Written By: JP Developer: Dai-Sukima Dan Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux Genre: Mecha, Sci-Fi, Fangame Release Date: 2012 | And now for something completely different! Anyone here in my age range (20s) most likely grew up or was even introduced to anime via some kind of giant robot, or mecha, program. Despite that, when you think about the entire spectrum of visual novels and not just EVNs, giant robots rarely enter the conversation...for good reason. Not only do you have to write a compelling war story since most mecha stories involve some kind of war, it also has to be competent in technology since whatever machines you use in your tale have to be accepted by your audience as plausible. So now that we've covered that all me to introduce you to Touhou Mecha: a fan work done by the group Dai-Sukima Dan. The beginning of a new visual novel series, the first chapter of Touhou Mecha forms a decent foundation despite its snags. |
Story
So its more or less feudal and early 20th century Japan stuff here. Still with me? Good.
Touhou Mecha actually continues from a discontinued webcomic done by the author and artist of the visual novel.The story holds onto the supernatural back story of its inspiration, however instead of a regressive history the inhabitants of Gensokyo progressed faster than we have, to the point where they have massive airships and heavy mechs. Before the events of the first chapter, the world of Gensokyo went through serious warfare and a large portion of its demonic population ended up underground world of Old Hell. After that split, contention rose in the political circles of the demon world leading to yet another split with many of the senators and other elites forming the nation of Parsia close to the surface and the old regime Chireiden. Parsia holds the advantage until a religious sect of a certain wind goddess decides to intervene to achieve their own ends.
Now, I know it sounds like I've just buried you in info and, yes, this is the first five minutes of the VN. However, I didn't mind it at all and if I'm being embarrassingly honest, I like the back story of the AU. As ridiculous as the world is already with demons and giant robots running around, the political turmoil injects just enough reality into it for you to suspend your disbelief for a few minutes.
On another level, it brings a sense of familiarity to those unfamiliar with the Touhou Project. As hard as it is to believe, not everyone reconginizes Japanese mythology when they see it. But as I mentioned above nearly everyone has, at one point or another, seen a mecha anime or something similar. So even if the talk of Old Hell, ravens and what not flies over your head: you know what's about to happen when a giant robot walks onto the screen. The AU is in and of itself is well done...the same can't be same for the cast.
Touhou Mecha deviates hard by making its main character Reiuji Utsuho instead of Reimu Hakurei or Marisa Kirisame: the two major characters of the Touhou Project. In the original, Reiuji is a demonic raven who aspires to swallow the sun god Yatagarasu and these aspirations eventually make her a villain. Here her story is similar to the original: she's an ace who pilots a machine designed by the previously mentioned religious sect that can absorb Yatagarsu and use its power to win the war. This mission is the major focus of this VN and since there is no nice way to say this, I'm just going to say it: I don't give a crap about these people. The world is good and the story line is intriguing but there is nothing, nothing to connect you to the cast.
War stories by and large work because the cast creates a sense of pathos with the audience: namely that we should want them to survive. Allow me to give you an example hopefully most of can all agree to. The first mecha anime I ever saw was 08th MS Team which takes places in the UC metaverse. During the first episode, well before any battle starts we get a pretty good feel for the protagonist: Shiro Amada. His almost child-like reaction to seeing Earth for the first time is not only endearing but also gives us a hint of what he'll go through as he enters the battlefield. Not only do we want to see him live, but we also look forward to seeing his growth as a soldier and a person
That one scene I'm talking about lasts for less than two minutes in the first fifteen minutes of the first episode. This may seem like a minor sticking point, but any emotional attachment to the cast becomes important when you realize the audience isn't given a side to support. Look, war at best is complicated. The only clear cut war was World War II via the Third Reich's dream of global conquest. Outside of that, the majority of wars on Earth are born of groups of people who can't occupy the same space. From there it gets more complicated, but that's usually the starting point. However infiction, at least in the beginning, that reality is skirted so that you can get to know the protagonist: you know, the person you're supposed to be cheering for?
In Touhou Mecha, each side has a valid political arguments and therefore who's 'right' and 'wrong' is open to the interpretation of the audience. On top of that, we are presented this world from the view of the religious sect who has their own agenda. Clearly they are playing their cards close to their vest, so why should we want them to win their battles? Well...because.
It's just an odd story choice that makes this visual novel a mixed bag story-wise that keeps it stuck in the middle. As much as I want to see what comes next, I need some damn good reasons to care about Reiuji and the others surrounding her. Character development: it's all I'm asking for DSD!
....No Salute?
Presentation & Gameplay
The cast themselves? Well, let's just say they all share a 'body type' and move on. Their is little distinction in the cast design and this is especially problematic your first play through when you're getting the names of the characters down. It gets very easy for you to lose track of who you're supposed to be following. It's a minor issue, but still something I hope improves with time.
Gameplay on the other hand is surprisingly solid. DSD employs all of the usual visual novel features including a quick save/load system that works very well.Outside of any type of game guide or database, which will be added in later chapters, there isn't much to add here.
'Anti-Isolation'...Sounds Like an Tojo Ploy
Replay Value
Overall
Final Score
5/10 |