Tokkori
2017
Has one of the most cute artstyles and palettes I've ever found on RPGMs. Unfortunately, the pacing is unbearably low and the the steps to get the true ending are everything but intuitive.
The idea was SO good, but the story keeps it really simple. If some more imagery and gameplay were put into the game, it could have been a very nice game.
The idea was SO good, but the story keeps it really simple. If some more imagery and gameplay were put into the game, it could have been a very nice game.
2018
So this truly was the end of a peaceful dream... Can't say I played it myself because all we have is a manually translated playthrough. But I gotta say, as a RPGM sucker, this is one of the most complete games of the genre I have tried so far. More than a RPGM, it feels like a classic old RPG with some PS1-horror elements, if you will.
There is A LOT of lore to connect and explore, symbology and references are at their peak, there is actual gameplay, and there are some really original and efficient uses of ingame material to leave clues and portray emotions. Up to date, some fans are still finding small hints they did not notice before. And I am just talking about the first installment, because we still have the DLC, Interlude and Cell of Mirage left. And it makes around maybe 60 hours of gameplay. And that's A LOT for a RPGM game.
On the other hand, the pacing is not always smooth and it relies on a few... well, classic anime tropes, and too much text (much like this review...). But that doesn't make it less interesting. In fact, I'd say the plot unfolds at a slow speed, throwing facts and flashbacks here and there... In terms of narrative, it has plenty of small but powerful moves, in my opinion at least. I also appreciate the small changes depending on the choices you make and the information you collect.
I hope you all enjoy CoE and I wish you all a very nice calling Hajime A Star experience. And if you want to give it a try, make sure to take notes. Lots of notes. Check then info about the Divine Comedy, and connect the dots in DLC and Interlude!
There is A LOT of lore to connect and explore, symbology and references are at their peak, there is actual gameplay, and there are some really original and efficient uses of ingame material to leave clues and portray emotions. Up to date, some fans are still finding small hints they did not notice before. And I am just talking about the first installment, because we still have the DLC, Interlude and Cell of Mirage left. And it makes around maybe 60 hours of gameplay. And that's A LOT for a RPGM game.
On the other hand, the pacing is not always smooth and it relies on a few... well, classic anime tropes, and too much text (much like this review...). But that doesn't make it less interesting. In fact, I'd say the plot unfolds at a slow speed, throwing facts and flashbacks here and there... In terms of narrative, it has plenty of small but powerful moves, in my opinion at least. I also appreciate the small changes depending on the choices you make and the information you collect.
I hope you all enjoy CoE and I wish you all a very nice calling Hajime A Star experience. And if you want to give it a try, make sure to take notes. Lots of notes. Check then info about the Divine Comedy, and connect the dots in DLC and Interlude!
2008
(Small edit to congratulate you all for the translation! You can now play this game, give it a try!)
I'm not sure I this is a good game per se. I had to watch a manually translated gameplay and it looks kind of crazy and nonsensical, much like Re:Kinder, Parun's most popular game. The colors are extremely saturated and it is hard to follow the plot sometimes. I think that's kinda the point, though. It is as messy as its main character, and there is a good reason for it. Parun did a really good job at portraying the consequences of abuse and neglect.
There is one thing I can say for sure, though. This game was so personal it hurts. Not sure if it was a vent project, but Parun's whole heart was put into it and it shows. The depictions of homophobia and internal struggles are way too pure and real. They are confusing, like a fever dream. They feel weird, but somehow really natural. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet this game.
I'm not sure I this is a good game per se. I had to watch a manually translated gameplay and it looks kind of crazy and nonsensical, much like Re:Kinder, Parun's most popular game. The colors are extremely saturated and it is hard to follow the plot sometimes. I think that's kinda the point, though. It is as messy as its main character, and there is a good reason for it. Parun did a really good job at portraying the consequences of abuse and neglect.
There is one thing I can say for sure, though. This game was so personal it hurts. Not sure if it was a vent project, but Parun's whole heart was put into it and it shows. The depictions of homophobia and internal struggles are way too pure and real. They are confusing, like a fever dream. They feel weird, but somehow really natural. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet this game.