Author Topic: Looking for an eroge (or not)  (Read 7636 times)

Imosa

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Looking for an eroge (or not)
« on: October 08, 2012, 09:36:51 PM »
So I'm taking a game design class this semester and part of it requires us to play games and review their design choices. Well, I figure Eroge is a game genre and I'll bet I can write a pretty good critical review of how well it... conveys it's mood to the player, which a grader will be required to read. So if people could suggest a good eroge I'd appreciate it.
Ideally I'll be able to get a few friends in on this and collectively we'll spam the graders.

On the other hand, I still have a few of these assignments left, and am still looking for really interesting games to play, so if you just want to suggest something really different, go ahead. So far I've done Braid (so pretty+time control), Knights in the Nightmare (HOLY SHIT MECHANICS), and Takeover (nobody has given flash games any love).

Also, no I have not done any Touhou games because I don't find the mechanics all that interesting.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2012, 09:41:24 PM by Imosa »

PX

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2012, 09:48:47 PM »
Off the top of my head, the Rance games have an actual game mechanic to them (never played them)
If you want traditional visual novels/eroge, I would advise Sharin no Kuni (Yes Dormio, I love it)

Stuffman

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2012, 10:11:42 PM »
While hilarious, I don't recommend doing an in-depth examination of eroge game mechanics for an actual game design class :V

They're mostly just choose-your-own-adventures with graphics rather than games, anyway.

Quote
If you want traditional visual novels/eroge, I would advise Sharin no Kuni (Yes Dormio, I love it)
Fair warning, Sharin is really fucking long
« Last Edit: October 08, 2012, 10:13:44 PM by Stuffman »

Tengukami

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2012, 10:41:15 PM »
Seconding Stuffman on the mechanics aspect. Although mapping out routes could be interesting.

Also, Monster Girl Quest, which I'm currently playing. 10 to 30 hours, a lot of fun, and a ... very broad spectrum of quality when it comes to the art.

"Human history and growth are both linked closely to strife. Without conflict, humanity would have no impetus for growth. When humans are satisfied with their present condition, they may as well give up on life."

Amraphenson

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2012, 10:48:24 PM »
Seconding Monster Girl Quest and Rance. MGQ is a pretty decent RPG on its own merits, story and gameplay wise, while Rance is...well, I'm not too familiar with Rance to be honest. I hear it's pretty awesome.
Sugoiiii~
[23:02] <~Iced> You have sown the seeds of your own destruction Amra.
[23:20] <Stuffman> enjoy your personally crafted hell Amra

Edible

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2012, 10:55:57 PM »
Great game mechanics + eroge?  Got you covered.

Duel Savior was very recently translated fully into English.  It's a brawler/beat-em-up RPG visual novel.

PX

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2012, 11:54:53 PM »
Granted yes, Sharin no Kuni takes fucking forever. My god.

Seconding Stuffman on the mechanics aspect. Although mapping out routes could be interesting.

Also, Monster Girl Quest, which I'm currently playing. 10 to 30 hours, a lot of fun, and a ... very broad spectrum of quality when it comes to the art.

I actually wouldn't suggest Monmusu Quest. The battles are pretty simple, and you become god late game. Some battles are pure RNG fests. And the art is because there are a dozen or so different artists who worked on them.

Tengukami

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2012, 12:25:06 AM »
The battles do get weary. I haven't played far enough along to be that strong yet, but at this point it still has my interest.

"Human history and growth are both linked closely to strife. Without conflict, humanity would have no impetus for growth. When humans are satisfied with their present condition, they may as well give up on life."

Imosa

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2012, 02:03:12 AM »
The eroges don't need mechanics. We are reviewing video games which can be defined very broadly and I think these count. However, personally I like games with interesting mechanics so that's why I asked.

All I need to do is first write my impression during game play so something like:
I went into this game feeling incredibly stressed because of real life stuff. I quickly felt a lot better.
I was distracted, thinking about how she goes to the bathroom.
I'm happy that she's half fox. I've always wanted to have sex with a fox.
The excellent use of voice acting made climaxing much easier.

Then later, I need to analyze the game's aspects in more general terms, so perhaps:
The characters were fleshed our really well by displaying a wide range of emotion. This made them very life like but still approachable.
This game did an excellent job of empowering the female characters (we just had a lecture on the roles of females in video games and video game culture, I'm all over this stuff).
« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 02:14:09 AM by Imosa »

Tengukami

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Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2012, 09:35:52 AM »
If the focus is more on story than mechanics or battles, MGQ does have an interesting underlying message about racial tolerance and, to an extent, organized religion.

