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| Tengoku Tumbleweed Side Struggle |
Developer/publisher: otomate.
Platform: Switch.
Official Site: https://www.aksysgames.com/tengoku/
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v33150
Release date: 04-04-2024
I played this game inbetween others but this was one of those games
that I wish I could like more and only got good for me in the last two routes.
Due to it being what it was I wasn't in the mood to get through this but I also didn't
want to let this sit in my backlog for half a year so after Matsurika FD I continued.
Despite being aware about contents; I found it rather tame.
I mean without context they sound awful but within the narrative? oh.
Disclaimer: This is purely my own opinion and it could be different from yours
this is not meant to be some kind of all-truth, just an opinion that came from playing this.
If you don't like what you're reading then close the tab, move on and just idk play it yourself.
Pro's
- Strong-willed and self-concious heroine.
- All LI's are likable in their own ways.
- Great art and catchy music.
Grey area
- Quite long; route length is 10-12 hours on average.
- Story doesn't seem to take itself serious, weak resolutions in early route.
Con's
- The game can feel a bit draggy at times and has pacing issues.
- Bad CG pacing, there are droughts and moments with a lot at once.
Art was great,When I looked at the cover for the first time I almost
didn't recognize who the artist was, tho it definitely is Satoi's style.
Music was generally good and I had no issues with it.
The OP was good but I didn't feel like watching it everything. ED was fine.
---
[System ramblings]
Standard visual novel stuff, nothing that stood out.
The common route was much like Olympia Soiree a long one-time introduction
without choices and it becomes entirely skippable on 2nd play.
Its also easy to see what's a good or bad choice as this is shown when you select a choice
so you can play this without a guide, there's only two endings per route; Happy&bad.
However the bad endings were IMO more like good ends.
The common route did hook me, the setting and introductions were interesting.
I liked how the heroine had a female friend with a sprite too.
There's a scene at the end of ch1 that kinda woah but what I found hilarious
is how tame the rest of the common route of seven chapters was. The early routes
such as Yona or Kiku were quite tame as well. I was actually disappointed at this, within
the narrative a lot of things did make sense but if I listed it separately it could sound awful.
Actually the game is rather tame in general... LMAO till the gloves are off in Goemon route.
Pacing was a tad slow for me but for a SoL character driven game its not bad perse.
Though things can get heated the game was for the most part pretty laidback which lead
to some shifts in tone, if you can't handle this TengoStray is likely not for you.
I'll add to this that TengoStray is a fairly long, especially the first time through.
Individually the routes had 12 chapters and it took around 10-12 hours to complete one.
---
[Heroine ramblings]
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| She has a whip but... |
past life she had a personality! I did wonder how she turned into a misandrist
but the story wrote itself in such a way I kinda got why she had enough of them.π
The narrative esp in early routes seemed more set on mellowing her out...
As she lived with everyone she got over that stuff pretty fast too and she tried
to approach them differently which also kind of clashed with the initial setup
but its okay people can change their mind so that's not bad per se.
I wasn't really sure what they tried to sell me during the first few routes and
if need be Rin can really hold her ground, its just she acts like a tiger but is in fact
just a cat and acts like any girl could. Rin's proactive but she was also a tsundere
so getting her to be honest was a struggle in itself. Sometimes she's just hostileπ
but also not incapable of self-reflecting on things as she is self-concious.
Rin is comparable to Olympia, not perfect by any means and it was obvious
she bit off more than she could chew, even so she regained her balance. Rin also
reminded me of Rinka from BAW; if they fleshed her out and wove her into the plot.
Rin shined the most in the locked routes as that's where she was given the most depth
and the early routes only touched upon it on a surface level. Considering her story
it also makes sense why that is the case. Maybe I had the wrong expectations
but I expected a bit more from her even in early routes.
I didn't always vibe with Rin Enma, yet I was in-sync with her in how
her perspective changed both on herself and the guys.
My sign also isn't very compatible with Rin who is a scorpio and at times
I did not understand her but she wasn't a bad heroine at all. Just not for me.
---
The LI are criminals but there was barely need to punish them.
I actually expected Rin to whip them more if they acted up but... this wasn't necessary! (haha)
imma be real the only one who really needs whipping is Sharaku. The times the whip was
cracked were few. The narrative pushed it yet was against doing it at the same time.
I don't know if the localization toned her down among other things but let me tell you
again Rin was at her most badass in Jack and Goemon's routes.
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| If you wanted to actually whip LI's then I recommend KLAP kind love and punish instead. |
The seiyuu cast are mostly familiar I personally don't hear Goemon's VA a lot
but this game made me like him a lot! I also did love some of the seiyuu for
the side cast like Koyasu Takehito as Daddy or Nojima Kenji for Takamura.
It was a good cast with classics but none of my fav's were in it.
---
The localization was good but this game was toned down, there's less vulgarity than what
the japanese were complaining about and there's not much that soured the experience except
some of Sharaku's phrasing near the end of his route but that's just him.
I always hear people complain about this otome but it was tamer than I thought.
---
[Overall ramblings]
Tengoku Struggle is what happens when you mix aspects of bad apple wars,
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| Despite grievances I think I am more satisfied with this than Cafe Enchante! |
varribarri and Olisoi. The setting is interesting but it can be kind of deceiving
as it ended up being much more slice of life focused than I initially expected.
The lore wasn't deep or anything but it was creative, the things I found myself
disappointed at was mostly the execution of the overall story
which felt like it was doing whatever at times.
This was a much slower paced game rather than an action packed one which lead to
pacing and tension issues. Olympia wasn't always able to meet her goals but she had
a more simple job. Rin does try but it may vary on the route and who her partner was.
Both the enemy and the heroes had goals but ends up being rather casual about it.
Sometimes you can't really do anything about a situation and this game was full of it.
I think I may be fine with slice of life when there's not some grand plot
going on but TengoStray certainly was an experience.
