Publisher: Chunsoft

Entaku no Seito (2010)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 4 minutes read

Summary

Entaku no Seito: A Unique and Engaging Dungeon Crawling JRPG

Released in 2010, Entaku no Seito (Students of the Round) is a dungeon crawling JRPG that stands out from the crowd with its unique bonding system, trapping mechanic, and rivalry system. Originally released on PC in Japan, it was later remade for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable with extra content.

Gameplay

Entaku no Seito is a turn-based dungeon crawler in which players control a party of up to four characters. The game’s dungeons are procedurally generated, ensuring that each playthrough is unique. Players must explore these dungeons, fighting monsters, solving puzzles, and collecting treasure.

One of the most unique features of Entaku no Seito is its bonding system. As characters fight together, their bond level increases. This bond level grants various bonuses, such as increased stats, new abilities, and even the ability to perform special attacks together.

Another unique feature of the game is its trapping mechanic. Players can use traps to lure enemies into specific areas, or to block their movement. Traps can also be used to damage enemies or to trigger special effects.

Finally, Entaku no Seito features a rivalry system. Players can compete with each other for treasure, and even steal treasure from each other. This rivalry system adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must decide whether to cooperate or compete with each other.

Story

The story of Entaku no Seito follows a group of students at a prestigious magic academy. These students are tasked with exploring a series of ancient ruins in order to find a powerful artifact. Along the way, they must fight monsters, solve puzzles, and overcome their own personal challenges.

The story of Entaku no Seito is well-written and engaging, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The game’s world is also rich and detailed, with a deep and complex lore.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics of Entaku no Seito are impressive, with detailed character models and environments. The game’s art style is also unique and charming, with a mix of medieval fantasy and steampunk elements.

The sound design of Entaku no Seito is also top-notch, with a beautiful soundtrack and excellent voice acting. The game’s music is especially memorable, and it helps to create a truly immersive experience.

Xbox 360 and PSP Versions

The Xbox 360 and PSP versions of Entaku no Seito feature a number of improvements over the original PC version. These improvements include new monsters, items, dungeons, background music, as well as new story segments and accompanying artwork.

The Xbox 360 version of the game also features a number of exclusive features, such as online multiplayer and a new game mode called “Tower of Eternity.”

Conclusion

Entaku no Seito is a unique and engaging dungeon crawling JRPG that is well worth checking out. The game’s unique bonding system, trapping mechanic, and rivalry system make it stand out from the crowd, and its well-written story, impressive graphics, and excellent sound design make it a truly immersive experience. If you’re a fan of dungeon crawlers or JRPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out Entaku no Seito.

Score: 8/10

Review Score

8/10

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Sound Novel Machi: Machi (1998)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 7 minutes read

Summary

Sound Novel Machi: Machi (1998)

A Groundbreaking Visual Novel with a Non-Linear Narrative

Released in 1998, Sound Novel Machi: Machi is a unique and groundbreaking visual novel that tells the stories of eight unrelated protagonists living in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Japan. The game is played across five in-game days and features a huge number of live-action still photographs. Each of the protagonists has their own unique story that defies genres, and the player must play through all of the stories in parallel, jumping across different protagonists and backtracking to re-select branches. These choices not only affect the active protagonist but also other protagonists through often bizarre twists of causality.

The Protagonists

The eight protagonists of Machi are:

  • Ayu, a high school girl who is trying to find her place in the world.
  • Daisuke, a young man who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality.
  • Eri, a successful businesswoman who is hiding a dark secret.
  • Hiroshi, a salaryman who is trying to balance his work and personal life.
  • Jun, a homeless man who is trying to find a way to get back on his feet.
  • Kaori, a young woman who is dealing with the death of her father.
  • Ken, a college student who is trying to find his purpose in life.
  • Michiru, a young girl who is trying to cope with her parents’ divorce.

The Stories

The stories of the eight protagonists are all unique and defy genres. Ayu’s story is a coming-of-age story, Daisuke’s story is a story of self-discovery, Eri’s story is a mystery, Hiroshi’s story is a drama, Jun’s story is a story of redemption, Kaori’s story is a story of grief, Ken’s story is a story of self-discovery, and Michiru’s story is a story of hope.

The Gameplay

Machi is played across five in-game days. Each day, the player can choose to play as any of the eight protagonists. The player must then make choices that will affect the protagonist’s story. These choices can be small, such as what to eat for breakfast, or they can be large, such as whether or not to confess their love to someone.

The player must play through all of the stories in parallel, jumping across different protagonists and backtracking to re-select branches. These choices not only affect the active protagonist but also other protagonists through often bizarre twists of causality. For example, a choice that Ayu makes on day one can have a ripple effect that affects Daisuke’s story on day three.

The Non-Linear Narrative

One of the most unique things about Machi is its non-linear narrative. The player is not forced to play through the stories of the eight protagonists in any particular order. The player can choose to focus on one protagonist’s story for a while and then switch to another protagonist’s story later. The player can also choose to backtrack and re-select branches, which can lead to different outcomes.

The non-linear narrative of Machi gives the player a lot of freedom to explore the game’s world and characters. The player can choose to play the game in any way they want, and they can discover different endings depending on the choices they make.

The Live-Action Still Photographs

Machi is one of the first visual novels to use live-action still photographs. These photographs give the game a unique and realistic look. The photographs are also used to great effect to convey the emotions of the characters.

The use of live-action still photographs in Machi helps to create a more immersive experience for the player. The player feels like they are actually there with the characters, experiencing their stories firsthand.

The Music

The music in Machi is composed by Ryu Umemoto. The music is atmospheric and emotional, and it helps to create the game’s unique atmosphere. The music also changes depending on the protagonist that the player is playing as.

