Maidens of the Kaleidoscope

~Beyond the Border~ => Akyu's Arcade => Topic started by: FinnKaenbyou on August 09, 2014, 09:46:22 PM

Title: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: FinnKaenbyou on August 09, 2014, 09:46:22 PM
Finally, something for Canada to really be sorry for.

Archive:
8/9 - Part 1: Why2K (http://roukanken.livejournal.com/27025.html)
9/9 - Part 2: M'Lady (http://roukanken.livejournal.com/27337.html)
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: OverlordChirei on August 09, 2014, 09:49:20 PM
My attempts to take any of this seriously were erased when they brought in
y2k shadow monsters
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Iced Fairy on August 09, 2014, 10:04:21 PM
If his future self can generate swords or some shit I'm gonna sneer so hard....
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Raikaria on August 09, 2014, 10:07:22 PM
Well; this can't possibly get any worse.

Right?

... RIGHT?!

Wonder what route will be taken. Or even what routes there are.

And lol @ Arcade2Hu.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Yookie on August 09, 2014, 10:18:14 PM
I didn't know what to expect going into this and then it's hilarious. Thank you.
The fact that they are unironically using the abbreviation Y2K in a normal sentence is... interesting. - if nothing else.
I wonder how much more of a train-wreck this is going to become.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Zengar Zombolt on August 09, 2014, 10:29:40 PM
Rekt by a lack of two digits. I just can't.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Tengukami on August 09, 2014, 10:54:20 PM
That is some astonishingly inane music, too. Like they put effort into the inanity. Surely you were listening to something else?
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: LadyScarlet on August 09, 2014, 11:03:35 PM
Oh god. I once saw a reviewer call this "The Room" of visual novels. This first chapter is already cracking me up, especially with the whole Y2K orphans thing.
This'll be rich.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Tengukami on August 09, 2014, 11:12:06 PM
Anecdotally: I once worked for a guy who owed his bank a crapload of money because he took out a loan to make an album, anticipating that the Y2K bug would erase all records of the debt. I am so happy a game has chosen this as a "WHAT IF???" guiding theme.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Garlyle on August 10, 2014, 01:03:04 AM
Quote from: Roukanken on August 09, 2014, 09:46:22 PM
Finally, something for Canada to really be sorry for.
We already accidentally let Bieber out of his cage please don't bring this one up

(I'm cringing like 5 seconds in though goddamn)

There's like one thing I do like though which is
the whole "Yeah I'm not oblivious to her being in love with me but... yeah no."  That basically never happens in visual novels.  It seems like it's completely set up to shoot itself in the foot though on this.

EDIT: what the legit fuck was that ending
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Jana on August 10, 2014, 01:17:04 AM
Poor Sakazaki ;-;
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Dormio Ergo Sum on August 10, 2014, 01:21:34 AM
Quote from: Garlyle on August 10, 2014, 01:03:04 AM
That basically never happens in visual novels.
False. This is a somewhat common occurrence.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Garlyle on August 10, 2014, 01:23:30 AM
Quote from: Dormio Ergo Sum on August 10, 2014, 01:21:34 AM
False. This is a somewhat common occurrence.
Well in ones I've played then :<
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: The ⑨th Zentillion on August 10, 2014, 01:27:58 AM
Wow, just wow. The writing, Y2K being real, the music, the edge... geez. I wonder if you'll last through the entire thing if it continues being this way. :V
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Stuffman on August 10, 2014, 02:24:21 AM
We need to help Ryo get to his true end and hook up with King.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: BT on August 10, 2014, 10:42:40 AM
I miss Hatoful.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: FinnKaenbyou on August 10, 2014, 04:38:02 PM
Part 2: M'Lady (http://roukanken.livejournal.com/27337.html)

Probably won't have enough time to work on this again until the weekend. Even then I don't know how much I'll get done - this is a game I can only stomach in very small doses. ><
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Zengar Zombolt on August 10, 2014, 05:36:46 PM
Haha! Social Media made me lose it.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Yookie on August 10, 2014, 06:56:23 PM
Was the Sad Violin actually the theme playing in the background in that scene or did you just linked to it there for the readers?
I wouldn't put it past this game to use it. :V
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: FinnKaenbyou on August 10, 2014, 06:57:51 PM
Quote from: Yookie on August 10, 2014, 06:56:23 PM
Was the Sad Violin actually the theme playing in the background in that scene or did you just linked to it there for the readers?
I wouldn't put it past this game to use it. :V
I put it in myself. The actual game was DEAD SILENT throughout the entire scene, so it was awkward as hell. :|
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: LadyScarlet on August 10, 2014, 07:21:42 PM
Oh wow, they couldn't even get the day of the week right.