You see this game has its routes tackle things on a case by case basis and it tends
to ignore anything not related to that character or put it very into the background.
I can forgive some things but its understandable why I feel the way I do since
there's a lot of beating around the bush. I'm fine with some truths only shown in
locked routes but... I had trouble enjoying the early routes because they were all over the place.
In terms of romance routes ended in satisfying manner but I wasn't fully convinced
when it came to tying up all the plot threads. I found Sharaku to be a lil better
than Yona/Kiku but not by much. I thought its just because they're the early game
routes, those can be lacking and not tackle it all... then I moved on to JacK
who spiced up a lot of monotony that the starter routes had going on while being
hilarious at the same time. I thought there would be no route i'd like but I was wrong!
Goemon had a really good route as well but... the others started feeling like what if's.
---
TL;DR
a good time but it was a tad slow for me, the real struggle was the SoL along the way!
The romance is build on trust and its most enjoyed as a slowburn, early routes for me
like Kiku or Yona's was a real s t r u g g l e because while I liked them they never became fav's.
There was not much was going on and the real narrative is buried in the locked routes.
The main plot was kinda weak in early routes and very character+romance driven.
At times there is plenty of enjoyment, yet the plot was 404 not found.
Goemon's the only one which handled it well but when I looked back I got
a massive headache thinking about certain side chara's.π
Its sad I didn't enjoy the first 3 routes and at that point I was like is there a route
in this game I really enjoy? the answer was yes. After three routes I struck gold with Jack.π
So I basically suffered during the first half.π©Okay I guess I'll take the L's.
The best parts about TengoStray for me were the character interactions even when there
was nothing important going on. I didn't even dislike the LI's themselves. I just thought
some of the narrative within their routes particular the early ones could be better.
8/10
I would recommend TengoStray if you want an otome game about bad boys and life&death themes
with homey SoL/found family vibes. I wasn't disappointed with this game like with Enchante.
I'd probably not recommend TengoStray to those that don't like SoL, slowburn romance
or can't handle some mild forms of sexism since its just all that.
My Play order:
Yona > Kikunosuke > Sharaku > Jack > Goemon.
Yona and Kikunosuke are the beginner routes and can be interchanged.
Sharaku the intermediate one which is best done before Jack.
Jack needs the player to do the three initial routes and Goemon is locked behind him.
Recommended order:
Kikunosuke / Yona > Sharaku > Jack > Goemon.
Character rambles and some of my fav cgs after the jump.
Probably don't read further if you want to experience it yourself since its just
senile grandma rambles beyond this point with potential spoilers.
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Yona
CV: Suzuku Ryota.
so I went for the loudmouth. Yona's pretty much the tsundere and I read he is comparable to Riku
of Olisoi but I couldn't really see it. Yona came across as a bit more of a problem child with
two working braincells like Baraku from Olisoi's sequel; who stomps around and mopes.
Nagoya however did reminded me of Riku in terms of design. Probably intended...
Of course Yona grew on me and I enjoyed the back and forth Yona and Rin had
but the pacing was a bit too slow for me and some other routes had stronger developments.
The early chapters still felt like I was on the common route, the usual laidback SoL scenes
and gathering information, I was wondering when they were gonna train but not yet. Also hey!
you wanna exchange LINNE numbers? yea so it goes inbetween engagements with the enemy.
The route also suffers from communication issues because go figure Yona needs time for himself
(we all do) but I thought some problems could be avoided had they just talked but alas.
Romance wise its pretty much a slowburn I didn't feel it till halfway through.
I do like tsunderes but Yona was a special case of stupid ISTG. It was funny hearing daddy
declare Rin fell in love with a red head brat oh btw I still have brainrot over another red hair.
This got to the point I literally got like STFU daddy. What a route huh?!
Rin trying to act normal after certain events did not help.
Yona can be supersweet and even I can't dislike him at that point but erm...
I wasn't convinced with the villains willing to wait for us. They're like the type to not
hurt innocents so if we stay out of their way its gucchi. I didn't feel they were a threat
untill the story actually made them a threat at which I was kinda like uh now what?!
There really wasn't much going on half the route except them bonding which is necessary
for them to kick ass and fulfill their mission. Now in terms of romance its okay I guess?
but I think it relied a lot on the blood bond thing... needless to say the route peaked
when Yona mellowed out and wasn't being a dummy but some things never changed.π
I would say I can ship Rin and Yona but... there's only one redhead for me rn.
Overall Yona was a good beginner route, the stakes were there but not that high
and the plot was self-contained, it didn't really get good till the last two chapters.
7/10
''I wish I could've enjoyed it more but half of it kinda bored me and yea he is cute
and his hobbies are adorable like stargazing. In the end I don't feel like I had many
strong feelings like I did when I finished Riku's route in Olisoi or Miyabi from Unlogical.
Yona is still a good character and in terms of romance its convincing but.. its one
of those route that doesn't go into the greater plot which you'd have to see elsewhere.
The memory event also seemed to indicate there's a lot of loose ends so I couldn't feel very satisfied.
Yona also didn't really have a bad end, I thought it was one but the followup scene
turned it into a good end which felt more like a bandaid or something.
What bothers me the most is that it only seems to solve a small part of the big issue
so this route wasn't very well rounded but its okay because they banged.
Its implied daddy&co could just fix the escapee problem if they had to
but they ended up letting the youngsters try and do it.''
~
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Kikunosuke
CV: Saito Souma.
but I did want to know more about him and his relationship with his sister.
It started off interesting enough, albeit a lil dark with their past but then it got stuck
in some SoL loop where we can't really do much but just go about their day.
Sad to say it ended up having the same problems as the previous route.
Kiku was definitely easier to like than Yona, I was surprised by how fast he
fell in love, the routes focus was Azami but yea... like Yona they just do
whatever they want and we try to convince them. It felt kind of repetitive.
Kiku is very sweet and Rin is too dense, this route made it seem like romance
is the plot but also tries to deny it which lead to a frustrating experience.
