Samantha Lienhard's Blog, page 141
December 9, 2016
Bandai Namco Addresses Berseria Censorship
Yesterday, Bandai Namco revealed the pre-order bonuses for Tales of Berseria, announced a demo for January 10, and showed English footage of the game’s beginning for the first time.
This sparked controversy.
I have not included the video here, since one scene could be considered a spoiler, if an early one. What caused the controversy is that it is a violent scene, and the violence has been altered from the Japanese version.
(It’s still violent, just magical, less personal violence. Some people argue the localized version actually looks more brutal.)
Click for early Tales of Berseria spoilerThe Japanese version has a man kill a child by impaling him on his sword and lifting the body up. In the localized version, he lifts the child with magic and skewers him with some sort of magical crystals.
People exploded over the censorship, some decided not to buy Berseria, and many questioned whether the game’s other dark content might be similarly altered.
Well, Bandai Namco has responded to the concerns. In short, they couldn’t have kept their 16/T rating if the scene was left unaltered. (Although this refers to the European rating specifically, they also took the ESRB into account.)
While it might seem extreme that one moment could push it over the edge, the nature of the scene makes it likely.
I know, some of you are thinking, “Then release it as an M-rated game!” From Bandai Namco’s perspective, that would cut out a large chunk of their audience. It also would have affected their marketing. They made the decision to alter the scene just enough to get it through.
They went on to clarify that the scene’s importance and consequences remain the same, and that this is the only scene that has been altered. No other Berseria content has been censored.
I don’t see it as a problem, and I understand Bandai Namco’s position. And I say this as a writer–you can make adjustments and minor changes without sacrificing the vision of the artist who created it.
Anyway, if you’ve heard whispers of a Tales of Berseria censorship controversy, that’s what it’s all about. Meanwhile, you can look forward to a Berseria demo for both Steam and the PS4 on January 10.
If you preorder the game, you’ll get an exclusive 15-minute skit. PS4 players will also get an exclusive Berseria theme and 3 songs from the soundtrack. Steam players will get 10% off if you own Symphonia or Zestiria on Steam.
Are you planning to buy Tales of Berseria? What do you think about the altered scene?
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December 7, 2016
A New Wild Arms is Announced… for Mobile
2016 is the 20th anniversary of the Wild Arms series.
Fans of this lesser-known (but fantastic) JRPG series wondered if we might finally get a new Wild Arms game after all this time.
The last game was released in 2007 (localized in 2008), and the series has been quiet ever since.
Today, Sony finally announced a new Wild Arms.
…except instead of the full console RPG fans have hoped for, it’s a mobile game.
According to the translation from Gematsu, it will be developed by Wright Flyer Studios, but the original Wild Arms staff is going to work on it. It features a new story and is a reboot of the series.
I’m not sure how you reboot a series of standalone games set in separate worlds, especially if it has an all-new story instead of retelling one of the originals… but let’s take a look at the trailer.
The trailer begins with the upcoming mobile reboot of Arc the Lad, which was announced at the same time. Wild Arms begins at 1:01 in the video.
Anyone who has played the first Wild Arms will recognize its intro at the start of the teaser. However, it also shows characters from other games in the series. Is the image of all these Wild Arms characters together just an homage to its history, or could this mobile game be some sort of crossover?
Mobile games are not necessarily bad. Full games have been created for mobile devices, such as the Chaos Rings series, from what I’ve heard.
However, many mobile RPGs fall far short of console and handheld titles. They might still have stories (even if those stories are spread across a large number of missions), but a lot have a stronger focus on collecting characters to fight enemies with simplistic gameplay.
(They also have a tendency to require Internet connections, although this frustration isn’t limited to mobile games.)
We have no idea what this Wild Arms game will be like. It could be a traditional RPG with an all-new storyline and cast of characters, just released for mobile devices. It doesn’t have to be a microtransaction-fueled gacha grindfest.
But for a fanbase that’s been waiting years for a new mainline entry, this isn’t the news we wanted to hear.
Still, at least it proves they haven’t forgotten about Wild Arms. Maybe this mobile game is just the first step toward a full revival of the Wild Arms series. What do you think?
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December 5, 2016
More Kingdom Hearts Novels to be Translated
Did you know there are official novelizations of the Kingdom Hearts series?
So far, only the Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories novels have been translated… but that won’t be the case much longer! On Friday, Yen Press announced that they are publishing more of the Kingdom Hearts books.
