As most who have read my blog and other ramblings of eroge may know, Green Green was the first eroge I played and completed. I can admit now that my understanding of Japanese was nowhere near what it is now, so I've been thinking of giving it a second look for a while.
Even after all this time, I'm a little surprised at how little the populace knows about the series as a whole, as most people I've come across seem to know only the anime and that abomination known as Erolutions. The fact that in its day it was generally well-received (after all, it did spawn not only the anime but two sequels, a couple of short novels and audio dramas) seems to be tossed aside by Groover closing its doors sometime after Green Green 3 came out.
Rather than dwell on the direction the series took over time, I think we should first take a look at one of the adaptations of the game that started it all. I originally planned to do a really long review to cover both ports, but I realized they shared a lot of the same content. That and the PS2 loading times were killing me. Since I've covered pieces of one of the two ports in rants, I'll focus on the other for this review.
Game: Green Green ~Kanenone Dynamic~
Green Green ~Kanenone Dynamic~ was one of two PS2 ports for Green Green that were released on April 24, 2003 by WellMADE in collaboration with Groover. Much like the PC version, both games feature scenarios by Yamaguchi Noboru and Kuwashima Yoshikazu, with character designs by Katakura Shinji. Milktub also returns to provide music and sound direction.
The player takes the role of Takasaki Yuusuke, a second year student attending Kanenone Gakuen (lit. Sound of bell academy). The school itself is known as a "paradise for men", where boys can grow and develop with no interference from the outside world (a result of the school being in a forested region with nothing but trees and mountains as far as the eye can see). While our protagonist tries to get through daily life, his three hormone-driven friends (Ijuuin "Bacchiguu" Tadatomo, Ichibanboshi Hikaru and Tenjin Taizou) tend to get him in trouble from time to time. Though Yuusuke isn't bothered by the lack of girls and other things teenage boys are prone to think of, his friends insist that their youth is wasted away in an all-boys school. As luck would have it, a bus full of girls arrives along with the announcement that Kanenone Gakuen will undergo a one-month trial with female students in preparation of going co-ed.
Amidst the excitement and numerous misadventures, we are presented with seven heroines for Yuusuke to meet, get to know and potentially fall in love with as he and his equally clueless friends get a crash course on what girls are really like.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Rant: The little quickies
I have to admit that having RURUR -petit prince- sitting on my desk these past five years did have a hand in my wanting to review it. The lesson learned from this is that outdated PSP custom firmware can make your life hell.
Anyway, I'm going to give some thoughts on petit prince as well as other things that I've been mulling over in the last couple of months.
RURUR -petit prince-: While I do recommend it to anyone that is interested, I was underwhelmed by the fact that the main point that drew me in (the Benibana route) ended as it did. I guess I was too invested in the hope that Benibana would have a "happily ever after" ending instead of what she was given. I've seen another reviewer wondering why they chose to have her elope with Ichihiko instead of something else. I'll admit that I wonder the same thing, but do see it as a viable route for her. What got me was that the ending CG would have worked differently in a normal eroge.
This is the CG in question:
Normally what would happen is that they'd have their conversation, then the protag would say something to the effect that the heroine should take care of herself, then the camera pans to show she's expecting. Instead what happened is that Benibana dies in Ichihiko's arms (the variation of this very CG).
My favorite route turned out to be R-Tanpopo's, if only because it is a story of self-loathing and forgiveness. To give context, Tanpopo was part of the security force inside the ship (as explained, the military-class chapekku protect the outside of the ship, while the security force protects the inside of the ship), and a choice she made led to the destruction of the stasis capsules that contained the humans on board. As punishment, she was stripped of all authority and secluded to deck N03, to forever care for the corn fields. For her part, Tanpopo can't forgive herself for what's happened and accepts her punishment. Interestingly enough, her punishment doesn't feel like a punishment until Ichihiko discovers deck N03 and comes to visit her (because she can't always be with him).
Green Green -Kanenone DYNAMIC-: This is another console port that I'm looking into getting through. I played the other PS2 port of GG (yes, someone thought it would be brilliant to release two PS2 ports, this one and Kanenone ROMANTIC) for that time I featured one of its heroines, and with the shadow of the Green Green remake by Overdrive looming over me, I think it's necessary for me to do that before touching GG2013.
