NixKaen
BACKER
2016
It is a very educational visual novel where cute high school girls teach you all about Japanese culture.
2016
It's a lot better than I thought it would be after finishing the common route. At the beginning 3 of the 4 girls were just plain bullies and I had no interest in their routes. However, they all become far more likable later on in the story which redeems some points.
My favourite route was definitely Kaoruko's as she was very loveable the entire game. Mihiro came a surprisingly close second as her improvement and cuteness almost made up for her past behavior. Ashe was OK, she did get nicer but I wasn't as emotionally invested in her route. I did love the foodie aspects of both Ashe and Mihiro's route.
Toa's route was the worst. It did not flow well at all, especially with the whole siblings thing. I couldn't invest in the romance and they didn't make me feel like "this incest route is so believable".
My favourite route was definitely Kaoruko's as she was very loveable the entire game. Mihiro came a surprisingly close second as her improvement and cuteness almost made up for her past behavior. Ashe was OK, she did get nicer but I wasn't as emotionally invested in her route. I did love the foodie aspects of both Ashe and Mihiro's route.
Toa's route was the worst. It did not flow well at all, especially with the whole siblings thing. I couldn't invest in the romance and they didn't make me feel like "this incest route is so believable".
An extremely adorable yet heartwrenching experience about love and blackmail. Both protagonists are very relatable which makes the storytelling from both ends vivid.
Exceedingly beautiful character art and background art; ethereal.
The bits of the story we got from this prelude didn't quite make much sense to me and felt kind of weak. I would have liked to see the story and world expanded upon in the main game but it appears to have been canceled.
The bits of the story we got from this prelude didn't quite make much sense to me and felt kind of weak. I would have liked to see the story and world expanded upon in the main game but it appears to have been canceled.
Not sure what was happening here...
2017
An absolutely riveting storyline with fair sprinkles of romantic progression. Just had to binge to know what happened next.
Miyako is an endearing love-interest and soo cute.
Miyako is an endearing love-interest and soo cute.
An educational visual novel on the diverse Japanese-American experience in Japan Town.
2021
A cute apocalyptic tale about taking care of a Tamagotchi-esque child.
2020
Quite an enjoyable romantic story with a diversely queer cast. Was also quite happy to see dietary issues addressed naturally throughout.
2019
Short sapphic dating sim. Some of the girls make an interesting date but the others just lean toward boring.
2000
This review contains spoilers
In terms of how I enjoyed each route,
Nayuki > Shiori > Mai > Ayu >>>> Makoto
It felt kind of bad to ignore/shun Nayuki on the other routes. She's so there and always nice and wanting to spend time with us.
Nayuki's route felt the most natural. She's very endearing. But also the interactions and progression were good. Sad we didn't get any Nayuki in a ballgown.
Shiori's was the most romantic I think Probably because she pushed the idea of dates so early on but it made sense given her haste. I also liked getting to know more about Kaori through this route and their family dynamic.
Makoto was ... well, I found her annoying in the other routes and that didn't quite change in her own route. I was able to find her cuter but as she lost her ability to speak the route became rather redundant til the very end.
I actually quite enjoyed all the interactions we had with Mai and Sayuri on her route. The part where we tell her it all in her head and she's done this to herself confused me and I'm not quite sure I understand but overall I loved the character interactions in this route which definitely boosted this route just above Ayu's for me.
Ayu's route did help me like her more overall but I still don't quite see her as fitting in the romance area. The sex scene especially was like... unsure if Ayu even wanted that or understood what sex is. Which is also how I felt about Makoto's. The part where Akiko gets sick and Ayu does all that work and her feelings are shown so clearly to me are probably my favourite parts of this route. Also was a bit surprised to find out that Ayu was not dead but in a coma. I liked her hat and hairdo in this
Overall I really liked Kanon. and it made me eat Strawberry Jam Toast for the first time probably in over a decade
Nayuki > Shiori > Mai > Ayu >>>> Makoto
It felt kind of bad to ignore/shun Nayuki on the other routes. She's so there and always nice and wanting to spend time with us.
Nayuki's route felt the most natural. She's very endearing. But also the interactions and progression were good. Sad we didn't get any Nayuki in a ballgown.
Shiori's was the most romantic I think Probably because she pushed the idea of dates so early on but it made sense given her haste. I also liked getting to know more about Kaori through this route and their family dynamic.
Makoto was ... well, I found her annoying in the other routes and that didn't quite change in her own route. I was able to find her cuter but as she lost her ability to speak the route became rather redundant til the very end.
I actually quite enjoyed all the interactions we had with Mai and Sayuri on her route. The part where we tell her it all in her head and she's done this to herself confused me and I'm not quite sure I understand but overall I loved the character interactions in this route which definitely boosted this route just above Ayu's for me.
Ayu's route did help me like her more overall but I still don't quite see her as fitting in the romance area. The sex scene especially was like... unsure if Ayu even wanted that or understood what sex is. Which is also how I felt about Makoto's. The part where Akiko gets sick and Ayu does all that work and her feelings are shown so clearly to me are probably my favourite parts of this route. Also was a bit surprised to find out that Ayu was not dead but in a coma. I liked her hat and hairdo in this
Overall I really liked Kanon. and it made me eat Strawberry Jam Toast for the first time probably in over a decade
2023
Short wlw where the protagonist flashes back to times with their past partner based on the clothes she wore. Graphics are cute but the story is not very well put together for it to be as emotional as it wants to be.
2023
A brisk tidbit on an anxious teen's POV on relationships
2012
An emotional amalgamation of stories from 5 unique girls.
2017
ah... why do they make these characters all so frustrating