The four Kingdom Hearts II novels will be collected in two omnibuses, Kingdom Hearts II: The Novel, Volumes 1 & 2. Three more novels will be released as Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days: The Novel. Finally, the three volumes of Birth By Sleep will be released as Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep: The Novel.
All of these novels were written by Tomoco Kanemaki.
There has been no word yet on whether the Re:coded and Dream Drop Distance novels will also be translated, but this is excellent news for fans who want to read the Kingdom Hearts novels!
The novels don’t have release dates yet, but in the meantime, I’ll dig into the novelization of the first game and let you know how it is!
(And boy, would it be cool to write something like that someday…)
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December 2, 2016
Hatoful Boyfriend Second Plush Project Add-Ons
The second Hatoful Boyfriend Plush Project Kickstarter has almost met its goal, and two new add-ons are available!
If you (like me) backed the project too late to get the limited edition plushie of The King, you can now get your own King plush by adding $15 to your pledge.
Look at him. He needs a hug.
This is not the same as the limited edition plushie. The $15 add-on is for the version of the King you see through the majority of Holiday Star, while the limited edition version appears to be his true form shown at the end.
Next, they announced a special holiday add-on featuring Miru and Kaku, along with two hats. Yes, hats.
The Miru & Kaku bundle includes not only includes plushies of the two troublesome little… creatures… but also winter pom pom hats styled after Sakuya and Nageki. You can get them by adding $30 to your pledge, although unfortunately it doesn’t appear that Miru and Kaku are being offered alone.
If you’ve played Hatoful Boyfriend and you’re wondering who in the world these three characters are, they’re from the sequel, Holiday Star. Take a look at my Holiday Star review for more details.
Remember, in addition to Holiday Star characters, this project includes secondary Hatoful Boyfriend characters like Ryuuji, Azami, and Hitori.
Click for implied Hatoful Boyfriend & Holiday Star spoilersAfter this project, I’ll have plushies of Kazuaki, Hitori, Kazuaki-kun, and the King. It doesn’t get much more confusing than that.
Check out the Kickstarter page to make your pledge and get some more bird plushies!
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November 30, 2016
Final Fantasy XV is Now Out – Early Thoughts
Well, the long wait is over! Final Fantasy XV is here!
The much anticipated new JRPG from Square Enix came out yesterday, and the reviews are rolling in.
As is typical with reviews, there is no consensus, but the overall feelings toward Final Fantasy XV are positive so far. Now it’s time for all of us to play and draw our own conclusions.
My copy actually arrived a day early, my since my PlayStation 4 didn’t arrive until yesterday, I didn’t get to play it early. I’ve played a few hours so far, and I’m enjoying it.
Of course, I haven’t done much. Just a couple of quests, some monster hunts, a bit of exploration… and of course, stopping regularly to have Ignis cook and see how much time Prompto spent taking pictures in battle instead of fighting.
Pictured: Three guys fighting.
Not pictured: Guy taking pictures instead of fighting.
(Although Ignis looks a bit like he’s dancing in that one.)
I actually really like this feature. Not only is it a great way to get photos of notable moments during the game, but it also just amuses me that Prompto is constantly snapping pictures.
The other characters even commented on how he shouldn’t be taking pictures during battle!
I also spent time fishing.
In short, I’ve barely scratched the surface of the game, but I’m looking forward to digging into the main quest and plot. After all, I enjoyed Kingsglaive.
Have you started Final Fantasy XV yet? What are your impressions so far?
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November 28, 2016
Order to Play the Kingdom Hearts Games
Skip directly to:
What order should I play Kingdom Hearts in?
Do I need to play the Kingdom Hearts mobile game?
Which Kingdom Hearts games can I skip?
Like the numerous questions about the order to play Professor Layton and Ace Attorney, which prompted me to write a guide, questions about the order to play Kingdom Hearts appear regularly.
What is the correct order of Kingdom Hearts games? Should I go in release order or chronological order? Which Kingdom Hearts games are the best versions? Is it necessary to play Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ? What IS Kingdom Hearts 2.8? Is it okay to start with Dream Drop Distance? Can any be skipped?
And one of the most common questions of all: If I’ve only played Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, will I be lost in 3? The answer to that is YES, because every game contributes to the story.
Fortunately, the Kingdom Hearts series isn’t quite as intimidating as it used to be. You can now play most of the series on a PS3, and the entire series on a PS4.
