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Intertwined Bloodlines.
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Genre: VN.
VNDB:
https://vndb.org/v47009Release date: 29-2-2024.
Matsurika was the only upcoming otome game from otomate that I was still interested in.
It has a lot to do with the artstyle and a fantasy setting which just really drew me in
as well as a comfortable seiyuu cast with familiar voices that I like.
If this is gonna be my last otomate game... they got me good!
This game released on the same day as FFVII rebirth but at the same time
I mostly ended up playing this first because I just missed playing an otome game
and I wasn't in the mood for Final Fanfiction 7 which I only really ended up playing
on and off if the mood striked or when switch was charging which is actually perfect for it.
Pro's
- Well rounded routes, mostly easy to follow the story.
- Compelling characters & OK heroine(considering her situation).
- Gorgeous artwork and fitting soundtrack for that chinese feel.
Grey area:
- CeroD for a reason, there's quite a bit of sexual themes and not just suggestive.
Con's
- Long, especially if you do all routes.
- It can be kind of frustrating if you'd like to do the routes of Enrai or Fey since
they basically need all other routes be done but locked for a reason.
- NTR (bad ends only).
This game had some pretty high production values and good art direction from the CG's to
the backgrounds and sprites they were all gorgeous. Did I mention the cg's were animated as well?
I doubt this game was the product of a year they worked on this for a while
the artist truly outdid themselves not many otomate games have multiple sprite.
It has a great soundtrack that fit the setting/mood. The OP was great and listened
to it almost everytime I booted up the game. The ED's was pretty good too.
The menus were nice as well, it wasn't busy like say cupipara and just easy on the eyes.
The system was standard stuff however I could not find the skip to the next choice option
which ended up being touch pad only which I barely use, it didn't work properly.
Matsurika has a lot of chinese influences as well as the classic four lords.
At first I had a hard time understanding all the lore and it wasn't very clear where
any of it would go, there was suspense and intrigue, it got better eventually when
I got to know the characters! i'd say the end of the common route was a little
frustrating in light of certain developments. Other than that it still has a nice
sense of humor and the character interaction was pretty great right of the bat.
**Once I got into it the story was not particularly hard to follow/grasp.
I'd say the heroine Naaya was decent at best, she can be reserved but also show courage
to go off to another town on her own despite a certain someones protest.
Naaya has a lot of potential but due to the setting can never reach it, she can be stubborn
as well but eh she goes through a lot and doesn't even know wtf is going on
so I can't be too hard on her, she doesn't deserve that and her options are limited.
**I mostly liked her because she was kind but it seems most people don't like
passives heroines and they only want pro-active ones, Naaya shined only on rare occasions.
Despite being an old timey game I didn't find it boring, it only became more interesting
as it went on but it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows there were secrets being kept.
There were twists and turns, at times I wasn't even sure what was really going on.
**It all did managed to fall into place at the end.
Common route wasn't too long, it serves its purpose to setup everything in relaxed manner
however the end of the common route was a little disturbing, the mood whiplash
at the time bothered me. It was at that moment the dumpster catched fire
and in some routes it goes out but in others it never really went out till the end.
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Especially you Ruwo.
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The story did generally flow well, it had slower moments but I didn't find the pacing
to be that bad. I think it was overall better than in say Tsuitsui.
Individual route was of decent length there's plenty developments good and bad.
If you combine them all then this game is pretty long. I did like that the final route was
not a combination of all but instead something that connects all dots, for better or for worse.
However I would like to emphasize that this game is very old fashioned and
the values of marriage or morals simply don't work in today's world. If the reader
can get past that and accept it then I think this game is much more enjoyable.
Most love interest's are nice enough that I could understand why the heroine
would stay with them because where else would she go? If you hit rock bottom
and someone extends their hand would you not accept it? I would.
The story wasn't very nice to the heroine but some love interests were, others did
need more time to grow on me but it was hard to dislike most of them.
Ruwo's route was pretty much the ongoing dumpster fire which was entertaining it its own way
but Zebenera was much more relaxed? it was also more connected to the overall plot
which made me super interested in Bicorn. Bicorn was the route that I thought was really good
and was able to truly present its story beats to its fullest. However it felt
a little longer but atleast Bicorns character got his full development.
