Community The Visual Novel Council | All Choices Lead To Here

Kvik

Crossbell City Councillor
Dec 6, 2018
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Downunder.
Wait, Death Mark has DLC? I can't find it on Steam store...
The original JP release has 5 cases and the 6th was in the DLC. For the western release, they've integrated the 6th case into the game. You'll need to clear the good ending to be able to access it.
 
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Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
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Here's a big batch of status updates from MangaGamer:
  • Maggot Baits is out of beta and we're putting the finishing touches on the release build!
  • Farther than the Blue Sky is also out of beta and we're now finalizing the release build!
  • Funbag Fantasy 2 is nearly out of beta!
  • We're finalizing the last handful of images for Beat Angel Escalayer R!
  • Fxxx Me Royally! is 100% translated and 60% edited!
  • Secret Project #1 is 100% translated and 100% edited! Image editing is progressing smoothly!
  • Imouto Paradise 3, AKA Secret Project #2, is out of beta and the team is now finalizing the release build!
  • WanNyan, AKA Secret Project #3, is 100% translated and 60% edited!
  • Rance 01, AKA Secret Project #4, is 100% translated!
  • Rance 02 is now 50% translated!
  • Nyan Cafe, AKA Secret Project #5, is 100% translated and edited! Image editing is progressing smoothly!
  • Eternal Torment, AKA Secret Project #6, is 80% translated and 50% edited!
  • Funbag Fantasy Sideboob Story 2, AKA Secret Project #7, is 100% translated and edited! The image editing is also complete, and will be moving along to our programmer!
  • Secret Project #8 is 100% translated and 55% edited!
  • New to our Secret Project lineup, Secret Project #9 is 77% translated!
I'm mainly excited for Sona-Nyl, which didn't get an update, but i does look like there'll be a bunch of releases from MG in the near future. Higraushi ch. 7 is also releasing soon, but it'll probably be another year before the last chapter is out.
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
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Maggot Baits probably isn't coming to Steam... huh?
I kinda doubt that MangaGamer has even considered submitting it to Steam.
SubaHibi got on Steam in the old days by leaving out most of the game, and I Maggot Baits would probably have to follow a similar tactic if we assumed that Valve wouldn't just give it the boot the moment they read the synopsis or looked at the characters.

But Valve's yay or nay aside, I don't think MangaGamer is interested in becoming the focal point of what could easily be the next 'RapeDay' incident. Better to just sell their torture porn on their own website, out of sight of the general gaming public.
 

ZKenir

Setting the Seas Ablaze
May 10, 2019
3,446
9,812
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I have read some snippets that Kouryuu posted on twitter while he was translating it and regarding a Steam release uhhh... UHHHHH, Subahibi had questionable content that had to removed but it's still all normal compared to what Maggot Baits does.
 

Kandrick

Junior Member
Jun 10, 2019
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Switzerland
I'm looking forward to Maggot Baits. I played through another one of Clock Up game, Euphoria, last week and I was actually surprised by how much I liked it. I had heard about the game's reputation so I was curious, and people say Maggot Baits is even more weird so now I'm even more curious to try it after. But as for Euphoria, the second part of the story was actually pretty good with some decent twists, especially two of the girls routes and the "true ending route" actually managed to surpass my expectations for the type of VN. I wasn't ready for all the feels, especially that "door" scene that really stuck with me if anyone's played it.

The OP has been stuck in my head for days now.

 
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fsdood

Junior Member
Jan 9, 2019
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I heard of Euphoria's "reputation", but checking the CGs and details, I don't think I'll play any of Clock Up games. They're really not for everyone :suicide-blob:
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
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Sol Press' store is now up and the currently the only place to purchase Yotsunoha after Steam rejected it:

The 18+ content for Yotsunoha is available via PantyPress:

In addition, the opening movie for Ciconia has been officially released:
 

Hektor

Autobahnraser
Nov 1, 2018
5,962
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I see a lot of talk about the show euphoria recently, every time I do I have to think of the VN With the same name and oh boi do i not want to think of the VN.

Legit worst thing I've ever played in my life and I only played it for two hours
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
2,515
6,209
113
I see a lot of talk about the show euphoria recently, every time I do I have to think of the VN With the same name and oh boi do i not want to think of the VN.

Legit worst thing I've ever played in my life and I only played it for two hours
I call bull on your tag.
 
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Kvik

Crossbell City Councillor
Dec 6, 2018
4,299
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Downunder.
Saya on Steam... What a time to be alive.

