Tag: Visual Novel

  • New Tactical RPG “Strategic Sacrifice” Captivates Steam Players

    New Tactical RPG “Strategic Sacrifice” Captivates Steam Players

    Key Takeaways

    1. Players control Takumi Sumino, defending the Last Defense Academy from monster attacks over 100 days.
    2. The game features unique mechanics where death serves as a strategic advantage, allowing defeated characters to unleash powerful attacks later.
    3. Gameplay combines turn-based strategy with visual novel elements, affecting both narrative and combat outcomes.
    4. The demo has received an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, with 96% of over 700 reviews being favorable.
    5. The full game is set to launch on April 23 for PC and Nintendo Switch, with standard and deluxe editions priced at approximately $60 and $70, respectively.

    In The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy, players take on the role of Takumi Sumino, a young boy whose hometown is infested with monsters. A strange force brings him to the Last Defense Academy, where he and 14 other students must defend the school from ongoing monster assaults for 100 days. However, it’s not just about staying alive—dying plays a crucial role in the game’s strategy.

    Unique Gameplay Mechanics

    The game combines turn-based strategy with elements from visual novels, demanding that players carefully place their characters on a battlefield that resembles a chessboard. What sets this game apart is that death isn’t merely a failure; it’s a strategic advantage. Characters that are defeated can unleash strong final attacks and reappear in later rounds, pushing players to make tough choices on who to protect and who to sacrifice for the best outcome. Between the combat, visual novel portions delve into character dynamics, with every decision impacting both the narrative and the combat strategies available.

    Positive Reception and Release Details

    The demo version of The Hundred Line has been accessible on Steam since February 18 and has received an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. This tactical RPG has garnered over 700 reviews, with 96% of them being favorable. The complete game is scheduled to launch on April 23 for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. It will come in a standard edition priced at about $60 and a deluxe edition costing around $70.

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  • Retro Visual Novel Inspired by PC-98 and 80s Mecha Anime

    Retro Visual Novel Inspired by PC-98 and 80s Mecha Anime

    Key Takeaways

    1. The game “Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog” captures the retro aesthetic of late 1980s NEC PC-9800 games through pixel art and a limited color palette.
    2. It is described as “A love letter to retro anime and 80’s Sci-Fi,” highlighting its tribute to classic visuals.
    3. The gameplay features familiar point-and-click mechanics, allowing players to explore, interact, and solve puzzles.
    4. The narrative explores complex themes, set in a future where humanity faces conflict after a devastating Solar War.
    5. Players’ choices affect the story’s direction, leading to multiple paths and endings throughout the game.

    In the late 1980s, games on the NEC PC-9800 personal computers in Japan created a unique aesthetic for themselves. They were often marked by a limited color palette and detailed pixel art that became closely linked to the visual novels of that time.

    A Tribute to Retro Aesthetics

    Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog seeks to authentically capture that look with its delightful pixel art and high-quality sprites. The game openly showcases its influences, proudly labeling itself as “A love letter to retro anime and 80’s Sci-Fi,” staying true to the essence of classic PC-9800 games.

    Gameplay and Mechanics

    Space Colony Studios aims to maintain “era-accurate” details, from the appearance of text on screen to the visual effects. The game employs a control system that will feel familiar to fans of point-and-click adventures. Players can explore their surroundings, interact with crew members, and tackle puzzles. Paying attention to what your crew communicates is crucial, as is searching for items that will help advance the story.

    Narrative Depth

    The plot is a bit more intricate than just heroically saving the world. Set in the future, humanity is embroiled in conflict, and you play as a character who has witnessed the devastating effects of war. After enduring a four-year Solar War, which resulted in the loss of your previous crew, you find yourself reassigned as a security officer aboard a patrol ship named Gun-Dog.

    Your mission involves probing mysterious signals originating from what appears to be the edge of space. Naturally, the situation gradually intensifies. There are various paths and endings to uncover based on your decisions throughout the game. You can find more about the game on Steam.

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