Also, the magical girl fighting thing and Prince Tail manga kind of reminds me of Rozen Maiden, with all the dolls fighting to become the perfect girl, Alice, and win the heart of their creator.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Stuffman on August 10, 2014, 07:56:09 PM
If I could find him, he might be able to help me break up Claire and her boyfriend. The idea of making a deal with one of those players disgusts me, but if it's for Claire's sake...

(http://i.imgur.com/Aamqg4G.jpg)

WHAT

I DON'T EVEN

WHAT?
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Schezo on August 10, 2014, 08:09:53 PM
(｀ω?)  I wonder if this is gonna live up to that water one where everyone was ugly and the waiter was the least horrible character after starting as a douche
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Raikaria on August 10, 2014, 08:33:55 PM
I am not an expert with women Ryou; but I think you're DOING IT WRONG.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Garlyle on August 10, 2014, 09:31:22 PM
Quote from: Schezo on August 10, 2014, 08:09:53 PM
(｀ω?)  I wonder if this is gonna live up to that water one where everyone was ugly and the waiter was the least horrible character after starting as a douche
would you believe the creator's trying to get that on steam?

this might be marginally better but, at most, marginally.  I have a feeling both of these are "we had this great idea but absolutely none of the skill to deliver on it"
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Suikama on August 10, 2014, 10:29:27 PM
Quote from: Garlyle on August 10, 2014, 09:31:22 PM
would you believe the creator's trying to get that on steam?
meanwhile this game is already on steam :V (http://store.steampowered.com/app/259720/)
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Garlyle on August 10, 2014, 10:54:43 PM
Quote from: Suikama on August 10, 2014, 10:29:27 PM
meanwhile this game is already on steam :V (http://store.steampowered.com/app/259720/)
I want to say something witty

but there are no words
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: OverlordChirei on August 10, 2014, 11:01:30 PM
>$14.99

>see some newgrounds-tier reviews

why
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Schezo on August 10, 2014, 11:26:58 PM
Smile winningly is my new catchphrase

alex why ;~:
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Tengukami on August 11, 2014, 03:27:47 AM
This is a VN made by an actual, animate fedora.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: trancehime on August 11, 2014, 11:13:54 AM
my brain is melting

for fuck's sake. even ZYX Studio writing is fucking better than this trash. you know. the people who made fucking "Lightning Warrior Raidy" and made two more games in a goddamn SERIES

at least those games didn't TRY to hide that they were shameless and gratuitous excuses for sex!

holy hell!

for the record, it would be nakigeemu and not nakageemu which is more like "friendly game"
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Tengukami on August 11, 2014, 12:25:02 PM
Thinking about the "story" last night, I'm pretty sure Alex is the creator's self-insert/wish fullfilment. I mean he goes on and on about the stats-building-heavy dating sim he would create ... within a VN that clearly put more attention to detail in stats building than actual plot. Alex is also a PUA, what every Nice Guy hates, fears, but secretly wants to be.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Iced Fairy on August 11, 2014, 09:49:59 PM
Quote from: Tengukami on August 11, 2014, 12:25:02 PM
Thinking about the "story" last night, I'm pretty sure Alex is the creator's self-insert/wish fullfilment. I mean he goes on and on about the stats-building-heavy dating sim he would create ... within a VN that clearly put more attention to detail in stats building than actual plot. Alex is also a PUA, what every Nice Guy hates, fears, but secretly wants to be.
Yeah I noticed that too.  "The flaw in VNs is they don't add more numbers like my VN does!"*

And I'm sure one could write an entire treatise on how Nice Guys and PUAs both consider women to be soulless robots who react like a computer to social inputs, and how this can make VNs really really creepy, but for now I'll simply say "Ew."

*Stats are terrible and one of the reasons ESR isn't done.  I regret every day adding stats to the game, and the huge waste of potential and time they turned out to be.  Then again I suppose stats is all this game has going for it.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: trancehime on August 12, 2014, 01:27:34 AM
Quote from: Iced Fairy on August 11, 2014, 09:49:59 PM
*Stats are terrible and one of the reasons ESR isn't done.  I regret every day adding stats to the game, and the huge waste of potential and time they turned out to be.  Then again I suppose stats is all this game has going for it.

I don't know, man.

I mean Tokimemo's foundations are built on stats and that's a mammoth of a dating sim/VN series as you could get using stats.

