February 2018 Eroge Releases

Rance is back to save the world for one last time in ALICESOFT’s Rance 10! Caramel BOX’s Otome wa Boku ni Koi Shiteru: Trinkle Stars brings us back to the wonderful days of the refined cross-dresser, while Harmorise’s Hitotsu Yane no, Tsubasa no Shita de might actually come out this month! There’s also a bunch of low-priced single-heroine games this month for those who want to focus on their backlogs instead.

I was shocked that Rance returns, it has been what a decade now? Sure feels like it if not. Other than that a pretty good month with games worth looking into more. Of course that would happen during a month I’ll be spending all my time dusting off my ps4 to play all those tasty remakes being released.

HarmonEy

Company: はちみつそふと (Hachimitsu Soft)
Game site: HarmonEy
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the first title by Hachimitsu Soft, a brand under CandySoft. HarmonEy follows the one-heroine system that’s the basis of recent games by Prekano, feng and Campus, among others. There isn’t much of a story for the main heroine, your wife Ako, and it instead focus on the lovey-dovey and ero spousal relationship when you return home and on your days off. You can be free from societal pressures and just enjoy an utopian healing time.

Absolutely no worries! The story is by new writer Asaka Mutuski, but there’s no way you can screw up a game with practically no story, right? Take a look and see if Ako is your type. That’ll be the defining reason behind picking this game up.

Single heroine games are quite common these days it seems. What’s more is that there are also more games focusing on older characters as well as the events post standard story. None of these are necessarily a bad thing, though the single heroine game model can be a deal breaker in many cases. My real problem here is the lack of build up. In most eroge the common route tends to be some of the most enjoyable reading along with the post relationship character development. Which brings us to why this particular game kind of misses the entire point. Sure everything sounds like fun if Ako is the type of heroine you like to read about. However without the lead up to the current situation the whole thing is lacks the gradual introduction to the character and her personality. If the game was about the start of their relationship all the way to the current married life with a focus on the latter the entire story would be more complete. By skipping the common route character bonding there is far less meaning in the lovey dovey after story. Another way to put it would be the opposite of Circus and D.C. II. Circus established the characters in the primary game, then milked the after story with dozens of releases after. This worked because of what was already established with the vanilla game, which was in essence the common route. Taking all the add-ons and spin offs without the context of the original would lose all meaning and value.

Just grazing over past events does little to nothing to solve this sadly as the relevance and first impressions are gone. Flashbacks serve a different purpose and should not be used as a replacement for backstory.

My entire point being that much like games with 5 heroines all catering to one archetype say imouto, the emphasis is lost and the character themselves cheapened by that very choice in design. Essentially the very makers missed the point of the game. When the people who made it are this blind to their own product and just baah like sheep following the herd of the current fads, why would you trust their game to be good?

Then just how long does a ‘common route’ need to be to have ample development for a heroine?

Long enough that we aren’t just thrown a character that is meant to evoke emotional attachment via assumptions of their relationship.

IxSHE Tell

Company: HOOKSOFT
Game site: IxSHE Tell
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
For the first time since Kenseikan Gakuen was founded, the rule forbidding romantic relationships was lifted. It was all thanks to the student council leader Hajime, who was now treated like a hero by all the students. However, he did not have the time to enjoy this new-found freedom himself as he must ensure that there are no problems arising from it, lest the rule be reinstated.

The beautiful transfer student Kasumi, who was his childhood friend, suddenly confessed to him that day. The next day, both the sister school’s charismatic student council leader Yui and repeat beauty contest winner and school idol Ayaka confessed to him. Then the student council’s vice president Yoshino, one of the few students who was against romance, proclaimed that they should hook up and cause lots of problems so that the ban would be brought back!

Hajime was happy to be so loved by everyone, but he wanted to know them better before getting into a relationship. That’s when his other childhood friend Shiori, a true Yamato Nadeshiko, chimed in that she’s the obvious choice then, since she knows him best. It was as if she had been waiting for him to say that.

He was so popular with the school’s top girls immediately after the ban on romantic relationships had been lifted. Under assault from all sides from their aggressive approaches, his love story abruptly begins…

The same group that worked on Amenity’s Life is back with the cliché of clichés: the suddenly popular protagonist who is surrounded by girls who all want a piece of him. I don’t expect there to be much development considering they’re pretty much all at max affection to begin with. I want the imouto/kouhai trio (Yui, Moka, Aoba). Read if you want some high-tension loving.

Similar yet opposite issue to Harmoney above. In this case strong character personalities are absolutely necessary to push forward comedic sense that allows suspension of disbelief. For example one of the heroines kind of needs to be a complete yandere while explaining how and why through a flashback. In other words the game needs to entertain us the readers if they want to skip the normal build up and common route. By giving the heroines strong personalities that justify the absurd start and basis for the story we can simply laugh. Purely relying on being slightly wacky with a little absurdity mixed in doesn’t really do much for the readers. Put simply, if you are going to make a game where the very start and core of the game is based around pure pandemonium, embrace the chaos. 

