We, as people of high culture, undoubtedly love to read… Well, we are also gamers, so why not transfer your favorite pastime to computers, diluting it with a small amount of degradation? And what? Sounds hype! Meet the first review of the visual novel from Bee Games Info – Katawa Shoujo!
Computer games constantly absorb some elements of other forms of art. The same music is inextricably linked with games, because it sets not only the atmosphere and pace of what is happening, but is also directly woven into the gameplay, being literally its core, as for example in Hiro’s guitars. We also don’t forget that games have taken a lot from cinema. Setting, emphasis on plot and narrative dynamics. Just remember the first doom. Only the very last tanker has not heard the famous statement of the creator of doom, John Carmack, that the plot is in the game, ala the plot in a porn film. It seems to be there, but not particularly important. And now, keeping in mind the words of the pioneer of the gaming industry, remember the Last of Us, Bioshock, Metal Gear..
So, what do we have with those who like to read?? Are they really left with nothing?? No, of course not. The first text quests, or as they were originally called “interactive fiction,” originated in the 70s of the last century. And this is not surprising, given the computing power that the first video game developers had at their disposal. Despite the fact that at that time these were layers of text with the possibility of a simple choice, which now, by the way, any schoolchild can make in Pascal, over time interactive literature gave birth to the so-called date sims, or visual novels. As many of you know, the kings of this genre were, not surprisingly, the Japanese. There’s been a lot of stuff lately with us from guests from the east. In any case, the design standard for these very visual novels was laid by Dokyusei back in the 90s. Japanese visual novel full of erotica, tits and pussies. The so-called eroge. Well, we’re done with a brief excursion into history.
So why did I tell you this?? However, why should I create intrigue if you can already read the title of the video?. As always, you are reading the blog (and perhaps watching the video) Bee Games Info and on your screens is a short review of the visual novel Katawa Shoujo.
Our dear Katava From the pen of the creative association Four Leaf Studio. The team, by the way, is international. How did it all start? In 2007, sketches by Japanese artist Raita Honju appeared on the 4chan image board. These sketches quickly spread across threads and began to be widely discussed. As a result, a team of enthusiasts was formed in a short time and began to create their own visual novel. By 2009, the team released an evaluation version of "Act 1". As you can tell from the title, there was only an introductory part, although it also allowed us to properly get to know the characters. The demo version was released in 8 languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, German and even Russian. The full version was released only on January 4, 2012. Tellingly, the Russians were the first to translate the full version, but due to internal contradictions the release was delayed for several months, and the French managed to release their translation first. The development team immediately announced that there would be no more games. In 2013, however, there was information about a new project, but the rumors remained rumors, so until now, Four Leaf Studio has only one game, but what a game..
Hisao Nakai – an https://legit99casino.co.uk/bonus/ ordinary high school student. One day he finds a letter from an unknown sender in his locker asking him to meet in the park, where he is heading. The author of the letter turns out to be a girl who loves him, but when talking to her, Hisao loses consciousness. Waking up in the hospital, he learns that the cause of fainting is an unexpectedly manifested heart disease – arrhythmia. After a long treatment, he is forced to transfer to the Yamaku school, where, overcoming difficulties, he finds friends and love.
Despite the fact that the game initially throws us right into the thick of things, from which we don’t quite understand what and how, over time it calms down, heating up closer to the end. The plot revolves around Hisao’s attempts to adapt and come to terms with his new surroundings, as well as to start a relationship with one of the five main heroines, each of whom suffers from some form of disability.
The game consists of a prologue containing two short scenes, the first act in which the main character can choose one of the routes, and three additional acts for each chosen route. All storylines have a good and bad ending, some have neutral ones. Reaching a specific ending depends on the player’s choices throughout the route.
The full version of the game contains hentai scenes, which can be enabled or disabled in the game settings. Katawa Shoujo was created using the popular visual novel engine Ren’Py. The game uses a standard model based on sprites, backgrounds and text in a special window.
Despite the fact that all the visuals in the game are just pictures in JPEG format, these pictures look very pleasing to the eye. The visual part is not overloaded with excessive realism, allowing you to relax while reading, and is also not stupidly cartoonish, which allows the novel not to alienate the audience.
I would like to highlight the already mentioned video clips from the game. They are done extremely well. There are no words, only emotions… and this is exactly the thing that is better to see once.
I would like to specifically mention the musical design of the game. It consists of 46 independent compositions, 43 of which are played in various scenes of the story, complementing the atmosphere of the events taking place. Separately, I would like to highlight the composition “Spring” despite the fact that they are all suitable and worthy of mention. Moreover, they are freely available and the link, as expected, is in the description.
The plot of the game, as I already said, is simple to the point of disgrace, but interesting and addictive. I’m sure it will suit everyone. Despite the fact that I seem to be an adequate guy and emotional swings are not inherent in my species – the plot sat me on them and spun me to the point that I wound up more than one sunshine. Joy, sadness, fear, rage, disgust – I experienced all this while reading the novella. At the same time, often not even 10 minutes passed between changes in emotions. Tin. Moreover, these emotional swings are perceived rather pleasantly, and not, as often happens, with bewilderment that the screenwriter has not decided on the motive of the work. Therefore, I am sure that you will like the root of at least one of the girls.
Oh yes. Now we’ve reached the point of being completely subjective. Before discussing characters. All of them have some kind of illness, thanks to which they ended up in the school for the disabled. I hope I don’t offend anyone by saying “disabled person” and not “person with disabilities”. However, their disability is not perceived in a negative way, it is felt as a certain feature used to give the situation a specific romance.
So the game is not at all about seducing disabled girls. The more you get to know them, the more you realize that these are ordinary girls, just like everyone else. These are people with their own hopes and dreams, wildly unsure of what it means to be alive and happy. They are an allegory to humanity, archetypal people. The wreck you become when you feel sad, lonely and unworthy.
It’s that girl next door, it’s that socialite, that bookworm, that tomboy, and all their weirdness means nothing. They value your company because you acknowledge your flaws and needs, victories and defeats. You want to make them happy because you want them to be happy because you know them and, in a sense, you believe that everyone deserves to be happy. You are not alone and you are not a stranger. You are you, everyone has their flaws. Be a good person.
These are the pies. Ultimately, I can say that if you don’t have an aversion to beautiful 2D girls and reading, play. You definitely won’t leave disappointed. Or rather, you can leave with decay in your soul, but you will enjoy reading. Well, I apologize for the unnecessary notations and moralizing. It would be a sin not to raise such a topic. Thanks for reading the blog!