Rin a transient could fade away if she doesn't form a strong enough bond/falls in love
but this also can be prevented if she gets a preservation license. So half the time Rin is like
lmao I don't need to fall in love let's just complete our mission or denying the allegations
Sharaku throws at us since he knows how to read a room while Kiku is already crushing on her.π
I'm sorry but... I couldn't get into this. I just pushed through because of Goemon really
at the very least the route gave me a few chuckles but other than that I generally was bored.π
 |
| Trying to get Rin to be honest with herself is a challenge. |
The way Rin had to admit her feelings to Kiku was kinda cute though but other than that...
chases being interrupted by meals π
just cuz they were hungry hurt the tension.
What can I say that the pacing+tension issues plagued this route.
I mean I like laidback moments but it really seemed like they didn't know what to focus on.
It may seem like I am hating but the story of Kiku and Azami was still good and the
romance was cute when Kiku laid it all bare, it all turned so sweet which I enjoyed.
By then it was already the (best) end. The resolution was okay at best and I am happy for
Shin but shipping him with Azami was difficult with her yelling at him. I understand Azami
had a lot to unpack but it was really painful to see Shin chase Azami here.
Shin promising to go to hell so they could go on a date was cute... but she was so tsun
about it I couldn't tell if she wanted it or not. Much like the last route the rest of the plot
didn't really matter anymore. Rin falling in love is the only thing that matters.
''Keep loving me so that I don't disappear'' sounds lovely and I am sure they'll be fine
but I can't help but find the resolution a bit lacking here? Oh well.
 |
| The stuff with the mermaid story and nailpolish was well implemented though. |
follow up to it but it just didn't hit the notes as much as Yona's did.
Side note: I got the impression there is some depression narrative like if a depressed person
doesn't have anyone that loves them or something that they love they might just give up.
So Rin being a transient means she will fade if she has no attachment, seeing the bad ends
its clear she just reincarnates as a human so the bad ends are technically not so bad.
I'm not able to rate the route any higher than Yona as both
are about equal in what they offered.
7/10
''I took a break in this route after chapter 8 so when I got back to it
things felt like I jumped back right in time for things to go round themselves up.
Kiku as a character is adorable but I thought he was a bit forceful in the best end
but other than that i'd say the route was good, much like Yona it left a lot of
the other matters besides the side chara's in the spotlight unresolved.
Kiku's route also reminds me of Riku except me not being able to be sold on the writing
or be able to develop that bias that makes me up the rating by 2 points.''
~
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Sharaku
CV: Ishikawa Kaito.
He's sort of similar to Yosuga in terms of design and outside of his route he's a great
supportive character. Before his route I didn't have much of an opinion on him
and I can't really judge him based on his snarky comments. There were moments
I was like well he can stay there as a non-romance interest! hmph!
Sharaku is probably the only one who really needs to get whipped
and Rin would easily agree but then the narrative pretty much got like
well that won't really help anything.π So Rin just retreats like in chapter 1.
Sharaku is a difficult character because of his personality and it clashes with Rin a lot
part of this was amusing and I wondered how it would even work out.
Rin and Sharaku reminded me of Kanna and Miyabi except Sharaku having
a bigger potty mouth with 0 elegance. Oh of course he is into shady shit too.
I really wanted to put Sharaku's ass in jail and/or see Rin whip it too.
Rin was a bit meek this route, she doesn't want to order him around???
I wonder where the fire in her went... she's supposed to guide him or be strict right?
I get she wants to be a new type of hell guardian but... she turned into a kitten.
Sharaku is also a bit quick to jump the gun in wanting them to get along
like he's some service top. My dude slow your roll! Absolute trash chara.π
AH YES, OH GOD YES. Rin finally did it guys and you bet he deserved that jolt.π
Unfortunately their way of doing things conflicted which was amusing
and he's actually not bad however my opinion that he's trashy hasn't changed.
Fair enough its only been two chapters into his route... actually Jack got kinda
weird this route and Sharaku only more likable which threw me off.
 |
| Sharaku trashing on Jack for being who he is. |
routes just dealt with self-contained issues important to that character.
I've been disappointed how there wasn't even a short mention in Kiku's for example.
Watching Rin and Sharaku grow closer was really enjoyable and its a relief
since for whatever reason I thought it was a little awkward in previous routes.
What I liked the most is that Rin actually got to talk with Sharaku about her intrusive
flashback but other than that the route had the same sort of flow as before.
Its hard to take Sharaku serious and I got annoyed at some of his teases/sarcasm
but then you hear his thoughts and he seems so genuine?! I am conflicted about this man.
Like I could make a list of shit Sharaku says but it would be never ending.
I can ship Rin and Sharaku but... one thing holding me back would be that
he seems more interested in sleeping with her and messing with her to do that.
Which is a big no-no. If it was me he'd just be the snarky friend or something.
Its also route no,3 and I can't stand Satoru anymore, like if I hadn't seen Kiku's bad end
he'd just be some annoying guy but now I am fuming whenever he appears.π
to slap him so maybe my feelings did align with Rin in that moment.
Maybe this was the only route where the romance felt a little more natural
and I actually prefer part of the process over the previous routes. Kissing his mark
didn't happen till trust was build up here and feelings were getting mutual.
It felt unfair compared to the other LI's and I could sense favoritism for Sharaku.
I thought chapter 8 overstayed its welcome, even ending in a matter where
it was just one more thing added to the pile while putting the story in the final act.
The chapter was mostly calm and covered Sharaku's past as well as some heavy themes
then something happens to side characters whose names didn't register yet, although
I can remember who Otsuta is. The stuff with the onsen bathwater was pretty peak though.
I almost thought I was playing a different game, this sorta got me excited for the remaining routes.
(It felt like the game was gently reminding us there are bigger stakes)
The 11th chapter felt rather slow yet heavy. I thought it derailed a bit but it was
relevant to Sharaku's past, this lead to them growing as close
as they could possible be without the panties flying off.
