7 Days Of Rose

A Pretty good game at a good price and a short play. The artwork is good as well. Although I'm not too sure on how much the different choices really matter. Needless to say, I can't wait to see what Cross Game publishes next.

A summer vacation love story. Who hasn’t fantasized about having one? An innocent short romance, that lasts as long as the vacation would and then never to see each other again, becoming an endearing memory forever lodged in the crevices of the mind, sometimes surfacing about that cute person or perhaps that first kiss that was simply magical is forever etched into your heart? That is the basic premise of 7 Days of Rose, or so was how the protagonist Michael hoped it would go: to meet a cute girl, escape his parents a little bit and have a picturesque recollection. Like the premise, this game is pretty brisk. Over the course of a week Michael interacts with this girl that he meets, named Rose. Is she toying with him? Rose is so certain of herself, high in life, leading him by the hand while he gets constantly embarrassed by his parents every chance they get to tease him, either by public display of emotions or poking fun at him. Soon darker realities crept in, like how tourists turn their gaze away from their own realities from home or the areas surrounding the popular spots, there is always just underneath the surface waiting to make themselves known. The protagonist himself isn’t anything to write home about, the parents can be a little too comic relief at points, but Rose’s story can get dark really quickly and treats a very delicate subject that wouldn’t just go away with the power of a summer teenage love but it would take a long road. It is a good thing that the protagonist admits he isn’t equipped to help her the way she needs to, but offers to be by her side and help her as much as he can and doesn’t give an overly tired of “all you need is to find your one true love, love will fix it all”. It is possible to archive a bad ending and it isn’t a very pleasant experience for people who suffer from mental health, so viewer discretion is advised. Rose’s parents are verbally abusive, calling her names in public by the end of the story that may lead to said bad ending if the relationship with her isn’t in a good level. While this game isn’t overbearing depressing, the darkness is foreshadowed enough that isn’t hard to tell. If you think the subjects might upset you, it could be a good idea to pass on this one. Graphic and sound wise it is very consistent, with nice sprites and beautiful background art. This game is a very standard affair, nothing that makes it stands out for the better or the worse. As a short adventure for an evening play it is adequate, with enough hooks to keep the player imagine the world continue going after the end of the story but also a solid conclusion. Some of the lines can be a little rough to get through and at first Michael can be a hit or miss with the player but it is a work from a promising small group. TRIGGER WARNINGS: - Depression - Verbally abusive parents (Rose's) - Suicide (potential)

Charming game, Despite its age, it nails everything you might think about a romantic/dark fantasy in a Visual Novel. I wish there had been some follow up, I'd be dying to know how they do going into their next chapter as adults. But as a stand alone I'll take the endings as solid. Good piece of story writing, animating, and directing, Even now I would recommend it 16 years after the fact of it having been produced.