Solstice is split between two different main characters: Galen and Yani. Both have their own personal secrets and motives for coming to the North, but of the two Galen could have the bigger personal experiences while Yani has to most to accomplish with the larger world. Er, perhaps I should explain.
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There seems to be an irrevocable connection between this site and Moacube.
For those of you familiar with VNs Now lore (do we even have lore yet?) my first interview for the site was with Tom Grochowiak: the founder of Moacube. After that, as the development of Cinders continued I released my first actual visual novel feature on its inspiration; Cinderella. My first actual video on something actually related to visual novels was about what I was looking forward to for Cinders. And on the very first episode of VNs Now! TV, the release of Cinders was squarely in the spotlight. So, we’re pretty much a crime family at this point yeah? With Cinders successfully under their belt, the group has been busy with two games: Bonfire which doesn’t fall under my purview but is still insanely enjoyable. So if you haven’t picked up a copy, I’d recommend at least checking it out. The second title is Solstice which shows that this group has more going for it than just a fairy tale. First, let’s start with the world we are preparing to enter! Well folks: here we are. We've tried to avoid the coming of it, but the Otomacolypse has finally arrived. The Four Bishonen are on their horses, the seas have been split, cats and dogs are sleeping together, MASS HYSTERIA!
Or I just may be doing a week of otome gaming in order to convince folks I am not the Devil...really it can be either or. So in a few weeks (still trying to narrow down a date) I will spend seven days talking about the genre I apparently despise: otome of both the Eastern and Western variety. There will be videos, features, weeping and gnashing of teeth; everything you'd expect from this site I'm sure! But before that happens, some have asked me a very honest question: why do I care? So what if otome fangirls don't like what I say, why does that bother me enough to capitulate to the wishes of a minority? Well, in the words of Jules Winnfield, allow me to retort! What's about to happen in this update, I think, is unprecedented in this medium. Many English Visual Novels do not make it out of the beta stage, but when they disappear from the public eye they are forgotten. But after studying the case of Mitsumata, I believe it deserves a bit more time on the autopsy table before we shove it into the ground. Why? Because, unlike other EVNs that never make it to full gestation, whether we like it or not, it's a part of our history now. Why? For that one we only have IGN to thank.
I know it is unseemly but I am a type of person who believes everything happens for a reason. And although it was, at one time, a game I was looking forward to playing, new evidence revealed in the past few months have not only made this particular feature inevitable, but also enjoyable. I am ashamed to admit it my friends: but the fact that Mitsumata is vaporware doesn't bother me one bit. So join me, will you? Let's not let this one, who had so much promise, go silently into the night. Let's remember this one the best way I know how...by dancing on its grave. Trust me, it's fun...and there is a larger point in the aftermath. Ladies, Gentlemen and Children of All Ages...Welcome to YAFI! Also known as, YOU ASKED FOR IT! Somewhere along the way in this crazy journey, people believe me to be some sort of reliable and honest source for critiques. Setting aside the fact that peer pressure made me watch Queen's Blade and Brother's Conflict, I am humbled by your trust. Now to abuse the ever living hell out of it because, as the title said, YOU ASKED FOR IT.
This is a special feature here on the site where potential EVN developers come to me with their ware and I dig through it like a vulture digs through a baby deer flattened by a F-150. Either it'll sink or swim and if it swims know that doesn't mean it's a full review, but it is worth your attention and potentially investment if it is in the middle of a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign. So, before we beginning, better stock up on some good old Coca-Cola. Trust me, you'll want the caffeine...LET'S GET STARTED! ...I believe this will only work if I'm upfront here...
