Hatsuyuki Sakura

A somber and bittersweet winter story, steeped in teenage angst. It is presented as an eroge but this is a plot driven story with heavy romantic element. Story is deeply symbolic and (if you accept symbolism) relatable, especially for those who remember how they were as teens. R18 scenes are.....really bad. Anatomy is all over the place and timing feels random, like they were inserted as an afterthought. Its hard to comprehend what this is created by the same people who made Kinkoi. Really, should've just go without, it wouldnt have damaged the story

[h1]7.5/10 The Immaculate Soundtrack Redeemed This Game - 神級表現的音樂拯救了這部遊戲[/h1] This is a visual novel that I was incredibly excited to play beforehand, and ultimately felt relieved once I finished. Reviewing it fills me with complex, love-hate emotions. Years ago, I had heard of this title and its Ending Song. So, I was pleasantly surprised when HIKARI FIELD released the HD version of this older VN. But as I've said, without its many immaculate OSTs, this VN would be nothing more than a mediocre piece of game. However, the OST will not let you down. Every piece of music plays at just the right moment, immaculately woven into the fabric of the game's world. [h2]Character Portrayal: [/h2] The original was released in 2014, so I won't delve too deeply into the controversies surrounding Hatsuyuki. I respect the character settings of the script (this isn't to say other players don't; it's just that interpretations differ). But it's a fact that this causes discomfort for some players. From this perspective, you can also see how truly gentle Kozakai Aya—who met Hatsuyuki a year earlier than the other characters—really is. The characters, again being from a 2014 release, are objectively …

What does it cost to actually be among the living, instead of the dead? A beautiful love story drenched in grief, set in the winter who tries to become spring. This is a slow-burn emotional roller-coaster that will make you cry and leave you with a lingering sadness. I picked Hatsuyuki Sakura because it's often considered the magnum opus of Yuu Niijima, the scenario writer, and now I see why. He is so good at writing unhealthy obsession, and the story really hurts. The music also amplifies the atmosphere perfectly. Now I have to go find the soundtrack CD to fill my house with some spirit incense... Almost everyone in the main cast is delightfully quirky and borderline broken. Yet somehow, the chemistry with them works pretty well. Maybe even better than many other gal-games I've played. The relationships between different heroines and their contribution to the main cause also make them feel like real people outside their own routes. The protagonist has a strong personality; definitely not the self-insert type of protagonist. He is rude, threatening, and pushes people away, and the narrative stays very close to his POV with a lot of internal monologues. It will make sense later on…

The best localized SAGA*PLANETS visual novel by far. It is a gripping mix of romance, mystery, and horror, in that order. Even if it doesn't all thematically connect very well by the end of it, the message is still strong and charming I and this is by far the studio's most competent work to date. While this would have worked much better without the H scenes and plot lines, at least the romances aren't marred by a bunch of random threesomes, and other routes don't just outright spoil the intrigue of other ones. The foreshadowing here is all done very well, leaving enough for you to piece the story together, but not enough to where it feels like they throw it all in your face. Unlike many other visual novels, if there was a fandisc for this game, I genuinely would want to play it. I feel like the secondary heroine really didn't get enough resolution and deserved a more definitive ending. It's still marred by a bunch of really weirdly convenient things, a few random plot threads not being totally resolved or at least not resolving very well, and a bit more. For me, it felt like Chaos;Head, Wonderful Everyday, and Umineko all merged into a YuzuSoft VN with actual stakes for once. It's…

Yet another example of why Saga Planets might be my favourite visual novel company. A well-paced intriguing supernatural game with the "moe" dial turned all the way up to 100. The main character doesn't feel one-dimensional and flat (something which quite a few visual novels suffer from), each heroine is unique and equally loveable, the routes are compelling and fun to read, and the supporting cast of characters add to the story with their presence, rather than detracting from it or being unneccessary story filler. If you like games such as Kinkoi: Golden Loveriche, Clannad, Marshmallow All The Way Home and Amazing Grace: What Color Is Your Attribute? You'll love Hatsuyuki Sakura.

A perfect blend of usual Saga planets comedy and sad but not too depressing story. Great contemporary fantasy setting, good for people who love ghost related settings. All the characters are fun and friendship moments are sufficient. Hatsuyuki is a likeable protagonist once you get used to the setting. Common route is good and the hook certainly is there. The OST is great, has some of my favorites.