It's just all about the execution. Of which this has none.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Shizumarashi Mayuzumi on August 12, 2014, 07:40:23 AM
idk this game might be somewhere around Tokimemo 3-tier. :V
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: trancehime on August 12, 2014, 08:18:44 AM
Quote from: Arashi Camusbara on August 12, 2014, 07:40:23 AM
idk this game might be somewhere around Tokimemo 3-tier. :V

worse

easily

And I was more talking about the general success rate compared to isolated cases like that one...
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: Shizumarashi Mayuzumi on August 12, 2014, 08:21:14 AM
Quote from: trancehime on August 12, 2014, 08:18:44 AM
And I was more talking about the general success rate compared to isolated cases like that one...

Yeah I know it just seemed like a good chance to make a crack about tokimemo3. :V
Title: A Flatlining LP - Let's [Not] Play Fading Hearts!
Post by: FinnKaenbyou on August 12, 2014, 07:16:19 PM
OK I know it's awfully early to say this, but I think I'm going to have to kill this off.

I've played a lot of bad visual novels in my time, but Fading Hearts takes the cake in every aspect. The art is questionable, the music is either droll or absent, and the story makes me sick to my stomach. This is a game which I have been making explicit efforts to avoid playing, doing anything and everything that comes to mind in order to do anything other than this. It is causing me genuine anger and frustration - not even comical annoyance like in House or the lighter parts of Cafe 0, but actual genuine 'the world is a worse place for this game existing' anger. In short I'm just not having FUN with this LP, and even if people are enjoying it I don't want to put myself through such an ordeal every time I want to crack out an update.

I got this feeling in the final update of Cafe 0 and the last quarter of MGitP. I only finished those two LPs because I was so close to the end I felt I should finish the job; when I've got ten endings of this thing ahead of me and pretty much the entire game left to go, I have absolutely no desire to keep going.

Apologies to people who've been hoping for more of this. I am already forcing myself to keep going, and it's really going to show in what I produce. No-one wants that, so I figured ending it now before things got horrible would be for the best.

tl;dr fuck this game, worst $15 I've ever spent
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Hello Purvis on August 12, 2014, 07:38:02 PM
It's all good, my friend.

Here is are some Jamaican Mice to make it all better:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Tc8C6qZ3c
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Jq1790 on August 12, 2014, 07:41:53 PM
Hey, you're the one who was trying to amuse US.  If you're not having fun, there's absolutely no reason to continue with it.  I wish you luck in finding a better VN next time.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Edible on August 12, 2014, 07:47:01 PM
When your lampooning of the game is literally the only redeeming feature of the game, it's probably time to move on.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Tengukami on August 12, 2014, 07:51:57 PM
Rou you are a brave soul for even making it this far. As much fun as it's been for us to snark from the sidelines, you're the one who's had to slog through all this. Totally understandable.

*tips fedora*
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Yookie on August 12, 2014, 08:25:20 PM
Was fun reading this so far but it really helps noone if it physically pains you to do this.
May you have good luck on potential future adventures.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Raikaria on August 12, 2014, 09:20:33 PM
So..., the best moment of this game is the uninstallation? Right?

Revel in it.

Then laugh at every 'positive' review of this garbage on Steam.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: LadyScarlet on August 12, 2014, 10:51:07 PM
Well, I understand. As much as I liked reading this, there's no reason to continue an LP if you're not having fun with it.
Good job on making it this far nonetheless. Hope you find a better VN.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: trancehime on August 13, 2014, 01:00:44 AM
theres 10 endings in this fucking piece of garbage?

nobody wants you to kill yourself playing this stupid piece of shit

why the fuck does this game even cost 15 bucks anyway

goddamn
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Garlyle on August 13, 2014, 04:21:31 AM
>Too shitty to continue

wow

wooow

wooooooooooooow

that's... wow
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: hyorinryu on August 13, 2014, 04:27:24 AM
Quote from: Garlyle on August 13, 2014, 04:21:31 AM
>Too shitty to continue

wow

wooow

wooooooooooooow

that's... wow

Considering he finished Cafe Zero, that's really saying something. I'm tempted to google to see how bad it is, though going by what I've seen so far, I can guess.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Garlyle on August 13, 2014, 06:10:10 AM
Quote from: hyorinryu on August 13, 2014, 04:27:24 AM
Considering he finished Cafe Zero, that's really saying something. I'm tempted to google to see how bad it is, though going by what I've seen so far, I can guess.
I am so incredibly curious

not nearly curious enough to actually buy it but at the same time I really do want to know just how bad it gets if you find it let me know
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: FinnKaenbyou on August 13, 2014, 07:03:13 AM
OK, for those interested I can at least drop a few spoilers on how things WOULD have gone if I'd continued. Obviously huge spoilers abound but so if for some bizarre reason you want to play this game yourself you should look away now.

