Sangoku Rensenki ~Otome no Heihou!~ Omoide Gaeshi - Review

Spoiler warning just incase.

三国恋戦記 ~思いでがえし~ CS Edition -

Game: [Sangoku Rensenki ~Otome no Heihou!~ Omoide Gaeshi].

Genre: Otome game Visual Novel.

Developer/Publisher: Daisy2

Platform: PC,PSP, PS Vita.

Official Site: http://www.prot.co.jp/psv/omoide/index.html

VNDB: https://vndb.org/v12438

Release date: 2016-02-04

This is the fandisc of Sangoku Rensenki, with after stories, minigames and such...
Wait minigames? I didn't find any in the Vita port though? maybe thats a PC exclusive?

I played vita port the original game last year, sadly I had to settle for the digital download via jp psn.
However for the FD I was able to secure a physical copy. :D
~

I greatly enjoyed the original Sangoku Rensenki, it was a fun otome game adaption of the 

sangoku period, which made me really excited after hearing the FD would also get a vita port.
Sangoku Rensenki is kind of like fushigi yuugi but it only borrows the book theme
everything else is basically unique, there are of reviews for the first
game available and none of them say its bad so if you're interested go pick it up.
I think the only flaw is too many characters but there should be atleast one that suits your taste

I really recommend to play the original sangoku rensenki, its really fun!
its quite light-hearted but does take itself serious in some moments.
If you end up liking that alot it you should really pick up the FD! 

TL;DR

 Pro's
- Fun after stories, though one of them was a bit depressing.
 - This FD makes me want even more, which is a good thing I suppose? T_T

Con's
- Its rather short, only get this if you want more and absolutely loved Sangoku Rensenki.
- The gag scenario while funny the first time is a waste of time on repeated playthrough's.

9/10
If you really liked the original Sangoku Rensenki the FD is definitely worth your time.
Especially if you also like Fushigi Yuugi as it borrows the book theme, between this game
and Jyuuza Engi I have to say I prefer Sangoku Rensenki much more, I'm all for
 heroines who can kick ass like Kanu but Hana still manages to be a A++ heroine 
despite being a little generic.
However if you've never played the original game don't even bother, but if Sanren
strikes your interest and you love the swept away to a distant land type of plot device
and chinese history by all means please do give the original Sangoku Rensenki a chance.

Getsuei no Kusari Sakuran Paranoia - Review

 月影の鎖 -錯乱パラノイア-
Game: [Chains of Moonlight Confusion Paranoia].

Genre: Otome game Visual Novel.

Developer/Publisher: Takuyo

Platform: PSP, PS Vita.

Official Site: http://www.takuyo.co.jp/products/getsuei/index.html

VNDB: https://vndb.org/v11469

Release date: 2016-12-23

TL;DR
8/10
This is like Spice and Wolf the otome game it gets close but not its quite similair, lol economics!
I guess it gets close to Clannad too due to ts tragic/depressive nature...
  Its not all that bad but this otomege is going to need an acquired taste as it isn't light-hearted
in the slightest, its probably the most realistic and mature otomege I've played thus far.
Also this game isn't for beginners of japanese language, you should've figured from
the old timey setting, economical crisis, talk of morals and politics...

Pro's
- Mature and realistic story of people trying to survive through dark times.
- Interesting characters and all the guys are likeable in some way.
- Art.
- BGM is well used, you can clearly tell if the scene is going to be happy, sad or no good.
- Unique Seiyuu cast.

Con's
- Story is one tough cookie, as its not light hearted in the slightest.
 - The main villain reasoning might be difficult to understand.
- Not much sugar content.

Akai Suna Ochiru Tsuki - Demo Review

赤い砂堕ちる月

赤い砂堕ちる月

Game: [Akai Suna Ochiru Tsuki].

Genre: Otome game Visual Novel.

Developer/Publisher: Landkarte and Dramatic create.

Platform: PC, PS Vita.

Official Site: http://www.dramaticcreate.com/akasuna/

VNDB: https://vndb.org/v3820

Release date of demo: 2016-01-29

Release date of full version 2016-03-10

A demo for an otome game! I wish more companies did this!