But with all the releases, re-releases, and remixes (not to mention their wacky titles), it can be confusing. Let’s take a quick look at the remixes.
What’s in the Kingdom Hearts Remixes?
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix (PS3) – Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Re: Chain of Memories, and the remastered cutscenes from 358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix (PS3) – Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Birth By Sleep Final Mix, and the remastered cutscenes from Re:coded
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (PS4) – all of the above, on one disc
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (PS4) – Dream Drop Distance HD, 0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage, and a new cinematic called χ Back Cover
Buy the Kingdom Hearts Remixes:
In short, if you get Kingdom Hearts 1.5, 2.5, and 2.8, you will be entirely caught up in time for Kingdom Hearts 3. The one exception is the mobile game, Unchained χ, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
For now, let’s move on to the critical question, the order to play the Kingdom Hearts games.
Order to Play the Kingdom Hearts Series
If you’ve never played the series before, you should play in release order. However, with the remakes, even that can be a little muddled. Here is the recommended Kingdom Hearts order, with links included for convenience:
Kingdom Hearts (PS2) / Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (PS3 / PS4)
Chain of Memories (GBA) / Re: Chain of Memories (PS2 / PS3 / PS4)
Kingdom Hearts II (PS2) / Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix (PS3 / PS4)
358/2 Days (DS) / watch the remastered cutscenes (PS3 / PS4)
Birth By Sleep (PSP) / Birth By Sleep Final Mix (PS3 / PS4)
Re:coded (DS)1 / watch the remastered cutscenes (PS3 / PS4)
Dream Drop Distance (3DS) / Dream Drop Distance HD (PS4)
0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage (PS4)2
χ Back Cover (PS4)2
Kingdom Hearts III (forthcoming, PS4 / Xbox One)
1: Re:coded is the remake of a mobile game called Kingdom Hearts Coded, but the original was never released outside of Japan.
2: Since Kingdom Hearts 2.8 is not yet out, it’s possible that watching Back Cover before playing 0.2 will be recommended, but it most likely won’t matter.
There are some variations, but this is the most common recommended Kingdom Hearts playing order.
And yes, 358/2 Days should be played before Kingdom Hearts II, despite their placement in the remixes. It clarifies confusing points in Kingdom Hearts II’s story, but it also spoils some key plot revelations.
Now, let’s talk about that one game I haven’t included so far.
What About χ[chi] and Unchained χ?
Japan had a Kingdom Hearts browser game called χ[chi], which has now ended. It was more or less adapted into the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ (commonly written as Unchained X, because X is a lot easier to type than χ). It is available for iOS and Android devices.
χ[chi] and Unchained χ are set long before the rest of the series and cover the events leading up to the Keyblade War. χ Back Cover takes place at the same time, but from a different perspective. The game shows the perspective of a Keyblade wielder, while the movie focuses on the Foretellers.
At this time, it is unknown if watching χ Back Cover will be enough.
Be warned, the story in Unchained χ is slow-paced and stretched out across a ton of missions. If mobile gaming isn’t your thing, but you want to be caught up on the story just in case, here is a video compilation of the story so far.
As for its spot in the order, Unchained χ still isn’t finished, so it’s hard to say.. It’s probably best played after Dream Drop Distance or at least after Re:coded. However, the story progression is so slow–and so disconnected from current events–you shouldn’t worry about starting it sooner.
Now, let’s clear up a few final points…
Which Versions Should I Play?
As you can see from the above list, the remakes and remixes mean there are multiple versions of everything.
In general, it is better to play the newest version possible. For example, it is better to play Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix than Kingdom Hearts II, if possible. (If it’s not possible, it’s not critical.)
The most questionable case is Chain of Memories. Chain of Memories on the GBA has 2D combat, where Re: Chain of Memories has 3D combat. 3D is not necessarily an improvement. I struggled with the combat system, and many people say it worked better in 2D.
However, some story events were altered, so Re: Chain of Memories is probably the best version from a story perspective.
What About 358/2 Days and Re:coded?
358/2 Days and Re:coded are not playable in the remixes. Only their cutscenes, remastered in HD, are available. Re:coded also has a new secret ending found only in 2.5.
If you only care about the story, the cinematics are enough. If you want to play them, you’ll need to get the DS versions. The full game for 358/2 Days has additional characterization through moments not included in the cutscenes. Meanwhile, Re:coded is generally praised for its gameplay over its story.
