MARS RED: Edge of the Nightmare - Game Review

 Release: May 20, 2021

Platform: iOS / Android

Website:

Early twentieth century, Japan - the flowering era of Taisho influenced by Romanticism. As the nation prospered in modernization, some species were outcasted and stood at the crossroads of their lives.

They were - vampires. 

Although they possessed superhuman physical abilities, they would burn under the sun and only lived off of blood. They suffered from having keen senses, and most of them could not adjust to their eternal life. 

Thus - they were vulnerable species. This is a story about a young man named Yatsufusa, who became a vampire against his will and seeks the meaning of life as he encounters different people and species surrounding him.

(Summary from the Official Site) 

MARS RED is a mystery/adventure F2P visual novel mobile game produced by the MARS RED Production Committee, D-techno, and Favary Inc., inspired by a play and anime of the same name by Bun-o Fujisawa. 

The game currently is 280k words long and is full of content written exclusively for this game. It had to be delayed a bit but that's okay because it's finally here! 

I am not familiar with the original play or anime, so my only knowledge of MARS RED will be coming from this game. Yet even though I knew nothing about it other than vague details about it (like vampires hunting other vampires- what?), I'm glad I decided to play this game. 😚

Tune in below for a spoiler free review of MARS RED the game!

Do I Pass? Review

So Trans Day of Visibility was yesterday, and I actually discovered this little game by trans indie creator Taylor McCue thanks to Gayming Mag covering it.  

Summary:

"Do I Pass" is a visual novel where you play as a transgender woman who is worried about if she passes or not. With the help of a magical webpage she becomes a ghost and peeks into the minds of others to determine how they feel about her. There are three endings depending on the types of interactions she encounters from other people.

It's a short game but also very interesting, and I'm very glad I stumbled onto this game!

Yuugen Romantica Vol 2 Zakuro Review

Ah yes, a post I meant to do back in May 2020 but never did lmaoo

Yuugen Romantica (Yuroma) Vol. 2 - Zakuro

CV: Sakurai Takahiro

Illustrator: Kazari Tayu 

Release: May 27, 2015

Website:  

"Hey, have you heard about the Seven Wonders of Nanagiri High?" It's rumored that if you visit the science room at midnight, you might see blue onibi (will-o-wisp) floating around. Be careful not to wake the wrathful Okitsune-sama, lest he either possess you or burn you to a crisp. But what happens when you're dared to enter the classroom and end up encountering the fabled fox youkai...?

I just want to point out that I'm shocked Yuroma has 6 seasons!? I can't believe it got that popular during the time I took a break from otome. 

But anyway, now that Rejet has uploaded season 1 to Youtube, of course I'm going to watch! After all, I am a simple girl - I see Sakurai and I immediately give a listen. 😆 Seeing a light haired nekomimi (...kitsunemimi? lol) character voiced by Sakurai immediately gave me Mejojo flashbacks... thankfully this CD was nothing like that lmao. But maybe that was an intentional marketing visual www 

As always, summary (rambles) and final thoughts below the cut~

Ikemen Vampire - Leonardo Review

English Route release: 6/30/2019 (Regular) | 4/2/2020 (Voiced)

Artist: Yamada Shiro

CV: Tsuda Kenjiro

Tadah~ I'm here with a route review of Leonardo da Vinci, the first route of Ikemen Vampire to incorporate (partial) route voicing! Leonardo is the first IkeVamp route I've played, but as a TsudaKen simp it's only natural that I downloaded IkeVamp just for him lmao. But then I ended up really liking Leonardo so it worked out!

Since Leonardo's birthday is in April, it only made sense for this voiced update to drop in the same month. I also bought his birthday story "Filled With Your Love (His POV)" since I had some extra funds on my google play, so I'll briefly mention that at the end as well. (P.S. If you're a cheap gamer like me, doing Google Surveys are a great way to get some free money!)

