Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Nov 16, 2021

  [h1]This is a good Visual Novel! [/h1] The story and plot is written as a romantic comedy with plenty of fan service, humour, witty dialogue and punch lines. In each girl's route, there is drama, fantasy, a few tragedies, at least two previously mentioned sexual encounters(censored in the Steam version) and a nice happy ending. After spending more than 40 hours to read and listen through all routes in this visual novel, I decided to give a score of [b]8/10.[/b] [b]My Opinion For Heroine [/b] [u] Mio Route.[/u] Frankly, I’ve had enough “childhood friend” stereotypes to last me a lifetime, and Mio really isn’t an exception. [u] Konami Route.[/u] [spoiler]Imouto heroine common in eroge, but takes the “incest taboo” to the next level: it becomes the main theme throughout her route.[/spoiler] I have mixed feeling about this but it's just a fiction right? [u] Yuri Route.[/u] Her character design was pretty nice but her route kinda sucked. And also her route feels like incompleted. [u] Ann Route.[/u] [spoiler]As the game presents, An is the character given the description “a girl who cannot love”. This might bring out some questions, but rest assured that the game goes through the tiniest details to why she is like that. This also happens to connect with the reason why Yuma falls in love with her.[/spoiler] [u] Tina Route.[/u] Adorable Love Fairy, Tina! [spoiler]Anyways, Tina’s route seems to concentrate the most on the theme of “Love”, and how Tina believed “Love is a wonderful thing”, but soon doubts her own words as she sees someone who was crying because of the very thing Tina thought to be “wonderful”.[/spoiler]
• gamedeal user

  Jan 18, 2022

  Though it's not awful, it's incredibly boring. I'll get through some of the good points first. The character designs and art are beautiful. The bright color scheme was fitting most of the time and the voice acting is well done. The story has its moments, but only very occasionally. Here comes the bad. I didn't realize how much Palette was really into writing in incest, which isn't actually the problem for me but it may be for some, and I definitely didn't expect as much as there was. If you want something more reliant on making choices, you're better off somewhere else since this is essentially a kinetic novel with a few options that exist just to be there. The writing is mostly bad and the characters stick to their tropes the entire time. I admire the dedication to sticking with those tropes, but it left them lacking in reasons for the reader to even remember them. They tried to redeem some of the characters because of certain traits that they knew the reader might find weird, but you'll either think "really?" or not find it as proper justification. The protagonist feels like the most inconsistent character throughout the entire thing. I don't mean that his flaws slowly get fixed and he becomes some overall better person. He's just a nice guy most of the time that seems like he can't really get mad, but the writing will force him to be. He'll have some spine to stand up for something he truly feels isn't right, but at other times just be confused over small matters that should not have him pondering where he went wrong. A lot of the story is becomes pretty predictable and half of the conflict in the routes is really forced. Sometimes, it feels like plot devices change for the convenience of melodrama. The writers have this entire concept written out and when I felt like I understood it, they suddenly bring up something that wasn't mentioned ever before or simply change it for convenience. There is exposition that exists only in two of the routes, where in one of them they just tell the reader for simplicity's sake, but it feels like something that should be in the common route. For something with cherry blossoms in the title, they were hardly ever touched on and more just there to sound pretty. So many ideas explored, just to be written as whatever worked out for cheap emotional scenes or made the story the writers wanted to write make sense, even though it kinda doesn't. It's quite disappointing when there are interesting ideas that were slapped on that end up going to waste half of the time or being forcefully used in the wrong places. Not a complete waste of time, but I can't say I enjoyed the experience.
• gamedeal user