I thought Seirin's route was a little boring but even that managed to make itself interesting
it just had one moment were I was like WTF this is awful but Seirin was the saving grace
unfortunately that route was riddled with politics so it took me longer to get through. Seirin route
is probably also another reason for ceroD because most routes except Enrai were... tame.
Meanwhile Fey sits in a corner somewhere waiting for the player to do all routes
and Enrai is mocking him. Wait I am getting off-topic.
All in all without any plot spoilers Matsurika no Kei was a well-rounded otome game!
however one must be willing to accept that in today's world its values no longer work and that
is okay because this is a work of fiction based on myth's and fantasy set in the old world.
The scenario was good, with multiple endings that suit the story/character.
A decent attempt at world-building and of course likable love interest
along with gorgeous and consistent artwork as well as a fitting OST.
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If I had to ask myself the question of what do I want in an otome game
then Matsurika ticks off some flags of yes this is what I look for.
Not everything may have been my cup of tea nor is it perfect but it doesn't need to be
i'd much rather play an otome game that isn't afraid to have bad things happen
than something that railroads me to a happy end where the choices don't even matter.
**I generally liked most happy ends, they all had good conclusions.
Of course this game still has some classic problems like not every route being as relevant
but it is handled really well that each route is refreshing and each love interest's situation is
different making it exciting to do all routes. One of MnK's problems is the restrictions
on routes but those are there for a reason. Its still better than not having any at all. I do not
consider the MC being on the passive side a problem at all considering the setting & situation.
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Also I was reminded of ken ga kimi when I played this game and I think there's some similarity
I specifically liked how there's multiple outcomes good and bad but they all suited the character
plus the routes were all so well rounded that if it didn't get a FD then you still get a full experience.
Turns out a scenario writer of KgK worked on this game. I suppose they still got the magic
but they also worked on CupiPara which has a completely opposite direction of MnK.
This really shows their talent as a writer, playing this game made me realize I am not that
burned out from this genre, and the last one just left me craving for more balanced games.
8.5/10
(I end up dropping it sligtly because of Fey's route... because its unfinished.)
Do I recommend Matsurika no Kei? yes I do but it is difficult to recommend
if you can't stand values and morals that don't work in today's world.
The developers really outdid themselves in crafting up this game, I still can't
guarantee this game will be everyones cup of tea but honestly? it was a solid
historic fantasy otome game, a journey worth taking if you like those genres
**however Matsurika no Kei is not for the easily offended.**
Its a mystery if it will get localized but taking everything in consideration
there's a possibility of this game staying unlocalized. edit: Idk how well
this did in japan but lately I think any otome game has a decent chance.
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I wasn't sure which route to go for so I went for one of the two characters
that were there since the beginning, I followed my intuition which led me to Ruwo
as Fey and Enrai were both missing from the affection screen during my first play.
There's not a lot of options in the first play so I think Zebenera is the safest
but Ruwo is the easier choice since he is there from the start.
At one point I wanted to put Ruwo upside down into a trash can. Take that as you will
but its best to experience it for yourself, you're in for a trip.
Enrai is locked till Ruwo, Zebenera and Seirin are done.
Fey is locked till Enrai is done.
Bicorn unlocks after one route is finished however I personally do not
recommend doing his till you have atleast done Zebenera.
TFW it is easier to get into masked guy's route than the poster boys...... 🤡
My play order: Ruwo > Zebenera >Bicorn > Seirin > Enrai > Fey.
I think my own order flowed well enough that I could recommend it as well.
Recommended order: Ruwo / Zebenera > Bicorn > Seirin > Enrai > Fey.
This game is just restrictive as there's not much choice than to do the poster boys last or
bicorn if you forgot. Its probably for the best if you do Seirin later due to Enrai being locked
but that is just my personal opinion as I did find Seirin route to be very good at explaining things
Bicorn's route glossed over in favor of half-truth's and giving other things more depth.
I will be writing about the routes in the next section but this game is best going in blind.
because they are pretty long, again spoilers are after the jump.
