Occupation: Private investigator
Hobbies: Reading (history books in particular)
Our protagonist; a private detective that specializes in particularly brutal murder cases. Was formerly a detective in the police force, but quit after he lost his fiance. Lives together with his little sister Yukari. Doesn’t stay at home much because he puts his work above everything else. Loves to pore over history books whenever he has free time. Infiltrates Ouba Girls Academy as a substitute history teacher.
Tokisaka Yukari
Occupation: Student at Ouba Girls Academy (member of the art club)
Hobbies: Entomology; raising and keeping bugs
An old-fashioned, reliable type of girl. Takes care of her older brother, who happens to be helpless when it comes down to household chores. Stops by Reiji’s office periodically to help him clean it up. An academic like her brother, but with interests rooted in entomology. Keeps various insects inside her room. Don’t let your guard down around her, as some of her insect friends may turn up on the dinner table when you least expect it.
Kuchiki Toko
Occupation: Student at Ouba Girls Academy (member of the art club)
Hobbies: Sketching, going out for walks at night
Very pretty on the outside. Mature. Her manner of speech doesn’t fit her image. A mysterious girl who doesn’t seem to really fit in anywhere. Possesses conflicting emotions about who she really is, and hires Reiji to find her ”true self”. She’s the type of girl who’s apt to do some outlandish things if the thought strikes her.
Mizuhara Toko
Occupation: Student at Ouba Girls Academy (member of the art club)
Hobbies: Drawing picture books
Kuchiki Toko’s best friend. They spend a lot of time together. Has a strong inferiority complex due to being a poor girl in a school of rich, well-to-do young ladies. As a result, she hates herself, her mother, and everyone else around her. Practically worships Kuchiki Toko because she’s the only girl that ignores her background. Holds a grudge against Reiji because he gets close to her friend.
Yosomiya Tsuzuriko
Occupation: Student at Ouba Girls Academy, aspiring writer
Hobbies: Writing and publishing
Possesses a bright, hyperactive personality. Can be rather noisy at times. Personality wise, the complete opposite of Yukari, but for some reason the two are best friends. She’s already been published in literary magazines, but she keeps her activities a secret from the academy. Reiji calls her ”Tojiko” because he thinks ”Tsuzuriko” is too hard to pronounce. She seems to admire the student body president, Tsukishima Orihime.
Hazuki Kyoko
Occupation: Owner of Cafe Moon World
Hobbies: Making snacks
A widow who owns Cafe Moon World. An old friend of Reiji’s and one of the few people who knows his past. Used to be best friends with Reiji’s deceased fiance, Yukiko. Since they’ve both lost someone important, they’re able to connect on a different level. Her cafe has a lot of regulars including Detective Uozumi and Kuchiki Toko as well.
Uozumi Kyozo
Occupation: Detective
Hobbies: Fishing
A detective with a towering frame. Adept at the physical aspects of the occupation, including footwork. Met Reiji when they were both students; they joined the force and worked under the same supervisor. Still relies on Reiji for help with some cases. Though they tend to joke around with each other, his brawny strength is a good compliment to Reiji’s critical thinking skills.
Amemiya Hatsune
Occupation: Waitress at Cafe Moon World
Hobbies: Cooking (still in training)
A girl who works at Cafe Moon World. Gives her all to everything she does. Used to help out at the brothel Yukishiro, but after the establishment was shut down, Madam Ujaku took Hatsune under her wing and gave her the name Amemiya. She learned how to write from Shugo when they both lived at the Yukishiro, so she gets mad if you say anything bad about him.
Takashiro Shugo
Occupation: Private investigator
Hobbies: None
A private detective based in Ueno. Used to work with Reiji and Uozumi and still helps out his friends when needed. Married to Kazuna, a former client with whom he shares a lot of history. Since she’s currently pregnant, Shugo focuses on less dangerous tasks like investigating cheating spouses and searching for people in order to worry her less.
Takashiro Kazuna
Occupation: Actress (on pregnancy leave)
Hobbies: Traditional Japanese things
Stage actress. Credited under her maiden name, ”Kozuki Kazuna”. A very well known actress. Went through a lot of crazy things in her past, but ultimately ended up marrying Shugo. Seems to be (comparatively) more calm and mature after getting married... or not. Her chest is still rather flat. Currently taking a break from acting due to pregnancy. Though she stays at home most of the time, she’ll stop by Shugo’s office from time to time to see to his needs.