- Letting Claire suffer in her relationship causes her to become a dark magical girl. She tries to kill you, and either you kill her yourself or Mystica saves you. Either way Claire dies and the plot continues without her [at least until you crash into another bad end].
- Rina is Mystica [big surprise]. Luckily Ryou learns magic at some random point so you can team up with her to fight the source of the shadow demons.
- In Rina's bad ending you go on a trip to Japan along with Claire and Alex, and while you're away TRIDENT CITY EXPLODES, killing Rina. In another ending where you've killed everyone who could have stopped it, the shadow monsters overrun the city and leave Ryou as the sole survivor.
- Player, the mysterious pick-up artist Ryou made a deal with? It's Tracy, aka the maid from the cosplay cafe.
- Sophia is actually your DESTINED WAIFU because you two were totally a couple in your former incarnations. Unfortunately for whatever reason Sophia gets killed off in every single route and there's no way to save her. So!

I'm looking desperately for something small and simple to LP as a palette-cleanser. Right now I've got a couple of candidates so we'll see where things go from here.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Raikaria on August 13, 2014, 07:47:08 AM
What.

*Head explodes*

This is so stupid.

And what are the good endings? Are there only two actual GOOD END routes or something :/
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Garlyle on August 13, 2014, 08:04:01 AM
Quote
- Player, the mysterious pick-up artist Ryou made a deal with? It's Tracy, aka the maid from the cosplay cafe.
okay this was actually slightly redeeming compared to it being alex

that's a very slight thing though compared to all the other argh

please play Magical Diary
no wait better yet Long Live The Queen
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: trancehime on August 13, 2014, 10:51:08 AM
http://www.twinfinite.net/2014/02/12/fading-hearts-review-best-meh-visual-novel-year/

i'm sorry but what?

"Most of the characters are written fairly well."

"Nor is he a Mary Sue, but his self-awareness and periodic tappings on the Fourth Wall are refreshing."

"Indeed, Fading Hearts has its fair bit of the epic as well as kitchen sink romantic drama." (>epic)

"Looking at the game technically, there isn?t much to praise aside from the artwork which has a unique, pleasing style of vibrant colors. Music is so-so, with no memorable moments. The writing itself is good, although there are enough errors to be noticeable and at times annoying."

Did Rou and this reviewer even play the same game

EDIT: This video shows footage of the game in its unedited original state, something which managed to melt Rou's poor brain further. It wouldn't be fair if I only subjected it on him. (http://www.jesuotaku.com/specials/letsplayfadinghearts/)
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Yookie on August 13, 2014, 12:52:40 PM
I usually just overlook grammar-mistakes or typing-errors but this is really over the top.
And the music is even less fitting than I thought.
Something else though: I misread "Mystica" as "Mystia" for the first two times or so the name appeared. :V
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: Tengukami on August 13, 2014, 01:26:36 PM
Quote from: Roukanken on August 13, 2014, 07:03:13 AM
- Sophia is actually your DESTINED WAIFU because you two were totally a couple in your former incarnations. Unfortunately for whatever reason Sophia gets killed off in every single route and there's no way to save her.
(http://i.imgur.com/rEQFD5n.jpg)

Well, guess I can put this down to a "must miss". Though I suppose it makes sense in a VN with this much edge that any route with your true love would end in tragedy.

Wish I could recommend other VNs to blast through, but I'm sure something will turn up. Hopefully something slightly more coherent, like a VN based on Naked Lunch or something.
Title: Re: A Flatlining Love Life - Let's Play Fading Hearts! [Mercy-Killed]
Post by: trancehime on August 13, 2014, 01:46:33 PM
Quote from: Yookie on August 13, 2014, 12:52:40 PM
Something else though: I misread "Mystica" as "Mystia" for the first two times or so the name appeared. :V

Let me just say you aren't the only one.

Quote from: Tengukami on August 13, 2014, 01:26:36 PM
Well, guess I can put this down to a "must miss". Though I suppose it makes sense in a VN with this much edge that any route with your true love would end in tragedy.

I must say I agree with Rou in saying the world is a worse place with this game. And I still can't believe there are people who think this game is actually decent.