs, none of them not only get any conclusions (which is fine, this is only the first part of the story after all), the development gets pushed aside for an incredible amount of world building and explanations of ideas. I don't think this is inherently bad, but the way the world building and description of societal issues are told is done poorly.
The mantra of "show, don't tell" can only be found near the beginning of the story (iirc). Afterwords, world building only exists as a topic to be discussed when the plot requires it. Something will happen, and there will be an info dump to you fill in on what exactly everything is. The exploration of global conflict and relationships between human beings and large powers is something that I was initially excited for. At first, this (along with the world building) was very interesting to read through. However, once a point has been made, I feel as if I read it over and over again, rather than moving on to the next scene (This is where the "Walls of Peace" meme stems from). If it was streamlined, then I think the story could've tackled everything it wanted to, but because it remains so bloated, so many elements of the story are lacking.
Like Higurashi, I believe that Ciconia has a truly great story somewhere inside of it with so many interesting ideas and so much potential, but the process of translating that story to the reader is unfortunately very flawed.
I think the greatest aspect about this visual novel is the presentation. While I don't think the songs are on the same level as Higurashi or Umineko, the colors are fantastic. The backgrounds are almost ethereal which I think adds a lot to the atmosphere and works well with the overall setting, and the character designs has gone from something of a meme from the last two entries to something well done within the art style.
As for the story itself, I think there are many issues. Firstly, I believe there is too much trying to be done in this first phase. This is a story with over 30 characters with some having their own character arc, and different powers at play with a unique world that is an advanced version of our own. However, I don't think any of these are given the attention it deserves. First off, many of the characters are very bland and can really be merged into one entity in the grand scheme of things. Their overall purpose in the plot are the same. As for the characters arcs, none of them not only get any conclusions (which is fine, this is only the first part of the story after all), the development gets pushed aside for an incredible amount of world building and explanations of ideas. I don't think this is inherently bad, but the way the world building and description of societal issues are told is done poorly.
The mantra of "show, don't tell" can only be found near the beginning of the story (iirc). Afterwords, world building only exists as a topic to be discussed when the plot requires it. Something will happen, and there will be an info dump to you fill in on what exactly everything is. The exploration of global conflict and relationships between human beings and large powers is something that I was initially excited for. At first, this (along with the world building) was very interesting to read through. However, once a point has been made, I feel as if I read it over and over again, rather than moving on to the next scene (This is where the "Walls of Peace" meme stems from). If it was streamlined, then I think the story could've tackled everything it wanted to, but because it remains so bloated, so many elements of the story are lacking.
Like Higurashi, I believe that Ciconia has a truly great story somewhere inside of it with so many interesting ideas and so much potential, but the process of translating that story to the reader is unfortunately very flawed.
Oggi offre phase 2
Ryukishi07 continues to be the best to ever do it. Probably the best first arc of a WTC series. I hope to read phase 2 one day. (Miyao is the best I love him so much).