Criminally Heartwarming: [Various] Yorunohitsuji’s Loliita Series + Extras

Foreword: One of the major reasons why I’m so headstrong on trying out doujin titles (even if they’re made with engines like RPGVX) is because while it provides the new environment of a different engine (aside from the ADV we’re used to seeing with VNs), some also provide gameplay which entertains me for a while or as with this particular series, it’s very thought-provoking.

With my bias for lolita aside, these titles are extremely well made (as you can see one of the titles not containing that niche element). The reason being that the writers were able to keep most things like the environment simple, but make the character themselves much more complex. As I’ll discuss in the main body of the review, this is really how games should be written and created, so I actually feel bad right now I’m lumping all of these 5 titles into one (4 plus a sequel); it almost feels like I’m disrespecting the game which is the last thing I want to do.

There is one more game from this doujin group. The problem is that title is MUCH darker and is actually an NTR title, making it somewhat unfitting to be placed in this review.

Titles:

• ゆびきり婚約ロリータ (Pinky-promise engagement Lolita)
• お泊り恋人ロリータ (Sleep-over lover Lolita)
• 相思相愛ロリータ+生活 (Love each other Lolita + Living together)
• 彼女、甘い彼女 (Girlfriend, sweet girlfriend)

Producer: 夜のひつじ
Getchu Link: http://www.getchu.com/php/search.phtml?search_brand_id=74929
Game Type: Reality-set kinetic novel revolving around stigma of “lolita”  and socialism

General Explanation: Each title is actually quite short and thus giving a summary would essentially spoil the game. While the last title do not follow the same theme of “lolita”, it is well made, displaying an ideal form of romantic relationships as well as displaying some sociology viewpoints. Each of the other titles displays a young man in his 20s coincidentally meeting a young girl and after interacting for a bit they find something within each other which allows them to fall in love.

Mako from the first series, and also the only one currently with a sequel

It’s Time to Settle Down: Review of [160930] Kanojo Step

Foreword: It’s been far too long without a review! I definitely have my schoolwork, employment, and other hobbies to blame, and even thought about quitting this site purely because of how little I was able to read VNs.

On the other hand, critiquing and reading VNs is one of the hobbies that I find unique about myself, so I just can’t really blow it off. It’s admittedly quite fun, especially when I get to talk trash about a title I hate. Why do you think I read bad VNs, you nerds?

However, I ultimately decided to swallow my pride and start DROPPING games. I generally had a very negative connotation about players dropping games in the first place (and still do, don’t get me wrong), but when one doesn’t have enough time to spend on a title as myself, this is pretty much the only option available since there’s way too many titles that’s dragging my time and not worth reading when in the end I’ll be complaining about how shitty it is anyways.

My biggest critique about players dropping games for whatever reason is that said reason is never expressed and doesn’t provide the player’s impressions on that game. This is why even if I do end up dropping games, I plan on mentioning them as well as my reason for dropping them. Whether I’ll do this as a monthly post or along with other reviews, this’ll be from trial-and-error, so please bear with me in that aspect.

Onto this title though, Kanojo Step! To be honest, I was actually quite surprised I completely forgot about this title; primarily because Smee is a company I find favorable especially with their writers specializing in intricate but silly humor. Overall though, I found this title was pretty much a copy-paste of another dating sim I found to be good, Lovely x Cation 2, so that was something I didn’t appreciate.

Let’s get on with the review!

P.S. After reading my review after writing it, it sounds pretty cringey, so I apologize in advance. I guess I forgot how2write during the long break.

Title: カノジョ＊ステップ (Kanojo * Step)
Producers: Smee
Release Date: September 30, 2016
VNDB Link: https://vndb.org/v19347
Getchu Link: http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=903610
Game Type: Comedy Dating Sim

Summary: Aki has never belonged anywhere due to his parents always moving around from one place to another, he was never able to make friends or form a deep relationship with anyone. With his parent’s death, his older sister takes him in and brings him to the countryside, where she promises would be the last “relocation”, and encourages him to form relationships here.

While Aki hates many things about the countryside including bugs or the lack of convenience stores, he is still grateful to his older sister for bringing him here, and genuinely decides to foster relationships he thought he wouldn’t be able to form during his school years. Perhaps that it’s time for him to settle down.

No Shiina, you can’t settle down on that bench

I Continue to Love You, Even as I am being Killed: Review of [140829] Satsukoi

Foreword: MMOs too OP, I think… That and schoolwork. In fact, I need to liberate myself from all this real-life shit and go hikkikomori-mode for a week or something because holy hell I’m not getting reviews written.

B-but it’s not like I write these reviews for you guys anyways! Don’t get the wrong idea! 

On to the review of this title, I’ll admit that I had this game on my backlog for a long time, but was recently given the incentive to experience it for myself seeing how one of my new favorite CVs, Ichikawa Hinako, who voiced Yuzu from Natsuiro Recipe, also voices a character here. Damn, I need to stop procrastinating other titles I’m currently playing

Overall, this game was excellent when it comes to the story in its most literal sense. Note how I noted “MOST LITERAL”, meaning that as a whole, it didn’t work out well, and I’m here to explain that and more to you guys. Let’s get started right away!

DUE TO THE AGE OF THIS TITLE (>1 year since release), SPOILERS WILL BE INCLUDED! PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK OF BEING SPOILED!

Title: サツコイ～悠久なる恋の歌～ (SatsuKoi ~Yukyuunaru Koi no Uta)
Producers: Alcot Honey Comb
Release Date: August 29, 2014
VNDB Link: https://vndb.org/v15143
Getchu Link: http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=810572
Game Type: Life-and-Death Drama Romance Novel with heavy themes on Family

Summary: Kano Izumi fought with his step-father… again. After suffering a heavy shoulder injury while his step-father was drunk, he left the house and laid on the streets; hoping to just die there. However, he is reminded of his younger sister, who went missing and his only true regret was that he wouldn’t be able to see his sister again.

However, this would change when a girl who was apparently his classmate came up to him not surprised at his bleeding or his condition, and offered to “pick up” his life for her own, so she can eat him later when the time comes. Izumi was frankly not bothered by this, since he just wanted to die, so he follows this girl who treats him back to health, and starts to live with this strange girl who called herself a mermaid, Shirahase Yuu.