"Human history and growth are both linked closely to strife. Without conflict, humanity would have no impetus for growth. When humans are satisfied with their present condition, they may as well give up on life."

Dormio Ergo Sum

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2012, 03:53:42 AM »
Muv-Luv Extra/Unlimited/Alternative.
Because Syarin is too short.

I guess I'd have to recommend a cute little sRPG by the name of Kamidori Alchemy Meister.
The story is rubbish, but the battle system is quite entertaining.
Also, Katawa Shoujo if you want to see a highly inconsistent system.

(Yes Dormio, I love it)
Of course you do. Now go read G Senjou no Maou.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2012, 03:59:40 AM by Ran Yakumo »

AnonymousPondScum

Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2012, 05:22:12 AM »
I'd go with Analogue: A Hate Story.

Quirky, clever, compact, streamlined, touching, and also clean enough for the whole family.

It's unfortunately also a bit short but I feel the sheer amount of polish and tidiness easily makes up for it.

Dormio Ergo Sum

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2012, 05:25:39 AM »
Speaking of Analogue: A Hate Story.
Digital: A Love Story has a rather interesting gimmick that you could check out.

Imosa

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2012, 04:05:59 AM »
The deed is done. I reviewed Monster Girl Quest for my assignment. Awesome game, will never look at the eroge genre the same way again. Unfortunately I only got to the point where I retrieve Poseidon's bell. I was considering doing an all nighter to play more in preparation but opted not to.

I guess I'll post my review so feel free to comment on it but know it really isn't my best writing. I was really tired and ended up writing this in a hurry. Also I forgot to mention the fact that the game had substantial amounts of comedy. Also, unfortunately, I never found the opportunity to describe a rape scene in detail, and force the grader to go through that. Eh, maybe I'll do a second one just for shits and giggles.

Amraphenson

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2012, 04:16:29 AM »
Glad to hear you liked it.
Sugoiiii~
[23:02] <~Iced> You have sown the seeds of your own destruction Amra.
[23:20] <Stuffman> enjoy your personally crafted hell Amra

PX

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #15 on: October 11, 2012, 04:23:48 AM »
Quote
The deed is done. I reviewed Monster Girl Quest for my assignment. Awesome game, will never look at the eroge genre the same way again. Unfortunately I only got to the point where I retrieve Poseidon's bell. I was considering doing an all nighter to play more in preparation but opted not to.

Noooooo. The story doesn't actually matter until you get to Part 2. Part 1 the story is absolutely discardable and it's a standard porn game. D:

Imosa

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Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #16 on: October 11, 2012, 04:37:33 AM »
Noooooo. The story doesn't actually matter until you get to Part 2. Part 1 the story is absolutely discardable and it's a standard porn game. D:
If that's the plot of a standard porn game then all porn games exceed my expectation. Still, from what I've read about the second game, I know the plot gets more interesting. Unfortunately I may never open this game again after tomorrow.

Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2012, 05:13:08 AM »
I guess I'd have to recommend a cute little sRPG by the name of Kamidori Alchemy Meister.
The story is rubbish, but the battle system is quite entertaining.

The story's quality varies depending on which route you play, from what I understand. Sakana and I did a few playthroughs and I think we both agree that Serawi's route is the worst in terms of story.
Spoiler:
Oh, so we're building a purifier that undines will help run? Let's make it out of materials you have to kill undines to get!

...I guess my first sentence there could apply to Katawa Shoujo as well; I rather disliked Emi's route due to the pacing. And agreed on the system inconsistency; you've got Rin's route in which a lot of choices don't matter, and then Shizune's in which
Spoiler:
there is only one choice on the entire route, and it is quite obvious which leads to which end
.

Imosa

  • Any sufficiently advanced technology
  • is indistinguishable from magic
Re: Looking for an eroge (or not)
« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2012, 05:29:55 AM »
The story's quality varies depending on which route you play, from what I understand. Sakana and I did a few playthroughs and I think we both agree that Serawi's route is the worst in terms of story.
Spoiler:
Oh, so we're building a purifier that undines will help run? Let's make it out of materials you have to kill undines to get!

...I guess my first sentence there could apply to Katawa Shoujo as well; I rather disliked Emi's route due to the pacing. And agreed on the system inconsistency; you've got Rin's route in which a lot of choices don't matter, and then Shizune's in which
Spoiler:
there is only one choice on the entire route, and it is quite obvious which leads to which end
.
Yeah, Katawa Shoujo really let me down in that regard. I think I'd prefer what happened with Rin's route then what happened with Shizune's route.