The music in Machi is one of the game’s strongest points. It helps to create a truly immersive experience for the player.

The Legacy

Machi was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 1998. The game has been praised for its unique and groundbreaking gameplay, its well-written stories, and its beautiful visuals. Machi has also been credited with helping to popularize the visual novel genre in the West.

Machi is still considered to be one of the best visual novels ever made. The game is a must-play for fans of the genre and anyone who is interested in experiencing a truly unique and innovative game.

Conclusion

Sound Novel Machi: Machi is a groundbreaking visual novel that tells the stories of eight unrelated protagonists living in Tokyo. The game features a non-linear narrative, live-action still photographs, and a beautiful soundtrack. Machi is a must-play for fans of the visual novel genre and anyone who is interested in experiencing a truly unique and innovative game.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward (2012)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward: A Gripping Visual Novel with Unforgettable Characters and Deadly Puzzles

Introduction

Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward is the second installment in the Zero Escape series, a critically acclaimed visual novel franchise known for its intricate storylines, mind-bending puzzles, and unforgettable characters. Released in 2012, Virtue’s Last Reward takes players on a thrilling journey filled with mystery, suspense, and ethical dilemmas.

Story

The game follows nine individuals who find themselves trapped in a mysterious facility known as the Nonary Game. They are forced to participate in a series of deadly games, with the ultimate goal of escaping with their lives. As the story progresses, players uncover the secrets behind the Nonary Game and the motivations of its enigmatic mastermind, Zero.

Characters

One of the strengths of Virtue’s Last Reward lies in its cast of well-developed and relatable characters. Each character has their own unique backstory, motivations, and secrets, which are gradually revealed as the story unfolds. Players will form strong bonds with characters such as Sigma, a brilliant mathematician; Phi, a mysterious girl with a photographic memory; and Tenmyouji, a wheelchair-bound hacker.

Gameplay

Virtue’s Last Reward is a visual novel, meaning that gameplay primarily involves reading text and making choices that affect the story’s progression. The game features a unique “Decision System” that allows players to choose between different options at key moments, leading to multiple endings.

In addition to the story-driven sections, Virtue’s Last Reward also features puzzle rooms that require players to use their wits and problem-solving skills to escape. These puzzles range from simple logic puzzles to complex riddles, and they add an exciting layer of challenge to the game.

Themes

Virtue’s Last Reward explores a number of thought-provoking themes, including the nature of morality, the value of human life, and the consequences of our choices. The game presents players with difficult ethical dilemmas that challenge their beliefs and force them to confront their own values.

Visuals and Music

Virtue’s Last Reward features stunning 2D artwork that brings the characters and environments to life. The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, with a mix of haunting melodies and upbeat tracks that perfectly complement the atmosphere of the story.

Reception

Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward was met with critical acclaim upon its release. It was praised for its engaging story, well-developed characters, challenging puzzles, and thought-provoking themes. The game won numerous awards, including the IGN award for Best Story in a Handheld Game.

Legacy

Virtue’s Last Reward is considered one of the greatest visual novels of all time. It has been praised for its innovative gameplay, its ability to evoke strong emotions in players, and its lasting impact on the genre. The game has spawned a dedicated fanbase who continue to discuss its mysteries and share their theories online.

Conclusion

Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling. With its gripping narrative, unforgettable characters, challenging puzzles, and thought-provoking themes, the game offers a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a fan of visual novels, mystery games, or simply great storytelling, Virtue’s Last Reward is a must-play.

Review Score

9.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Homeland (2005)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 4 minutes read

Summary

Homeland (2005): A Hidden Gem for the Nintendo GameCube

Homeland is a Japanese-exclusive action-RPG developed by Sting and published by Atlus for the Nintendo GameCube. It was released in Japan on March 31, 2005. The game is notable for being the only non-Phantasy Star Online title in the GameCube’s library to officially support online multiplayer, although the implementation of it is different compared to most other games.

Gameplay

Homeland is an action-RPG with a focus on exploration and combat. The player controls a party of up to three characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. The game features a variety of different environments to explore, from lush forests to dark dungeons.

Combat in Homeland is real-time and hack-and-slash based. The player can attack with a variety of different weapons, including swords, axes, and bows. The player can also use magic spells to attack enemies and heal allies.

One of the unique features of Homeland is its online multiplayer mode. In online multiplayer, players can team up to take on quests together. The online multiplayer mode also features a variety of different PvP modes.

Story

The story of Homeland takes place in the world of Ateria, a world that is divided into two continents: the Northern Continent and the Southern Continent. The Northern Continent is home to the human race, while the Southern Continent is home to the demon race.

The story begins when the demon race invades the Northern Continent. The player takes on the role of a young human warrior who must fight to defend his homeland from the demon invasion.

Reception

Homeland received positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its unique gameplay, beautiful visuals, and engaging story. However, the game was also criticized for its lack of content and repetitive gameplay.

Legacy

Homeland is a hidden gem for the Nintendo GameCube. Although it was only released in Japan, the game has gained a cult following among fans of action-RPGs. The game’s unique gameplay and beautiful visuals make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Here are some additional details about Homeland:

  • The game was developed by Sting, a Japanese video game developer known for its work on the Dept. Heaven series and the Riviera series.
  • The game was published by Atlus, a Japanese video game publisher known for its work on the Shin Megami Tensei series and the Persona series.
  • The game was released exclusively in Japan on March 31, 2005.
  • The game supports online multiplayer for up to four players.
  • The game features a variety of different environments to explore, from lush forests to dark dungeons.
  • The game features a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles.
  • The game’s story is engaging and well-written, with a surprising amount of depth.

If you’re a fan of action-RPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out Homeland. It’s a hidden gem that’s well worth your time.

Review Score

7.5/10

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