OatMilker
2023
Pretty good sequel and that builds on and answers questions from the previous game. Enjoyment largely depends on how much you enjoy slice of life and the setting.
2nd favorite Liarsoft so far.
2nd favorite Liarsoft so far.
2022
Sayooshi influenced doujin game set in what is essentially a magic academy, with the main character meeting various (strange) women while tending to his corpse cleaning duty.
Uses a mix of ADV style and NVL style for atmospheric purposes, with NVL style for dream sequences and less character focused writing. The level of care put into creating the atmosphere is impeccable, and on par with some of the best.
Features beautiful artwork, a never tiring soundtrack, an atmosphere that sucks you into the dark underbelly of the world, cute girls and boy, and a far more intricate setting than I expected. This is everything I want from a horror game.
Similar to Horrific Xanatorium, this is a another new-age "denpa" title heavily influenced by titles of old. Hopefully this one is able to find a cult following and fairs a little bit better than previous denpa-like games.
Read the demo.
Uses a mix of ADV style and NVL style for atmospheric purposes, with NVL style for dream sequences and less character focused writing. The level of care put into creating the atmosphere is impeccable, and on par with some of the best.
Features beautiful artwork, a never tiring soundtrack, an atmosphere that sucks you into the dark underbelly of the world, cute girls and boy, and a far more intricate setting than I expected. This is everything I want from a horror game.
Similar to Horrific Xanatorium, this is a another new-age "denpa" title heavily influenced by titles of old. Hopefully this one is able to find a cult following and fairs a little bit better than previous denpa-like games.
Read the demo.
2023
Genre: New age, bubbly denpa ADV
Edit: Formulated thoughts
Some thoughts:
I went back and read some of the manga from the author and in terms of story telling ability and art, this is a HUGE improvement. The music, character designs, and generally zany and silly nature of the story is so much fun and different from the norm in the psuedo genre.
Sorta Implied Spoilers Below
-------------------------------------
That is, until the 2nd half where it slightly falls apart and also just genuinely makes me wish it was longer/had more characters. The best parts are conversations about summoning UFOS, drawing magic circles, convincing a girl to not kill herself via a funny joke.
The 2nd half, which is pretty typical nature for the story kinda falls apart and becomes confused. It is a story that doesn't seem sure about what it wants to do; on one hand it wants the player to choose their own interpretation of the ending, but on the other it explicitly tells you what is fact -- ofc this sours the ending a but for me.
I would say the 1st half is extremely fun and bubbly, while the 2nd is more like a shounen manga. Still, for the price and the VERY enjoyable first half I recommend picking it up, and I can only hope the author dabbles more in the genre with something more ambitious.
First half 8/10
Second: 6.5/10
Ending: 5/10
Music fucking slaps! Love the girls!
Edit: Formulated thoughts
Some thoughts:
I went back and read some of the manga from the author and in terms of story telling ability and art, this is a HUGE improvement. The music, character designs, and generally zany and silly nature of the story is so much fun and different from the norm in the psuedo genre.
Sorta Implied Spoilers Below
-------------------------------------
That is, until the 2nd half where it slightly falls apart and also just genuinely makes me wish it was longer/had more characters. The best parts are conversations about summoning UFOS, drawing magic circles, convincing a girl to not kill herself via a funny joke.
The 2nd half, which is pretty typical nature for the story kinda falls apart and becomes confused. It is a story that doesn't seem sure about what it wants to do; on one hand it wants the player to choose their own interpretation of the ending, but on the other it explicitly tells you what is fact -- ofc this sours the ending a but for me.
I would say the 1st half is extremely fun and bubbly, while the 2nd is more like a shounen manga. Still, for the price and the VERY enjoyable first half I recommend picking it up, and I can only hope the author dabbles more in the genre with something more ambitious.
First half 8/10
Second: 6.5/10
Ending: 5/10
Music fucking slaps! Love the girls!
2023
You'll understand when you're older.
My comfort game.
My comfort game.
Hamaji route 10/10
Bittersweet nostalgia in a little rural village
2021
50 hour epic about the importance of fun
It's finally here!!