What Kingdom Hearts games can I skip?
Short answer: You really shouldn’t skip anything.
Long answer:
If you need to skip Chain of Memories, you can get by, but it’s not recommended.
You can skip 358/2 Days, but at least watch the cutscenes.
You can skip Re:coded, but at least watch the ending and secret endings.
You can skip Unchained χ, but you might want to watch the story scenes, depending on what χ Back Cover includes.
And finally…
Kingdom Hearts Chronological Order
Chronological order is not recommended if you’re new to the series. However, if you’ve already played the games and you want to see the story as it happens…
Kingdom Hearts χ[chi] / Unchained χ / χ Back Cover
Birth By Sleep
0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage3
Kingdom Hearts
Start of 358/2 Days
Chain of Memories
Most of 358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts II
Re:coded
Dream Drop Distance
Kingdom Hearts III
3: Kingdom Hearts 0.2 may cover a wide span of time. This is its place in the official timeline, but it may end significantly later.
And there you have it!
Kingdom Hearts might look intimidating on the surface, but it’s easier than ever to play the games, thanks to the remixes. Do you have any other questions about the order to play Kingdom Hearts? Let me know in the comments.
Like this post? Tell your friends!
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The post Order to Play the Kingdom Hearts Games appeared first on Samantha Lienhard.
Order to Play Kingdom Hearts Games
Skip directly to the recommended order.
Like the numerous questions about the order to play Professor Layton and Ace Attorney, which prompted me to write a guide, questions about the order to play Kingdom Hearts appear regularly.
What order should the games be played in? Should I go in release order or chronological order? Which Kingdom Hearts games are the best versions? Is it necessary to play Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ? Is it okay to start with Dream Drop Distance? Can any be skipped?
And one of the most common questions of all: If I’ve only played Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, will I be lost in 3? The answer to that is YES, because every game contributes to the story.
Fortunately, the Kingdom Hearts series isn’t quite as intimidating as it used to be. You can now play most of the series on a PS3, and the entire series on a PS4.
But with all the releases, re-releases, and remixes (not to mention their wacky titles), it can be confusing. Let’s take a quick look at the remixes.
What’s in the Kingdom Hearts Remixes?
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix (PS3) – Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Re: Chain of Memories, and the remastered cutscenes from 358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix (PS3) – Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Birth By Sleep Final Mix, and the remastered cutscenes from Re:coded
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (PS4) – all of the above, on one disc
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (PS4) – Dream Drop Distance HD, 0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage, and a new cinematic called χ Back Cover
Buy the Kingdom Hearts Remixes:
In short, if you get Kingdom Hearts 1.5, 2.5, and 2.8, you will be entirely caught up in time for Kingdom Hearts 3. The one exception is the mobile game, Unchained χ, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
For now, let’s move on to the critical question, the order to play the Kingdom Hearts games.
Order to Play the Kingdom Hearts Series
If you’ve never played the series before, you should play in release order. However, with the remakes, even that can be a little muddled. Here is the order you should play the games, with links included for convenience:
Kingdom Hearts (PS2) / Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (PS3 / PS4)
Chain of Memories (GBA) / Re: Chain of Memories (PS2 / PS3 / PS4)
Kingdom Hearts II (PS2) / Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix (PS3 / PS4)
358/2 Days (DS) / watch the remastered cutscenes (PS3 / PS4)
Birth By Sleep (PSP) / Birth By Sleep Final Mix (PS3 / PS4)
Re:coded (DS)1 / watch the remastered cutscenes (PS3 / PS4)
Dream Drop Distance (3DS) / Dream Drop Distance HD (PS4)
0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage (PS4)2
χ Back Cover (PS4)2
Kingdom Hearts III (forthcoming, PS4 / Xbox One)
1: Re:coded is the remake of a mobile game called Kingdom Hearts Coded, but the original was never released outside of Japan.
2: Since Kingdom Hearts 2.8 is not yet out, it’s possible that watching Back Cover before playing 0.2 will be recommended, but it most likely won’t matter.
And yes, 358/2 Days should be played before Kingdom Hearts II, despite their placement in the remixes. It clarifies confusing points in Kingdom Hearts II’s story, but it also spoils some key plot revelations.
Now, let’s talk about that one game I haven’t included so far.
What About χ[chi] and Unchained χ?