The one thing I'm getting out of this so far is that the PS2 port isn't really running as smoothly as I hoped. Then again, this was for PS2, so loading times and the like are to be expected. I do find myself understanding a LOT more of the scenario than I did when I played the original Green Green 10(?) years ago, so I might also give the original GG a second look if time allows.
Otakano: I've been sitting on this game for the last two years, since I couldn't bring myself to review it. The pacing and design are what sort of annoy me. I'm actually not bothered by the fact that it borrows a few elements from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu.
As I may have mentioned before, my main gripe with this game so far is that it makes me feel bad for not choosing the supposed "main" heroine. While I'm more to blame for that than the game itself, when you show a heroine having a ton of direct involvement with the protagonist, you can't help but feel bad when you don't choose her.
Featured Character:
Name: Isis Petrovna Elenskayer
Game: Kyounyuu Fantasy
Designed by: Q-Gaku
Voiced by: Sakurai Alice
Isis is introduced as a graduate from the military academy along with the game's protagonist, Lutto Hende. She is known for her exceptional swordsmanship, and was the equivalent of the salutatorian of her graduating class. Like most of the other characters in the game, Isis starts off looking at the protagonist as little more than worthless trash, and is personally irked by his fixation on breasts (she's apparently caught him looking at hers in the past).
Her involvement in the story varies depending on the route chosen. She starts off stationed in the capital along with her fiance, but is later assigned the task of searching for the the missing crown prince in Giribon's Forest (a forest that is supposedly filled with monsters and inhabited by the demon tribes). To her dismay, the protagonist is also assigned to the search party.
After a series of unfortunate events that lead to everyone except for Isis and Lutto running away, she is forced to depend on the protagonist, who to her surprise can cook and manages to save her life at one point. This causes her to re-evaluate how she feels about Lutto, and even begins to grudgingly respect him. As told by Isis, she is the last surviving heir of her family, as her older brothers are deceased. She chose to become a knight in hopes of continuing her family's legacy.
Regardless of the route chosen by the player, Isis proves herself to be fiercely loyal when it comes down to it, sacrificing her status in her own route (she elopes with Lutto when the royal court hears of his demon heritage) and going above the call of duty in helping Lutto ascend to the throne in the true ending.
Note: Yes, I'm aware that I already featured this character, but that particular post has vanished into the ether.
Anyway, that's it for today.
-Moroboshi Yuumei
Anyway, I'm going to give some thoughts on petit prince as well as other things that I've been mulling over in the last couple of months.
RURUR -petit prince-: While I do recommend it to anyone that is interested, I was underwhelmed by the fact that the main point that drew me in (the Benibana route) ended as it did. I guess I was too invested in the hope that Benibana would have a "happily ever after" ending instead of what she was given. I've seen another reviewer wondering why they chose to have her elope with Ichihiko instead of something else. I'll admit that I wonder the same thing, but do see it as a viable route for her. What got me was that the ending CG would have worked differently in a normal eroge.
This is the CG in question:
Normally what would happen is that they'd have their conversation, then the protag would say something to the effect that the heroine should take care of herself, then the camera pans to show she's expecting. Instead what happened is that Benibana dies in Ichihiko's arms (the variation of this very CG).
My favorite route turned out to be R-Tanpopo's, if only because it is a story of self-loathing and forgiveness. To give context, Tanpopo was part of the security force inside the ship (as explained, the military-class chapekku protect the outside of the ship, while the security force protects the inside of the ship), and a choice she made led to the destruction of the stasis capsules that contained the humans on board. As punishment, she was stripped of all authority and secluded to deck N03, to forever care for the corn fields. For her part, Tanpopo can't forgive herself for what's happened and accepts her punishment. Interestingly enough, her punishment doesn't feel like a punishment until Ichihiko discovers deck N03 and comes to visit her (because she can't always be with him).
Green Green -Kanenone DYNAMIC-: This is another console port that I'm looking into getting through. I played the other PS2 port of GG (yes, someone thought it would be brilliant to release two PS2 ports, this one and Kanenone ROMANTIC) for that time I featured one of its heroines, and with the shadow of the Green Green remake by Overdrive looming over me, I think it's necessary for me to do that before touching GG2013.
