Community The Visual Novel Council | All Choices Lead To Here

beep boop

MetaMember
Dec 6, 2018
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The games individually go for cheap enough that i doubt a bundle would be saving much in the long run. With that being said, even if you pick them up now, I wouldn't recommend playing up through chapter 7 yet as while most of the other chapters are pretty "self contained", chapter 7/8 are meant to be played back to back for reasons I won't spoil.
Ooh. Thanks for the advice. Was also wondering about that. I've got 1 and 2 now, and I'll see if I can find a nice offer for the rest on trading boards. I'll hold off on 7 then.
 

Snakethesniper

Time Traveler
Jan 11, 2019
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The games individually go for cheap enough that i doubt a bundle would be saving much in the long run. With that being said, even if you pick them up now, I wouldn't recommend playing up through chapter 7 yet as while most of the other chapters are pretty "self contained", chapter 7/8 are meant to be played back to back for reasons I won't spoil.
I see, about spoilers, I've seen the anime long time ago, does it spoil the whole game??
 

skLaFarebear

MetaMember
Dec 4, 2019
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I see, about spoilers, I've seen the anime long time ago, does it spoil the whole game??
Yes, but since it's an anime adaptation there's a fair amount of character development missing from the anime compared to the VN, especially in the answer arc. Most specifically
since a fair amount of ch 6 is from the perspective of Rena you get a better firsthand experience of her psychological trauma and depression and how it leads her to all the decisions she eventually makes, versus how she's portrayed in the anime.

Ooh. Thanks for the advice. Was also wondering about that. I've got 1 and 2 now, and I'll see if I can find a nice offer for the rest on trading boards. I'll hold off on 7 then.
Chapter 8 is finished with TL/Editing and is going through image editing/more engine work/testing/etc. so I can't imagine it's that far away. If I had to guess, I think we'll see a release sometime this spring but that's me being a bit optimistic.
"unofficial patch"
Don't question the mysterious and elusive SHADOWWOLF.
 
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Li Kao

It’s a strange world. Let’s keep it that way.
Jan 28, 2019
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Uh, about that, I learned that there is a Baldr Force, is it linked ?

Edit - There is also a Baldr Bullet, fuck this the rabbit hole. I won't go archeological dig.
 
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Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
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NekoNyan posted a status update:

  • Aokana: The first two drama CDs will be released between Xmas and new-years.
  • Senren * Banka: 90% Translated, 80% Edited, and 40% QA
  • Making Lovers: 100% Translated, 85% Edited, and 5% QA
  • Hello Lady: 99% Translated, and 95% Edited
  • Secret Project #1: 100% Translated and 100% Edited, still in engine work by developer, early 2020 release
  • Secret Project #2: 65% Translated and 50% Edited
  • Secret Project #3: 24% Translated, 10% Edited

In addition, and as an apology because Senren * Banka was delayed, NekoNyan decided to make the Perfect Edition DLC for Aokana completely free instead of $5. The Perfect Edition appears to be just a few extra H-scenes, but it is still a very nice gesture. They also hinted that they have even more "secret projects" in the works.
 
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skLaFarebear

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Dec 4, 2019
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NekoNyan posted a status update:

  • Aokana: The first two drama CDs will be released between Xmas and new-years.
  • Senren * Banka: 90% Translated, 80% Edited, and 40% QA
  • Making Lovers: 100% Translated, 85% Edited, and 5% QA
  • Hello Lady: 99% Translated, and 95% Edited
  • Secret Project #1: 100% Translated and 100% Edited, still in engine work by developer, early 2020 release
  • Secret Project #2: 65% Translated and 50% Edited
  • Secret Project #3: 24% Translated, 10% Edited

In addition, and as an apology because Senren * Banka was delayed, NekoNyan decided to make the Perfect Edition DLC for Aokana completely free instead of $5. The Perfect Edition appears to be just a few extra H-scenes, but it is still a very nice gesture. They also hinted that they have even more "secret projects" in the works.
Picked up Aokana during the sale yesterday because of the amazing word of mouth and because of the recent struggles of Sprite (though it looks like they just got back together and are planning to reveal more details in Jan), so this is even better news.
 

Theswweet

Dirty Weeb
Mar 12, 2019
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It's a real shame that Fata Morgana's sequel is stuck on PS4/Vita, and we're not even sure if it'll ever come to PC. I've been reading it on Vita, so it doesn't really matter that much to me - but it does suck that folks that read it way back when on PC are SOL.
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
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It's a real shame that Fata Morgana's sequel is stuck on PS4/Vita, and we're not even sure if it'll ever come to PC. I've been reading it on Vita, so it doesn't really matter that much to me - but it does suck that folks that read it way back when on PC are SOL.
???
(Unless you're talking about that additional, voiced scenario in the original game - I'm sure there's a youtube playthrough for people without a PS4/Vita)
 

Theswweet

Dirty Weeb
Mar 12, 2019
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???
(Unless you're talking about that additional, voiced scenario in the original game - I'm sure there's a youtube playthrough for people without a PS4/Vita)
I'm talking about Reincarnation, which is the voiced scenario, yes. While there is a playthrough on YouTube, that's not really the same as having it for yourself on PC.
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
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On one hand it is unfortunate that Summer Pockets has been delayed, but on the other this month has already been packed to the brim, so maybe it is for the best that it gets pushed a bit. I just hope that they won't have any serious problems getting through the Steam review process.

