Whatever I was expecting this chapter to be, it definitely wasn't this. I came into this chapter expecting a short but zinging story that would jumpstart the quest for answers in Meakashi.
...Okay, admittedly I got exactly that but not in the way I was expecting, goddammit!! This was satisfying as hell to go through as a difference in narration but keeping the mystery in the background. First thing I should mention is that this probably is the end of me trying to review these chapters as if they were their own thing. Himatsubushi REQUIRES you know everything before getting into it, as it directly references events from Tatarigoshi (of course, that's without the mentioning the bonds you SHOULD be building up with the characters in the previous chapters).
In short, this is more of a savory appetizer than a full meal. It's here we learn more about Rika as a character (and her younger self is ADORABLE, btw) and just how much she knows about everything. The way she speaks, the way she was raised, and the way she thinks, elevating her to the character with the most potential for uncovering a MASSIVE rabbit hole.
Of course, we also learn a bit more about how the people in Hinamizawa run the show and get to empathize a bit with the methods the protestors use to try and fight to keep their village alive. But, me being an emotional bitch, I grew most attached to Akasaka and his wife's loving relationship for the short time that I saw it. I'm not going to spoil anything for this review in particular but this is where I'm realizing how ham Ryukishi's going with the emotional piano keys.
There was some stuff I was mostly neutral about, like the whole driving force of Akasaka going to Hinamizawa in the first place, but I still had a fun time with it! It was shorter, too, which is good because supposedly it's RIGHT before the second half when things get answered so I'm glad it didn't overstay its welcome.
One last thing. I'm aware that the console ports added alternate endings which is definitely something I'm interested in, but I think it would be better suited to be left out of my reviews for the purpose of neatening up how I review it. I definitely will be playing them when I'm done with the PC arcs of course.
...Okay, admittedly I got exactly that but not in the way I was expecting, goddammit!! This was satisfying as hell to go through as a difference in narration but keeping the mystery in the background. First thing I should mention is that this probably is the end of me trying to review these chapters as if they were their own thing. Himatsubushi REQUIRES you know everything before getting into it, as it directly references events from Tatarigoshi (of course, that's without the mentioning the bonds you SHOULD be building up with the characters in the previous chapters).
In short, this is more of a savory appetizer than a full meal. It's here we learn more about Rika as a character (and her younger self is ADORABLE, btw) and just how much she knows about everything. The way she speaks, the way she was raised, and the way she thinks, elevating her to the character with the most potential for uncovering a MASSIVE rabbit hole.
Of course, we also learn a bit more about how the people in Hinamizawa run the show and get to empathize a bit with the methods the protestors use to try and fight to keep their village alive. But, me being an emotional bitch, I grew most attached to Akasaka and his wife's loving relationship for the short time that I saw it. I'm not going to spoil anything for this review in particular but this is where I'm realizing how ham Ryukishi's going with the emotional piano keys.
There was some stuff I was mostly neutral about, like the whole driving force of Akasaka going to Hinamizawa in the first place, but I still had a fun time with it! It was shorter, too, which is good because supposedly it's RIGHT before the second half when things get answered so I'm glad it didn't overstay its welcome.
One last thing. I'm aware that the console ports added alternate endings which is definitely something I'm interested in, but I think it would be better suited to be left out of my reviews for the purpose of neatening up how I review it. I definitely will be playing them when I'm done with the PC arcs of course.