April 2019 Eroge Releases

The last month of releases in the Heisei era can be seen as the direction that eroge is headed. Most of the titles are low-priced single-heroine games, such as Palette’s 9-nine- Haruiro Harukoi Harunokaze and Campus’s Koioto Se Piace. Frontwing’s Grisaia: Phantom Trigger series is up to volume 5.5 and 6. There are still some intriguing titles like Minato Carnival’s Waka-sama no Zasuru Sekai and SILKY’s PLUS’s Kanzume Shoujo no Shuumatsu Sekai. The next month seems a bit more solid, so enjoy this small batch before moving on to bigger and possibly better things.

Note: Zen hasn’t added his comments yet since I basically left him with no time to do so, so you might see the post updated at a later time. Sorry for the delay and look forward to the May post!

April is the month of Childhood friends it seems with three single heroine games all based around those stalkers. Other than the childhood friends a bunch of sequels and even some yuri leaving us with very few actual complete games this month. A good thing given the delays for the post. For that I apologize at the extra week it was delayed for on my part. This was mostly caused by how I go about writing my part. I like to set aside a good few hours to just sit down and do it all in one sitting. Which can sometimes make it hard to find the time to do that. So again apologies.

9-nine- Haruiro Harukoi Harunokaze

Company: ぱれっと (Palette)
Game site: 9-nine-はるいろはるこいはるのかぜ
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
This is the third game in Palette’s 9-nine- series. Shiromitsugawa was a nondescript university town until a large earthquake damaged the sacred treasure of the local shrine and mysterious objects called ‘artifacts’ started appearing from a parallel world, granting special powers to those who possessed them.

Kakeru, his classmate Miyako, and imouto Sora invested the petrification incidents and discovered that the culprit was the owner of the ‘evil eye’ artifact. Along the way, they came across a rival group of artifact users who called themselves Rigveda, and one of its members was his senpai that he sees every morning, Haruka.

The 9-nine series has been getting more interesting and that’s pretty good for a low-priced game when compared with offerings from other studios. Palette senpai chars are my weak spot.

Continue with the series if you have been keeping up, move along if not.

Missing-X-Link ~Ten no Yurikago, Togi no Hana~

Company: Fluorite
Game site: Missing-X-Link ～天のゆりかご、伽の花～
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Each country aspired to unify the world, but they fell out with each other due to lack of compromising, to the extent that they required military forces. The ‘Edited’ are genetically-modified children designed to be superior, but with fleeting lives, who are considered cursed. There was a quantum computer that was built to create a better future, but its ability to think for itself was taken away, making it just a repository of knowledge.

Shougo lost his beloved older sister Yuuhi to a military satellite that was supposed to maintain peace. One day, a sentient female robot, the third generation automata Himefurou, appeared before Shougo.

“I will love you, unconditionally and forever.”

Then she kissed him on the lips, triggering the ‘Cross Link’ ability that allows humans and automata to share their hearts and minds and thereby restarting his frozen time.

This is Fluorite’s second title after Sorceress*Alive! earlier this year, albeit with a new writer Yukimarusen. The story seems like a typical sci-fi drama. In the second part, a girl that looks like Yuuhi comes to Shougo for some reason. I don’t really care much for automata, so I’ll pass.

Let me start by stating I really like sci-fi. I have to say this because I can’t think of any sci-fi eroge that was done well. There are a number of reasons for this but to keep things as short as possible while staying on track ill try to keep it relevant.

First off everything was more or less fine, stupid in a lot of rather forcible ways but within the bounds of what they were trying to achieve before the sex doll showed up. Something along the lines of a Chobits start would have been much better for this story. In fact I think almost all older android based sci-fi started around finding them in the trash in some form or another. I also feel a more dystopian depiction would have represented the feel they were going for with the future better. Genetically modified test tube children in charge of research and development for corporations with androids doing all the fighting and working. Throw in separation of classes with no mobility between social strata and the foundation to build off of has more meaning.

As is everything is just token, tossed an android robot mom maid thing that has some arbitrary ability to magically become the center of the world just cheapens everything. What makes it worse in this case and indeed a lot of eroge sci-fi is they end up just making up stuff that would serve better in a fantasy setting. Some kind of kiss bond is just plain silly in regards to science fiction.

Tonari ni Kanojo no Iru Shiawase ~Summer Surprise~

Company: プレカノ (Prekano)
Game site: となりに彼女のいる幸せ ～Summer Surprise～
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
This is the third game in Prekano’s low-price Tonakai series. On a hot day reminiscent of summer vacation, Koume was hanging out as usual at her osananajimi Gorou’s place. Over the course of the summer, their sugar-sweet relationship unexpectedly turns into burning love.

An imouto-like osananajimi with a sharp tongue? Ya, sign me up! (Hikuwa~)

So begins the childhood friend parade that is April this year.