The finale was cool as well and I liked how this route cleared up some things that were
glossed over in others, I think its pretty well-rounded compared to the previous two even if
it didn't wrap up everything either. They really want me to do Goemon at some point huh?!
Unfortunately Sharaku-kun could've worded something a little differently you know? it was
a bit dubious. I just wasn't a fan of the phrasing he used during the ending of the route
but it was just more of his usual teasing which actually got hilarious.π
Well its not like Sharaku is my problem, Rin can take care of him! The extra scene
that takes place after the best end was just more of the usual shenanigans, with
Sharaku going emo because she tends to plants more than him. Enjoy I guess.
 |
| What a way to end a route huh?! |
gave it a bandaid so much like Yona its more like a sad good end.
This one ended a bit too abruptly and I think I prefer Yona's bad end.
Felt like they focused too much on the pinky detail and then just ran out of ideas.
8/10
''Well Sharaku's route certainly was an experience?! the interactions between
Rin and Sharaku were really good. I like how direct it was.
I kinda disliked Sharaku teasing at times but he got self-concious about it
and wasn't really going to do anything Rin didn't want. (Haha...)
Sharaku's self-aware about being trash but to me he is also not that trashy.
There were also some heavy themes but even if Sharaku killed 13 people
the reason he did it makes him an actual angel why is he even in hell?!π
Sharaku's a difficult character and this route could be trouble if you hate this type...
even after finishing his best end I found myself conflicted about him, so he's likely not for me.
I still thought the narrative was good and I liked Sharaku more than when this route began.
Does that make any sense? he's a capricorn and not very compatible with my sign
so my opinion on him is what it is!''
~
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Jack
CV: Furukawa Makoto.
 |
| Wall O' Text alert! |
but the more I saw the more I was like let me do a raincheck.
I hoped it wouldn't be a complete disaster of a route and went in with hope
but in Kiku's route this guy just reminded me of Blade from star rail in a cringey way.
Due to that I wasn't sure what to expect at all..... I also wondered if there would
be a LI I would personally like in this game because so far its crickets.
ANYWAY the route starts out pretty dumb like Rin willing to walk into a hornet nest
that is his house for tea and I'm like well don't complain if you get stung then?!π
Other characters keep trying to warn her too but lmao Jack was surprisingly chill.π
It seemed like they were actually dating and Goemon got jealous.
Jack's just flirting and Rin is acting to get closer to him its actually hilarious...
Rin was complaining he was easy but actually I think its Rin who's being easy.ππ
I couldn't take Jack's chuuni stance seriously though also why is he talking about deepening
their love already? dude slow down I hardly know you! are all aquarius signs like this?!πππ
turns out he fell at first sight for her when she saved him, okay damn he is easy.
I actually kinda like Jack when he went but people have more than one side to their faces
seems like he isn't as stupid as he looks and there is a intellectual side to him.
Rin just kept farting lies that she would definitely get send to great burning hell but all
for the sake of the mission, I am surprised Jack was even humbling her or is he that easy?!
but he really did seem to look forward to meeting her. I am actually enjoying this route btw
too bad everyone and there mother is like oh god a date next? this is bad man.
Goemon tried to warn her too in his own way... and well Jack actually is plotting something
I just can't take him serious because of his chuuni act. Nice to know all the guys have Rin's back.
When Satoru appeared for the first time here I immediately went ''ugh'' but then Jack just walked in
and said Rin was already his just so he knows. Wew. IDK what Jack is up to but he won me over.
I enjoyed it when Rin denied the allegations and Satoru ran off. Because Jack let it slip he knew
who she was afterall. This route was such a comedy unfolding, I am deceased and its only ch3.
Jack's chuuni act is ridiculous I can't believe he talks the way he does but okay
I just started to see him like this big nerd and no way he isn't one at this point. Goemon was
strangely protective of Rin though... but I did think she was letting herself get carried away.
Even if they both kinda lied and are using eachother I felt that they were developing a
genuine connection and it wasn't all lies. Rin is also self-concious about this, the other routes
thus far have relied a lot on the blood bond which somehow made it in(don't ask why).
Unfortunately everyone else was literally on Rin's ass about her getting along with Jack
which lead me to feature this classic meme because it fit so well.
worried about Rin. The way they expressed it was kinda dumb,there was no need for any of that.
I loved how Rin called out their BS because for real they're just bullies at this point.
Thanks to Yona's idiocy we got a lovely moment, oh my. This route is such a comedy, I LOVE IT.
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| THANKS GUYS! |
Rin seems to want to help him even if she knows he could be using her. Like why does Jack
want to go to hell so badly?! she realizes she could help him. Anyway Jack is kinda off limits
for Rin but she started to look at him differently. I think she was actually thirsty for him
and would rather kiss him than... any of the other guys right now. I don't remember her being
particularly excited about kissing them but... here she was rather thinking about Jack.
NVM they got scoops about them due to Rin and Jack going around town.ππππ
Which is all because Yona threw that water that someone could take that picture. NICE.
Jack however denies all allegations quite professionally. Sadly some of his fans aren't
but Ichise stepped in and calmly convinced him like the hero he is.
Anyway uh turns out someone did know Jack and he is apparently cursed to live forever
since he didn't want to die. The person who cursed him was the corporate slave
who is also the person he tried to kill. Uh... feels like we're still missing a piece but LMAO.
Corporate slave seems to think he is an angel for dealing with it the way he did.π
Turns out it can be undone but that means atoning sincerely or something.
They ran into eachother randomly at night and I realized just how invested I am in the romance.
Sadly the moment Rin told him what Takamura told her he flipped a switch... there's more
to Jack than what we were told and it seems he has other plans than simply repenting.
Goemon is really supportive to Rin, he is so overprotective, I felt he will step in if need be.