 
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Li Kao

It’s a strange world. Let’s keep it that way.
Jan 28, 2019
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Wait, the Vita version of the original FM has an extra scenario ?
I suppose you can’t launch it directly ?
 

Theswweet

Dirty Weeb
Mar 12, 2019
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Wait, the Vita version of the original FM has an extra scenario ?
I suppose you can’t launch it directly ?
Well, kinda. The Vita version of Fata Morgana is bundled in with Requiem for Innocence, Short Stories, and the new Sequel story Reincarnation.

It's locked out until you finish the first game, and the game expects you to have read Happily Ever ~After~ (a short scenario that's part of Requiem) first, but you can also answer some questions about the story to unlock everything from the start.

It's a fairly meaty one. It's voice-acted, and only a little shorter than Requiem.
 
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ZKenir

❀ Child of Raikou ❀
May 10, 2019
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i'm kinda tempted to buy baldr sky despite knowing I don't have the time to play it atm
 

Jadax

MetaMember
Oct 25, 2018
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Can anyone recommend VNs like 428 Shibuya? I really enjoyed that story.
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
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Can anyone recommend VNs like 428 Shibuya? I really enjoyed that story.
I'm actually having a hard time thinking of another VN like 428.
But if you can tell what aspects of the game/story you enjoyed, then maybe we can give some recommendations.
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
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I'm actually having a hard time thinking of another VN like 428.
But if you can tell what aspects of the game/story you enjoyed, then maybe we can give some recommendations.
There are actually two games which are pretty much like 428, Machi and Time Travellers. Both sadly Japan exclusive, although there's a pretty terribleYoutube translation for Time Travellers
If he liked the Cannaan chapter, it's safe to recommend any of the Type/Moon games as well, many of which have fan translations available.
Closest thing available officially that comes to mind is Tokyo Godfathers by Satoshi Kon.
 
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Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
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Somebody claiming to be associated with Visual Arts/Key posted this clarification of the situation regarding Summer Pockets:
Hi, part of the team here.

I suppose this probably deserves a little more clarification than the VisualArts tweet, so here goes:

We haven't been rejected from release on Steam.

The main issue here, as some have surmised, is that we are required to fill out a mature content description, and we did have two specific CGs pointed out to us during the initial review process as the reason. This would be the first Key game to receive a mature content description despite the game's all-ages nature.

We are still in discussions with Valve to see what our options are, but with VisualArts (and most likely Valve) entering holiday mode soon, this isn't likely to be resolved before the end of the year.

(Obligatory not VisualArts employee disclaimer)
If that is the only issue, then that is a pretty big relief.
 

ZKenir

❀ Child of Raikou ❀
May 10, 2019
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that is interesting, it seems Valve is actually pointing out stuff, while according to Doddler twitter Valve just bans stuff without saying anything usually?

This is just one of the most recent tweets about the subject

 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
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that is interesting, it seems Valve is actually pointing out stuff, while according to Doddler twitter Valve just bans stuff without saying anything usually?

This is just one of the most recent tweets about the subject

The way it works seems to be like this:
Either your game crosses whatever vague line that Valve operates with at the time, in which case they will slam the door in your face and basically give you no chance to amend your game, or your game doesn't cross that line in which case they will be very helpful in making sure that your game and store-page meets every requirement for getting published on Steam. Summer Pockets did not cross that line, as it turns out, which is why Valve is simply telling Key what changes need to be made to their store-page before they will accept it.
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
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Yeah, people pointed out that Doddler is straight up saying falsehoods on reddit, with examples given where Valve did just the thing he says they don't ever do.
I mean, it's possible Mangagamer games are treated differently, due to several cases of (unwarranted or not, that's not the point) shitstorms their releases/rejections on Steam caused.
 

Jadax

MetaMember
Oct 25, 2018
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I'm actually having a hard time thinking of another VN like 428.
But if you can tell what aspects of the game/story you enjoyed, then maybe we can give some recommendations.
I'm not sure tbh lol. I liked the different perspectives, liked to story-line and ended up playing all the endings, I like the protagonists.

If he liked the Cannaan chapter, it's safe to recommend any of the Type/Moon games as well, many of which have fan translations available.
Closest thing available officially that comes to mind is Tokyo Godfathers by Satoshi Kon.
Her chapter was imo the most meh for me (not bad, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the others). I thought Canaan and the Mean Clean stuff was the most out of place in this game.
 