The one thing I'm getting out of this so far is that the PS2 port isn't really running as smoothly as I hoped. Then again, this was for PS2, so loading times and the like are to be expected. I do find myself understanding a LOT more of the scenario than I did when I played the original Green Green 10(?) years ago, so I might also give the original GG a second look if time allows.
Otakano: I've been sitting on this game for the last two years, since I couldn't bring myself to review it. The pacing and design are what sort of annoy me. I'm actually not bothered by the fact that it borrows a few elements from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu.
As I may have mentioned before, my main gripe with this game so far is that it makes me feel bad for not choosing the supposed "main" heroine. While I'm more to blame for that than the game itself, when you show a heroine having a ton of direct involvement with the protagonist, you can't help but feel bad when you don't choose her.
Featured Character:
Game: Kyounyuu Fantasy
Designed by: Q-Gaku
Voiced by: Sakurai Alice
Isis is introduced as a graduate from the military academy along with the game's protagonist, Lutto Hende. She is known for her exceptional swordsmanship, and was the equivalent of the salutatorian of her graduating class. Like most of the other characters in the game, Isis starts off looking at the protagonist as little more than worthless trash, and is personally irked by his fixation on breasts (she's apparently caught him looking at hers in the past).
Her involvement in the story varies depending on the route chosen. She starts off stationed in the capital along with her fiance, but is later assigned the task of searching for the the missing crown prince in Giribon's Forest (a forest that is supposedly filled with monsters and inhabited by the demon tribes). To her dismay, the protagonist is also assigned to the search party.
After a series of unfortunate events that lead to everyone except for Isis and Lutto running away, she is forced to depend on the protagonist, who to her surprise can cook and manages to save her life at one point. This causes her to re-evaluate how she feels about Lutto, and even begins to grudgingly respect him. As told by Isis, she is the last surviving heir of her family, as her older brothers are deceased. She chose to become a knight in hopes of continuing her family's legacy.
Regardless of the route chosen by the player, Isis proves herself to be fiercely loyal when it comes down to it, sacrificing her status in her own route (she elopes with Lutto when the royal court hears of his demon heritage) and going above the call of duty in helping Lutto ascend to the throne in the true ending.
Note: Yes, I'm aware that I already featured this character, but that particular post has vanished into the ether.
Anyway, that's it for today.
-Moroboshi Yuumei
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Review: The top of the bucket list (R.U.R.U.R. -petit prince-)
I know it's been a long time since I've reviewed anything, and after some encouraging words have decided to try to make the time to look at my backlog and get back into things. It sort of helps that I don't have much to do while I wait for the Final Fantasy XIV expansion to come out, too...
Anyway, console ports of eroge tend to be hit or miss when it comes to the elements that make them tick. The main point of contention is the inclusion of "clean" scenes and how the overall presentation is affected by adapting the game for consoles. In some cases, the transition is seamless and one can barely tell. In others, the result is not as good as one would hope.
To me, what this effectively boils down to is the effect on the story. Games like Comic Party are written in such a way that you can make a clean port and get away with it. Riskier story types along the lines of Tenshi no Inai 12-gatsu wouldn't work with a simple scene swap and require a rewrite of most, if not the whole, story. A game like today's review falls in line with the latter. Now whether light did what was necessary for R.U.R.U.R. to transition from eroge to console visual novel remains to be seen...
Game: R.U.R.U.R. -petit prince-
R.U.R.U.R. -petit prince- was released on September 22nd, 2010 by the game studio light for the Playstation Portable. Like with the original PC release, the PSP port features a scenario by Itou Hiro and Nakajima Hijiri, with contributions from Oota Yuu. Character designs were done by Izumi Mahiru. Seeing that I have already reviewed the original PC version, this review will be part recap and focus on the differences between the PC and PSP versions.
Anyway, console ports of eroge tend to be hit or miss when it comes to the elements that make them tick. The main point of contention is the inclusion of "clean" scenes and how the overall presentation is affected by adapting the game for consoles. In some cases, the transition is seamless and one can barely tell. In others, the result is not as good as one would hope.