I bet he wishes it was his route right now but sadly this is Jack's which kinda hit a low point
but the talk with Ichise really made me think Rin and Jack are two side of the same coin.
Jack doesn't seem too attached to anything and has some otherworldly aura to him
Ichise said he's someone who could disappear at any moment which is kinda similar to Rin.
Not sure what the drama about trying to get Rin to join the escapees was all about...
the guys ended up teasing Rin when she got back... well Kiku was staking out Ichise.π
Feels like they wanted to turn this into Goemon route cuz he really has no chill.
If they all keep calling Rin princess then I will personally put them all in jail.
Maybe matcha would make a better romance this route it wouldn't try to--- oh my god he texted.
Anyway I liked how Rin didn't want to fully give up on him.
I liked how understanding Jack was when Rin told him a little more of her own situation
and suddenly he was a lot more interested in her. Oh so he is easy afterall.
Ehm some stuff happened with Ichise and due to turning him down to join their side
he now sees Rin as someone who's in the way. Apparently Okuni noticed Jack
has actually been yearning for Rin too while also just not doing anything to help her
when she was in danger so she punished him, he can't die so he obviously survived.
Well I don't see Jack as a bad person but this route really hits like none before.
Also daddy said Rin is acting more like she did in her previous life and I agree that I found
her to have a bit more... agency. Don't think she went binge-eating in any other route.
Of course she is still stubborn and won't easily admit she... likes Jack or anything.
Before we know it Jack is missing and this route sure had an exciting pace to it
you never knew what was going to happen, LMAO. I've probably said too much already.
I loved how Jack just casually walked up to them but Goemon was too on guard for it.
All for some sweet mochi. Well he was blushing over admitting it so that is progress!
Jack is pretty used to dying horrible and finding himself alive, he's like Bladie's twin.π
It seemed like a comedy but too cursed for that. I'm surprised he's still sane.
Jack's also like Goemon's nemesis and they both can't stand eachother buut
Goemon is also not an evil person so he let's him in since where else is safe right now?
Jack also starts acting pretty tsun about it and bickers with the others so Rin has to reign
them all in like don't pick fights with him.(Yea don't argue with an aquarius you can't win.)
I loved how Rin was including Jack, I haven't seen her so proactive in other routes
she even cracked out her whip because she had enough of Sharaku's jokes.πππ
I don't remember Rin saying something like if you did, I would tie you up with my whip
and kick you out. So please come in. At this point we really saw who Jack really is
and I actually like him now despite the issue he has going on. Jack isn't a bad person
but I understand he is mad because of what he has to deal with.
Rin seems to like him but isn't able to say it and it seems Jack feels the same way
but due to his condition isn't confident he will last long, he's jealous of Goemon.
I think its endearing how Jack doesn't know to atone and wants to make her happy.
Jack pretty much became a househusband and also apologized to Rin for what he said before.
He feels terrible for trying to use her to get revenge for getting his curse.
Honestly I think Jack's story is really sad, I am surprised he didn't go insane
so I can forgive his chuuni act, its probably just a coping mechanism.π
Due to living this long he also gotten used to using fake names, because yea people don't normally
live forever so due to him not being able to die he had to change his name at some point.
Nor could he stay in one place for long, well if this was anyone else i'd say they were a con artist.π
I can't believe Rin was actually thirsty for him when they had the accident on the roof.
Needless to say they don't have the bloodbond but his threads did need to be undone
as he experienced the same sort of pain the other guys did in their route.
Thing is Jack has no desire so how...? yet he had a mark, aka the curse placed by Takamura.
Well even if it wasn't a mark of his desire kissing it still worked but it also leaked out
his current feelings of how he felt about Rin and Goemon. Literally everything.
thinks its best for him to go overseas due to all the drama. Rin thinks this is like him
but also isn't very happy so she needs another binge. Well atleast she's consistent.
Wew get you a man who values his own individualism... will it ever work?!
Oshichi pushed Rin to take action when she talked about Jack. Okuni confirms Jack is
spineless and the whole going abroad thing is just him having commitment issues.π
Well seems like their fight is soon and Rin is thinking about lingerie, thanks Oshichi.
Rin finally tried to ask him and he already knew what she wanted to say before she could finish.
Jack is... a very sharp person, he pays attention to details very well like that time Rin visited him.
What I love is how they're both interested in eachother and it doesn't feel forced.
Rin of course had to be a tsundere about it and well... he backed off. It is what it is.
Well... atleast he isn't a jerk but not sure how I feel it. Ah commitment issues.
or rather if he's a coward then so is she.π Uh yea anyway nothing happened and they go
on their usual patrol's Satoru still being sus but admitted he's just a sub-chara, lmao.
Jack just left in his own way which was upsetting, it seems he's in more pain than you'd think
and wishes she won't make a vow to another man so he can carry her across the river himself.
Rin decides she's going to drag him back into this house whether he likes it or not.ππ
Jack doesn't need backup and he'll take care of Ichise alone...
not that it stopped him from targetting Rin who actually dealt with it on her own.
Jack then summoned a sword like he thinks he's a samurai. Though apparently
if he uses this sword and hurt a human with it, this will shatter his soul.
Since he's been in so much pain lately he thinks he will vanish soon anyway
so he doesn't mind going out like this. Takamura shows up to deal with Jack
after he was done with Ichise but I thought sensei was just being a jerk.
Rin stepped between them which was really cool as she lost all respect for her teacher.
Jack doesn't give up and I though he looked really cool in the CG.
Sensei knew when to stop for some reason as it seems he was just testing him
and will leave the king to decide his fate. Uh okay whatever my dude.
Well uh all is well that ends well? Jack has atoned and daddy decided he'd make a nice pawn...
much like goemon&co. So now Rin officially has another dude under her wing.
Jack gets the nickname Kuro and his curse is no more and he breaks down over it.
Rin is right there with him and Jack has a home to come back to.
Goemon is like why is Jack here so Rin explains it to him that he's one of them now.