Outbreak is pretty decent, Kamikashimashi-hen the followup sequel produced over a decade later is absolutely bonkers in most fun way possible. You are not prepared and I adored it.
Then there's also bus stop, with its minimalistic and Kamaitaichi no Yoru inspired visuals -- this one is an absolute must read for fans. It offers a condensed, yet still different take on the story and the art direction, sound, and stage writing come together to create something really unique feeling.
Another key aspect is the staff rooms/after parties, with the 2022 after party being a sort of retrospective and inside look into things such as Gou/Sotsu. It's really genuinely emotional to read and is essentially a heartfelt thanks to fans of the games.
There's also another fan service bonus episode, which I'll get back to later :)
Edit: lol
Outbreak is pretty decent, Kamikashimashi-hen the followup sequel produced over a decade later is absolutely bonkers in most fun way possible. You are not prepared and I adored it.
Then there's also bus stop, with its minimalistic and Kamaitaichi no Yoru inspired visuals -- this one is an absolute must read for fans. It offers a condensed, yet still different take on the story and the art direction, sound, and stage writing come together to create something really unique feeling.
Another key aspect is the staff rooms/after parties, with the 2022 after party being a sort of retrospective and inside look into things such as Gou/Sotsu. It's really genuinely emotional to read and is essentially a heartfelt thanks to fans of the games.
There's also another fan service bonus episode, which I'll get back to later :)
Edit: lol
2002
Tiger Joe is the GOAT
Edit: I added some details about bad reads on this game if you'd like to spoil yourself
Solid little horror work with a neat gimmick and top-tier voice acting. Deals with similar themes and concepts that you'd expect from 07th Expansion works, and unlike prior console release games written by Ryukishi -- this one is actually technically a proper 07th Expansion title.
It's extremely evident Ryukishi worked closely with the sound design and with the facial expressions seen in the game, which are brought perfectly to life by Itaru's wonderfully cute artwork. The two are really an ideal pairing and I hope they work together again in the future.
Also, this has the added benefit of not having the same bloated content as his WtC games or RGD, with each "round" only being around 30 minutes or so long.
The setting is essentially a vehicle for the girls to have heated conversations with each other until they show their hidden feelings for each other, all of which is brought to life via the stellar performances and art direction. There's also plenty of SoL flashback scenes where you get to see the girls interact in a less constricting environment
As for gender roles, it's very in line with with his previous works with very stereotypical, almost old-timey traits (Remember Umineko's whole white horse deal with Battler?)
I think it's very exaggerated and misconstrued, but Umineko fans be like that /shrug
tl;dr: Pretty neat, albeit kinda gimmicky game about girls trapped in a death game. Anyway, cool game!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spoilers from this point about bad reads on the game
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A major plot point in this game is completely misconstrued in an attempt to smear it as an awful, nasty little transphobic game, but it feels like a complete misinterpretation of the work.
A center theme is that women/girls are not this idealized, pure image that many men have.
The character this relates to most, being one of the biggest spoilers in the game, relates to the mysterious boy character. This character, who we later learned in named Sora, spent some time with all the main girls and grew close. Being around them he came to a misunderstanding about these girls, in that they are pure beings incapable of anything that isn't butterflies and sunshine. This misunderstanding/idealition leads Sora to wishing for this world he's imaged in his head -- the world of girls.
Things get a bit muddier her, but it's important to realize Sora's wish doesn't come from a place of dysphoria, or even gender dysmorphia -- but under the false pretense that women and girls do not fight or have conflict, that they are always happy and get along, unlike men who only fight. There isn't a crises of gender identity or anything actually associated with the aforementioned. Realizing that is a must.
The work is essentially a criticism of narrowminded views on women, from certain men. The idea is that women are just as complicated, hence the "Kaleidoscope" that Ryukishi beats you over the head with.
Also, the conversation in which most of this happens in is such a batshit setting piece
Basically, Gerosaku is a greatly misunderstood work, that likely had its reputation due to bad reads.
I think if you've enjoyed the themes and elements of his previous work, you'd probably like this.