PV

Aikagi 2

Company: あざらしそふと (Azarashi Soft)
Game site: アイカギ2
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Satoru was looking forward to a wonderful start to the school term in his new class, but he was suddenly called out by his homeroom teacher after school. He was worried that he did something wrong, however it was about his osananajimi Ayano who had started living by herself but had not shown up at all since the beginning of the term.

He went to check up on her at the behest of his teacher and found her obsessively playing games and having completely forgotten about school. Obviously she was scolded by her mother, who would allow her to continue living by herself only if she met two criteria: she must get at least a 90 on the upcoming test for all subjects, and she must not be late for anything anymore.

She was crushed by this hopeless situation and turned to him for help. Even though he thought that it was her own fault, he felt some pity for her and agreed to lend a hand. She asked him to live with her, waking her up every morning and helping her study. This was the beginning of his cohabitation life with a slovenly otaku osananajimi.

She’s gonna have trouble with that first criteria. Anyways, it’s Haruka Sora. You know if you want her or not.

Another Childhood friend to take home if you so desire, just make sure to train this one well.

Kakeochi

Company: Lass Pixy
Game site: カケオチ
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Mitsumi received a short message from his osananajimi Kaguya, who was a year younger than him. When she revealed that she had been set up for an arranged marriage, he regretted not taking action in advancing their relationship. He believes that they share the same feelings and had been satisfied the way things were, but now with the girl who he loves crying before him, he had to immediately make a decision…

Make that first move! Ojou-samas usually aren’t your osananajimis!

Childhood friend trilogy ending, Ojou-sama strikes back. 

Kudan no Folklore

Company: SukeraSparo
Game site: クダンノフォークロア
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
This is an all-ages yuri title by SukeraSparo. There’s a folklore (urban legend) that spread across the town about ‘Kudan’, who is said to be a woman without a right wrist and in a mourning dress with a black veil covering her face. It is said that misfortune will come to those who cast their eyes on her within seven days.

Sixteen year old Sakuya met the cooking class instructor Touko by strange coincidence and the faint feelings between them began to grow stronger. However, their peaceful days were shattered when ‘Kudan’ had Touko in her sights. As the days passed, Sakuya tried her best to protect Touko by any means and found out about a club at her school that studied folklore. Together with the occult research club leader Koto, she embarks on a challenge to protect the one she loves from the unknown folklore.

Another yuri-ge with a mysterious feel to it, like FLOWERS.

Yuri.

Grisaia: Phantom Trigger Vol.6 & 5.5

Company: フロントウイング (Frontwing)
Game site: グリザイア ファントムトリガー 第6＆5.5巻セット
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
This is the latest two (1.5?) volumes in Frontwing’s Grisaia: Phantom Trigger series. They seem to be focused on Shiori and Aoi this time.

Rather than rant and rage at how much I hate Frontwing, for once I’ll just ignore it as its part of a series anyway. 

Otome Kishi♥Ima Sugu Watashi o Dakishimete

Company: ensemble SWEET
Game site: 乙女騎士♥いますぐ私を抱きしめて
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Ayato lived together with his twin older sister Saaya in Germany. Saaya had always admired Japan and dreamed of one day attending school there. So, when she got the opportunity to study abroad in Japan, he gave her his full support and was happy for her when she was accepted.

However, she had a frail constitution and became sick before she could travel. It would take a while for her to recover completely, so he decided to pretend to be her and go in her place so that the offer to study abroad would not be rescinded. Afterwards he realized that he did not completely think things through, as the school that he would now be attending is an ojou-sama school and that he would need to dress up as a girl!

In the latest cross-dressing game by the ensemble brand, they’ve decided to go with multiple artists, including Lucie, previously from Studio Ryokucha. The art seems a bit off in my eyes, and while they have a good list of seiyuus, including Akino Hana and Kusuhara Yui, some of them seem mis-casted. You might want to play the trial or common route to see if you like it first.

Ensemble being Ensemble again, surprise surprise. Despite just being another Ensemble game the games they make feel like they care less with each new release. Rather than putting some effort into it they are made to come out as quickly as possible. Ah well, if you need your monthly dose of trap I suppose there’s not much else to choose from. 

Uchi no Koibito

Company: Argonauts
Game site: 家の恋人
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
This is the final game of Argonauts’ Uchikano trilogy. Keisuke started working this year and is satisfied with his life, since he found a job in his desired field, even though it’s for a small company. However, despite the motivation and satisfaction of living alone for the first time, he did feel a bit tired from it and wondered if he should find a girlfriend.

Then one day, he happened to hurt his arm, and two beautiful girls Chika and Yuri ended up living together with him. They were quite kind despite their flashy looks, and took good care of him with getting through his daily routine. They had a dream which he also shared, and they gradually became closer to each other.

I want more of his imouto Riho instead.

Here you go, have a menage a trois the game. See Micchi, I know french too.