I'm not even going to pretend to have the most enlightened view on the subject of sexuality. I'm pretty sure someone who neither cares nor is curious about exploring their own lack of romantic and/or sexual urges isn't in a good position to judge. And if anyone from my past ever found out about this site, I'm sure they would have a great time regaling you all with my 'jokes'. However, there is no denying that the EVN community, at least in comparison to other gaming communities, is very progressive. I know that because, again, I FOLLOW ALL OF YOU ON TWITTER. The lack of representation in the mass gaming market, and even some of the more unsightly elements of misanthropy and homophobia, are usually given a full hearing on my feed even if I say nothing. However, in the larger gaming market I can honestly understand the hesitancy to include gay characters or combat homophobic actions. Despite it's growth, gaming's fortune doesn't come from taking the high road. Because many of its critics aren't active gamers, the developers decides to glorify in what their critics hate and focus on the money spot: the young male machismo. Yes my friends: even in 2013 there is a very definite idea of what is masculine...which would explain a great deal of the outrage last year over the male Commander Shepard's romance options. So do I suddenly expect a character to be built up like Nathan Drake only with a male version of Chloe Frazier (no you cannot draw this, so shaddup) to reenact some of the scenes in Uncharted 2? Not anytime soon. But in the English Visual Novel world, the rules are different. Here the powerhouses of the community not only sympathize with those who are underrepresented in mainstream gaming but often champion their cause! So surely when given a chance they will gladly show the big boys how it can be done right? ...right? When I think about my childhood, it's hard to visualize it without the above 8-bit. In fact, I'm not sure I know anyone who don't know the most iconic Italian not named Corleone or Balboa. And without Mario M. Mario, I would argue that gaming would not have reached the zenith it now sits at. Every industry has its own iconography; that symbol or person brings back a feeling of nostalgia so strong it defines entire generations and in every gaming console generation, there have been efforts to recreate that great icon that would define the times.
With that said, I think it's time for this long-time, console gamer to ask what clearly isn't an obvious question: who is the Mario of English Visual Novels? Read Part 1 and Part 2 ...You guys should see the word file on my laptop for this feature. This is getting ridiculous and I fully blame everyone at Cyanide Tea for their extensive bribes that apparently manage to hit the expository button in my brain to make this happen. Anyway let's go into exactly what this entire thing is about on a thematic level because, if there's going to be weeping and gnashing of teeth, it'll be there.
Also, potential spoiling warning here because I was bribed very well to do this and I think you should all see my payment! Read Part 1 and Part 3 here! Chiaki SorataWell after Part One my friends, I'll promise to keep this short. After all, I don't want to drop below average in the second part, especially since most three-part series don't get any higher than its midway point. I assure you that the intellectual quality of my work will not shrink in the face of your growing expectations of me and I promise you this will be a head above any other blog happy to remain underwhelming. Yes my friends: today is going to be a good day to go big and ignore anything that stays small.
Also, Chiaki is short. Read Part 2 and Part 3 here! So, for roughly two years now an English Visual Novel I have been openly interested in is Cyanide Tea’s Break Chance Memento. The group spent most of 2012 getting the harmony of their collective efforts in tune and after two strong showings, BCM stayed high on my radar. In the past few weeks, a new demo covering about two chapters of the game was released and it is good. So good that I had to talk about it…I just didn’t realize I’d be talking about it quite this much.
So what was once going to be just a quick blurb advising you to at least check out the demo regardless of your feelings of its genre is now an epic three part look at what Break Chance Memento is shaping out to be! All of this is pretty much my first impressions and reflections of those impressions…and somehow it will be the longest feature on this very site. Weird. Anyway, the first two parts will cover my impressions of the characters and the scenes that best showed their potential and the third part will cover the themes of the game and I will discuss what could either make or break this one: the time travel mechanic. I will warn you in advance: this has pretty much gotten as long as it has because I dive pretty deep on this one. A lot of this will be my own theories but it's all based on what happens in-game. If you want a short version, here it is: it’s good. The two chapters really get you invested in the story without giving a great deal away and, like many a good demo, leaves you with more questions than answers. If you have not done so, this feature will involve some spoilers from that demo so feel free to go and play it, then come back here alright? For everyone else, let’s start with the main cast and, what better place to start than with a certain long-haired twat? |
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