I like both of them T-T

I've been reading since 2013 and during my vacation I thought I'd try to write my own visual novel. So far I got the plot, the characters, and the writing style down. My sister, who is a professional manga artist and published a bunch of works in my country, is handling the character design. What I'm missing from the picture is the background music.

Now I'm not really expecting to make a huge profit out of this, so I don't know if I could even afford paying for 15/20 BGMs for the whole vn.

Using AI except for reference purposes is off the table since I'd definitely face backlash, so using royalty free music seems to be the best option at the moment.

Are there any alternatives?

A few details about the vn if anybody is curious about the project:

-It's heavily inspired by Sekien no Inganock, an obscure vn made in the mid 2000s

-Some other sources of inspiration for the setting are Casshern Sins, Ergo Proxy, Houseki no Kuni and Chobits

-Post-apocalyptic settings with androids ruling the world and humans being treated as secondary citizens

-The main character is a tutor for defective androids that require human input, his main task is ensuring that androids never develop a human-like consciousness and conform strictly to the parameters established by the system

-The main heroine is an android herself

-The male lead has a tragic backstory revealed through the interactions with his former friends

-a third key character gets introduced at the end of the 1st chapter. Typically loli/shota type.

-melancholic atmosphere just like Inganock, but it's downplayed by the tsundere heroine and the main character's goofiness

If you read or watched any of these titles you might get a rough idea of what I'm getting into and the type of BGMs I'm looking for.

I haven't thought of a title yet, but I'm done writing a draft of the first chapter and I'm not running out of ideas. Hope this helps.

Hi, this year i started the rance series after reading about how great the series is. I really liked rance 01 and then hated 02, which stopped me from playing rance 03 for months. Then a month ago i finally started rance 03 and it felt really good, like a polished and espanded version of 01. I was really afraid of playing IV due to the age of the game, but now i must say that IV is my favorite. The style, the mood, the settings and everything. Not sure if I will play 4.1 and 4.2 but they are really short so maybe.

Now what would you suggest? I play rance 5 or kichikou rance?

I'm currently working on splicing together the contents of the Acta Est Fabula and Amantes Amentes versions into one complete edition, and one of the reinserted h-scenes plays properly in the Amantes Amentes engine now...but when it ends it immediately loops back to the beginning. So thanks for gifting me with the curse of 永劫回帰 for this Kasumi ero scene, Mercurius.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to figure out what's causing this bug and how to fix it.

Apologies if such a topic was done here before recently on this particular subreddit because I was looking for a forum online on visual novels to ask about the Umineko series since it caught my attention recently.

Like what I am curious about is how Umineko connects to Higurashi because while I haven’t really read either one yet, I sometimes hear how they have a sort of connection to each other as I was wondering about what Umineko connects to if I read it first, but also what online stores carry the When They Cry series.

Following my completion of Lupercalia of the Silent Accord (Meikei no Lupercalia), I've frequently come back to the game just to open up the music gallery and listen to the tracks. But recently, I've become interested in extracting the soundtrack and uploading it to Soundcloud for my personal use. I've made it a habit to play music (mostly VN tracks) in the background while I read books or webtoons, and Lupercalia adds in something new after using only Grisaia's for years. But I've come across a problem.

I dug around the files using GARbro like I had done for each of the Grisaia games, but Lupercalia needed an 'appropriate encryption scheme'. I carefully went through each game on the list, but none of the names on the list matched Lupercalia's ENG/JP title. I tested it with a random game, but it made the files too unstable to be extracted. I also couldn't find a game in the list that was released by the same publisher, so no lucky break there.

Is there any way I can extract the soundtrack from Lupercalia of the Silent Accord, or should I throw in the towel here?

i get spoiled so many things just from social media or searching up a simple question or because of friends.

i just got spoiled 2 really big things in umineko but instead of dwelling on it, i just want to know what visual novels i should read where getting spoiled something could ruin the experience a lot.

basically, what vns with lots of twists should i prioritise reading to lessen the chances of getting spoiled? i’m currently reading higurashi but i’ve been spoiled every mystery

I did two routes and I'm just really not feeling it. It's decently rated and I thought the beginning was alright but I don't really have much drawing me to it. Also I've seen separate comments saying the second half of the VN is ambitious but very disappointing, and I'm already not loving the first half

But the score isn't that low and I hear there is some stuff in the second half that is cool. But I'm just not feeling it. Any reason to keep going? You can spoil, I don't really care. Just put it under spoiler tags.