Instead of like making us waste money... but then again from a demo it might still

be hard to judge the full game because who knows if it gets bad or better later, haha.

TL;DR
Check this demo out if you are unsure about this game, you might like it.

Zettai Meikyuu Himitsu no Oyayubi-hime - Review

Minor spoiler warning just incase~~

絶対迷宮 秘密のおやゆび姫

Game: [Zettai Meikyuu Himitsu no Oyayubi-hime]

Genre: Otome game Visual Novel.

Developer/Publisher: Karin entertainment.

Platform:  PS Vita.

Official Site: http://oyayubi.labyrinth-of.com/

VNDB: https://vndb.org/v15248

Release date: 2015-07-30

Oyayubi hime is my first Karin game and its apparently well received in japan, however
i've also read that the overall story was a mess, well now that doesn't bode well does it?
Anyway I am glad I got this game out of the way...

TL;DR
6/10
I liked this game as it was still decent but it had some issues...

Pro's
- Interesting setting and story for being a fairytail adaption.
 - Most of the characters are likeable.
 - Art and BGM.
 Lune,Svia and Esheru's routes are great and original.
- Not one but two yuri routes.
- Lune had the best route, his route balanced the plot and romance so well.
(Tsubame/Kuro kishi comes pretty close but eh...)
- Unique seiyuu cast.

Con's
- Doesn't feel like an otome game, IMHO only Lune and Tsubame/Kuro kishi routes did it right.
Like the otome bits came in too late, there was like almost zero development in the common route.
- The romance and plot in most of the routes is poorly balanced.
- The story has issues, mostly cuz of Freya.
- Long common route.
 - Only Lune,Svia and Esheru's routes are original, the rest of the route overlap with each other.
- Lupian's route was too short... I felt nothing yo! nothing but sadness he got the short end of the stick.
- Miracle Flower Power Magical Girl Freya saves the day in too many routes*.
*(Sirius,Lars, Lupian,Albireo, Tsubame/Kuro kishi and Nude king routes).*
 - Why does Truce not have a route?
- This otomege might only stand out if you haven't played that many yet.

Best and worst otome games I played during 2015

Uh oh its that time of the year... and well I've played alot Otome this year, I didn't review all of them.

So lets go over the ones I played in order before ranking them!

1, Ken ga Kimi for V.

 2, Sangoku Rensenki.

3, Crimson Empire New edition.

4, Clock Zero extime.

5, Possession Magenta.

6, Zettai Kaikyuu Gakuen ~Eden with Roses and Phantasm~

7, Harukanaru toki no naka de 6.

8, Soukai Buccaneers.

9,Amnesia.

10, Shinobi, koi utsutsu.

11, I DOLL U.

12, Mahoutsukai to goshujin-sama.

13, Prince of Stride.

14, Beast master and prince/Moujuutsukai to ouji-sama.

15, Harukanaru toki no naka de 6.

16, Reine des fleurs.

17, Rear pheles red of another.

18, Ayakashi gohan Oomori.

19, Jyuza engi 1.

20, Jyuza engi 2.

Games bought but haven't played yet at the time of this post which i've finished by now.
(yay for backlog! so this'll be at next year's end list,)

Yunohana Spring. (decent game, its cute and fluffy but its not all that interesting)

Zettai Meikyuu himitsu no Oyayubi hime.(Finished, its decent but it has some issues)

Norn9 Var Commons.(I've finished this by now, great otomege despite translation issues)

So which of the 20 games I played would actually make it to my omg best i've played this year?

and the Oh my gawd I don't want to play this again everrrrrrrr.

Angelique Retour - Review

アンジェーリーク ルトゥール

Game: [Angelique Retour]

Genre: Otome game Visual Novel.

Developer/Publisher: Koei tecmo, Neo romance, Ruby party.

Platform: PSP, PS Vita.

Official Site: http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/ange_retour/

VNDB: https://vndb.org/v2166

Release date: 2015-12-17

Here we go another koei game its a remake of one of the very first otome games!
Or more like Angelique helped to develop the genre a lot.

I find this game to be somewhat enjoyable, despite some of the RNG...