Zutto Mae Kara Joshi Deshita

Company: feng
Game site: ずっと前から女子でした
Release date: February 23, 2018 Delayed to March 30, 2018
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from January. Haruya’s family runs a group of ryokan and he grew surrounded by women, led by his pushy sisters. He never truly got over his uneasiness around girls, so he had only attended boys’ schools until now. While he was more comfortable around his guy friends, he was at the age where he started to show interest in the opposite sex. He wondered if he could find a girl who was cute and not scary.

Returning to his hometown after ten years, he transferred to a co-ed school for the first time. He was excited to meet new people, but unexpectedly he was reacquainted with an old friend with whom he often played as kids.

“Eh… You weren’t a boy!?”

Haruya had always thought that Sena was a boy, so he was undoubtedly surprised when he discovered the truth. She had a totally different feel around her, and she had grown to become very beautiful….

It’s just a low-priced game where you can get to know your childhood friend quite well. Sena has a complex about her large breasts. Yes, oppai complex is a real thing.

Feng hasn’t done a full scale game in quite awhile. I suppose this format works better for them anyway as misses aren’t as big of a deal, while hits are even better. This time is nothing special, and thanks to that may not be too bad. Better to keep things simple and enjoyable than ruin everything attempting a gimmick.

That said, their cover art annoys me. Slapping an HCG right there on the front doesn’t say anything good about a game. Can only hope it is bait, and not telling how the story goes.

Tonari ni Kanojo no Iru Shiawase ~Winter Guest~

Company: プレカノ (Prekano)
Game site: となりに彼女のいる幸せ ～Winter Guest～
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the second title in Prekano’s Tonakai series. One autumn day, the protagonist offended his homeroom teacher and thus was ordered to volunteer at the student council. That’s where he met the student council leader Shiho, who is completely like an older sister. He wanted to be if only a bit closer to her, but ended up as the student council’s dog instead. He spends his days graced by her wonderful smile, while sometimes being swamped with random tasks and sometimes treated affectionately and given snacks.

“For me, you’ll… work like a dog, right?”

She’s taking advantage of you, bro. It’s best you get out of this relationship while you can.

Take the cliche school bully, give them boobs, and you have yourself an eroge apparently. For those of you who are masochistic and wish to be trained well by your owner, rejoice, there is finally a game for you.

PV

Hitotsu Yane no, Tsubasa no Shita de

Company: Harmorise
Game site: ひとつ屋根の、ツバサの下で
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the first title by Harmorise. The grandson of a legendary ‘Fairy Fight’ (FF) player, Jun’ichi came to the former FF powerhouse Shouou Gakuen and was given the rare fuselage ‘Shinden’. But when he arrived at the student dormitory Tsubasa-sou, it was full of girls!?

He met the extremely beautiful but peculiar plane otaku Hikari, and the mysterious runaway rich loli Mimari, who is very much an airhead and lacks any sense in money matters, buying even entire planes on her credit card. He shares a room with Kazusa because there was some confusion due to their common last name and there were no other empty rooms in the dormitory. Finally, the student council leader Nahoko approached him to invite him to participate in the upcoming FF tournament.

How will this team of misfits fare in the competitive Fairy Fight aerial battlefield?

It’s been over two years since there’s been any news about this game. The story has changed a bit, but the Aokana-like premise has remained the same. If it follows the Aokana model, it’ll probably fare well, but I wonder how many people are still waiting for this to come out?

Reminds me of Fake Azure Arcology. Frankly though the whole plane theme would have been better if they did away with the school setting. Forcing such themes together makes both feel silly and out of place. As though they were brought together out of a sense of defeat, like the creators just had to include the school, because that’s just how eroge are. Accepting something as a standard then throwing a random theme like the Fairy Fight idea is simply too much of a contrast for me to have much hope. If you want to do something, commit to it, don’t stop half way to try and please everyone, that just means few will be more than half pleased.

Game wise, well, it’s a generic plot. If you have read one of these types you have read them all. The remaining slack has to be taken up by the heroines, so read for them, ignore the story. Which I guess says a lot for how useful their attempt at being unique was.

Full Uso -Complete Four Seasons-

Company: Campus
Game site: Full Uso -Complete Four Seasons-
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the compilation of all four games in Campus’ Uso series, along with new ‘after after’ stories for each of the four heroines. Shizuku and Setsuka also get original stories thanks to finishing one-two in the chara poll (but you’ll possibly need to have bought all four games in order to access them). I’m looking forward most to Shizuku! Lovely date with sly kouhai GO!