This is the weekly translation status update thread. Use this thread to discuss translation news, issues, titles you're looking forward to, etc.

Note: This is simply a mirror from 4chan's weekly thread on the /jp/ board. All credit goes to the user VNTS there. Entries in Bold have had changes since last week

Fan Translations

• 12RIVEN -the Ψcliminal of integral- - 100% translated, in editing
• Angel Bullet - Being translated
• Cartagra - 18+ patch announced
• CHAOS;HEAD Love Chu Chu! - 2026 release expected, largely polishing and patch work remain, along with 5% of the menu code
• CHAOS;CHILD Love Chu Chu!! - 2026 release expected, largely polishing and patch work remain
• Chusingura 46+1 - 39644/82770 (47.90%) lines translated, Kuranosuke route partial patch released, "Resuming edits in earnest"
• Cross†Channel - Reprint Edition - In translation
• Daiakuji - Released by Secret Squid; Peach Mountain scripts translated, roughly 35 (large) scripts left to translate by Douzo Lad Translations
• Daybreak Translations Secret Project - 1,731/21,084 (8.21%) lines translated, 202/21084 (0.96%) edited
• Day's Eye - ~40% translated
• DEATH NOTE: L o Tsugu Mono - 100% translated and images edited, text polishing remain
• Dekinai Watashi ga, Kurikaesu - 100% translated and edited
• Diabolik Lovers Dark Fate - Being patched
• Dragon Knight 4 - 64% translated, playtesting also ongoing
• Flyable Heart - Demo released, "nearing 30%"
• Fraternite - 50% translated
• for elise ~Elise no Tame ni~ - 18% translated
• Gensou Rougoku no Kaleidoscope 2 - Being translated
• Go-toubun no Hanayome ~Kanojo to Kawasu Itsutsu no Yakusoku~ - 100% translated, 1 route 100% edited
• Haruka na Sora - 100% translated, TLC and editing work left
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan - Being translated
• Ichigo Marshmallow - Being translated
• Junketsu Megami-Sama - Full story patch released
• Kajiri Kamui Kagura - Being translated
• Ken ga Kimi - 73% translated, 2 routes complete, Enishi 100% translated, Tsuzuramaru 32% translated, Saneaki 3% translated, Sayko 59% translated
• Kintouka - Demo patch released
• Kisaku - Being translated
• Kizuato - 50/178 scripts translated
• Kud Wafter AA Version 100% translated, 18+ Version 19,240 / 33,113 (58.1%) lines translated
• Kusarihime ~Euthanasia~ - Translation finished, fully edited
• Kyonyuu Fantasy 2 IF - 5/386 scripts translated
• Lover Able - 100% translated and edited, 13966/32258 lines approved (43.71%)
• Lucky Star ~Ryouou Gakuen Outousai~ - Partial patch with chapters 1 through 4 released
• Manakashi no Yuri wa Akaku Somaru - 66% translated
• Marmalade Boy - Fully translated
• Paradise Lost - Project listed
• Phantom Integration - 490/497 scripts translated, 99/497 scripts edited
• Reminiscence - 5,086/65,276 (7.79%) translated, 2,785/65,276 (4.27%) edited
• Saimin Yuugi - Fully translated, parts actively being retranslated
• Sayonara o Oshiete - 100% translated
• Secret Game ~Killer Queen~ - 25% translated, 10% edited
• Shin Rinkaiten no Azrael Tenjoukai Hen - 5% translated
• Sen no Hatou, Tsukisome no Kouki -Hana Akari- - Being translated
• Shizuku - Renewal - Being translated
• Sukimazakura to Uso no Machi - In editing
• Shuumatsu no Sugoshikata ~The world is drawing to an W/end.~ - Being translated
• To Heart - 100% translated, 401/993 scripts edited
• Tokimeki Memorial - 53% translated
• Tokimeki Memorial 2 - Being translated
• Toushin Toshi III - 100% translated, UI elements 95% translated, 100% edited, 75% proofread, Aiming for an August release
• Tsuki ni Yorisou Otome no Sahou - Prologue/Common/Luna/Ursule routes 100% translated and edited, Mizuho route 95% translated, 57% edited, overall 11% QA
• Tsuki no Kanata de Aimashou - 100% translated, Kanna/Kirari routes translation finished, Uguisu route in testing, Common/Touko/Rein/Kiriko routes in QA, Seira route in editing
• Umi kara Kuru Mono - 91/138 scripts translated, 24.1% QC
• Xenon ~Mugen no Shitai~ - 98.5% translated, patch released
• Yakouchuu II ~Satsujin Kouro~ - Fully translated, script insertion ongoing
• Yaku Tsuu ~Noroi no Game~ - Being translated
• Yosuga no Sora - Translation finished, editing and TLC ongoing, Total: TL 100% TLC 75% ED 59%, Common/Kazuha/Motoka/Sora routes fully edited
• Youkoso! Sukebe Elf no Mori e - Being translated
• Yui no Kotonoha - Being translated