  Oct 8, 2017

  I would probably waste $50+ to get a Tsukishima Background for my profile if they had it. But to be honest with my 20hrs and counting gameplay and me just finishing Tina's route, I have got to say that I'm actually enjoying this VN right now due to the fact it's taking me on a rollercoaster. While I can't fully comment on the story and characters for now I do have some things I want to say. There is some scenes where it is sorta NSFWish and you should probably lock your doors or something. The VN is long. And by long I mean probably 60 hours+ for all the routes. Using the three routes I managed to complete so far, I can say that the story itself is great but there is a point in one of the routes that the english failed abit or something. I forgot which part it is exactly but in general the translation is good. This dosent mean I dont have complaints about the game engine?(Is that what they call it?) that this is running on. For one, I can't seem to skip back to scenes that I missed or want to rewatch and it's certainly abit annoying considering the rest of the VNs that I own have that feature that I always took for granted. Then I'm also sad that I can't take screenshots of scenes happening when I'm reading without also having the text box?(Still don't know what it's called) from appearing too. I mean even after I right clicked to just look at the scene and tried to screen shot it, it still wont let me take a screenshot until I go back to the text box thing. Only then it takes a screenshot. Honestly abit annoying. The music so far is great though. Art style is good too and in my book, Tsukishima is definitely best girl and Tina being second and even without the H scenes, I don't feel like I might be loosing out too much. Overall I would rate this 9/10 for now since I cant really comment on other stuff since I'm still playing but my first impressions on this game is certaintly good and also bad. Good due to Art,Music and the three characters I had played and Bad due to engine flaws and making me feel like crying. Though I do know it's not really all Palette's fault except for that last part, screw you Palette, stop messing with my heart ;_; I would still recommend this for friends though. Forgive me lord as I have sinned.
• gamedeal user

  Oct 10, 2017

  Go buy the uncensored version,otherwise nice game
• gamedeal user

  Oct 10, 2017

  [b]TL;DR - TSUKISHIMA BEST GIRL. :)[/b] I've played this game way back in 2015 (the 18+ version), when Akerou was working with the fan translation. Therefore, my playtime here doesn't reflect my overall completion of the game. [b]Just a heads up[/b], if you're a visual novel fan, and is looking for a more serious/story-rich vn like Rewrite, Grisaia, SubaHibi, etc., then you're looking for the wrong game. This is meant for those who just want to have a "casual enjoyable experience of youth", if I may say. [h1]Why should you buy this game?[/h1] [list] [*] This game is one of the most anticipated ones to be released in the west, ever since its translation project began. (Just look at r/visualnovels and vndb) [*] Both openings are performed by [b]Sasaki Sayaka[/b] - who also sang Nichijou's ED and Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai's OP. She also appeared in a couple of famous visual novels like Grisaia no Meikyu (OP "World's End"), Grisaia no Rakuen (ED "Ceremony"), Chiisana Kanojo no Serenade (OP "Marine Blue ni Sotte", ED "Kiss no Hitotsu de"). [*] The soundtrack in this game is just GREAT (yep, all capitals). It captures every scene perfectly, from the more serious to the serene ones. [*] Both artists (eco* and Izumi Tsubasu) did a fantastic job in designing the characters, especially their eyes. You will definitely appreciate it during close up scenes, where they really put a lot of effort in the girls' eyelashes. [b]Speaking of eyes, THEY. F*CKING. BLINK![/b] (insert technology meme here) [*] Both the heroines and the side characters are interesting, in their own way. Also, you'll definitely love Hanako, I assure you. :) [/list] [h1] Heroine's Character Rundown[/h1] [list] [*] Asaba Konami: The MC's little sister - good at shogi, a closet pervert/deviant (for her brother), and[spoiler]has "Daddy/Father" issues[/spoiler]. [*] Ichinose Mio: The MC's childhood friend.[spoiler]Has a condition which prevents her from having contact with the opposite gender,[/spoiler] a massive fujoshi, and her family owns a shrine. [*] Jinpou Ann: The Student Council President. Actually cute, if only she keeps her mouth shut.[spoiler]Is not really who you think she is, and has an ulterior motive in making the MC join the student council[/spoiler]. [*] Tina: Let's just say that she is an "important girl" in regards to your backstory. Now those filthy casuals will say that she's the best girl, but no! Don't be deceived! [*] Tsukishima Yuri: [b]THE. BEST. GIRL.[/b] period! (Also is the sister of the main cause of your problems/headaches during the beginning of the game, but who cares about that LOL). She's what got me to this game in the first place, tbh. [/list] Overall, this is definitely worth your money, so try and support the devs by buying this hidden gem of a game. [b]Rating: 9/10[/b]
• gamedeal user