Eh, what the hell is wrong with them. I get it, I really do get why they would do this. But I have two problems, one if I played all four already is there really a point? Two if I haven’t played all four already is there really a point if things are restricted? Now I don’t know what they will do at release and how it will be managed. But if there is any kind of search for the four preexisting games to open up content, which I imagine there would be else people who already bought them would find this useless; then sigh my damn disk space. I install literally everything to SSD, so it had better let me keep just the save files to open things. If it requires the full installs then screw this crap, I’m not installing five games for a few digital scribbles. 

Rance 10

Company: ALICESOFT
Game site: ランス10
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the final game in ALICESOFT’s long-running Rance series. The Continent has been divided between humans and monsters for over a thousand years. Suddenly, a large army of monsters led by the Dark Lord Kayblis, who had finally united the Monster Realm after a long power struggle, began an assault on the Human Realm. On the other hand, the human nations were still unable to settle their differences even at this critical moment, and it was obvious that they would be no match for the united monster army unless they fight together. However, a summit of the leaders of each nation did not produce any agreement. It was at this time that Rance, unable to watch any longer, spoke up:

“All of you, just follow me! I’ll crush the monster armies!”

His words caused an obvious commotion, but it was quickly settled as the leaders of each nation all agreed to his plan. This was because each of them had seen for themselves how Rance had saved the world many times during his adventures. Humanity was united under Rance and the great war begins.

If you’ve even played one of the Rance games over the past 20 years, you’ll be looking forward to this one. Almost all the characters will make their returns in this final RPG. I would’ve liked them to use a battle system like Evenicle‘s, but I guess that’d be a lot of ask for with such a huge cast of playable characters. Enjoy your smashing and sexing.

It’s Rance. I really don’t need to say anything else.

PV

Lost Echoes

Company: petit linge
Game site: ロスト・エコーズ
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from January. This is the first game by petit linge. Riku was taking photos at the street corner when he met the self-proclaimed minor goddess Umi. He didn’t know if it was a fated meeting or simply planned, but she asked him to go to the past and change one particular event that happened back then. His assistance was needed since he contained the soul of one of the people involved in that event.

If he didn’t help her, what would happen? His surroundings and everything he took for granted will surely change, and misfortune will befall his childhood friend Yuika. This is because in Yuika’s past life as Chiyo, she killed her dear friend and her lamentation had persisted over the next 430 years, gradually eating away at her soul. The only way to save her was to avoid the incident that caused her regret, but this was the last chance to do so.

So that means there’s pretty much one true route (for Yuika). This is the first story written by Sakuragi Tomoe, so I’m not sure how well it’ll end up considering these kinds of plots can get quite messy. It has the feel of an older game; maybe this is because of the art (or the amateurish website). Matsuda Risa has been getting fewer roles lately, so it’s nice to see her voice Hinao.

Setup does not leave my hopeful towards the story here. Would have been more meaningful if the past was slowly revealed in memory fragments to help guide your choices that would then change the present. In other words simple memories the protagonist slowly recalls instead of the whole go back to the past to change the future. All the while imparting a sense of meaning to the player and their decisions. Coming to terms and preventing things from repeating in a historical loop through the cycle of reincarnation would have been a better way of doing essentially the same thing without the need for deus ex goddess.

Otome wa Boku ni Koi Shiteru: Trinkle Stars

Company: キャラメルBOX (Caramel BOX)
Game site: 処女はお姉さまに恋してる 3つのきら星
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the latest title in Caramel BOX’s cross-dressing Otoboku series. Hisoka was an orphan who was raised by Yukitaka, the present head of the worldwide Jinsei Corporation, with the help of his right-hand man Daisuke. He was adopted for the sole purpose of working both publicly and secretly for his daughter Orihime, who was next in line to inherit the business. That’s why he did not hesitate when he was asked by Yukitaka to attend the same school as her and serve as her bodyguard in secret.

The only problem was that her school was the refined Saint Ceral Girls’ Academy, which was closed to boys. He didn’t know it at the time, but it would be a major turning point in his life.

Otoboku was the first cross-dressing game that I played and enjoyed. Even a few minutes into this new installment in the series, I felt that same feeling: Yes, this is the Otoboku that I know. The girls are prim and proper, and oh so adorable. Especially kouhai Hana, who really reminds me of the hardworking Kana. The twins are also good choices, although I’m not sure if they get routes. Hisoka is a fine protagonist and the fake breasts technology has advanced to the point where you can have them on even while in the bath. This will definitely be on my list.