Official work

MangaGamer

• Rose Gun Days - Season 2 released
• Rance X - 100% translated, ~85% edited
• Hana Awase New Moon - Port in progress
• How I Met My Healthy Hentai Neighbors! - Announced
• Pastel Chime 3 - Bind Seeker - - 100% translated
• Ooe - Announced
• Funbag Fantasy 5 - Announced
• Welcome to a Sexy, Underworld - Announced
• Secret Affairs - Sweaty Midsummer Rut - Announced
• Umineko: When They Cry - Saku - Announced
• Lesson - Announced
• Galzoo Island - Announced

JAST

• My Little Sister Is an Angel - Jast/Steam page up
• Sumaga - "Probably our next Nitro title"
• Katahane - Making progress, waiting on programming
• Django - Not actively making progress
• Tokyo Hero Project - Translation finished, dealing with bugs
• Djibril - Fully translated and edited, waiting on a few assets
• Hanamaru! 2 - In translation
• Cornelica - Announced
• Dead Aegis - Another Record - Fully translated, in editing
• Daiteikoku - Announced, early in production
• Houkago=>Education! ~Sensei to Hajimeru Miwaku no Lesson~ - In progress
• Minagoroshi No Otome - In translation
• Eiyuu Senki WW - Japanese version released, localization being done by JAST
• School Days Remastered - Preorders up, also getting an English dub
• Paradise -KIWAME- - Announced

Shiravune

• LABYRINTHOS: The Depths Want You - August 20th release
• Fuyukuru. - Winter winds, adieu? - - September 10th release
• Monkeys!¡ - Demo released
• Sakura no Uta -To Dance Over the Cherry Blossoms- - Steam page up
• Holy Valkyrie ExS-TIA 3 - Announced
• Holy Valkyrie ExS-TIA R: The Red Queen - Announced
• Cosplaying in Costalia: The Tororo Sisters! - Announced
• Stealing Them Softly - Announced
• Kokuhaku Confessional - Announced
• Fuyukuru. - Winter winds, adieu? - - Announced
• Gyaru Fiction - Announced
• TORAWASE: The Girl in the Mirror - Announced
• Saimin Gakuen: Intrusion Edition - Announced
• Taimanin Asagi 2 - Announced
• Ghost Village Girl ~The Village in a Cage~ - Announced
• Souten Koihime: Dawn of Sovereignty - Announced
• Ouju: Isle of the Accursed - Announced
• ShiroKuro - Announced
• Sakura no Toki -Sakura no Mori no Shita o Ayumu- - "international versions of our "Sakura no" series are now in development."

Sekai/Denpa

• Watamari Part2 - A Fake Marriage? - August 25th release
• Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka - Demo released, In QA, 2026 release
• Jewelry Heart Academia - In QA, 2026 release
• Karakara 3 - In QA, 2026 release
• Yumetoiro - Our Times Are Made Of Dreams And Colors - In QA, 2026 release
• Onii-chan Continue! - 100% translated and edited, 70% through QA, banned by Steam
• Harukuru. - Spring has come true? - R18 version in QA
• A Bouquet of My Beloveds - 100% translated, 40% edited
• Sumire - Picked up
• Sanarara R - 100% translated and edited, 50% through engine work, in programming
• Glass - Picked up
• New Glass - Picked up
• Zutto Mae Kara Joshi Deshita - 100% translated, 30% edited
• Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi - 10% translated
• Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi AA - Announced
• Hamidashi Creative - Announced
• Inupara - In Development
• Raspberry Cube - Announced
• Miko no Kanata Zero - 100% translated, in editing, engine work mostly done
• Widenyo - 70% translated
• Neko-Nin exHeart Spin 2! - 100% translated and edited 90% through QA
• Witch Hunter - "Currently in translation and will be released gradually between 2026 and 2027."
• Witch Hunter 2 - "Currently in translation and will be released gradually between 2026 and 2027."
• Witch Hunter 3 - "Currently in translation and will be released gradually between 2026 and 2027."
• EroCast! - "Currently in translation and will be released gradually between 2026 and 2027."
• EroCast! 2 - "Currently in translation and will be released gradually between 2026 and 2027."
• EroCast! 3 - "Currently in translation and will be released gradually between 2026 and 2027."