960p resolution is kinda... ugh, tbh. Gonna look awful on my 4K TV.
While having the game assets in 1080p native is highly preferable, I think as long as there is a proper integer scaling the game can still look good. Unless of course, they subscribe to Squeenix's favourite go-to method in providing "HD resolution": apply unremoveable bilinear filtering everywhere and hope the audience won't notice.
 
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ZKenir

Setting the Seas Ablaze
May 10, 2019
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Higurashi chapter 7 is today yeah?
it's already out on MG so should unlock on Steam today, however MG payments are busted so you have send them an email and arrange a paypal transaction if you want to buy games on their store it seems (also there's a typo in there's it's obviously support@mangagamer.com)


edit: apparently this week

 
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ZKenir

Setting the Seas Ablaze
May 10, 2019
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How does this root letter release differ from the other title on Steam? Sequel?
Compared to the original release, this version includes gameplay enhancements, a new epilogue, and a completely new live-action mode that replaces Taro Minoboshi’s beautiful illustrations with real actors.
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
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How does this root letter release differ from the other title on Steam? Sequel?
Last Answer is apparently a live-action remake of the original Root Letter, with additional after stories and other features:
Root Letter: Last Answer is the latest entry in the Root Letter series, which has sold more than 400,000 copies worldwide. With the implementation of a live-action “Drama Mode” featuring a cast of 90 actors, the human drama woven within the beautiful townscape of Shimane Prefecture is told with greater realism. It becomes an immersive story experience similar to watching a TV drama.

Additionally, Root Letter: Last Answer includes four “Resolution” scenarios set after the story of the original game. Enjoy the unexpected conclusion to the mysterious drama spun by protagonist Max and pen pal Aya Fumino’s correspondence.

(Source)

From what I gather, there is also a separate Root Letter 2 in the works:
 
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Kvik

Crossbell City Councillor
Dec 6, 2018
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Downunder.
So, I've finished all the main routes of Muv-Luv Unlimited.

Exzyleph, you weren't kidding when you said the main endings are similar. The emotional impact lost all its meaning when viewed one after another, lol. Still, I like the story a lot better this time around and Takeru is much likable here. Much like ML Extra, his interactions with Chizuru and her addiction to Tactics Ogre is probably the most "normal" and down to earth, while his shared experience with Meiya during the rescue operation has the most impact. Miki's arc is roughly a retread of her arc in Extra and Ayamine's kinda whatever as usual, lol.

Oh, I hated the flesh-coloured plug suits for the women while Takeru's look normal. Who the fuck thought that was a good design and shame on whoever OK'd the concept. Thankfully the art is edited for the western release. Still doesn't make it OK. The H-scenes were also average and not as well-framed as in Extra and that's not saying much either (although Yuuko-sensei's one was pretty good).

Finally, I'm not sure what Yashiro's arc (or lack thereof) is all about and how the brain jar and Takeru's flashbacks are linked, but I'll probably read about it later in Alternative. Forward we march.



 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
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So, I've finished all the main routes of Muv-Luv Unlimited. [...]
Regarding endings (similar level of spoilers as above):
Extra is pretty much the only entry in the series where the alternative routes are worth playing.

Alternative is actually worse than Unlimited in that regard, since the significant choice is placed much further from the ending. For that reason I only did a couple of the endings in Alternative, before deciding that I didn't want to ruin my (very positive) memories of the story by going through that again.

On a personal note, I'd suggest picking xYxYxY Maya xYxYxY first in Alternative, regardless of how many routes you want to do, since that seems to be the "canonical" choice. The significant choice that decides your ending is (vague description ahead) the third place you get to choose between the 5 heroines.

I actually didn't know that the suits were different in the original VN.
The "censored" suits were already way too fetishy, but holy shit at the originals.

In any case, you've gotten to the best part of the series and once it kicks off, it really kicks off!
 
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alialkhars

Junior Member
Jul 16, 2019
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If you like those, check out the funk in "Best" and the tribal drums in "Impatience".
This game is filled with amazing music.




Did anyone here play White Album 2?
I'm thinking of starting it soon. Is it good? What should I expect from it?

I watched few episodes of the anime and from what I understood when I searched about visual novel is that the anime covers only the introductory Chapter. Is watching the anime enough to just go directly to the closing chapter?
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
2,515
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Oh, I hated the flesh-coloured plug suits for the women while Takeru's look normal. Who the fuck thought that was a good design and shame on whoever OK'd the concept. Thankfully the art is edited for the western release. Still doesn't make it OK
Just FYI, Alternative explains why the suits are made this way, and why Takeru has a different suit.
Did anyone here play White Album 2?
I'm thinking of starting it soon. Is it good? What should I expect from it?