Rosenkrantz

Once Punched Man
Apr 22, 2019
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Guys, how's Baldr Sky? I know that it has pretty great ratings on VNDB, but so does a lot of VNs I don't really like. Is it similar to Muv-Luv series? I know MLA is like the highest rated VN on the site, but I was never able to dig it.
 

sprinkles

Junior Member
Dec 8, 2018
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Guys, how's Baldr Sky? I know that it has pretty great ratings on VNDB, but so does a lot of VNs I don't really like. Is it similar to Muv-Luv series? I know MLA is like the highest rated VN on the site, but I was never able to dig it.
I have put in around 10 hours now. Story and world building is fine, the characters are likable. I did not expect so many combat events which sours the whole experience a bit for me.
 
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beep boop

MetaMember
Dec 6, 2018
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Yo, I knew Higurashi was gonna get weird but it genuinely caught me off guard. I was initially lazily reading it half-asleep, but things just got real heated and I'm wide awake now :I
 
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Theswweet

Dirty Weeb
Mar 12, 2019
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The House in Fata Morgana: Reincarnation was cathartic, to say the least. Glad I read it.
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
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Marco & The Galaxy Dragon by TOKYOTOON got a store page, a Feb. 2020 release date, and a demo:


It is an all-ages VN by the same people who did Noraneko (The Princess, the Stray Cat, and Matters of the Heart), though it doesn't look like Fruitbat Factory is involved in publishing this time around. However, the translation of Noraneko was handled (well) by a third party from the start, and going by what I've played of the demo the translation is also good this time around.

The most notable thing is probably that the VN combines static images in a traditional style with fully animated segments in a much more Saturday-morning-cartoon style and it works surprisingly well:
 

Li Kao

It’s a strange world. Let’s keep it that way.
Jan 28, 2019
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A bit tired of Steins;Gate right now. I know stuffing the narration like a thanksgiving turkey is the name of the game, but damn. some segments are so superfluous, and make the character look so dumb. You changed the past, things turned out differently from the change point, because you fucking changed things. But let’s spend 15 minutes acting like logic was a foreign concept :disapproval-blob:

Btw if this is too spoilery, tell me, but at first glance I’m as vague as I can.
 

skLaFarebear

MetaMember
Dec 4, 2019
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Guys, how's Baldr Sky? I know that it has pretty great ratings on VNDB, but so does a lot of VNs I don't really like. Is it similar to Muv-Luv series? I know MLA is like the highest rated VN on the site, but I was never able to dig it.
Story wise, I'm enjoying it a lot despite being pretty early in. Combat's much better than I expected it to be as well. It's development/plugin system + combat is definitely some mix of Nier Automata + God Hand, which I honestly never thought I'd be saying going into this game, but I'm definitely here for it.

The soundtrack is an absolute bop too.
 
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Myradeer

Rayon de Soleil
Apr 17, 2019
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Guys, how's Baldr Sky? I know that it has pretty great ratings on VNDB, but so does a lot of VNs I don't really like. Is it similar to Muv-Luv series? I know MLA is like the highest rated VN on the site, but I was never able to dig it.
It's fine, but expect action game instead of VN because the gameplay is tilted towards the former.
 
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Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
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Wow, that's a surprising announcement, but a pleasant one.
I certainly wouldn't have expected (simultanous?) English releases to be announced right out the gate.

And while I cannot watch the trailer due to region-locking, the Liar-Soft game looks to have a really lovely art-style:
Then again, all of their titles that I am familiar with looks good.
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
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Am I the only one wondering how they'll manage to get simultaneous translations into two different languages out of the gate?
What if it's just MTL? :blobxorcism:
 

ZKenir

❀ Child of Raikou ❀
May 10, 2019
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Am I the only one wondering how they'll manage to get simultaneous translations into two different languages out of the gate?
What if it's just MTL? :blobxorcism:
Two?
Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese languages.
Anyway it's Aniplex, while they're not going to hire the most expensive translator on the market I doubt they'll MTL
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
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Two?

Anyway it's Aniplex, while they're not going to hire the most expensive translator on the market I doubt they'll MTL
Well, English and Chinese. Not counting Japanese, since the games aren't being translated into it (unless they farmed the writing to some poor Indonesian writer).
Isn't simplified/traditional just a kanji change, something that can be done by a macro?
 

ZKenir

❀ Child of Raikou ❀
May 10, 2019
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Don't know tbh, and yeah I hadn't considered Japanese is native lol
 

Theswweet

Dirty Weeb
Mar 12, 2019
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If 07th Expansion can get Ciconia day and date in English something tells me Aniplex will do fine.
 

ZKenir

❀ Child of Raikou ❀
May 10, 2019
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They certainly are advertising these games

I'm kinda interested in getting liar-soft stuff without having to wait a hundred years like for sona-nyl
 
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skLaFarebear

MetaMember
Dec 4, 2019
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Send help, can't stop playing:

I'm enjoying it the more and more I play it. Between the background art, character designs, music, and terminology I adore the overall aesthetic of the game most of all.

The game has a really solid translation/localization from what I can tell too. Thanks to SP for finally releasing the game, and for Steiner doing great work yet again.
 
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