Japan had a Kingdom Hearts browser game called χ[chi], which has now ended. It was more or less adapted into the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ (commonly written as Unchained X, because X is a lot easier to type than χ). It is available for iOS and Android devices.
χ[chi] and Unchained χ are set long before the rest of the series and cover the events leading up to the Keyblade War. χ Back Cover takes place at the same time, but from a different perspective. The game shows the perspective of a Keyblade wielder, while the movie focuses on the Foretellers.
At this time, it is unknown if watching χ Back Cover will be enough.
Be warned, the story in Unchained χ is slow-paced and stretched out across a ton of missions. If mobile gaming isn’t your thing, but you want to be caught up on the story just in case, here is a video compilation of the story so far.
As for its spot in the order, Unchained χ still isn’t finished, so it’s hard to say.. It’s probably best played after Dream Drop Distance or at least after Re:coded. However, the story progression is so slow–and so disconnected from current events–you shouldn’t worry about starting it sooner.
Now, let’s clear up a few final points…
Which Versions Should I Play?
As you can see from the above list, the remakes and remixes mean there are multiple versions of everything.
In general, it is better to play the newest version possible. For example, it is better to play Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix than Kingdom Hearts II, if possible. (If it’s not possible, it’s not critical.)
The most questionable case is Chain of Memories. Chain of Memories on the GBA has 2D combat, where Re: Chain of Memories has 3D combat. 3D is not necessarily an improvement. I struggled with the combat system, and many people say it worked better in 2D.
However, some story events were altered, so Re: Chain of Memories is probably the best version from a story perspective.
What About 358/2 Days and Re:coded?
358/2 Days and Re:coded are not playable in the remixes. Only their cutscenes, remastered in HD, are available. Re:coded also has a new secret ending found only in 2.5.
If you only care about the story, the cinematics are enough. If you want to play them, you’ll need to get the DS versions. The full game for 358/2 Days has additional characterization through moments not included in the cutscenes. Meanwhile, Re:coded is generally praised for its gameplay over its story.
What Kingdom Hearts games can I skip?
Short answer: You really shouldn’t skip anything.
Long answer:
If you need to skip Chain of Memories, you can get by, but it’s not recommended.
You can skip 358/2 Days, but at least watch the cutscenes.
You can skip Re:coded, but at least watch the ending and secret endings.
You can skip Unchained χ, but you might want to watch the story scenes, depending on what χ Back Cover includes.
And finally…
Kingdom Hearts Chronological Order
Chronological order is not recommended if you’re new to the series. However, if you’ve already played the games and you want to see the story as it happens…
Kingdom Hearts χ[chi] / Unchained χ / χ Back Cover
Birth By Sleep
0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage3
Kingdom Hearts
Start of 358/2 Days
Chain of Memories
Most of 358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts II
Re:coded
Dream Drop Distance
Kingdom Hearts III
3: Kingdom Hearts 0.2 may cover a wide span of time. This is its place in the official timeline, but it may end significantly later.
And there you have it!
Kingdom Hearts might look intimidating on the surface, but it’s easier than ever to play the games, thanks to the remixes. Do you have any other questions about the order to play Kingdom Hearts? Let me know in the comments.
Like this post? Tell your friends!
And if you want posts like this delivered straight to your inbox, enter your email in the box below to subscribe!
Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share it with your social networks!
The post Order to Play Kingdom Hearts Games appeared first on Samantha Lienhard.
November 21, 2016
Mini #WIPjoy: NaNoWriMo 2016
Back in September, I participated in a Twitter-based writing event called #WIPjoy and compiled my #WIPjoy Tweets for Agent of the Relari.
This month, there was a mini #WIPjoy from November 13-19!
Since it’s NaNoWriMo, my current work-in-progress is my current NaNo novel. Its working title is Unto Dust, which actually makes no sense for the story, so I’ll change it eventually.
Here is my mini #WIPjoy round-up:
Sunday: a thing that inspires me for this WIP
#WIPJoy D1: What inspires me for my #NaNoWriMo novel is wanting a story about friendship & addressing some issues I've seen online.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 13, 2016
Monday: a character I love dearly
#WIPJoy D2: Elliot is so sweet and innocent I wish I could protect him from everything. Unfortunately, that wouldn't make much of a story.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 14, 2016
After talking to another writer participating in #WIPjoy, I realized Elliot is my precious cinnamon roll.
