9.9 hours played
Written 1 year and 4 months ago
I’m really enjoying this one so far. I’m only a few hours in, but I am a little dismayed by the number of negative reviews so I wanted to put my thoughts out there.
Make sure you apply the free patch from Kagura. Moving on…
[b] Gameplay [/b]
Core gameplay consists of dungeons and fetch quests. Dungeons have monsters you can see. If you run into one, or they chase you down, you enter a turn-based battle. On the right is a chibi-version of our angel protagonist Elu, on the left are monster portraits, similar to the old Final Fantasy games. You also have the full portrait of the protagonist to view on the far right. Whenever Elu or a monster makes a move, they move to the other side to strike. If you take enough damage, Elu’s portrait will show her clothing falling apart.
The battle system is not complex. Elu can attack, use a move that uses MP, or a move that uses Act. MP can be restored by an item or going back to town. Act is restored as you fight battles. More or less, you take turns with the enemies whacking each other, with Elu having access to some multi-target moves and some stronger single-target moves. For me, I enjoy the simplicity. It’s fun battling enemies, gaining levels, finding items, and getting gold for better equipment. Reminds me of the original Dragon Quest, but not grindy at all with a few more options. If you want a complex system this is not it.
[b] Story / Progression [/b]
The game is broken into chapters. In each chapter, there is one main quest and five side quests (at least through chapter three anyway). The first side quest sends you to the next dungeon where you can explore half of the dungeon on a fetch quest. The other four quests are in town. You may have to help clean up trash or just let a bunch of guards feel you up. You can fail side quests so make sure you save beforehand! There is no going back. The main quest will send you to the next dungeon where you can clear the entire place and defeat the boss at the end.
I haven’t quite figured out the depravity stat. It seems related to your actions and choices. I like the mystery there and I will just figure it out as I go. You can let people have their way with you (which Elu seems to enjoy), or you can stand your ground and (generally) fail the quest. Sometimes you can complete a side quest two different ways. For example, to get a fetch item from a group of bandits, you can either let them have their way with you or you can beat the tar out of them and steal the item. I’m not sure how that impacts depravity.
As for the story, it is basic. The intro scene was funny. In each chapter, you look for the horny grail at a location, find it’s not there, and move on to the next chapter. I suppose eventually Elu will find it…
[b] H scenes [/b]
Main quest H-scenes are not animated but do use several CGs as things progress. You get a scene right away in the intro. You get more as you progress in the main story. I’ve triggered two more so far without trying. The criteria for scenes is hidden, but if you trigger it, you are told what you did to get it. If you lose to a boss you get an H-scene. If you lose to a monster in general (including a boss), you get a scene involving the priest. If you fail more, I imagine you get more scenes since the priest suggests that on more than one occasion, but I only tried once and didn’t save afterwards. Based on reviews, failing enough side-quests will lead to scenes. I guess don’t expect to get them all on your first playthrough. Side quests don’t really have scenes, but just generic closeups of the goods with text descriptions of activity. Not my favorite part.
Many H RPGs have a lot of non-consensual scenes that slowly corrupt the protagonist until she is a nymphomaniac. That’s not really the case here. The first scene is non-consensual, but after that Elu is mostly into it. Not sex-crazed into it, but instead takes just a bit of coaxing to enjoy. If you are willing to fail side-quests, you can have Elu refuse. Sometimes she’ll express regret if you refuse an advance or even when you defeat a well-endowed boss. The first scene, and what the priest does when you talk to him to advance the main story, seem to be unavoidable.
[b] Graphics / Artwork [/b]
The artwork is stunning. Every portrait is very detailed with pleasing shading and light. The art style is very similar to the Sakura visual novels or Sakura Dungeon in particular. There is no censoring and you get good views. The three female characters have portraits. Elu also has a number of costumes (I’ve found 6 so far) that change her portrait and her chibi sprite. You can even remove her costume and have her run around in her cute pink underwear. She doesn’t mind!
Elu’s sprite seems to be custom. I really like how when she moves, her sprite bobs up and down like anyone would when running. This is the first RPG maker game I’ve seen to add that detail. Sprites are a good bit larger than default RPG maker which is really nice. Overworld is fine. There is not much wasted space unlike some RPG maker games out there.
[b] Audio [/b]
The three female protagonists are fully voiced in Japanese for the main quest scenes and H-scenes. H-scenes have sloshing and squishy sounds for the intense stuff – it’s alright. Elu is fully voiced during battle (can be turned off). Optional side quests are not voiced. Each of the three have distinct voices and in my opinion are well acted. Selena… I want more scenes with Selena…
Music is appropriate and fitting for what’s going on the screen. Nothing stands out as good or bad, just in the background adding subtly to the atmosphere. The battle music is a banger which is great since you hear it over and over.
[b] Conclusion [/b]
A really great title for a low price. Gameplay is simple and fun, Elu sprites are well drawn, H-scenes have fantastic artwork, Japanese voice-over work is great, and there is enough mystery around the impact of choices and depravity to keep things interesting.
This game is proof that God loves us and wants us (and Elu) to be happy.