As a fan of this series I am glad they are finally making another one. The thing I always liked are capable protagonists, something of a rarity in eroge. Along with the protagonist not being special ed. it is nice when the setting and characters are invested in. Most of these type of games, Ensemble and their mess of games for example just toss everything together without a care. Also must say it is nice to have a game series to look forward to as I feel more assured about wanting to play the game. Sadly this February sees the release of many remade games I loved so everything is going to end up on backlog anyway.

Chuuni Hime no Teikoku

Company: ウシミツソフト (Ushimitsu Soft)
Game site: 厨二姫の帝国
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from April. This is the first title by Ushimitsu Soft. Behind the skyscrapers which rise like castles in the old downtown area of the 23-ward Galapagos lies a remodelled love hotel, inside of which lives a self-proclaimed princess from another world, along with her guardian knight and personal maid. In reality, they are actually a gamer addict, a light novel author and a elf cosplayer. The protagonist inherited the management duties for this building from his mother and signed an extremely suspicious leasing contract, triggering the princess’s ability and making him her ‘hero’. He must now begin a chuuni life with new abilities outside of his control.

Chuuni stories really make no sense. There’s also his osananajimi Suzuka, who’s also conveniently a chuuni who wears around a cape all day (even in the summer). The princess is really cute though. It’s not my job to cure hikikomoris, but I’ll gladly bring her home with me. Or maybe play games with her. Or take her home with me and play games with her. That sounds like a plan.

A dragon came and ate everyone, the end.

I’m assuming that you are the dragon and ‘ate everyone’ is a metaphor.

You know for these times when your way of thinking shines like a beacon in the night I think of the words a wiseman once said: “Oniichan no sukebe!”

Hataraku Otona no Ren’ai Jijou 2

Company: あかべぇそふとすりぃ (AkabeiSoft3)
Game site: 働くオトナの恋愛事情 2
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
This is the sequel to AkabeiSoft3’s Hataraku Otona series. Michito is a normal office worker who lives by himself. There’s nothing special about his job nor his life; He’s just like any other normal person. One day upon returning to an empty home after a busy day at work, he wondered if he was a bit lonely. If only he had a girlfriend, things might be different… but he didn’t make any particular effort to find one. Thus continued his dull cycle of eating alone, sleeping alone, waking up alone and going to work.

One day, he made a passing complaint about being lonely to his boss while out drinking and his boss smiled and told him that if he wished for change, he must take action or nothing will happen. Those words struck a chord in him and he began to think about what to do. There were many ways and places to find someone to live together with, like out on the street or via SNS. So, he decided to make the first move, in order to add colour to his solitary life.

A new set of grown women for you to hit on. That’s what this series is all about, right?

Essentially the same exact thing as the previous. In which case I hope it will not be full of random one night stands and constant pointless cheating because the protagonist can’t keep it in his pants for five seconds. I will be giving the series one more shot to see if they fixed those issues. If not, and it ends up being more of the same pointless cheap garbage I’ll ignore it from then on no matter how many are made.

Imouto o Kega Shita Kioku

Company: はむはむソフト (HamHamSoft)
Game site: 妹を汚した記憶
Release date: February 23, 2018
Comments:
Ryou’s imouto, who was much younger than him, was becoming more and more like a woman. Before he knew it, he became sexually attracted to her and one day while playing hide-and-seek, he was unable to hold back his urges and ejaculated on her as they were hiding together in the storage shed. He felt guilty about it afterwards and left the village to live alone in the city.

Several years later, he returned to his hometown after being asked by his parents to help with taking apart the storage shed where the act had been committed. In the middle of the field of early-blooming cosmos was his cute grown-up imouto Asaka. His love and desire for her, as well as his childhood friend Aki, which had stopped on that day began to move once more.

“Welcome back, onii-chan. I’ve always been waiting for you.”

Led by the sweet fragrance of the cosmos, it was the return of his past mistake…

Hello, sweet temptation! I can’t fault him for falling in love with his imouto, because that’s normal. What’s not normal is that he ran away instead of apologizing and letting her know his true feelings. I’m sure his imouto would forgive him and love him because it is an absolute law of the universe. Let’s be immoral!

PedoPedoSoft strikes again.

Micchi’s Top 3 for This Month

1. Otome wa Boku ni Koi Shiteru Triple Stars
2. Imouto o Kega Shita Kioku
3. Full Uso -Complete Four Seasons-

Zen’s Top 3 for This Month

1. Otome wa Boku ni Koi Shiteru: Trinkle Stars
2. HarmonEy
3. Hataraku Otona no Ren’ai Jijou 2

Hmm… even if you can get realistic breasts, you’ll just to have cover up the bottom half while in the bath…

Maybe tucking technology improved as well. Though would still probably need some painkillers during that bath scene for any guy who isn’t gay, ouch. Actually that might make for an amusing all ages game. Play a guy who is actually gay, but being chased by women so spends his time trying to escape from being raped by them.