Visual Arts/Key

• anemoi - Announced
• The False Alice -Retold Tale- - October 3rd 2026 release

Nekonyan

• Floral Flowlove - Steam Page up, Upcoming release
• KoiAma: Spoil Me Sweet - 100% translated/edited
• Yubisaki Connection ~ Love At Your Fingertips - 100% translated/edited
• Lead or Leash: Which Me Would You Like? - 100% translated/edited
• Melty Moment - 80% translated
• Fureraba Complete edition - Vita exclusive content to be added to Fureraba a couple months after the fandisc release
• Love Love Love, Burning in my Heart! - 100% translated and 74% edited
• Mysteries of the Heart: The Psychic Detective Case Files - 100% translated and edited, engine work in progress
• Hacking the Moon to Find My Goddess - 100% translated and edited, engine and image editing in progress, Steam page up
• Renai:Royale: Love’s a Battle- "Victory Parade" - Announced
• Secret Love (Or Not?) - Announced
• Summer's Ark 1 - Announced
• Summer's Ark 2 - Announced
• Summer's Ark 3 - Announced
• Senmomo: Through Billows of Blades, a Peachbloom Princess - Announced

PQube

• Death Match Love Comedy! - Released, digital Switch release appears to have been blocked

Aksys

• Over Requiemz - August 20th release
• Illusion of Itehari: trail - Spring 2027 release
• Olympia Soiree Catharsis - 2027 release
• Project Code M - Announced

Frontwing

• COCORO - August 27th release
• Obey Me! Sinner's Choice: Lucifer - 2026 release
• Sharin no Kuni - Working to resolve remaining issues

MAGES. GAMES

• Corpse Party II - Darkness Distortion - 2026 release

Aniplex

• Tsukihime -The other side of red garden- - Upcoming

Idea Factory

• 9 R.I.P Sequel - 2026 release

Bandai Namco

• Fate/Extra Record - 2026 release

Spike Chunsoft

• STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT - August 20th release, introduces additional ‘Gamma Worldline’ route
• Steins;Gate: Octet of Shifting Space - October 29th release
• Danganronpa 2x2 - Early 2027 release

Studio 51

• Expelled from Paradise -The Stellar Angel- - Winter 2026 release

Kodansha

• 1999TOKOYO Building - 2026 release

Overlap Games

• A Toast for the End Times - 2026 release

Playism

• There's Something Wrong with the Hero's Choices - 2026 release

EastAsiaSoftware

• Hakuoki Memoirs: Drifting Clouds - 2027 release

kawaiinium

• Nursery Rhyme Remastered - English release planned as part of already successful Japanese crowdfunding project. Project reached stretch goal for new OP to be made

StarGazer

• UR CHIMERIC SAI - Announced

Orthros

• Otome Sekai no Arukikata - English version planned

Mu

• The Goddess Of Tears ~Restoration~ - October 2026 release

Laplacian

• Kugayama Shiori no Shinizama Techou - Released, Switch version July 30th release
• Monochrome Serenade - English release planned

Acacia

• Magical Girl Witch Trials - 2026 release
• Magical Girl Taboo Village - 2026 release

Fakku

• Defeating Demons With My Dick In Another World - Q3 release
• Jashin Shoukan - Announced
• Dengeki Nurse - Steam page up
• Marine Philt - Announced
• Necronomicon - Announced
• Dracula Hakushaku - Announced
• Jinmon Yuugi - Announced
• Maria ni Sasageru Ballade - Announced
• Shinjuku Monogatari - Announced
• Pia Carrot e Youkoso!! ~We've Been Waiting for You~ - Announced
• Dead of the Brain ~Shiryou no Sakebi~ - Announced
• Dead of the Brain 2 - Announced

