Sakura Swim Club

Sakura Swim Club

Sakura Swim Club is another fan service packed visual novel by Winged Cloud. The protagonist is an unmotivated high school student named Kaede who joins the swim club where he is drawn into the lives of Hiromi and Mieko. The two girls are the only remaining members of the club and while trying to whip Kaede into shape they begin to develop feelings for him too. There’s nothing new or surprising here, but Winged Cloud fans will enjoy the game, especially with the adult patch which adds a few sex scenes.

Gameplay: The game gives the illusion of choice, but the experience is actually very linear.

Graphics: The art is the highlight of the game.

Sound: Decent sound effects, but the music is very forgettable

Sakura Beach

Sakura Beach

Sakura Beach is a typical fan service focused visual novel with a generic storyline, implausible situations, and rather generic characters. Watching childhood friends Ayumi and Momoko practically throw themselves at the completely oblivious Seiji can be amusing, but overall there isn’t a lot here that players will remember after completing the game.

Gameplay: Six choices that lead to one of three different endings.

Graphics: Vibrant backgrounds and character sprites are decent.

Sound: Rather generic

Sakura Fantasy

Sakura Fantasy

Sakura Fantasy features an intriguing storyline, interesting characters, and beautiful artwork, but ends with too many unresolved questions. This wouldn’t have been so bad if the planned sequels were ever released, but unfortunately, this was not to be. Unfortunately, this means anyone playing the game for the story will be disappointed. However, players who are purely interested in the lewd content will find plenty here, especially after installing the optional uncensor patch.

Gameplay: Interesting until the story just ends without any real conclusion.

Graphics: The visuals look great is filled with the usual amount of fan service.

Sound: Decent Japanese voice acting and the soundtrack is good too

Aozora Meikyuu

Aozora Meikyuu

Aozora Meikyuu is a short and simple visual novel featuring a protagonist named Aoi who has given up on women. His plans to resign himself to a life of eroge games instead of actual relationships are shattered when a naked girl named Sora falls out of the sky and lands on top of him. After Sora forces herself into his house and life, Aoi has to choose whether to embrace this change or fight it every step of the way. It’s an interesting if a little cliched, premise for a visual novel but the game is just too short and mundane to make it very memorable.

Gameplay: Timed choices make things a little more interesting, but the story itself is rather humdrum.

Graphics: Decent, but somewhat lacking in good CGs.

Sound: No voice acting, but the soundtrack isn’t too bad

Pyrite Heart

Pyrite Heart

Pyrite Heart is an Otome visual novel that looks great, but the story is very short and lacking in depth. The heroine is also a spoiled rich princess, which might not be that appealing for players who are not fans of tsundere characters. It’s not a bad game, but there are far better titles in the genre.

Gameplay: Short and the story is not that interesting.

Graphics: The artwork is very good.

Sound: No voice acting, but the music is decent

Time Tenshi (2015)

Time Tenshi (2015)

Time Tenshi is a short and simple visual novel featuring time travel. Unfortunately, the whole time-traveling aspect of the game is simply a convenient excuse for the ecchi effects it has on the women make use of the technology. This would have been fine for a nukige title, but for all its fetish content Time Tenshi is a very tame game with no sex or nudity. Unfortunately, this middle of the road approach means it is unlikely to really appeal to anyone especially with so many other options available.

Gameplay: Very short and only features one meaningful choice right at the end.

Graphics: The visuals have a very low budget look to them.

Sound: No voice acting and the music isn’t very memorable or catchy

Sweet Galaxy Adventure!

Sweet Galaxy Adventure!

Sweet Galaxy Adventure! is a visual novel with an interesting premise and beautiful character designs, but it is let down by a poor translation and story that goes nowhere. The game can also be completed in less than an hour and plays like an adult title with all the adult content removed. All of this makes it hard to recommend Sweet Galaxy Adventure! to anyone except the most ardent fans of the genre.

Gameplay: Short and ultimately pointless.

Graphics: The character sprites and CGs look rather good.

Sound: The music is bland the game lacks any type of voice acting

Koropokkur in Love ~A Little Fairy’s Tale~

Koropokkur in Love ~A Little Fairy’s Tale~

Koropokkur in Love ~A Little Fairy’s Tale~ is a serviceable kinetic novel featuring a fairy with dreams of becoming human, but the story is just a little too generic for our liking. The game has its moments, but there is nothing here that hasn’t already been done much better before. It is enjoyable enough while it lasts, but unlikely to be something players will give much thought after completing it.

Gameplay: The story is cute but short and generic.

Graphics: Fans of Hinoue Itaru will love the art style, but others might find it dated.

Sound: No voice acting, but the music is decent enough

9-nine-:Episode 3

9-nine-:Episode 3

9-Nine: Episode 3 continues to build on the events of the previous two games and once again features a combination of action, drama, comedy, and romance. Haruka Kosaka is the love interest for this episode and her story is every bit as intriguing as the previous heroines. Episode 3 also features some of the most dramatic and startling revelations so far in the series and should keep fans hooked right to the end.

Gameplay: Episode 3 is very much a kinetic novel, but still interesting.

Graphics: The art style and animations are still top-notch.

Sound: Features a great soundtrack and great voice acting

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time

Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation: Time After Time is a kinetic novel that features three girls who end up living under the same roof while trying to regain their place in society. It is set in a future where aptitude tests determine your career for life and those who fail end up as worthless outcasts called chuusotsu. The game features bright, colorful visuals but the story can veer into unexpectedly dark directions. It is certainly an intriguing tale and hopefully, future installments will reveal more of the world and characters introduced here.

Gameplay: This is a kinetic novel, so there is no interaction beyond reading the story.

Graphics: The backgrounds are detailed and the character sprites look very nice.

Sound: Both the voice acting and background music is decent