I guess it keeps things interesting? maybe i'm just not into simulation games.
Too bad I have no motivation to do more than one route...atleast at the time of finishing this post.
Because the system is just that boring and annoying to me not to mention there's no real conflict 'cept
the guys internal struggle thus nothing really happens outside of you competing to be the queen...
more on that soon.

I gotta be honest though, while I was sitting through the first few hour I thought that
Reine des Fleurs took alot of things from this game but not everything and they make it french. (lol)

I'm not bothered by it because things like this happen all the time in japan and even in the west, all those similair light novel or anime and even game? Yep it happens all-the-time, but enough about RDF being similair to Angelique cuz I don't give a single fuck, i'm just pointing it out and thats that.

Also for some reason I find that Koei's titles are less popular than otomate in the west?
Maybe its because they have zero presence in the west unlike otomate outside
of the old harukanaru tv anime and manga who ironically are now long out of print.
Koei should really step up their game now, the market is there and Aksys has shown that!
I do not care if Koei otome titles will be steam only because sadly the vita is a lost cause in the west.

PLOT
''A plain-ish girl named Angelique which we'll shorten to Ange is a chosen
candidate alongside Rosalia to become the queen of the cosmos.
The two girls compete for this role and the guys support them in their journey.''

UNFORTUNATELY that is all there is to it except love there is no real outside source to oppose them
the two candidates (except each other)which is actually really disappointing

it doesn't help that while the guys are appealing they aren't really interesting

until you get into their events and get to know them a bit more.
Other than that not even Rosalia was a nuisance, I expected bitchy rivalry behavior
but there was none of that (lol) which honestly made for a pretty boring game.
Why would you even want to become the queen of the cosmos anyway?
Ange isn't even capable of questioning this except when deciding to go with a guy or not...
IMO the plot of Koisuru tenshi angelique was more interesting because atleast
the protag had some history and the guys are all sad and emo over Ange becoming the queen
and the bias for Zephel there made me get this game and to be honest it wasn't worth it
except for him finally finding happiness with his first crush.😅

 Pro's
- No Date, No Life.
- All of the guys are sweethearts.
- The system is easy to understand.
- Interesting setting and worldview but...
- Art and BGM.
- Heroine was cute buut very basic.
- The heroine's rival Rosalia was likeable and not bitchy.
- Zephel was moe, best boy. (bias)

Con's
- The story is almost non-existant.
- Characters have cardboard personality outside of their events which takes a while to reach.
- Events and individual ending are on the short side.
(^This could be great if your attention span is short^)
- Its hard not to reach the goal of the story.
- Not a straight-forward visual novel.
- RNG.


Like i've said this otomege's overall plot is simple, do as your supposed to as the candidate and chill with guys from time to time and win their hearts in the process, there is no pressure
though it might be great to get ahead of Rosalia which is actually easy.
It doesn't even matter if you shoot down any guy who requests to hang out with the heroine
they'd be disappoint and will probably cry in a corner for the rest of the ingame day. :D
I still think its too easy to reach the main objective though, most of the time Rosalia isn't even
 trying I mean at one point there was a 1000 point gap, I'm like pls.
Anyway it is ok if you don't have any expectations and are new to it, don't let the RNG bit
get to you it can still be lots of fun (I think).

Jyuzaengi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~ 1+2 - Review

十三支演義~偃月三国伝~
Game: [Juuza engi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~ 1+2 ]
Genre: Otome Visual Novel.
Developer/Publisher: Otomate and Red entertainment.
Platform: PSP, PS Vita.
Official Site: http://www.otomate.jp/jyuzaengi/vita/
VNDB:https://vndb.org/v10289
Release date: 2015-08-27


Basically its Dynasty warriors with an otome spin to it, haha...
I can't say my original expectations were particularly high but I was pleasantly surprised
 it turned out to be mostly decent! (the first game atleast can't say the same about the second).
Thankfully the system wasn't annoying... it was decent, I liked the journey system.
RoTK with furries(as in cute animal ear and/or tail)... TBH out of all of them
Ryuubi is the cutest, maybe not romantically but you get the picture?
Not much plot spoilers for the first game atleast just quick thoughts and tbh
you can read elsewhere... I ended up writing more about part 2 because it was a step down
and I love complaining when I don't like things, it good to have opinion though.