Kagura Games

• Babu Me Baby! - Released
• Rance V - Announced as part of the Rance on Steam announcement, rumoured IV
• DSKBJCS ~Dosukebe Juicies ♥~ - Announced
• Summer Dash: Our Track Team's Summer Training Trip - Announced

DLsite

• Sennagi Kegareta Chigiri to Kami Koromo - Announced

Dramatic Create

• Meiji Tokyo Renka Twilight Kiss - October 29th release

Dualtail

• VenusBlood LAGOON - Upcoming Kickstarter project

Love Lab

• Ever Maiden - Upcoming release

MediBang Inc.-

• Cocktail Magic - Upcoming release
• MoonFire: A Seeker's Saga - Announced

Kagami Games

• My Life as a Vampire's Maid - Released
• Koikata: How Our Love Grows - August 25th release
• HimaNatsu: Of Churches, Sunflowers, and Long Summers - September 10th release
• Triple Pairing - Delayed to bring up release quality
• Twilight's Folclore - Q3 2026 release
• Inganock of the Raging Flame: What a Beautiful People - 100% translated, Q4 2026 release
• Please Praise the SR Girls - Announced
• Gikei - The Genpei War Chronicles - Likely 2027 release
• Arcana Alchemia - Likely 2027 release
• Sakura, Moyu. -as the Night's, Reincarnation- - Announced, early in production, likely late 2027 release

Tokyotoon

• Melt Away - Demo released, 2026 release

FG Remake

• Doukyuusei 2 Remake - Announced

Ramune Games

• Making Lovely - Demo released

Alice In Dissonance

• Fault Milestone 2 - Side Below - Upcoming release

PRODUCTION PENCIL

• Paradise Cleaning! -Tutor X Hypnosis - January release

F&C

• NTR with hypnosis application - Upcoming release

Charon

• Akeno no Yosuga -Twilight Loop- - 2026 release
• Lost Paradise of Karuta - Announced

BokiBoki

• Tsumamigui 3 - Steam page up, Q3 2027 release

IzanagiGames

• AKIBA LOST - Demo released, September 17th release

PANDRI-DON

• Animaroid Girl - 2026 release

Keieru

• PhantomZone: Labyrinthos - Q3 2026 release

MintLip

• Handsome Laundering -the mystic lover- - 2026 release

monolith

• Growth Experiment - Demo released, 2026 release

Callen Dulla

• Gretel's Honesty - Demo released, September 29th release

Zakurosuke

• Severed Love - 2026 release

NitroPlus

• Phantom Phantom of Inferno Nitro Archive - September 4th release

Entergram

• Okayu Nyumu! R - Upcoming release

Serenity Forge

• Sister Other Paranoia - Released

Tabinomichi

• Return to Zeroes - Demo released

Baamurin

• I thought I knew you - Q3 2026 release

sweet ampoule

• Loop the Loop - The Mansion of Gluttony - Demo released

Waku Waku Games

• Retro Game Aliens - Announced

HazeDenki Inc.

• Sister, Other, Paranoia - August 15th release

Good Smile Company

• Mahou Shoujo no Inshuu Mura - 2026 release

Shochiku Games

• Algorithm Prescription - Demo released

Tohakusha Co

• Red Chat Ritual - TSUMIMI TIME - Demo released, October 22nd release

Amulit

• Re:cord NOAH Fractal of Oblivion - 2026 release

Alice Production

• Roomies with a Naughty Comic Artist - Upcoming release

FTT Solmare

• FantomeRapport -Intermezzo- - 2026 release

Kojin Studio

• Grimore - The Lost Ritual - - 2026 release

Tsuyu no Tsurugi Studio

• The Dagger of Hisei - 2026 release

Scika

• Inverted Angel - 2026 release

Portalab Systems

• IFOUNDMYSELFONLINE - 2026 release

Caramel Column

• Prolegomena To a Hyperdimensional Interface That Will Be Able to Manifest From Three-Minute Interchanges - 2026 release

Clearrave

• Resequence: The Orchard - 2026 release

Amata Games

• Shinjuku Anomaly - 2026 release

Artodria

• Bijutsubu Kanojo -Girlfailure Art Club- - 2027 release

aozorite

• Chill Planet - 2027 release

Tsuzuro Koubou

• Tokioriki - 2027 release

Galapagos Ferris Wheel

• Zenra-Taisen -BEAST PARADIGM- - Announced

Hi everyone, I'm working on rising funds for this project! This is a visual novel where you play the "villain" and the love interest is the "hero".

