January 2019 Eroge Releases

The new year starts stronger than how the last one ended, so let’s hope for a better 2019! FAVORITE’s Sakura, Moyu. -as the Night’s, Reincarnation- and minori’s Sono Hi no Kemono ni wa, are big-name titles that should appeal to many. For something a little more romance-based, why not check out SMEE’s Sugar＊Style or GIGA’s love clear? Hope you all enjoy them!

By the standards these days this is a rather good month. Definitely better than the last few. Which is nice to see, maybe 2019 will be a better year for eroge. Not that I minded 2018 being lackluster as there were plenty of regular games worth playing instead.

Sugar*Style

Company: SMEE
Game site: Sugar*Style
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
Misfortune after misfortune befall the protagonist, from being cheated by women to his parents leaving him saddled with debt. He had not even decided on his future, but luckily some kind relatives referred him to a vocational school in the area. He arrived to Hidamari-sou with the expectation that this time he would be able to enjoy his life. It was a small dormitory with only girls living there; Surely he will have a fateful encounter! Since he was the only guy, they were obviously wary of him. However, he shall not give up! Because this spring, he will definitely make his dream come true!

I love SMEE’s games and in this one you get to select a role for the protagonist. You can be perfect at all housework, someone that can make or fix anything, an entertainer that keeps everyone happy, or a reliable guy that protects the heroines. You can only select one, so choose wisely! All of the heroines are new to the protagonist, and you don’t get to enter their rooms until you have built enough affection. When you’re inside, you can inspect things around the room and maybe there’ll be some interesting reactions? Definitely will be playing this! I can’t get to know the girls better, especially kouhai Maou!

Smee games are typically pretty solid so probably not a bad choice for the month. Possibly the only real gripe I have is how convenient the setting is for the protagonist. Which yes may be a cliche we have come to accept but does little to lessen how lazy it is to use.

The addition of a protagonist role is an interesting choice which I hope turns out well. It would be nice if it changes more than a few minor scenes instead having an effect on the route itself. I suppose the inspect option isn’t a bad idea either in the same way it could add a lot of spice to a generic format if used well. Of course these are both dependent on a rather big “If” of them being used for more than a token gimmick. Still thanks to the possibility this is definitely my favorite of the month.

Itsuka no Memorajo ~Kotonoha Amrilato~

Company: SukeraSparo
Game site: いつかのメモラージョ ～ことのはアムリラート～
Release date: January 25, 2019 Delayed to February 28, 2019
Comments:
This all-ages game elaborates on their previous title Kotonoha Amrilato, focusing on Rin, Ruka and Rei. There is a backstory, as well as an additional story. It’s pretty cheap for those that want more from the story.

Continuation and stuff I guess.

Kimihane Couples ~Kanojo to Kanojo no Koisuru Nikagetsu Chotto~

Company: BaseSon Light
Game site: きみはね Couples ～彼女と彼女の恋する二ヶ月ちょっと～
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
New release date after being pushed back from August. This is a package release for Kimihane Couples with a Valentine’s Day sequel, Kimikara ~Kanojo to Kanojo no Koisuru Valentine~. There are also some new scenes and CGs added to the original game. Enjoy your yuri!

Expanded yuri.

Sakura, Moyu. -as the Night’s, Reincarnation-

Company: FAVORITE
Game site: さくら、もゆ。 -as the Night’s，Reincarnation-
Release date: January 25, 2019 Delayed to January 31, 2019
Comments:
A long time ago, a group of special girls known as ‘mahou shoujos’ saved the world after a fierce battle where blood and tears were shed and prayers were made. It was an overly common battle tale. However, no one thanked or praised them for their victory. In fact, no one even knew them at all. Even so, the future of humanity was protected and it came to a happy end.

Now around ten years later, it was spring, the season of meetings and farewells. Those who had once saved the world have forgotten ‘magic’ and lived as normal girls with ordinary encounters and problems. Taiga was approached by the transfer student Haru, who made a request of him:

“Please turn me back into a mahou shoujo.”

A mahou shoujo title by FAVORITE? Say no more, I’ll be playing this for sure! Urushibara Yukito’s writing can drag on at times, but I am fond of Shida Kazuhiro’s art and the mysterious feel of FAVORITE’s games. Osananajimi Haru and kouhai Chiwa interest me the most, although I don’t mind having Kuro around too. Hau~ omochikaeri~!

As this offering from Favorite is a sinful taboo I propose burning copies of it outside of any and all retailers to let the world say farewell to a concept that died more than ten years ago. Damn magical girls, oh how I loathe thee.

Sono Hi no Kemono ni wa,

Company: minori
Game site: その日の獣には、
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
Ritsuki, his imouto Runa and osananajimi Mayu attend a school that is popular for its drama activities, with many of its graduates going on to become famous actors and scenario writers. Shortly after the entrance ceremony, they were invited by their classmate Inori to join the drama club. Ritsuki was eager to aim for the school’s primaries for the national competition, but first year students were forbidden from participating in the contest. They wouldn’t accept the fact that they were excluded just because they didn’t have much experience. If only they were given the opportunity to demonstrate their acting abilities…

Rumour has it that there is a ghost that haunts the theater. It is said that it will grant any wish so long as it is related to drama.