Required CPU:
Pentium III 800MHz
Recommended CPU:
Pentium4 1.3GHz
Required Memory:
512MB
Recommended Memory:
1GB
Required Resolution:
800x600
Required Colors:
16bit colors
Recommended Colors:
24bit colors
Required Graphics:
32MB VRAM
Recommended Graphics:
64MB VRAM
Required HDD Free Space:
1GB
DirectX:
DirectX 7
My first and it was good
AmanoJyaku
My first proper VN (other than Dragon Knight 3 which was some decades ago haha I am not a young kid anymore) and it was an excellent experience.
The writing was perfect in that it took me to the time and place of the game. I played it a few years back so I don't remember the details too much. But it did well to immerse me into its universe. Especially the love interest. I remember feeling attached to her, to the location and to some of the other characters.
The gameplay sucked ass (to me at least, as a non gamer). It didn't make any sense. I had to use a walkthrough. But who cares. I wanted a good read and I got it.
The art was sublime. It complimented the writing perfectly, and the quality is that of true art. Nothing more needs to be said. Look at the samples yourself.
The sex scenes were ok in that it accompanied the development of the characters (for the most part). Believe it or not I am no longer in this for the wank, so this isn't important to me anymore. I enjoy the visual arousal and stimuli so that's cool. I thought they did it well.
Music and sound did very well to engage my subconscious. I don't remember any particularly standout bits, but I do remember enjoying the ambiance it created.
In short, I very much liked this game. 4 instead of 5 stars cause of the nonsense gameplay, which is more than made up for by the story experience. And I am back on Mangagamer after a few years to find another good VN to read. I am in the mood. I will very likely get something from the same company. Maybe the sequel. Something with a mature and solid story.
Shocking
Minase
I play a lot of VNs, but this is the first lengthy VN I completed 100%. It took me a lot of hours to get through the story, but it was always engaging and definitely worthwhile. The story seems simple at first, but by the time you get to the non-bad endings, it's startling how closely everything is tied together (and how many moms everyone gets). It is NOT as depressing as everyone else says it is. I was almost disappointed that I wasn't heartbroken at the end. The art is beautiful, though some CGs are very awkward-looking. Mainly in the H-scenes---which are the least appealing I've seen and heard in any VN, and I've played Saya no Uta. The interface, however, can get very frustrating. When you have to click on a very tiny area you're not sure how to find in investigation scenes, it gets draining fast. Because of all the choices you make, it takes a very long time to skip things you've already read to get a new ending as well.
PROS: fantastic story, haunting and beautiful imagery, sympathetic characters, chilling murderers, fitting voice work
CONS: really awkward H-scenes, sometimes difficult interface, not at all only including "Bad Endings", no matter what anyone else says
Worth Checking Out
Tabby
A lot of people seem to enjoy this game, I am just not one of them. I'll give credit where credit is due, and will say that the story was great. I just couldn't bring myself to care for the characters in this one, at all. I didn't feel attached and so I wasn't really drawn in at the big plot twists and reveals as much as I would have liked. But either way, give this visual novel a chance. It is at least worth the price even if you have a hard time finding a character you'll like, just as I did.
Very Good
VemZoDy
I love this game. Everything look good especially story telling.
Great
Aru
I'm not really into writing long reviews, but I wanted to rate it since the game really doesn't get enough attention. It's a really great game and I was totally absorbed in it from the first moment onwards. I think I have never finished a game of this length so fast. But if you are looking for a happy game, you should look elsewhere.
One Problem
drifter88
Great artwork, great penmanship, great story-telling technique, overall the game/VN is good. The characters feel real, their situation makes you feel for them, etc., it basically lets you get immersed into the story and get your kicks out of it, just one problem...you're NOT in control of anything. Nothing you do will change the story, nothing will change your player character's outcome (albeit only one route) and in the end, all you're left with (if you actually get into your own character) is self-pity and a wallow of depression for your character on how things turned out. That so far is my only complaint.
PROS: Great artwork Great penmanship Great story-telling
CONS: Nothing you do will change anything in the story.