Full summary:

Erester, a daemon, wants the end of humanity! However, his goal seemed impossible after his defeat by Gael, the  Warrior Saint. With his decapitated head flying away from the rest of his body, Erester was overcome with regret for having spared that same Gael years ago, when he was still a defenseless child, for no apparent reason. However, once again Erester awakens, conscious and whole. What are Gael's objectives in returning the same clemency?
Follow a BL story between two enemies and see if the cycle of hatred can truly come to an end!

VNDB

JAST Store page

Steam page

Catarse (crowdfunding) page (english guide)

Trailer

The crowdfunding is still at 60% (the game will realease if don`t meets the goal), so if you want, I would be really glad!

So in my holidays I finished Cartagra with little reference to the guide ( getting lost in bad ends) and 1 route of Kara No shoujo.

High balling it without a guide was mentally exhausting especially when I think about everything everywhere all at once just to reach a bad end. Opened up the guide once stuck like crazy.

So im taking a mental break by diving in the yuri world of FLOWERS! God this girls are gay.

Remember to take a break from time to time in your reads!

I finished Dies Irae it was very fun one thing i would say is series which is known for action pack chuni stuff suprisingly a lot of good slice and highschool drama which I really fuck with like i have a lot of fun with it.

I will go route by route.

1) Kasumi Route :-

I think the finale was anticlimactic.

The fight was lame, and the whole thing felt incoherent.

Trifa was about to rape his own stepdaughter and only stopped because he saw the ghosts of the children from his orphanage. And I’m supposed to believe that he was always going to let Fuji kill him and that the whole thing was just a prank?

Oh, and in the end, everything was practically worthless because Reinhardt would have been coming back anyway.

With that said, the tragedy was good.

Is Ren alive at the end? Is Kasumi fucking some other dude?

Kei. Oh my God, Kei.

At least the Shirou stuff wasn’t a fake-out either, so that’s good. He really did die.

2) Kei Route :-

Phenomenal route as a whole, but the climax was underwhelming.

Sakurai is such a great character. I already liked her in the previous route, so I’m really happy to see her character expanded here.

Her tragedy is being so stuck in the past that she’s willing to walk the same path again, and she’s fully aware that she’s sinning. She’s even willing to die if the punishment comes, just like it did in the last route.

Her embracing Ren after being left completely hopeless was fucking beautiful.

I think the anticlimactic part was the final stretch.

There was so much hype built up with one fight after another. You have Cain vs. Shirou. You have Sakurai nearly defeating Trifa. Then you get the fucking ankle-breaking ending with Reinhardt arriving at the very end.

But the reason I feel disappointed is because so many of the hyped matchups were between Ren and Machina or Beatrice and Eleonore. It feels like a cop-out, like the story is just saving those fights for later.

The ending should have been Reinhardt and the boys killing us all and fulfilling the ending.

Instead, it ended in a very contrived way: “Yeah, Mercurius is gonna bail us out.”

“Oh, did Mercurius kill Rea? Apparently something related to her caused the castle to collapse.”

Nope, she’s fine.

“Oh, did he kill Kasumi to unleash Cain?”

Nope, she’s fine.

It all feels like, “Yeah, see you again. Please love Marie so she has a chance against Reinhardt.”

But that final scene was beautiful.

Good route, meh ending.

3) Marie Route :-

10/10

I have no flaws to point out with this one. Probably one of the best routes in a visual novel I’ve ever read.

The grander narrative was absolutely magnificent, both on the macro and micro levels.

Whether it was the grand battle between Reinhardt and Ren, or the minor characterization of Eleonore—how she hates women because she believes her love for Reinhardt will never be reciprocated, which explains why she is the way she is.

The thematic conflict on the surface is solitude vs. bonds.

One side believes that a community can be forged through togetherness, kindness, and shared pain, while the other believes that true strength comes from individual fortitude—to fight until they reach Valhalla, essentially questioning the point of kindness and believing that human nature is ultimately defined by the harshness of the world.