I watched few episodes of the anime and from what I understood when I searched about visual novel is that the anime covers only the introductory Chapter. Is watching the anime enough to just go directly to the closing chapter?
Take note that the game is currently only available in Japanese.
The 'translation' patch out there is just MTL, not worth the time.
 
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alialkhars

Junior Member
Jul 16, 2019
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Just FYI, Alternative explains why the suits are made this way, and why Takeru has a different suit.

Take note that the game is currently only available in Japanese.
The 'translation' patch out there is just MTL, not worth the time.
What a bummer. And there is not even a plan to localize it too! This is kind of ridiculous. Most of the Vns that are being localized now are mediocre Moege or Eroges. Why isn't anyone trying to localize it?
 

ZKenir

Setting the Seas Ablaze
May 10, 2019
3,446
9,812
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putting white album 2 in the mangagamer survey is a meme by now
 

Knurek

OG old coot
Oct 16, 2018
2,515
6,209
113
What a bummer. And there is not even a plan to localize it too! This is kind of ridiculous. Most of the Vns that are being localized now are mediocre Moege or Eroges. Why isn't anyone trying to localize it?
Aquaplus just doesn't seem to be interested in licensing the game.
(Same with Nitro+ and Muramasa)
 

「Echo」

Reaper on Station。
Nov 1, 2018
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Mt. Whatever
Most localized VN's these days are Eroge and Moege because that's what sells unfortunately. ... that and most of the high-praise VN's are 60-80 hours long, cost a fortune to license and TL, and sell like shit or barely break even.

I've always wanted to see an official Fate/Stay Night release on Steam or something just to see if the massive fanbase could turn around such a stereotype but even when Type-Moon is rolling in money they just can't be arsed. JAST USA was TL'ing Muramasa at one point. I dunno what happened with it... I think they dropped it to stem bleeding. It was taking way too much TL time and money.
 

ZKenir

Setting the Seas Ablaze
May 10, 2019
3,446
9,812
113
I think this blog post by Koryou over Da Capo 3 is a shining example of what it takes to translate a LONG visual novel, it's a very good read imho of what these small companies might go through when they undertake these projects.

I'll quote only this from the blog post (there's nothing NSFW in the blog post, just in case anyone is worried to open it)

2,000,000 characters.
1,000,000 words.
80,000 lines.
2.5 years in translation.

Twice the length of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and equivalent to the first three volumes of A Song of Ice and Fire, Da Capo 3 R is easily the longest game MangaGamer has ever undertaken to date.
 

「Echo」

Reaper on Station。
Nov 1, 2018
2,748
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Mt. Whatever
Yah. And Muramasa is even longer than DC3. Is filled to the brim with difficult ancient Japanese/Chinese Kanji, Kenjutsu terminology out the ass for all the sword fights, tons of vertical text that requires a Graphics artist as well as TL, etc...

By the time Muramasa was canceled, they had already been chipping away at TL for 3-4 years. It's insane. I remember reading estimates from JAST's Old forum saying that the TL had been 60%-70% completed but it was still a nightmare because of having to place all the text/align it. FMD Muramasa loved to use vertical text and in English that's... it's really hard to make it fit/look right!

The man hours that must've went into that project just to get tossed so late... It's kinda heartbreaking. 😢
 

Exzyleph

Dark Eroge Lord
Oct 9, 2018
878
1,313
93
Turns out that photonflowers* is just around the corner:




Also a quick shout-out to Sankaku Ren'ai: Love Triangle Trouble! (originally Suki to Suki to de Sankaku Ren'ai):

It is a pretty standard moege in its execution, but it is also one of the funniest VNs that I have read. It is straight up jam packed with otaku related gags, memes, puns, and referential humor, with a dollop of 4th-wall breakage on top:

It is far from perfect, though. In addition to weak plots typical of moege, and a few scenes that simply fall flat, one of the two love triangles involve the protagonist's adopted sister and his biological sister, with the biological sister route being particularly weak in addition to (and due to them not properly dealing with) the questionable premise.

But if that's not a deal-breaker, then I'd recommend giving it a read.

 
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AHA-Lambda

MetaMember
Oct 9, 2018
2,844
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Anyone have impressions of the Corpse Party series?

Doesn't look like a straight up VN I think but VN-esque?