What the hell is BRVTDOVVN? That mystery aside, minori’s latest balloon-filled title is about desire and making dreams come true. I don’t mind drama club settings, but it’s not my top pick. Somewhat interested in Kusuhara Yui as Mayu, but I’m not sure I can withstand the balloons…

Chaotic. Too much trying to be stuffed into the story till it doesn’t know what it wants to be anymore. A club story about bringing liked minded individuals together? A school mystery story about wishes and dreams? Or a story about growing up and fighting against the rules? Who knows when they are all smushed together like this. Honestly rather than trying to fatten up the story to the point of obesity they would have been better off with a simple story revolving around acting bringing the characters together in different ways. All the rest need not apply. If you are looking for a good story this is definitely not the game to pick this month. So I suggest avoiding unless you absolutely must read one of the heroine’s routes. Just keep your ctrl key handy as you will probably need it.

Swallowtail -Ano Hi, Ao o Koete-

Company: NIKO
Game site: スワローテイル -あの日、青を超えて-
Release date: January 25, 2019 Delayed to February 28, 2019
Comments:

“On the day of the festival, let’s go steal a mask from a stall”

Shou’s girlfriend Yuuna suddenly said those words on the day before the festival. She was the type who would come up with outrageous ideas all the time, but at that time he was particularly looking forward to it. She was a capricious girl who wouldn’t get close to people, but since he was worried about her, he couldn’t just let her be and before he knew, he had fallen in love with her.

“I don’t want a bought mask. I want a stolen one”

He unwillingly went along with her on that fateful day and carried out their plan. But the sight of her running into the crowd was the last he saw of her.

Three years later, Shou had left his hometown to attend university in Tokyo and was now going out with his childhood friend Rie. Even though it’s a busy time for them with seminars having started, he fully enjoys his days studying with her. One month before the start of this year’s festival, he received a message on his phone with no sender.

“On the day of the festival, let’s go steal a mask from a stall”

Their frozen time together has resumed once more…

This scenario is more intriguing than the MORE brands’ usual fare. If your ex-girlfriend was encouraging you to commit crimes and then ditched you, then returns when you get settled with a new girl, I’d suggest you don’t pay attention to her again! Nothing good will come out of it! But what is good here is the impressive seiyuu cast, including Kusuhara Yui (not balloons!), Akino Hana, Suzuya Maya, Ayumi Sara, and many more. I’ll probably still pass though since it’s a strong month.

I have to agree with Micchi that when a crazy ex comes back it is best to draw a line with her and hold it with your life. What makes it worse is the protagonist is already in a relationship when crazy girl comes back. Would have been one thing if he was just thinking about it as he was attracted to her, like say Hatsukoi Sankaime. But when things are basically over at the start the protagonist is going to be an asshole in every choice but his current girlfriend. 

Teaser

Sorceress＊Alive! ~the World’s End Fallen Star~

Company: Fluorite
Game site: ソーサレス＊アライヴ！～the World’s End Fallen Star～
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
This is the first game by Fluorite. One day, a very ordinary boy named Kouki was enveloped by a bright light and found himself in a new world. It was an unfamiliar place with a school that floated in the sky. Yes, this was not the normal world that he knew, but rather a magical world where magic ability determines one’s place in society. He met Akina, who looked very much like a girl he admired, and she took him in as a servant at the school where the elite magicians attended. He wondered how he would survive in this world without any magic ability. However, the general magic competition known as ‘Rave’, would be the fateful event that would enable him to forge bonds.

Flashy battle game for those that want it. It’s written by LEGIOn (em>Liber_7) and the other fighting game this month (Mekuiro FD) probably has better writing. I have no problems with the graphics or seiyuu cast though. Lily’s full name sure is a tongue-twister.

I have two major issues with this one, issues that many of these style of eroge have to differing degrees. First of all I am sick of the Japanese obsession with useless protagonists. Useless being a broad spectrum and covers everything from being pointlessly indecisive, weak, brainless, and everything else they do to nerf their protagonists in completely illogical ways. For example a protagonist is really good at one thing, great. However they reject everything else for really dumb reasons in order to make someone who is smart completely unable to fight or visa versa. Simply point it is incompetent and lazy. If you are going to follow this plotline and setting then I don’t really care how, be it training or because different world voodoo or what have you but the protagonist needs to fight directly. None of this support from the back garbage. Not that I am against that role even for a protagonist but in this type of setting it is just wrong.

Next issue is also something of a generalization but all this work to get a protagonist to a different world and make things different for the sake of what is essentially a tournament arc. Please. Try harder. Depending on the explanation whether it’s a mirror of the world or a completely different world or whatever else you want for the setting give us something more. For example if they went the mirror route you can tie it in with mythology / supernatural things and maintaining balance or something, anything. Point being it may as well be a generic highschool with a kendo tournament for all the good they do with the setting.

I agree with Micchi that this is the better pick of the two you have to choose from for this month though.