Kanzume Shoujo no Shuumatsu Sekai

Company: シルキーズプラス (SILKY’s PLUS)
Game site: 缶詰少女ノ終末世界
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
One day in early summer, Masataka took shelter from the torrential rain at the convenience store. While he waited for the rain to stop in the dine-in area, he noticed the girl beside him open a can of miso-flavoured mackerel and started to eat it. He was bewildered as she calmly walked out into the downpour while still eating it. Her eccentricity left a memory, and the next time he came across her, he asked her why she was eating the canned mackerel. In a long-winded response, she explained that it was in preparation for the end of the world. She was one of the ‘preppers’ and this was their story of how they faced the end of the world.

A pretty odd subject that might not be up everyone’s alley. There’s also a lot of dirty jokes in the trial. If you liked the Sumikko Soft games (Natsukumo, Akiyume), you’d be happy to know that Watanabe Ryouichi is in charge of the story. While I like Ichiri’s art, I think I’ll pass on this one. It seems a bit too crazy for me.

As I could not possibly care less about this silly game, I will just say to Micchi, this is how I feel when I look at most eroge stories. Sucks don’t it? 

Bosei Kanojo 2 ~Chisei Houkai-hen~

Company: あかべぇそふとつぅ (AkabeiSoft2)
Game site: 母性カノジョ2 -知性 崩壊編-
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Souji lost his mother at a young age and has been studying hard to get into medical school. However, little did he know that he was getting worn out while doing his best to meet his father’s expectations.

One day, his cousin Iyo came to study with him during the summer break. One thing led to another and he began to question why he was trying so hard. He began to dote on her as he recalled those precious memories that he had forgotten.

Not really a fan of these mother-like heroine games. You can even choose to call her ‘okaa-san’ or ‘mama’….

The cousin thing is fine and all but what is with turning her into a random mother figure? That part I just don’t get. I understand the point of Haha Ranman, but in this case it’s like getting the moe wires crossed for the heroine design.

Haha Ranman

Company: ALICESOFT
Game site: 母爛漫
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Mayuko’s husband was assassinated shortly after she married, causing her to lose her will to live and plotting to commit suicide. However, she was saved by Isamu, who had also lost his parents to murder. Sensing a common link, she took him home from the orphanage as her foster son.

Ten years later, Isamu had grown up to be a young man. Mayuko had help from her brother-in-law and psychiatrist Takafumi, but she was silently suffering seeing the visage of her late husband every day. One day, Isamu met a pretty girl in front of the shrine who warned him that Mayuko will die soon if her spirit continues to deteriorate. There is one way to save her, but he was shocked to find out it would require him to have sex with her.

Now she’s not even pretending to be your mom, you’re actually gonna do it with your (foster) mom!

Hey, to be fair she’s not actually his mom. Just an older sister type he happens to call a mom. Which is whatever floats your boat as far as fetishes go, but really would prefer a more organic relationship. Nothing I hate more when the story or setting forces the characters to have sex for some stupid reason.

PV

Koioto Se Piace

Company: Campus
Game site: 恋音セ・ピアーチェ
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Shinya heard the sound of someone playing the guitar poorly while returning home and followed them to Hana, who was happily giving an amateurish performance in the park. After initially mistaking that he was hitting on her, she told him that she started playing the guitar because she attended his band’s show. She implored him to teach her how to play the guitar, but actually he was the drummer in the band. So their musical drama begins on the wrong note.

Hana is a cute lovable idiot mascot. Give me more of her! Hau~ omochikaeri~!

First thing that came to my mind was laying a guitar down and trying to play it by hitting the strings with drumsticks. Which probably fits this heroine perfectly now that I think about it. More of a simple Micchi type game than something for me though.

Waka-sama no Zasuru Sekai

Company: みなとカーニバル (Minato Carnival)
Game site: 和香様の座する世界
Release date: April 26, 2019
Comments:
Ryouga lived in the old capital of Hakura and was about to eaten by an ancient goddess that appeared before him. Fortunately he was able to get out of trouble by offering to cook delicious food for the goddess Waka and became her servant and caretaker. She was full of curiosity in her new surroundings and he was completely at her mercy.

One day, monsters started to appear in the world and he asked her to help exterminate them to reduce the number of victims. She agreed, mainly because she enjoyed her time in current Japan. Soon her imouto Ruruha and other gods also showed up and their destiny started to move.

Takahiro and Tanaka Romeo worked on this (for the first time in a couple years), so it’s likely to be good. It feels a bit like Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita, with the daily life feel with a supernatural feel. Good production values all around, so it’s worth trying out.

Was interested the instant I saw Waka as she is completely my type. Story wise I’m not going to expect much, just want it to be entertaining without turning into cringe worthy nonsense and that will be good enough for me. In the end this is one of those games where everything will depend on the writing, even if the story itself isn’t great as long as it is well written everything will work out.

Micchi’s Top 3 for This Month

1. 9-nine- Haruiro Harukoi Harunokaze
2. Koioto Se Piace
3. Tonari ni Kanojo no Iru Shiawase ~Summer Surprise~

Zen’s Top 3 for This Month

1. Waka-sama no Zasuru Sekai
2. Kakeochi
3. Aikagi 2