This is by no means a loyal otome adaptation of ROTK and if you expect one you will be sorely
disappointed, I actually prefer Sangoku rensenki over this but that might be just me liking its tropes.
The writing is decent but it has issues at times, especially the 2nd game and I do not mind if
its not historically accurate but they make so many changes to turn it into an otome game this is one
of those you want everyone to be happy type of games... and thats what you get esp in the sequel.
This game isn't that bad but if you hate the I want everyone to be happy trope
and considering the setting expect something more serious give it a pass.

Jyuza engi 1, 8/10
I thought this was pretty solid, story is pretty good and great setup even tho they take too many liberties. The war scenes in this game are boring and drag the game on longer than it should
which makes me sleepy, cuz 70% of the time its just boring ossans talking about war tactics
but everything else was A++ and playing Jyuuza2 right after this was a bad idea and I regret
doing so since I loved every route and the continuety of the ends is not there except 1.
Jyuuzaengi 2, 5/10
Story is so-so but once again they take many liberties to change it into an otome game, I didn't
like Chounn & Chouryuu's route this time, plot there was pretty bad, compared to the other route.
 I only really ended up liking 3/4 routes out of 8 at the sequel so I am really disappointed.
The major problem with Jyuza2 is that they want you to forget all of the endings in
th first game cuz it continues from Ryuubi's route, yeah thats right and fine.
Ryuubi's route was still decent and finishes up the overall story nicely in my opinion.
But most of the other routes like Chounn, Chouryuu, Sousou and Kakouton were a drag
since it was a pain seeing Kanu fall in love again, still Chouhi's route was a huge improvement
over what he had in the first game though and Kakouton wasn't that bad.
Shokatsuryou ended up being my favorite in the sequel and Shuyu was eh.
S-e-r-i-o-u-s-l-y don't play these two games back to back, its my one and only mistake.
Though if I had to give it a rating overall it gets a 6.5/10 rating from me
which is a seven at best which is not bad at all.

Pro's
- Overall it has an interesting story and setting.
- Kanu was a pretty awesome heroine.
- Most if not all the guys are likeable (depend on taste tho).
Art and Bgm.
- Seiyuu's A++.
- Kakouton was moe the best boy, even in the sequel which I disliked in general.
- Shokatsuryou.
- Chouhi redeemed himself in the sequel, he was such a cutie pie there.
(I'm just glad it did one thing right at this point.)

Con's
- Ossans talking about boring war tactics, this is just sleep inducing, I can handle stuff like
dynasty warriors and history do interests me but in a visual novel esp otome its just a big no.
(atleast the sequel had less ossans).
- Enshou and Guo Jia are T R A S H.
- Bacho should have had more presence.
- In the 2nd game became too much of a damnsel in some of the routes.
(Huehue CHOUNN, she was still cool but she just wasn't as awesome as before...)
- In the 2nd game some of the routes, no the whole sequel had a weaker plot in general.
(In the case of Chouryuu, I was like I didn't ask for this did I? and for Chounn I was like wtf is this?)
- Sonken and the new guys should have had a route of his own instead of the old one.
(I was okay with Ryuubi's route since he was the OTP but the rest of returning cast are back 
to square one, why not turn them into sub chara and give Sonken and others a chance?).

 So basically TL;DR the sequel was kinda poor with the exception of Shokatsuryou, Shuyu and
Ryuubi's route. I didn't even like Shuyu but his route was OK compared to others.
Tbh I don't hate Jyuza Engi 2, I just feel that some routes like Chounn,Chouryuu,Sousou
aren't worth my time after playing the first game, ESPECIALLY RIGHT AFTER PART ONE
but don't worry I still like this series its great and the protag kicked ass where she could.
Overall I am biased for Ryuubi, Kakouton and Shokatsuryou, I liked Chouryuu route more in the 1st game though in p.2 they turned the fantasy elements up 9000% and I regret doing him last in the sequel. 

-

Playorder... for the first it doesn't matter except Ryuubi should be done either first or last cuz continuity why first? he doesn't have much romance and the thing he has could be jarring.
For part 2 some routes unlock on 2nd play so may as well do Shokatsuryou first, the rest
don't matter much and if you want to end the sequel in a good yet bittersweet way
 I recommend doing Sousou last, definitely not Chouryuu. -_-
Sure it was sweet but... it left a bitter taste in my mouth considering some stuff, seriously
i'd rather have Sousou to end the game with than... whatever the fuck even was Chouryuu's best end.