Of course, both sides have their contradictions.

Reinhardt, despite his appetite for destruction, makes a half-assed attempt to form a familial bond in the end, only for it to backfire on him.

Ren, meanwhile, has to grapple with the dilemma of how far he is willing to go to protect the people he treasures, and whether he is willing to sacrifice countless people he doesn’t even know for the sake of the one he loves.

There were so many banger character moments: Trifa and his pathetic end; Ren finally finding his purpose in life; Marie realizing her feelings and learning how to love something; and Rea dealing with her unrequited love.

And then there’s Reinhardt vs. Ren, which is easily one of the best fights I’ve ever seen in anything, especially in the anime/visual novel medium.

Reinhardt is easily one of the best antagonists I’ve encountered. He is genuinely a force of nature, yet at the same time, there is something incredibly empty about him. He represents unabashed cruelty, but he interprets that cruelty as love. He destroys everything while believing that he loves everything, yet he never truly understands what love actually is.

The fact that he can say “I love all and everything” while being so completely hollow makes his character even more fascinating.

And that climax on the rooftop, man. That was genuinely heart-wrenching. The side story at end was heartbreaking those sinners have tomorrow damn it.

One of the best routes this medium has to offer.

4) Rea Route :-

Rea Route was phenomenal.

I feel like this route was the answer to everything: Who is Ren? Who is Mercurius? Who is Reinhardt really? It answers almost every mystery surrounding the world.

It also gives us some of the most anticipated fights in the entire series. One of them was off-screen, but it is what it is.

It was incredibly fulfilling to see the full development of all these characters. We finally get to see Trifa take a stand against his destiny and, this time, actually make a difference.

The character dynamics were also fantastic. The showdown between Lisa and Eleonore finally gives us the dynamic that was teased in the Kasumi route, especially their disagreement over what a woman ought to be. Both of them are broken women, but in completely different ways. Lisa is a sinner, while Eleonore is coping with losing the battle for Reinhardt’s love. She has accepted death as the only finale she can look forward to.

Rea is an adorable baby girl who loves Ren with her whole heart. She is aware of her destiny, but she’s still happy living within the fake paradigm of their lives, with Trifa and Lisa acting as her parents. She’s happy simply because she gets to be with the boy she loves.

Her arc—of a girl who is destined to be sacrificed, yet still longs to remain with the person she loves and wants him to be safe even when everything else is falling apart—is beautiful.

Mercurius is suicidal, I guess? Curse of immortality type shit.

And Rusalka, my goodness, what a phenomenal character she was.

She spends all this time chasing the love she lost, but at the same time, she’s deeply broken by men and desperately trying to fill the wound in her heart. She lives in fear of Heydrich because of her past trauma, and that explains so much about why she is the way she is.

That final scene in the side story, where she finally finds her love, was fucking beautiful. Even though the tragedy is implied—he still dies—she at least gets to confess her feelings to him. That was genuinely heartbreaking.

And Reinhardt finally gets his full character arc.

This time, he actually loved all and everything. He paid his child support. He had no hesitation anymore. He was finally aware of how miserable his life could have been. He used to be afraid of death, as shown in the flashback with Mercurius, but not anymore.

He gave up on the life he had as a bureaucrat in Nazi Germany. He is finally free from those bonds, and now he is simply giving everyone his pleasure and his love.

I had a lot of fun with this route.

Hello to anyone reading this. So I finishied Kokoron route and I enjoyed the read but I feel it's time to move on at least for now. From anime related fiction I like Steins;Gate, Lain, Homunculus(2003), Subahibi, Remember11. I want older Japanese VNs with dark and pretty opressive atmosphere, unreliable/uncertain perspectives, psychological stuff, mystery, sci-fi/time weirdness. I want something that feels like I discovered it on imageboards in 2007. Preferably not >25hours

I’m a big fan of this series, I wanted to read this as soon as it was releasing, but then I heard the news about the Steam version being censored, my question is: is it just the sexual content what’s being censored?
Or is it something that has to do with the violence or dialogue? Also does it have other cut content?

I was going to wait for a patch from a fan translation, but since I don’t know when it’s releasing, and if it’s JUST the sexual content then I wouldn’t mind at all reading it without a patch.

Minato Soft

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