Everyone just goes to do their own thing and leaves them to themselves.
Ichise atones in his own way and due to this Jack doesn't give up as an artist.
At night everyone makes sure he gets the house rules now that he's no longer a freeloader
but it seems like they're also forcing him to hang out????? ah so they do want to be buddies.π
The groupshot was really nice too, he's really part of the gang now.
 |
| Jack's like that dude at a party who's just kinda there cuz he's invited. |
The best end was good of course, Jack wanted to continue where they left off the other day
which was a sweet way to end the route. Sadly Rin kept wondering about what he said mid route
and I was like obviously he won't do that anymore. He said it to protect her incase she got attacked
because of him which sorta happened anyway so he was just being stupid like his mark said.
Anyway he apologized for it and its water under the bridge, I don't got any hard feelings m8.
You know what is so weird?! this route flowed so much better for me than the previous three
I don't know what it is but I probably just have taste for trash. Even in the epilogue
he still has his chuuni act but eh it kinda grew on me. Its the price of his original sin.
Actually no he wore contacts OMG he really is a chuunibyo. πππ
I guess the only thing not touched upon is Rin's backstory but I guess that's for Goemon.
As for the bad end: Rin randomly ran into Ichise one night who tried to propose to her
which was a bit random?! if she did then Jack would be free. Turns out Ichise had
feelings for her, he won't force her or anything but there wasn't even a choice here.
Uh yea Ichise and Rin get married and Jack regrets telling her how he really felt.
Rin eventually collapses and Ichise is worried about her, Daddy summoned him
and tells Ichise he can't see her ever again. Since the reason this happened is because
her soul became too weak. Ichise's feelings for Rin were real but not for her to him.
Ichise finally realizes what he did was wrong. Daddy tells him to live and that
he will look forward to the day Ichise arrives in hell. Jack wants to see her again
but he has to wait a long time since Rin reincarnated. 20 years pass which isn't
a lot compared to how long Jack had to live. He worried that he would be a creep.
They did end up meeting and she had a feeling they met before. Well I think this
had a bittersweet feel to it but I sure would be creeped out if it was me
and atleast Jack was self-concious about that. I was worried Ichise
would walk in but it seems he bit the dust or something.ππ
The extra scene that took place after the best end was great to wash the above away.
It also showed he's really... knowledgable about his favorite restaurant.
Which leads Rin to suggest they plant basil and tomatos on their roof. π
9/10
''In a surprising turn of events I greatly enjoyed JacK's route?! its about
as self-contained as the previous three but for me it hit the notes!
My sign is also compatible with aquarius and there were sides to him I liked.
Christ its been three routes but I struck gold or something. It all felt so comedic? and it
just broke the routine while finding out about a character we barely knew anything about.
Halfway through things seemed kind of hopeless in terms of romance
which just made me want to continue to how it would resolve itself.
Jack is the best and worst type of LI at the same time!
Huh? maybe I just like these type of routes since I liked Miyabi a lot as well.
Honestly Jack deserves to be part of the gang just like the other dudes and I will die on that hill.
Best end where it at for JacK btw, the bad end was stupid.''
 |
| πππ |
~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goemon
CV: Yasuhiru Taku.
 |
| Dango dango daikazoku~~ ...not really but I just felt like saying that. |
I mean he is very reliable guy who is casual & chill most of the time, unfortunately
this guy is like the Akaza which means he has to be done last. In Jack's route however
Goemon got a little more aggressive while it wasn't even his route so I was like wait your turn!
but he is an Aries... they can be fierce in trying to protect those whom they love aka Rin.
They really wrote the LI's with their astro signs in mind because a lot of stuff clicks.
Its been obvious since the end of the common route that he loves her and he's pretty
respectful of her own choices in all routes. So even if it seems he has no chill, he has some!
I'll start by saying the route had a okay pacing, in comparison to the first three routes.
It was for the most part straight to the point and never a dull moment. Although some things
did not change and the focus was still on everyday things because the enemy is lazy or are they?!
We got to find out who Oshichi's lover was and due the amount of side characters it could be
hard to guess but it was that ditz, the one and only. However I shall not drop their name.
Yona was having good ideas in bringing them together though!
I wouldn't say there was much repetition of plot, they only added and revealed even more things.
Ain't no way Goemon's blood bond was 90% by chapter 2, guess he really trusts Rin huh?!π
However 90 is not a 100 and Hari foresees it might be a pain to get the last 10 points...
Its been 9000 years and we finally get backstory on Rin among other things and we're on ch3.
What a route huh?! they keep the ball rolling with this one... it was a truth route like none before
since it effectively focused on what mattered. As information was revealed it was also
easy to put that info together. I looked back at the other routes and while some
character moments shined etc they do feel like filler compared to Goemon's.
 |
| Damn Okuni knew what was up and she's so subtle about it.π |
in hell all those years that he matured but he didn't lose all that made him who he is.
The route is enjoyable however the romance was a little slow but I am used to that
by now and the story was good in the sense that anything that anything fell in its place.
Goemon's route did have a CG drought though like... 6 chapters without a single 1?π
damn I guess they're saving them, not like there were many good moments early.
 |
| When its been 4 routes and its finally your turn! |
I clashed with Rin at times like... she would suddenly be so hostile like what?!π
Like 90% alcohol or joking about poisoning food she made for him, even in jest this
made me uncomfortable. Goemon didn't deserve that. The narrative was at odds with itself
trying to sound like he's a villain and a sweetheart at the same time. I didn't like that since
its obvious he is a good person that deeply cared for someone in the past like he was
literally japan's version of robinhood. Rin started acting weird when Goemon
when he was crying over the miso dango's like... saying she should've killed him??!!
Rin was actually jealous of whoever Goemon remembered...
I guess she wanted him to forget about her but that her... is obviously her past self.π
So she brings up the deal with Oshichi that he should move on... since Goemon
is also hung up over someone. Sadly Goemon is very stubborn.