FAQ
Q: Is the PS Vita port worth it? if I played the PSP versions?
A: Do you like replaying or should I say rereading VN in better resolution? and do you like trophies?
Q: I only played the first game years ago, should I buy this port?
A: Do you remember liking it? by all means go for it if you want the complete experience.
Q: Are there any new additions to the PS Vita version?
A:There are new additions, there is a new epilogue for every character in the first game but
its really short, its hard to say if a 5-10 Minute scene with a CG is worth your time
it may be good for die-hard jyuuza fans but if not... its a pass?
I don't think it is worth it especially if said epilogues are retconned om the sequel.
If you agree like/agree with most of those answers then I say yes go for it.
(I can by no means guarantee you'll like this as a whole, maybe you will, maybe you won't...)
TL;DR/end

Characters ★★★★☆
Art  ★★★★☆(Great.)
Scenario/plot. ★★★★☆(First game 4 star... 3 star for sequel.)
Music★★★☆☆ (Average but no complaints.)
System  ★★★★☆ (Comfy...)
Enjoyment overall ★★★★☆(Good but do not think too hard about it.)

 More ramblings after the jump.

Ayakashi gohan Oomori - review

あやかしごはん ~おおもりっ!~

Game: [Ayakashi gohan Oomori]

Genre: Otome Visual Novel.
Developer/Publisher: Asgard/Honeybee

Platform: PC, PS Vita.

Official Site: http://www.honeybee-cd.com/ayakashi_vita/
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v14759

Release date: 2015-10-08

Ayakashi Gohan... what can I say?  its the one game that renewed my hope for this genre..
Yep I really enjoyed this game!

My play order was > Uta > Manatsu > Suou > Yomi > Ibuki > Asagi.
I probably strayed  from the official play order but i tried to keep Human & Ayakashi routes varied.

 TL;DR
9/10
I loved this game, in the end I liked all of the guys. 
 This game got a special place in my heart.

Pro's
- Likeable cast.
- Tearjerker.
 - The overall story is interesting.
 - Voiced heroine.
- Heroine has two different personality based on choice in the prologue
 - Art and BGM.

Con's
Long common route.
- Not many CG and they're not in the place you want them.
 - Extra short scene in the best ending after completing Asagi's locked route.
(This was annoying, the only best end  where I say it was worth it to go back for was Manatsu's and
in the case of Ibuki a whole new ending, the other best ends? lol honeybee please stop.)
- Guren. (Yeah this guy pissed me off to no end.)
- PS Vita version has bugs, but some can be overlooked like touch support.
(I mean stop complaining you can just use the buttons?)

Utawarerumono Itsuwari no Kamen - Review and Impressions

うたわれるもの 偽りの仮面

Game: [Utawarerumono Mask of Deceit]

Genre: Visual Novel, Strategy RPG.
Developer/Publisher: Aquaplus

Platform: PS3, PS4,PS Vita.

Official Site: http://aquaplus.jp/uta/itsu/
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v7721

Release date: 2015-09-24

Well these are just my personal thoughts about the game and when I look back
it might have been the best game I played all year despite its cliffhanger.
Tokyo Xanadu comes close but eh... that one honestly had one too many cliches.

TL;DR
8/10
Story is a bit slow at first but it takes its time to introduce everyone and sets the stage
for its inevitable sequel because this game Utaware2: Itsuwari no Kamen is designed to
bridge the gap between the first Utawarerumono game and Utaware3: Futari no Hakuoro.
This game might have SRPG elements but don't buy the game for that because
you'll spend more time reading than in battle, sadly the SOL part is going to be an absolute
hit or miss this game much like falcom's kiseki series is very slow in getting to
the good parts, if you can stand it and have played/watched the original then go for it.


Kuon~~

Reine Des Fleurs - impressions/Review

レンドフルール

Game: [Reine des Fleurs/Queen of Flowers]

Genre: Otome Visual Novel.
Developer/Publisher: Otomate/Idea factory.