(Random fact: I became familiar with the “cinnamon roll” meme through the Kingdom Hearts fandom, usually in reference to Xion, but sometimes Aqua, Sora, Roxas, Riku, Ventus, Ephemer, Young Eraqus… okay, pretty much the entire cast is composed of cinnamon rolls.)
Tuesday: a way someone reacted to my story
#WIPJoy D3: I haven't shared this WIP with anyone, so I don't have any reactions to it yet.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 15, 2016
Wednesday: a line I’m really proud of
#WIPJoy D4: "He's my best friend. He can't be replaced. Not even by an exact copy."
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 16, 2016
Thursday: some things/people that keep me going
#WIPJoy D5: The characters themselves keep me going with this story, as do all the people I have writing sprints with!
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 17, 2016
Friday: a way I’ve changed/grown writing this WIP
#WIPJoy D6: I think my protagonists' ordeals have strengthened my empathy for people in similar situations.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 18, 2016
Saturday: my progress (share your word count)!
#WIPJoy D7: My current #wordcount is 70,471 and I'm approaching the climax.
— Samantha Lienhard (@SamLienhard) November 19, 2016
I’m further along now, nearly at the end! It’s been an interesting journey through this novel, and it’s going to take a lot of revising (like all rough drafts, especially NaNoWriMo drafts), but I’m happy this is the story I went with.
Now that you all know a little more about this year’s NaNoWriMo project, I better get back to writing!
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November 18, 2016
Get the Wonderful 101 Soundtrack Before It’s Too Late!
I haven’t finished The Wonderful 101 yet (though I hope to before the end of the year), but if you enjoy the music in this game and want its soundtrack, you better act fast.
Last month, PlatinumGames announced the unfortunate news that the Wonderful 101 soundtrack is being discontinued.
It will be gone from digital stores by the end of December, although Platinum can’t guarantee some stores won’t pull it early.
So, why is it leaving shelves? That’s hard to say. They didn’t explain, just alerted fans who might want to buy the soundtrack before it vanishes.
The Wonderful 101 OST is available from iTunes and Sumthing:
Volume 1 from iTunes
Volume 2 from iTunes
Volume 1 from Sumthing
Volume 2 from Sumthing
Each volume has over 60 songs, so that’s a nice bit of music.
In other PlatinumGames news, Kamiya might have just teased Bayonetta 3. On the other hand, he might just be messing with fans.
Anyway, if you like the music in The Wonderful 101 enough to want the soundtrack, be sure to get it by the end of the year! As far as I can tell, there is no physical copy of the Wonderful 101 OST (someone correct me if I’m wrong), so this is your only chance.
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November 16, 2016
Tohri’s Hatoful Boyfriend Route is Now Available for PC
Do you feel like you’re missing a certain something? Have you noticed the distinct lack of gaudy mad scientist pheasants in your life? Then you’re in luck!
If you played Hatoful Boyfriend on the PC, like I did, you can now experience the route we missed.
Yes, Tohri’s route has finally been released as a standalone short visual novel called Hatoful Boyfriend: Tohri Nishikikouji Special Edition.
For those of you who played the PlayStation 4 or Vita version of Hatoful Boyfriend, you’ve already experienced this story. So, what exactly happened?
I’ll let Tohri tell you himself, as he does at the start of this short visual novel.
A new route for Tohri, who previously appeared only in Holiday Star (which is worth playing if you enjoyed the original), was added to the PlayStation versions. The Steam version couldn’t be updated to include it, so the creator decided to translate Tohri’s route and release it as a standalone visual novel.
And here it is!
It’s about 15-20 minutes long, since it’s just the scenes specific to Tohri’s route, and there are no alternate paths (the two choices you get to make lead to death if you pick the wrong option–not your death for a change, but Tohri’s). As such, it can feel a bit disjointed, although chances are good you’d be fast-forwarding through the in-between scenes by this point in the game.
Short and straightforward though it may be, it’s definitely worth playing, especially if you found Tohri funny in Holiday Star. It plays like any Hatoful Boyfriend route, and it’s one of the more lighthearted ones… Tohri’s route will make you laugh instead of shredding your emotions.
Interestingly, it touches lightly on Shuu’s past, even though players of the PlayStation version would most likely play this before BBL.
Anyway, go check out Tohri’s route!
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The post Tohri’s Hatoful Boyfriend Route is Now Available for PC appeared first on Samantha Lienhard.