Leonardo da Vinci is a quintessential Renaissance man who is also prone to easily falling asleep anywhere lmao. To quote from the game page, he "usually spends his days sating his curiosity by investigating anything that catches his eye. A bit of a long wolf, he appears to be hiding a deep secret..."

Havenless Review

Release: August 31, 2020

“Spring, a few months after a mysterious infection of unknown origin started spreading… I got infected, but still managed to keep my humanity. Even in this situation, there is something I need to find.”

Havenless is the latest game by LucyDream, featuring a mystery otome game that takes place during a zombie apocalypse! This was my first game by LucyDream, so I was really excited to give it a shot.

Character and ending spoilers & thoughts below! To see only my spoiler-free thoughts on the good & bad of the system and plot, jump to "Final Thoughts."

The Divine Speaker - Extended Demo Impressions

Extended Demo Release: August 12, 2020
Website | Twitter | Itch.io | Discord | Steam

"Does fate not exist after all?"

"The Divine Speaker" is an upcoming fantasy BL game by indie dev Two and a Half Studios. The demo is SFW with some slight spiciness but the game will be 18+ at release and in multiple languages. (Maybe I can replay this in multiple languages to help with my foreign language learning. 🤣)

Follow alongside Raen - an orphan from the secluded city of Aurelia Cavella, the only civilization on the entire planet... or so they're told.

Abandoned for his poor Judgement, the "destiny" given to him by the Divine Speaker, he grew up thinking his life would be plain and unexciting, and that's exactly how he liked it.

However, that all changes when he's expelled from his home on a death sentence, cast out into the vast and dangerous forest that surround Aurelia Cavella.

Raen must finally come to terms with the fact that there might be something else out there after all - and there's more to Aurelia Cavella than first meets the eye.

Honestly it was a complete accident finding this game and I'm so glad I did! Lots of gushing below the cut because this was such a delight. 

Shall We Date: Obey Me! Review

So I meant to post this back in May when I stopped playing but um... life happened. 😂

Release: December 12, 2019

Become the master who brings the handsome demon brothers down to their knees and enjoy life at the Academy in the Devildom! You have been selected to become an exchange student at RAD, a school for demons. Awaiting you are 7 ikemen demon brothers and a mountain of tasks...?! There is only 1 rule you have to remember to survive... One Master to RULE them all!

I'm here today with a review of the latest entry into the Shall We Date series: Obey Me! One Master to Rule Them All. You play as a genderless MC who is 1 of 2 chosen humans to be an exchange student in the Devildom, yet there's a special reason the demon ruler Lord Diavolo chose you as his student. Befriend and make pacts with Lucifer and his brothers, and discover your secret along the way.

This game is all the mobile hype right now so I decided to download it and force myself to play for 2 months.. but honestly I only did that because I wanted premium currency in other mobages 😂

It's been extremely popular since its release but... I feel like I'm the only person who doesn't enjoy it? 🤷‍♀️ Below are my thoughts after playing about 12 chapters. 

Shikorebo! ~Kimi ni Furetakute~ Vol. 1 Review

Shikorebo! ~Kimi ni Furetakute~ Vol. 1
Rating: R18  
(18+ Recommended (18推奨))

CV: Sawa Mannaka (佐和真中) a.k.a Nakazawa Masatomo

Label: BULLET

Scenario: Azuma Chikori (Plot Light)
吾妻ちこり（プロットライト）

Illustration: Nanado ne kayu (ななどね粥)

Release Date: July 29, 2016

You've been dating your boyfriend for half a year now, and are totally lovey-dovey with each other. But you're forced to become a long-distance couple when he has to relocate for work. At least he has a cellphone to connect you two and help make the days a little less lonely.