  Oct 23, 2017

  First of all, this visual novel is an adult eroge visual novel with multiple NSFW sprites and CGs. Right at the beginning when starting the game, there is a reminder that all the characters featured in this visual novel are fictitious and over 18 years of age. For those who don't mind adult visual novels, read on. This visual novel by PALETTE and Sekai Project(Also known as Koi ga Saku Koro Sakura Doki or 恋がさくころ桜どき) features a male student at Mihaya Academy. Yuma Asaba lives with his sister, Konami Asaba and his stepmother Aoi Asaba (who is also Yuma's class homeroom teacher). Yuma has his daily routine of going to school with his sister and three friends; Mio Ichinose, Sou Koeta and Yuri Tsukishima. He also has been helping out at his academy's infirmary under the nurse Nao Sawada for over a year. Yuma has never fallen in love before, however a bounty notice offering 21,000 Yen for any girl to become Yuma's girlfriend and have a date with him was suddenly posted on the school's notice board with the seal of approval from the school's Student Council. As Yuma makes enquiries about the bounty notice, he is gradually introduced to the Student Council president Ann Jinpou and Yuri's twin sister Hanako Tsukishima. Yuma also receives a strange visitor in the form of a little girl Tina who arrives with her white wolf plushie, Kotarou. They both emerge from a cardboard box that was mysteriously placed outside Yuma's front doorstep. Tina claims to be a Love Fairy, where she hopes to make amends for a departed loved one and is determined to make Yuma fall in love with someone. Tina would subsequently force herself into Yuma's house and room as a guest and freeloader. With Yuma burying himself with work at the infirmary and also having a famously hideous smile which reduces his time to meet and socialize with other girls and hence decrease his likelihood of finding a girl he would like to go out on a date with, Nao decides to dismiss him as her assistant. She encourages Yuma to join the school's Student Council which happens to be staffed by Ann, Sou, Yuri, Konami and Mio. A swim party that is organized by the Student Council ends up leading Yuma to a route with Ann, Konami, Mio or Yuri. Each route will take approximately 5-10 hours. In subsequent playthroughs after a specific ending, an additional route will also be unlocked at the main menu(5 romance options altogether with Ann, Konami, Mio, Yuri or Tina). The title screen will also change from a morning scene to a night-time scene of Yuma's house and eventually to the game artwork cover upon completing all endings. The story and plot is written as a romantic comedy with plenty of fan service, humour, witty dialogue and punch lines. In each girl's route, there is drama, fantasy, a few tragedies, at least two previously mentioned sexual encounters(censored in the Steam version) and a nice happy ending. After spending more than 20 hours to read and listen through all routes in this visual novel, I decided to give a score of 10/10. Here is where I will also mention a warning to all readers that if controversial themes of incest or lolicon feel uncomfortable, look elsewhere, otherwise read on. I decided to give this visual novel my highest recommendation on all of the following factors: Plot and character backgrounds: Each character route will require approximately 5 hours of reading. The English text are well-written and translated with very few errors. Each main character and supporting character in this visual novel has their own unique background and relationship to the protagonist. There are only one to two choices to make in the entire game which will more or less determine which route and ending the player will get (fan service!). All the romance routes do not feel rushed and reveal gradually Yuma's growing love with the girl and vice versa. The frustration, disappointments and challenges encountered by both sides as well as the envy, support and encouragement from all other main and supporting characters will change depending on Yuma's relationship with the other characters. However, all the characters will remain as close friends and allies or display some initial hostility at the beginning of the new relationship to various degrees. Some of the characters display elements of fantasy and the supernatural which make the story less serious, yet it is still believable with consistent plot and storyline that makes this visual novel appealing. Artwork, backgrounds and CGs: With the developer having a name as PALETTE, it appears fitting given that all the character sprites, background art, CGs, game cover, badges, emoticons and profile backgrounds in this game are top-notch making the game very attractive to showcase on profile. There are plenty of chibi and normal CGs showing small movements, blinking eyes, cute or funny emotes, facial expressions or speech balloons. The background scenes have sufficient variety where Yuma's house, his route to school and the school gates will show the place during the morning, afternoon and night. Yuma's school gates and classroom will have a variable number of students walking by, standing around or seated at their desks and the Student Council room will also feature a posted notice that is added and then later removed. These minor details in the background art show a lot of attention and hard work has been placed into making the visual novel dynamic, believable and interesting. The game also has great ending cut scenes that are different for each character. Would be interested to have Steam achievements added to this game. Voice acting and background music: The voice acting, background music and soundtrack also receives my highest praise. Although I have not learnt Japanese as a spoken language, the tone and pace of delivery from all the voice actors and actresses in this game are top-notch in matching each line of spoken dialogue in the game. Whether to make fun of a character, to make subtle or suspicious enquiries in an attempt to sound out or to tease the character, to admonish or to chide a character, to express apologies, show feelings of love, shyness, anxiety, friendship or to make a punch line grab the attention of the listener; the voice acting was excellent. The background music is also pleasant and appropriate to match the multitude of emotional moments in the game with great theme songs in the opening and ending movies. Overall, this visual novel is highly recommended for anyone looking for an excellent masterpiece. It is a romantic comedy with school life drama and fantasy with excellent artistic merit and if you don't mind any of the earlier controversial themes or content mentioned in the earlier part of this review, then this visual novel is for you. I have nominated this game for Even Better than I expected award in November 2017 Autumn Sale. [h1]Review with accompanying screenshots and favourite opening and ending movie[/h1] https://www.sinicalanimenetwork.com/post/2017/11/08/saku-saku-love-blooms-with-the-cherry-blossoms-review [h1]Game info page on Sinical Anime Network[/h1] https://www.sinicalanimenetwork.com/forum/visual-novel-jrpg-anime/saku-saku-love-blooms-with-the-cherry-blossoms [h1]Visual novel, JRPG, Anime Steam group[/h1] http://steamcommunity.com/groups/vnislife [h1]Publisher homepage[/h1] https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/sekaiproject
• gamedeal user

