I hadn't planned on it, never did a review in any questionable game tbh, but after finishing this one, leaving a constructive review—especially after reading so many polarizing opinions about it—ends up becoming a "matter of honor."
Well, first things first, it took me 3 days (25 hours at the time I'm posting it) to finish one single route in the game. It's a bad thing? The answer is obvious if you are a true VN lover, it's a big "HELL NO!". In fact, it's a nice thing.
When reading the reviews before purchasing (most of then going around 5 to 7 hours) I thought the game would be short and plain. I'm happy this was wrong.
Let's be honest, everyone who bought it has it's own degeneracy in some aspect, but I'm so surprised with the community levels of it (not everyone, there's some nice people that got my point far before I even knew that game existed).
To put it bluntly, I don't know how you can experience such a long story—one full of personality in most respects—and dislike the game simply because there is a clear absence of erotic scenes...
Some people are just some people I guess.
Well, I kinda get the point, Hifumi posing in the thumb for sure has it's appel and make you brain start to work, it's sad we don't have spicy scenes but life goes on. To be honest I'm not disappointed like other were, probably because I hasn't expecting any "BANGER" yk. It's a steam game after all, It is expected to be more widely accepted by the majority of the public (I guess?).
Don't get me wrong, the game has it flaws, some fascinating characters were left without having their own sprits. I'm sad from the absence of the Nakagawa family in particular, I loved then. Calling your parents regularly really makes you feel closer to then, even more than some girls If I were to say. Hifumi parents were the ones I felt lacking too. This same problem applies to the "generic girl.exe" that just changes clothes, it breaks some of the immersion, but you get used to it.
Another problem I didn't like was some of the amnesia spikes in some characters, I saw myself talking about the same thing we did in day 1 yk. (Felt like there were multiple writers to the game tbh). But again, I kinda understand that, according to my search the game was in development for some years, naturally, one would expect a rich game with that level of density. It's very hard to keep consistency and yada yada. This is normal in visual novels tbh, but I feel I should be more demanding, since this one cost me more money—unlike the others.
Hell, this game looks a lot professional guys, just look at the team size! I give it's credits, understand it's flaws, there's room to improvement but I think it won't get any significant update sadly. (From what I’ve read, the team apparently had some conflicting tastes and so on—I won’t get into the details—but I can be satisfied with the final product, all things considered.)
Finally, the silliest criticism (I’d say) is that I missed having Steam achievements. But that’s just the opinion of someone who likes getting a dopamine hit from getting the Platinum trophy. At least I can still complete the gallery.
In general, my point is: The writting is good when you can sympathize with the characters (don't like being forced to talk with girls you aren't investing into but whatever).
The game density really surprised me, it's very rich in content, the characters have enough deep so you can at least remember then by their unique traits despite the stereotype, what really makes then more memorable. And at last, you can see the creator really put effort into it.
Hell, I consider myself a VN lover, my passion is reading, and even I got kinda like "wait, he's adding depth to IT?! Whyyyyyy" (ngl, it was kinda exhausting sometimes, can't appreciate the fact you need to talk to other girls to progress with the one that's your goal).
Some random intrusive thoughts:
- I like the world building (it lacks sometimes but I like some concepts like the "Shock Absorver").
- Fuko and Yuyu are by far the funniest. Fuko's the one who made me laugh the most, I can't stand her "amigo" and degeneracy, but Yuyu sprites by default will always be remembered in my deepest laughs.
- Hifumi's smile is wonderful, period.
- The best part of the game was following Hifumi grow as the years past. Its consistent if you follow the events properly, like you are supposed to (she's best girl idc). Probably interacting with her is the most "size fetish" you will get off this game.
- I skipped Jun solo events just to reach Hifumi route, If in my next playthrough (mouths later) she hits me I will replay then without skipping. Like almost all men I can appreciatte tomboys but she didn't hit idk man.
- Naoya is a great character despite the inconsistencies and choices you have no control over, it makes me surprised tbh.
If you just want to jerk off, the game is not for you buddy. It didn't hit me in that way one single time tbh. I just like the exploration and the interactions, the game size remembered me a lot of Shrink High depth wise.
Just did this longass review to show the dev some appreciation, he deserves it. Definitively was a game. Idk if the community thanks you but the game will definitively enter my "size games" collection. Cheers 🥂