So I stumbled upon this drama and thought what the hell, let's try another adult cd lmao. I've actually known about Bullet for a while but unfortunately haven't listened to much of their works. So I decided it was time to fix that. •̀.̫•́✧

Read below for a summary and thoughts~

Lip On My Prince Vol. 1 Seiya Review

Lip On My Prince Vol. 1 Seiya ~Intense Flame's Kiss~

CV: Namikawa Daisuke (浪川 大輔)

Artist: Yomi (読)

Release Date: April 23, 2014

Website:

Wow I remember when this series was first announced! Now that Rejet Archive has added LipOn to their channel, I decided this is the perfect time to give it a listen. I passed on listening to it back then because I was deep in classic Rejet hell and super into all their angsty and dark works lol... 😂

This cd features Seiya Kitano, a popular 2nd year "prince" at a neighboring school called Akanami High. He's a strawberry 🍓 addict and his totally transparent feelings about you make it obvious you guys are dating... right?

Below are thoughts & summaries, plus a bonus image gallery at the end!

Pipe Dream Demo Review

Polished Demo Release: March 27, 2020

Twitter | Itch.io | Kickstarter

A visual novel dating sim that follows the protagonist Robin as she enters college and finds friendship, love...and hopefully herself.

I don't remember where but I saw a post about this game and decided to give it a try. Pipe Dream is a slice-of-life Indie otome game developed by Notome Games. The game follows the adventures of Robin (CV: Melissa Dorsey), a college freshman who runs away from home to pursue a life where she can finally make her own decisions.

Read more below for my thoughts on characters and the demo in general. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ (Click to enlarge any images.)

Quick and Dirty Reviews: (Some) Early 2000s PC BL Games [R18]

Cheesy graphic brought to you by yours truly

You ever have those moments where you vividly remember something you did years ago? I just took a trip down memory lane and flashbacked to all the BL VNs I used to play back in the day lmao. So now I present: Quick and Dirty Reviews of some early BL games!

By no means is this an extensive list; I did have a life back then and couldn't spend all my time gaming (kinda..). Since I'm probably never going to write full reviews for most of these games, I figured this would be a fun little thing to do. Disclaimer: It's been years since I've played so my details may be fuzzy, although some games made more of an impression on me than others.

Shall We Date?: Love Tangle+ - Ryan Gray Review

So back in 2018 in preparation of Ryan's sequel coming out, NTT Solmare decided to make Ryan's route free to read. The only thing you need to provide are the talent points and the items. So obviously my cheap ass couldn't resist.

Ryan is a popular bartender at a prestigious bar called Le Ciel. He once wanted to be a film director and create his own scripts, but he gave up that dream to support his younger brother's - Cody's - dream as an actor...

Let me tell you, I'm glad this route was free because I would not have read it otherwise lmao. ヾ(＾∇＾)

(Also if you're unfamiliar with the story of Love Tangle, check out my post about the prologue here)

And now, tune in to salt below! As always, jump to "Final Thoughts" for no spoilers.

Coffee Talk Demo Review [PS4]

Full Release: January 29, 2020

Finally got around to trying out the demo for this game! 

 
Available for PC and console, Coffee Talk is a game where you manage your own midnight coffee shop, listening to the woes of those passing through as you give them a warm drink or two. Set in an alternate modern fantasy of Seattle, your cafe provides a respite from the world. 

The demo focuses on Freya, a human fictional journalist who is going through a bit of a writer's block, and Lua & Baileys, a succubus and elf couple who are trying to gain approval from their families.

Heave Ho (Switch) Review

Release: August 29, 2019

Heave Ho: The game where you're allowed - and encouraged - to yeet your friends to victory!

Heave Ho tasks up to four players with a simple goal – don’t fall to your death! Players will use their own two hands and the outstretched grip of their friends to grapple across each level on their way to victory. Grab one another’s hands, climb across dangling bodies, and swing your pals to safety in a wobbly, dangly mass of limbs. Customize your character with all manner of stylish accessories and zany accouterment in a vain attempt to remember who you are and which of your hands is the only thing between you and the plummet of doom.