  Oct 31, 2017

  This game is actually SO INCREDIBLY BORING. Don't be brought in by the admittedly beautiful art and cute character designs, the actual meat on this games bones is so lacking that you'll find yourself reading nonsense in your browser more than you're reading the actual game. Characters are boring aside from the purple haired chuunibyou girl. They all seem to lack weight to them, making you feel like they aren't real at all. They just kind of do things at set intervals in the narrative. The main character is also criminally bland. He drones on and on and on about some of the stupidest things and comes off as a notch below even the dullest wallflowers on the social spectrum. Despite the fact that he is so icnredibly uncharasmatic, the game tries to paint him as some sort of casanova character that just brings girls to himself magnetically... I don't buy it, and I figure you won't either. The plot lacks meaningful direction. There are shinigami shoed in for seemingly no real reason... The supernatural parts of the game just feel forced. The entire backbone of the narrative is focused on 'smiles'. How dumb does that sound to you? Characters will drone on and on about smiles like they're the most important thing ever in a relationship, period. it might sound a bit weird that I'm complaining about it, but if you find yourself reading this novel for whatever reason, you'll see what I mean. It's like the characters have no perspective on anything but smiles, and it comes across as shallow and childish. Uhhh... The interface is good, I guess. Voice acting is nice. The music is kind of generic, unfortunately. I found myself turning the BGM off and listening to other music, which is a bad sign for a visual novel. The game really doesn't have any technical problems, thankfully. Also, the translation here is pretty nice which is a surprised when compared against some of Sekai Project's past work. That probably has to do with the fact that this particular translation was picked up from a fan translation group, as far as I can tell. Should you buy it? No. Maybe on sale? I don't really see the value in it. If you're looking for a game of its ilk but infinitely better, pick up Wagamama High Spec. If you're up for an even better experience with an atmosphere that you probably imagined this game has just by looking at its store page, you should pick up Da Capo III or Dal Segno. -- EDIT: This is in response to Mr. Logitech's comment asking about why I felt the way I did about this game. Just be aware of that reading onwards, since I'm responding to a specific person. -- If you acknowledge my right to have an opinion, you should realize there's no need to antagonize me for posting a negative review. I don't think Saku Saku makes the cut when you compare it to its competition... If you want a slice-of-life story there are so many better titles out there, like the ones I mentioned at the end of my review. Saku Saku fails to keep you invested in its characters. There's a mental block between you, the main character, and the side characters. Characters aren't deep, and the comedy is shallow... How come the only two other male characters in the game are completely stupid? One is camp gay while the other is only defined by his obsession with nice and thick women. Take a look at a game like Clannad, which has a funny and simultaneously serious supporting male cast. If you're looking for a game somewhat more in line with Saku Saku's pedigree, take a look at Noble Works, which I've been reading again recently. The supporting cast is funny while being tense. You get the feeling that they might not be telling you everything, or that they might not agree with the main character at a crucial story beat. That doesn't happen in Saku Saku, from as much as I've read. The girls all fawn over the main character without any real impetus too. Take a look at a game like Princess Evangile, to give you another example of an excellent slice-of-life game: Relationships between characters don't feel forced. The main character of that game has to meet and create friendships with everyone. In contrast, Saku Saku leaves you wondering what makes the main character such an interesting guy. He's so drab... Most of the time, protagonists tend to be a bit light on character so that you can better align yourself with them, but this guy is actually lifeless. If you can tell me what his hobbies are, what his sense of humor is like, or even just any small minor detail about him then good job, because I couldn't. The shinigami feel dumb. You don't feel the gravity of it... Look at Tina. She's a loli in a box with a talking cat (Wolf?) When the main character talks to Tina it's like he's just playing with one of the other people in his harem, yeah? Where is the tension... The camp gay guy doesn't bring any. He's just another joke character, and he makes the shinigami feel even more pointless. It just feels to me like Palette decided to make a game about shinigami and then made a middling galgame instead. This game lacks tension. It lacks decent drama. It lacks context. It lacks charm. Unfortunately, it is hollow IMO. Which is a shame because I've been eyeing Mashiro Iro Symphony for a while, and really liked the anime. Hopefully we'll see that game eventually and it won't be garbage like this one.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 6, 2017