Platform: PS Vita.

Official Site: http://www.otomate.jp/reinedesfleurs/

Release date: 2015-08-20

This is the general outline of the story:
Violette has to leave her sheltered life behind since she is the candidate
 to become substitute Reine aka french word for Queen because the world
needs grace and she's the only one who can do so.
The knights don't want to go along and don't trust her cuz of the absence of a Reine/Queen
all this time so Violette has to come to their countries and have a fabulous talk with them
 like the ye olde french nobels did as it the only way to get grace so she can give it to the world
which is already quite drained so it won't perish, all in all this sounds promising right?

TL;DR this is a Kusotoge (maybe that is too harse) with way too much dramatique
and mystical mumbo jumbo, theres not many characters for a story set on such a grand stage.
If you want to get it don't fall for the synopsis or the pretty art, keep your expectations low
if anything the characters might save it for you and well I did like atleast two routes.
It doesn't fail being at what it tries to do, the gothic style and despairing plot is good
but most happy endings aren't satisfying for what you have to sit through which was pretty boring.
This game did not at all feel like it was an otome game to me, infact it feels more like a theatrical play.
I kid you not, this is all I can remember no... want to remember from this game.
Sorry if this sounds like a complaint/rage post but I just have to put it out there.

Anyway here are the pro's and con's if you don't care about my rant.

 Pro's
 - The setting and story is interesting at first sight.
- Art and Music
- The guys/characters are still likeable despite the weak story.
- Seiyuu did a wonderful job.
- Setting.
- Heroine, I liked that Vio is selfish... enough to know what she wants and takes it.
- Leon was moe.

 Did I push it with the pro's? lol.

Con's
- Story is rather weak and fails to keep the reader interested at times.
- Most love endings are not satisfying.
 - Ravir system.
- Too many bad ends.
- The locked route was not satisfying. 
(It also didn't have the true end revelation I was hoping for.)

My expectations were too high for this game, I didn't enjoy most of it at all, I'd love to
someday replay it because sometimes I think its better than what people make it out to be
and its not that bad but yeah... I agree there's too much ''negativity'' which believe it or not infects others. I ended up ranting about things I usually do not care about out of shear

frustration that is the game system, feel free to ignore the rest of the review.
Gothic fantasy can be an interesting genre but only if they don't make the story a complete mess.

Too much drama, a paper-thin plot to waste your time away, the prologue specifically
while it had this nice feel of introduction  I couldn't keep my attention to it at all, I mean
Leon was cute and most guys were charming but the introduction went on for far too long
and not much was even going on till the end of the prologue.
Later all the talk of glass made my eyes glaze over... pun intended.
Honestly I never expected this to a 3rd rate gothic fantasy, I was expecting this to be
a fun yet serious story but sadly the plot never took itself serious in my eyes.
The Ravir system was draining me of my energy too... probably one of the worst systems
ever next to wand of fortune! hey its also the same dev team.
I know they try to emulate what french nobles used to but in a VN this is just boring...
ATLEAST the art was good, despite me raging about this game
I would love a FD that make the endings in this game more worthwhile or an AU FD would be nice.
Violette as a heroine is great she knows what she wants and takes it but
the way the plot was told made me shake my head way too many times.
Still she was a cool heroine who kept her head high  and I sorta
appreciated her being selfish but it felt like such a waste in the end...

I don't hate dramatic games but Ravir was such a drag and most of the endings weren't satisfying
or like Orpheus for example it end in such a way to only make you wonder wtf is even  next.
Also I don't mind if people die in games but the way it happened in some routes! sigh...

Characters ★★★☆☆
Art  ★★★★★(A saving grace.)
Scenario/plot. ★★☆☆☆(Too much mystical mumbo jumbo... and drama)
Music★★★★☆ (Good.)
System  ★☆☆☆☆ (Stressful and too many bad ends...)
Enjoyment overall ★★☆☆☆(What did I expect? too much that's what.)

 So you may like this game if:
Gothic fantasy is your jam and like the insanely pretty art.
Do not mind the game being a mine field of bad endings.
 Like the utsuge type of visual novels where the outcome may not be perfectly happy.
Do not mind certain things just not making any sense.