Solid little horror work with a neat gimmick and top-tier voice acting. Deals with similar themes and concepts that you'd expect from 07th Expansion works, and unlike prior console release games written by Ryukishi -- this one is actually technically a proper 07th Expansion title.
It's extremely evident Ryukishi worked closely with the sound design and with the facial expressions seen in the game, which are brought perfectly to life by Itaru's wonderfully cute artwork. The two are really an ideal pairing and I hope they work together again in the future.
Also, this has the added benefit of not having the same bloated content as his WtC games or RGD, with each "round" only being around 30 minutes or so long.
The setting is essentially a vehicle for the girls to have heated conversations with each other until they show their hidden feelings for each other, all of which is brought to life via the stellar performances and art direction. There's also plenty of SoL flashback scenes where you get to see the girls interact in a less constricting environment
As for gender roles, it's very in line with with his previous works with very stereotypical, almost old-timey traits (Remember Umineko's whole white horse deal with Battler?)
I think it's very exaggerated and misconstrued, but Umineko fans be like that /shrug
tl;dr: Pretty neat, albeit kinda gimmicky game about girls trapped in a death game. Anyway, cool game!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spoilers from this point about bad reads on the game
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A major plot point in this game is completely misconstrued in an attempt to smear it as an awful, nasty little transphobic game, but it feels like a complete misinterpretation of the work.
A center theme is that women/girls are not this idealized, pure image that many men have.
The character this relates to most, being one of the biggest spoilers in the game, relates to the mysterious boy character. This character, who we later learned in named Sora, spent some time with all the main girls and grew close. Being around them he came to a misunderstanding about these girls, in that they are pure beings incapable of anything that isn't butterflies and sunshine. This misunderstanding/idealition leads Sora to wishing for this world he's imaged in his head -- the world of girls.
Things get a bit muddier her, but it's important to realize Sora's wish doesn't come from a place of dysphoria, or even gender dysmorphia -- but under the false pretense that women and girls do not fight or have conflict, that they are always happy and get along, unlike men who only fight. There isn't a crises of gender identity or anything actually associated with the aforementioned. Realizing that is a must.
The work is essentially a criticism of narrowminded views on women, from certain men. The idea is that women are just as complicated, hence the "Kaleidoscope" that Ryukishi beats you over the head with.
Also, the conversation in which most of this happens in is such a batshit setting piece
Basically, Gerosaku is a greatly misunderstood work, that likely had its reputation due to bad reads.
I think if you've enjoyed the themes and elements of his previous work, you'd probably like this.
2014
>be mion
>win popularity poll
>have no merch
welp
>win popularity poll
>have no merch
welp
2016
Depressingly mid despite having some potential and nice presentation -- story is too short to do much of anything interesting, and what time you do have is mostly spent meddling around.
Such is the fate of the kinetic novel -- too short to accomplish anything interesting and also too restrained by Key's need to maintain its brand image. What you're left with is a predictable story that could've been more, had it been produced by literally anyone else.
Such is the fate of the kinetic novel -- too short to accomplish anything interesting and also too restrained by Key's need to maintain its brand image. What you're left with is a predictable story that could've been more, had it been produced by literally anyone else.
One of the most cozy games of all time. Lovely characters, simple but enjoyable story, and one of my favorite VN soundtracks I've listened to. A perfect game for a rainy day.
Maeda's routes are a mixed bag with his usual faults, but the world view of the Eternal World is solid and results in some wonderful monologues from Kouhei, the protagonist.
Hisaya's are the best part, especially Misaki and Akane's, the latter of which I think should be saved for last.
The PS1 exclusive heroine now has her route translated, too -- it's not very good but it's cool to finally read ONE's dark history.
Maeda's routes are a mixed bag with his usual faults, but the world view of the Eternal World is solid and results in some wonderful monologues from Kouhei, the protagonist.
Hisaya's are the best part, especially Misaki and Akane's, the latter of which I think should be saved for last.
The PS1 exclusive heroine now has her route translated, too -- it's not very good but it's cool to finally read ONE's dark history.
2018
The story is so good you persevere through shitty gameplay, multiple times!
1994
final route goes crazy hard