Its hilarious Rin doesn't realize it when the narrative is being obvious about it.π
Atleast Rin was somewhat self-concious about the situation which
was a relief and took back some of her previous statements.
The story in this route makes me... not even want to ship Rin with Yona,Kiku or Sharaku
ahah maybe JacK is OK but Goemon & Rin's is just OTP. The narrative bias is so strong
watching it unfold in real time was just painful like... I can't bear to see this.
If that wasn't enough they also gave Shin some more depth which I found heartbreaking
as for the main plot the heroes can't do much since the villains know how to use the
rules to their advantage, oh well what else is new? its been like this in every route.
The narrative then focuses more on stuff with Oshichi and Shin which in-turn
slowly progresses Rin's relationship with Goemon. I didn't hate it but when I reached chapter 9
I wanted to be done with this dance. I was sad when Jack was a bit stubborn but its
to be expected when its not his route, his problems were taken care of off-screen.
Rin's interested in Goemon but she won't admit that easily. LMAO daddy actually just
knew everything but doesn't even say it straight up, I am so done with him.π
Actually I want to whip papaue's ass, right now. I know its comedic but its not my type of comedy.
It makes me breath with fire. Takamura said daddy made a complicated situation more
complicated and for once I agree. What is this?! I couldn't stand him either a route ago.π
Its tragic how Rin was devoted to Enma in her previous life and prayed everyday
and after Goemon was executed for his crimes she commited suicide infront of Enma's shrine.
In pity daddy sealed her memories. With no memories she always tried to find the one she loved.
Daddy wants her to untie her threads(get with someone else) or... disappear and get reincarnated.
I really have to read between the lines here or else I don't get it.
There's actually a lot more to Goemon and Rin asked Shiroku about it
and he hated Hideyoshi for what he did to their village. Shiroku just wants
Goemon to be happy for once so she asks Rin but she says it may be difficult
since she thinks he likes someone else(which is actually her but she doesn't know it).
Sadly Shiroku doesn't know who the girl is since they parted ways after they left their village.
Well uh they still have to deal with the escapees and Goemon wants to help out Kiku
since he is stuck since his sister ignores him. Rin actually got Azami to listen! omg.
In other news I do want Rin and Goemon to have their heart to heart because
this shit can't continue! its unbearable!? aaaa~~.
Goemon knows but Rin doesn't he's being respectful of her current life.
Aww man why is this guy like the perfect dude?! ISTG. meanwhile
Rin is all like oh gosh I can't be attracted to him! nothing will come of it.π
Oddly relatable but please... just... oh my god nvm stuff happened so we got bigger worries.
Rin was allowed to take actions if necessary since some seem to go after people from hell
that's because of the stupid app. She actually whipped someguy going after her best friend.
Was Rin always like this?! she's so badass in both Jack and Goemon's route.
Just as I am starting to grow frustrated at Rin and Goemon. He randomly handed
her a basket of winter daphnes and she told him to die. Okay then.π
Well when he asked her why she didn't accept them, she said they can't be for her
and told him to go find the one he loves. Goemon wants to kill hell daddy
because he told his daughter like half of the story without telling the important part.
Rin is like what?! Goemon then starts being honest like he wouldn't give flowers
to a girl he didn't like and finally tells Rin that the girl is HER. OMG finally!π
Goemon is just done with Rin... he wanted her to remember but she's so dense
so he put one of the daphnes into her hair. Awww he's so sweet.
why would a man like him be a criminal?! Rin though the whole thing
was a dream; a man like him could never want me! its so frustrating.
Its like one of those Kdramas that should've wrapped up by ep7 but has like 16 eps.
To add salt to the wound, this route has 13 chapters instead of 12 like everyone else.
Goemon has to spell it out for her it wasn't a dream and he's loved her all this time.π
''The way you act like nothing happened is sad.'' yes it is. I feel bad for Goemon
but Rin finally asks him to tell her what she was like in her past life.
So then she fell for him all over again, she couldn't believe it but it is what it is!
if it was me i'd probably just fall for him too. Not like there's competition atm.
Seems the story is finally wrapping up... but there's still the matter of the escapees
things aren't exactly looking good. I'm kind of tired how they're just continueing their crap
but before that Goemon had to have his threads untied which also cleared up a lot and narratively
the gloves are really off this time like the rest of this game is tame compared to here.
It did lead to a really super sweet scene between them. The last chapters were good
but... I still think the overall plot was a bit all over the place, the only thing
I really liked was the romance and many character developments before that.
Some things turned a bit messy in the end but it wasn't too bad. I can understand
that certain things had to only be revealed in this route and well I guess I will just
have to believe papaue and sensei took care of the rest in any other route. ¯\_(γ)_/¯
Shino and Asaemon felt like they were their usual self, there isn't much more to them.
I was kinda eh when Shiroku showed his cards and whole deck... I did feel a bit blindsided.
Like was he under manipulation too or did he straight up lied about wanting his BFF to be happy?!
Ok whatever! Suddenly desires can upgrade and it felt a whole lot just rode on convenience
like yea its possible but we just never told you since it wasn't necessary.
In regards to Mukkun I did draw some question marks. No comment.
This is also the only route where Rin really grows as a character and reaches her full potential
so looking back I can't help but get a little sad because the first three routes end prematurely.
The 13th chapter made me wish Rin would just slap papaue for even bringing that up
but it did lead them to digest the hard stuff. I actually liked it when Rin said:
what's so great about a liar like me and Goemon replied: Everything.
If not for the last few scenes i'd rate it lower but it was very chef's kiss so my rating increased.
This game was padded alright but for both Jack and Goemon it was worth it.
I had fun skipping to the bad end(not) but eventually we got there, imagine making every
happy choice but you mess up with the last and then you get this ending.π
That asshat decides to take care of Rin first and then finish off Goemon they both die trying
to reach for eachother. Daddy made sure they both reincarnated as a parting gift since
he knew she tried her best with the mission. I guess this also means the asshat failed.
