(Content warning: rape)
Yeah this game is extremely rapey, which is kind of a shame, because the gameplay itself is actually extremely fun. The Rance series is apparently the oldest erotic game series ever, with the first game being released in 1989 for the PC-88. Each game has entirely different gameplay but is usually some brand of rpg. This particular one, the 7th main game in the series, plays like a visual novel stapled on top of a grand strategy game. It's a pretty cool mix, actually.
The focus on characters' personalities and charming dialogue mixed with the cold strategy of war tactics actually reminds me somewhat of Fire Emblem, in that you actually care about the characters you send off into war and want to see them grow stronger and consequently shout at the screen when they die due to your own tactical mistakes. The turn counter is an especially ingenious design in that the less turns you take in completing the game, the more bonus points you get for use in the New Game plus store, which gives you fun features to use in subsequent playthroughs. It's honestly such a fun idea I'm surprised more games don't do something like this as a way to encourage both getting good at the game and replaying it in cool new ways.
The main character Rance, is actually a lot of fun and his brazen, despicable nature actually plays really well in just decimating what would otherwise be a completely serious story moment down into slapstick comedy. It's just kind of a shame the guy's a serial rapist. And it's like, there are plenty of good consensual relationships in the game, like with Kenshin (best girl) or Maria, so clearly the writers are capable of not being so rapey, but I guess they just can't help themselves.
The writing in general's actually pretty dang good, and funny, even. I actually ended up endeared to the characters by the end and wanted more. The worldbuilding's also pretty weird and cool, though they do a good job really only hinting to it when it's not directly relevant to the story, like when the characters mention someone being "over the bridge".
Overall I would recommend the game not just as a porn game, but as a legitimately good visual novel / grand strategy game...as long as you can handle all of the uh, incredibly nonconsensual sex scenes. If you can't, then stay away from Alicesoft games, because that seems to be what they're all about. Maybe play something like Kamidori instead, honestly.
Yeah this game is extremely rapey, which is kind of a shame, because the gameplay itself is actually extremely fun. The Rance series is apparently the oldest erotic game series ever, with the first game being released in 1989 for the PC-88. Each game has entirely different gameplay but is usually some brand of rpg. This particular one, the 7th main game in the series, plays like a visual novel stapled on top of a grand strategy game. It's a pretty cool mix, actually.
The focus on characters' personalities and charming dialogue mixed with the cold strategy of war tactics actually reminds me somewhat of Fire Emblem, in that you actually care about the characters you send off into war and want to see them grow stronger and consequently shout at the screen when they die due to your own tactical mistakes. The turn counter is an especially ingenious design in that the less turns you take in completing the game, the more bonus points you get for use in the New Game plus store, which gives you fun features to use in subsequent playthroughs. It's honestly such a fun idea I'm surprised more games don't do something like this as a way to encourage both getting good at the game and replaying it in cool new ways.
The main character Rance, is actually a lot of fun and his brazen, despicable nature actually plays really well in just decimating what would otherwise be a completely serious story moment down into slapstick comedy. It's just kind of a shame the guy's a serial rapist. And it's like, there are plenty of good consensual relationships in the game, like with Kenshin (best girl) or Maria, so clearly the writers are capable of not being so rapey, but I guess they just can't help themselves.
The writing in general's actually pretty dang good, and funny, even. I actually ended up endeared to the characters by the end and wanted more. The worldbuilding's also pretty weird and cool, though they do a good job really only hinting to it when it's not directly relevant to the story, like when the characters mention someone being "over the bridge".
Overall I would recommend the game not just as a porn game, but as a legitimately good visual novel / grand strategy game...as long as you can handle all of the uh, incredibly nonconsensual sex scenes. If you can't, then stay away from Alicesoft games, because that seems to be what they're all about. Maybe play something like Kamidori instead, honestly.