The Kimoi Romance
In anticipation of Konami’s next big galge, I got myself a Nintendo DS. There’s the right vibe in both marketing-PR-y stuff and in the content of the game. How can you say no to dating a 2D girl voiced by Sakura Tange or Saori Hayami? I guess if you had some Akiko’s jam (I wonder if the game will refer to that…seems likely) you might think otherwise.
Playing Love Plus may be a daunting experience for me since obviously this game is very heavy on text. I am hoping the narration will ease my inability to read anything, and certainly I do not expect to experience the full spectrum that Love Plus has to offer its Japanese-literate clientele. And if this was some other company other than Konami, I might have relented and not take a deep spoonful of that mystery substance. (Is this how you evoke a mixed metaphor between Cool-Aid and Akiko’s jam?)
It all goes back when I was playing Tokimeki Memorial 3. For some really odd reason I skipped over Tokimemo 2 (and most of 1…which was just a taste), despite being the stellar one in the series. Probably because I don’t really enjoy playing it on a PC and didn’t want to jump the loops for a modded Playstation? That can’t be true…but somehow it was. At any rate, Tokimemo 3 was a lot of fun, despite my even worse non-reading skills back then. Playing it by ear, context, common sense, and trial and error actually wasn’t so bad. That might also have something to do with how Konami is serious about their dating sims.
Anyways, it bears repeating that Tokimemo 3 was a neat game. It’s fun to get to know the characters and tease out the flags and experience the special events. If you can get around the slightly-uncanny-edged, cel-shaded visuals, it’s a rewarding experience. From ZARD’s opening theme to the final unlockable characters, I found that if you can give in to the concept of enjoying a dating sim, Tokimemo 3 is solid fun.
In my head (which… may not reflect reality) Konami’s dating sims sit apart from the galge universe (including girl’s side-type games, lack of a better word) much like Studio Ghibli’s feature films in terms of all Japanese animation. They’re flagship titles, made with tender loving care, money, and a sense of pride behind them. I mean, sure, the Tokimemo line has been milked by Konami in various forms over the years with some notably weaker entries, and by default these are niche games. But there’s always a particular, a sense of quality behind them. It’s as if they are a serious matter more often than not, rather than some creative but made-on-the-cheap hit like all those visual novels or 18+ SRPG and AVG games.
Considering my last “serious” galge affair was with Sakura Taisen, it’s time for a new romance. And if the language barrier is too much for Love Plus, I can always reminiscence anew in November. It’s a good year for galge…and to reminiscence.
Out of interest, will you be picking up the US release of Sakura Taisen 5 when it releases later this year?
Wait, disregard that, didn’t see where that last link was pointed :|
Let me amend my question: Wii or PS2? :)
Well the dilemma is I have the Japanese PS2 version of ST5, and I do not have a Wii. So the logical thing is to pick up the PS2 version, despite the Wii version might be more interesting to play.
Whoa writing about a topic I know about. Yeah man you missed out. Tokimemo 2 is the best of the series. Definitely should check it out some time. You can easily find it on eBay and what not now.
Anyway, I am so hyped for Love Plus. I have faith in Konami that it will be pretty good. If anything it could be like Tokimemo 1 and just revolutionize a genre. Either way it’s good to see Konami entering the race again. It has been far too long.
Normally I would say to not buy Sakura Taisen 5 but since it’s in English sure go ahead. Who knows they might release the better games later?
If there’s an English language port of Tokimemo 2 or a portable version of it, I would be pretty tempted, yea. But yes, I’m excited about Love Plus and can’t wait to begin playing that…
I hope someone does a post on the game after it’s been out for a few weeks, I wanna see what I’m missing out on. Ironically.
I’m sure a lot of us will. I know I will be.