The extra scene added an epilogue to this turn of events which shows what happened 20 years
after the two of them disappeared. Jack comments this is nothing to what he's been through.
The others have just been living like always and one day Kiku picks up their scent.
Just then Goemon and Rin run into eachother and he has a feeling they know eachother.
Ah well all's well that ends well! what can I say but this is like my fav bad end next to Yona.
There was one more extra scene for after the best end which showed more of their life
after the best end. Things were going just peachy and Goemon complains to Rin about
papaue just beat around the bush and while seeing some other couple he wants to go on a date.
They get all cozy in the Goemon cauldron. UwUb
---
9,3/10
''I already rambled too much but well it was a very good final route.
Well I do think the story had a beautiful tragedy woven into it
which had something bittersweet. The part that Rin doesn't know its her
just made it painful. Is there such a thing as a tragic comedy?!
There was a lot of beating around the bush but sometimes humans don't always
say the things they want to say and the dreaded miscommunication issues arise.
I do like the many character interactions and they had their place within the narrative
but I think this also kinda bogged it down? but it also wasn't that awful
at this point though I am used to it, its just 75% SoL and 25% everything else.
The romance was true slowburn and I mean it! by the time of confession there was only relief.
I won't be too hard on it as I did like seeing the story unfold in this route but man...
if I was Goemon i'd be frustrated as heck and he was. Go make Rin scream she's all yours.''
~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fav route:
Jack / Goemon > Sharaku > Kiku/Yona.
Kiku/Yona are tied and honestly I don't think there was much to their routes
other than their characters and romance. Sharaku's not much better but Jack
definitely was my surprise favorite cuz his route was a goldmine to me.
Compared to the final route Jack felt a bit like a gaiden, a route just for him.
Goemon's had the best narrative and tied it all up, the other routes can't go up against it
but honestly due to my bias for Jack its a tie between them as well.
Fav character:
Goemon>Jack>Oshichi&Rin>Shin>Tama>Sharaku>Kiku&Yona>Takamura&Papaue>Shiroku/Mukkun.
When the early route LI's are out done by BFF's you know somethings off.
Sensei&Papaue can be a brick wall leading to the deepest pits of hell.
Bad end ranking:
Yona & Goemon > Sharaku / Kiku > Jack.
Goemon&Yona had the best bad end cuz it wasn't one of them waiting 18+ years.
Jack had the worst bad end since it involved NTR by a side character and honestly
I just thought the way that happened was too convenient. No one needed that drama.
---
Final thoughts?!
Its a common issue for VN's that early routes can be lacklustre so I won't be too harsh on it.
TengoStray had a great cast and the romance was sweet but its plot was... all over the place.
Early routes would solve only one problem and left a lot unresolved or unexplained.
I could be wondering about the other escapees as the credits rolled but none of that matters.π
The overall plot wasn't very interesting at first and only the last route was where it got good.
The LI's are actually good boys even if they made it seem like they could be worse, they
didn't even make me uncomfortable for half a chapter unlike admin-kun.π
Thankfully most LI did grow on me by the time their route was over.
I am not sure if Jack is hated as a LI but I actually enjoyed his route a lot!!!!!!
Rin as a heroine is pretty on par with Olympia, self aware and not afraid to talk back
but she isn't much of a fighter despite carrying that whip around, she used it less than I expected.
Rin can seem like a tiger but she is just a cat really, a cat that could scratch if you piss her off.
During battles Rin was more like a pillar of support but she could join in
with a full on-screen sprite although this was extremely rare.
Honestly I don't know how I feel about it as a whole but if anything
I enjoyed Goemon's route a lot more than Misyr's in Enchante.
Every route did have interesting bits but I did think this game was a bit padded.
Grocery shopping can be good bonding time... but at times I forgot about the plot.
The enemy was so lazy, there was no real threat most of the time(till it was).
We're supposed to stop some escapees but it was being conveyed as
this ain't a pleasure cruise and people just doing whatever.π
This game had a grand plot but went about it extremely laidback and while
I could guess Papaue's scheme but it didn't make sense till the last route.
I acknowledge that rome wasn't build in a day and things like trust take time
but the pacing and tension issues got to me at times. I find it hilarious
the things I enjoyed were all the random funny dialogues.πππ
I mostly just did one or two chapters a day and paused when I didn't feel like it
so this took me a while to get through. More like 3/4 months.
I jokingly started calling it Tengoku tumbleweed side struggle at some point
because there really wasn't much going on but everyone tried their best.
I figured it out early that they were saving the real plot for the locked routes because
where else could it be? if I was harsh i'd say this game only really has two routes.
The first few routes were a real struggle for me, maybe I didn't like the LI's or maybe it was that
boring but on the plus side it has no copypasta problem since anything not covered
that route is resolved off-screen. I also was reminded a little of Gunka o haita neko because
most of the chapters were filled with random day to day things while bonds grew.
Thankfully there were no politics but it did follow Olisoi's template just with one less route.
Though I think they did better with the Himuka route in this game aka JacK. Other than that
Olympia had a simple life with a simple goal in a depressing setting. Rin's life with the guys
felt fairly normal in comparison... barely anything happened unless it.. did.
Rin was a perfectly normal girl with an attitude wait just like Olympia.
LMAO i'm rambling too much.
Overall it was a messy game but its also not an awful one depending how you look at it.
I'm glad I stuck with it so I got to experience Jack&Goemon but I can understand
if some people dropped this game before they got to that point.
8/10
What's next?! Crazy Chain has been delayed, that game seems to have a capable heroine
however the writer is also the same as virche and I am not in the mood for an angst fest.
Furthermore I never played Nil Admirari and its okay to not play everything
from the same writer/director. That said Kiminimadoi&Sullyland do interest me
but unless I get I must play this vibes I will skip upcoming games.
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