Summary from Nintendo 

If you're looking for a new multiplayer game to play with friends then you should pick up a copy of Heave Ho, available for Switch and PC. I played it recently on Switch with some friends for a few hours and it was a blast! The game can support up to 4 players, although I'd recommend at least 3 to get some great shenanigans.

London Detective Mysteria English Demo Review

A couple months ago, Xseed released a demo for their first otome game: London Detective Mysteria! (aka Eikoku Tantei Mysteria). I finally got around to playing the demo earlier this month. The demo only covers the prologue, but the game will be released onto both Vita and PC. The full game releases today on the 18th, but for now here's my impressions on the demo.

Shall We Date?: Love Tangle+ - Celina Winter Route Summary & Review

I started Celina's route back when she was released in June (which incidentally was pride month btw cough) but I didn't finish until not that long ago because of hiatus. 😂 I downloaded Love Tangle solely for her route because one glance at her and she stole my heart.

Celina Winter is the cool and gorgeous pianist that plays at a jazz bar when she has free time. Otherwise, she can be found managing the nearby cafe. But there's more to Celina and her cafe than meets the eye...

Below will cover an in-depth summary of her route but not any event stories. The Pop'n Sweet Cafe Stories will be covered in another post. To avoid spoilers, skip to "Final Thoughts" below.

Shall We Date?: Love Tangle+ - Prologue & System Review

I started this back in June when Celina's route first came out... I'm just now finishing typing because of procrastination 😂


Apparently this game has been out for a couple years but I'm so behind on the otome scene that I just found out about it, and only because a new route was released recently lol.

Lamento -BEYOND THE VOID- Review

Even if the world killed you, I would not forget you

In celebration of Lamento's localization announcement, here's my review on the game! ヽ(｡ゝω・｡)ﾉ It's been a few years since I played this game, so please forgive me if I'm spotty on some details.

Long ago, a union between the cat-like goddess Ribika and the god Two Canes led to the creation of the land of Sisa and the species known as Ribika. Currently, a recent epidemic known as the Sickness has spread throughout Sisa, killing off a large portion of the female population and causing fevers and missing limbs in others. At the same time, a food shortage is caused by a phenomenon known as the Void, since vegetation rejects any cat that touches it. This can lead to death if severe enough, and this is why many have turned to cannibalism as a last resort. Throughout the lands there are also special cats known as Sanga that power fighter Touga cats through the power of song. 

The protagonist Konoe (CV: Hatano Kazutoshi) is an orphan living in the starving village of Karou. He begins to have nightmares, and strange marks appearing on his body leads him to believe he's the cursed cat legends speak of. Konoe decides to flee Karou in hopes of finding a way to dispel the curse. Throughout his journey he discovers his abilities, teams up with unique individuals, and discovers his own past.

As usual, many spoilers below. Skip to "Final Thoughts" if you want to be spoiler free.

Zero Escape: The Nonary Games Thoughts part1 - 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors

lmao guess who distracted herself from studying for finals

999 is about a group of 9 individuals kidnapped by Zero and forced to gamble their lives in the Nonary Game in order to escape a ship that will sink in 9 hours. On their wrists is a numbered bracelet that carries a detonator, and the only way to get rid of them is to escape or to die. Originally for DS, Steam recently released a remastered version and bundle of the first two games. On the website there's an Answers tab that I would recommend reading once you've finished the game. It has some interesting stuff and also helps to tie up any loose ends!

Lamento Original Short Drama CDs Review

Gdi Bardo why does your figure have to be a different height 

I've gotten back into a bit of a Lamento kick, so I decided to catch up on dramas I haven't listened to. These short and sweet dramas came with Kotobukiya's 1/10 scale figurines ouo

ES Series Kotobukiya 1/10 Scale Figurines Original Drama

CV:  Hatano Kazutoshi, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Hatano Wataru, Nomura Kenji

Release: 2007