  Saku Saku: Love Blooms with the Cherry Blossoms which is based on the Eroge Koi ga Saku Koro Sakura Doki (jap. 恋がさくころ桜どき) is definitely one of my most fav Visual Novels i ever played. The Artstyle is Izumi Tsubasu (jap. 和泉 つばす). I played all routes and must say: Konami route was the best and cutest <3 After playing the Steam edition i played the Eroge. (18+). Copied the 18+ Files in the normal Game and worked super good! Without this patch the game is little bit confusing, because they just cut out the Sex scenes and continued with the dialog of Konami and Yuma for example. I realy didnt like it so i bought the Eroge. :3 i must say... without the 18+ content the game is not nicely done just because the cut and then the dialog about what the protagonist and the girl did during Sex... So for all that like to play this Visual Novel. Get the 18+ Game too :3. Its 100% worth it. (Will write something about every character in the future i guess) See You all -Hisui
• gamedeal user

  May 16, 2018

  > This is adult novel and highly recommend play full version to enjoy the story which you can purchase from denpasoft or add patch 18+ i made by myself here [spoiler] goo. gl/WsuACC (Remove space and gave up uncen ver because I cant find it)[/spoiler] > First time read moe-ge and it's quite good (Recommend go Mio > Tsukishima > Konami > Ann > Tina to see story developments) > Yeah.. Konami is best girl.. and Tsukishima is too pure for me.. > I like OP2 more than OP1.. and BGM is okay.. The art is also good. > Overall: 7.8/10 but [b]Konami's route is 9.5/10[/b]
• gamedeal user

  Aug 7, 2018

  This is an epic visual novel. Great characters, thrilling story, ups and downs. There are four love interests at the beginning. Completing Ann's route unlocks a Tina route. I will note that Tina looks a bit young (can't say how young she actually is based on what she is). Also, another of the love interests is your sister. Not an adopted sister, your actual sister. Also... don't play this around young kids or anyone you don't want to see. There are naked sprites in each route. No sex scenes, but enough adult language and themes that there is a warning before the title screen. There appears to be a free patch out there, but I have not acquired it. Also, since the Denpasoft version states it has mosaics... the patch might, too...