Nekogami-sama to, Nanatsuboshi -Imouto no Ane-

Company: SWEET&TEA
Game site: ネコ神さまと、ななつぼし -妹の姉-
Release date: January 25, 2019 Delayed to February 22, 2019
Comments:

“Good morning, onee-chan!”

Reiji was happily greeted by his beloved imouto Erika who had bright blonde hair and cat ears. Yes, even though he is 100% male, he is also her older sister. Her cat ears are also very much real and can appear and disappear on a whim. It became like this due to a little complicated reason, but he accepted it without changing his ways. However, this should not be normal – she should be calling him ‘onii-chan’ and she shouldn’t have cat ears. He thought that if he would be able to do something about his own problems, then she would be also be freed from her current state.

Onee-chan…?? All this is because of the Fujisaki Usa-voiced nekomimi girl Fuuko. She saved her in the past, and some of her power remained inside Reiji. No matter how it happened, I don’t mind the nekomimi though. But I’m definitely a male, not an onee-chan! What is this conflicted feeling…. I love Suimya’s art and it is an imouto-ge after all (just one heroine), so maybe I’ll check it out after all.

The title spoke the word! the forbidden word that none shall speak! What will they do if Micchi stalks them?

Knot Fiction!

Company: はちみつそふと (Hachimitsu Soft)
Game site: ノットフィクション！
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
This is Hachimitsu Soft’s second game, with a single older heroine Chisa. Even though she and the protagonist Yuu are married, their relationship is still like that of an older sister and a child. There’s plenty of teasing and doting, and of course plenty of ecchi from a rather forward girl.

And here’s the games for those who like onee-san types. I’ll leave them for you guys.

Thanks. I’ll take all the onee-sans with pleasure while leaving the babysitting to you.

Maid in WitchLife! -Yakata de Hajimaru H na Miryou Seikatsu-

Company: エスクード (Escu:de)
Game site: メイドinウィッチライフ！ -館で始まるHな魅了性活-
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
Every day Reiji was caught up in unfortunate incidents due to a curse unbeknown to him that dates back to his childhood. Eventually he was taken away by the guards and after a full-body examination, he found out about the unique curse. He was left in the hands of Samantha, a famous magician and researcher, who brought him in a cage to her mansion. There he met her apprentices: Alisa, who for some reason is interested him and aggressively pursues him; Yuel, who has chuunibyou-like aspirations of world domination and plans to make him her servant; and Liliana, who wants him to help with her magic experiments. Trapped together with them, he decides to remain at the mansion in order to find out how to break the curse that had been cast upon him.

Magical nukige. I’d gladly be cursed to be in this position.

I’d laugh if he was cursed with impotence. Nothing could be worse in this situation.

love clear

Company: 戯画 (GIGA)
Game site: ラブクリア
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
One day Itsuki chased a cat to a water courtyard at the school which is seldom visited by the students. He noticed a girl by the waterside; it was his childhood friend and kouhai Himari. When he called out to her, that was when his colourless days turned vibrant.

I thought that Kohane was his kouhai at first, but she’s actually a senpai! It’s your typical school romance, so whether or not it interests you will depend on the characters. For me, Kohane might be enough for a trial. Can’t say no to yaeba!

Another generic Giga game. Nothing seems particularly bad about it, while at the same time nothing stands out as particularly good either. So as I have said before for these types, all comes down to the writing. 

Kizuna Kirameku Koi Iroha -Tsubaki Renka-

Company: CRYSTALiA
Game site: 絆きらめく恋いろは-椿恋歌-
Release date: January 25, 2019
Comments:
This is a fandisc/sequel to Kizuna Kirameku Koi Iroha, featuring an after story for Tsubaki. The katana smith Touki and his childhood friend and strongest swordswoman Tsubaki forged a strong bond as lovers and partners in the way of the sword. As they took a step towards their new future together, they met a mysterious swordswoman Kaguya, who was reminiscent of the guardian diety of the Sanjou household, Ayase. Her presence alone shook Touki, who was the only one who knew about Ayase.

There was an intermural match held at Murakumo Gakuen featuring talented swordsmen from other schools, using an unofficial 2-on-2 tag team tournament format. Touki noticed that the girl from the other day was among the participants. The crowd sensed that there will be a spectacular new battle between formidable enemies.

In the midst of all this, Tsubaki suddenly had fox ears come out of her head!? Is it another trial to test her relationship with Touki?

Similar to Sorceress＊Alive!, it’s reminiscent of light novels and Tsubaki gets more content since she’s popular. I didn’t play the original game, so I’ll pass.

Fandisk. Seems poorly designed story wise though maybe makes perfect sense for those who read the original.

Micchi’s Top 4 for This Month

1. Sakura, Moyu. -as the Night’s, Reincarnation-
2. Nekogami-sama to, Nanatsuboshi
3. Sugar*Style
4. love clear

Zen’s Top 3 for This Month

1. Sugar*Style
2. Knot Fiction!
3. Sorceress＊Alive! ~the World’s End Fallen Star~ Between this or Love Clear, figured I’d choose this as at least it wouldn’t be bland. 

Make me a mahou shoujo too!

I could, but then I’d have to kill you.