To me, what this effectively boils down to is the effect on the story. Games like Comic Party are written in such a way that you can make a clean port and get away with it. Riskier story types along the lines of Tenshi no Inai 12-gatsu wouldn't work with a simple scene swap and require a rewrite of most, if not the whole, story. A game like today's review falls in line with the latter. Now whether light did what was necessary for R.U.R.U.R. to transition from eroge to console visual novel remains to be seen...
Game: R.U.R.U.R. -petit prince-
R.U.R.U.R. -petit prince- was released on September 22nd, 2010 by the game studio light for the Playstation Portable. Like with the original PC release, the PSP port features a scenario by Itou Hiro and Nakajima Hijiri, with contributions from Oota Yuu. Character designs were done by Izumi Mahiru. Seeing that I have already reviewed the original PC version, this review will be part recap and focus on the differences between the PC and PSP versions.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Rant: Test post
I guess I'll ramble to test this particular format.
I first wanted to extend my apologies to those who have followed my original blog on LJ. Given my disappearance, I know I owe an explanation. Suffice to say, things have not been getting better for me time-wise, between work and whatever entertainment I can get out of Final Fantasy XIV. I've also taken to randomly doing 3-d modeling, which has taken a lot of my time (the fact that I spend most of that time figuring out how to do things due to my having no training in 3-d modeling didn't help).
As my time has been spent elsewhere, I haven't been paying attention to the eroge and dating sim scene. I was surprised to see that Overdrive decided to remake Green Green, and Kazoku Keikaku has also seen a remake on the PS3. The only thing I've gotten out of all that is a clear sign of trouble in entertainment if even eroge are getting remade.
I do have to ask the question "where does it stop"? Will we see Leaf announce a remake of To Heart and Comic Party? How about gems that didn't get much attention due to poor timing like Rakuen and perhaps Yatouhime Zankikou?
I'm sure someone would mention the Tsukihime remake, and I may be inclined to include that in my list. Of course, I look at the Tsukihime remake differently, as that was originally a doujin title (Neco Arc's joke of the game costing only 50 dollars to make exists for a reason) and was FAR below production standards back when it was first released. I also have to forgive them because the remake is technically a complete/final version of Tsukihime, including the missing-god-knows-how-many-years Yumizuka Satsuki route.
I'm not sure where this is all going, and that's kind of why I have chosen to ramble. Should I decide on what to do with this new bog, this post will probably disappear and be replaced by something of more substance and relevance.
-Moroboshi Yuumei
"WTF I thought you died..."
I first wanted to extend my apologies to those who have followed my original blog on LJ. Given my disappearance, I know I owe an explanation. Suffice to say, things have not been getting better for me time-wise, between work and whatever entertainment I can get out of Final Fantasy XIV. I've also taken to randomly doing 3-d modeling, which has taken a lot of my time (the fact that I spend most of that time figuring out how to do things due to my having no training in 3-d modeling didn't help).
As my time has been spent elsewhere, I haven't been paying attention to the eroge and dating sim scene. I was surprised to see that Overdrive decided to remake Green Green, and Kazoku Keikaku has also seen a remake on the PS3. The only thing I've gotten out of all that is a clear sign of trouble in entertainment if even eroge are getting remade.
I do have to ask the question "where does it stop"? Will we see Leaf announce a remake of To Heart and Comic Party? How about gems that didn't get much attention due to poor timing like Rakuen and perhaps Yatouhime Zankikou?
I'm sure someone would mention the Tsukihime remake, and I may be inclined to include that in my list. Of course, I look at the Tsukihime remake differently, as that was originally a doujin title (Neco Arc's joke of the game costing only 50 dollars to make exists for a reason) and was FAR below production standards back when it was first released. I also have to forgive them because the remake is technically a complete/final version of Tsukihime, including the missing-god-knows-how-many-years Yumizuka Satsuki route.
I'm not sure where this is all going, and that's kind of why I have chosen to ramble. Should I decide on what to do with this new bog, this post will probably disappear and be replaced by something of more substance and relevance.
-Moroboshi Yuumei
"WTF I thought you died..."
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