Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms

Product received for free Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms Developed by Idea Factory & Design Factory and released by Idea Factory International. Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms is the Sequel to Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds, to which I unfortunately can't say anything because I don't own it. Story You are a young Demon, Chizuru Yukimura, who has joined the Shinsengumi and moves through the Lands alongside a previously selected hero, standing by him and trying to get closer to him. I leave it at this short Description as the Game thrives on its Stories. Gameplay After missing out on a new Name or keeping the preferred character, you'll pick one of the Heroes you want to get closer to. If you Make the appropriate Decision in the Game and succeed, you will even see it during the Game using a Symbol and a Sound Effect. You Can click through Passages of Text and make Decisions that influence history and the End. You can also revisit Passages you have already read and even change your Decision without having to load the Game. This is done by simply Rotating the Mouse wheel, whereupon the Game invokes a List of some passed text Boxes, from which you can then choose. Already selected Decisions are marked blue, which makes it easier to take a new Path. A ten-page Encyclopedia briefly explains Names, Places and Events, among other Things that occur in the Game. In addition, in the Gallery you can watch not only individual Pictures, but also Films again and even listen to the Pieces of music. I think it's a bit of a Shame that you can play the Game with keyboard and mouse as well as with a Controller, but you don't change the Display, so you have to remember which keyboard key Was the equivalent to the Controller button. Also, every time I restarted the Game, I had to go to the settings at least once so that they got active and I could keep playing with the Keyboard. A similar Bug occurred at the Start of a new Game. Graphics and Sound The Game is kept in what I personally find a really beautiful manga style. Backgrounds are often as detailed as the Characters, which are also slightly animated, so that lips move, facial Expressions, Postures and also the Costumes change. Only the Large-scale Shots during the Fight Scenes Deviate from the otherwise clean Drawing Work. They look like you've just enlarged an Neckline without adjusting the Quality afterwards, which is very unfortunate. All the Characters are set to music in Japanese, which of course fits well into the Setting. I hardly understand a Word, but the Voice Actors reflect the Moods and Emotions well through voice guidance and vocal sound. In addition, an atmospheric Melody adapted to the Situations runs in the background. Verdict It's been a While since I've been able to play such a good Visuel Novel. If you like romantic Stories with a Dash of Fantasy, you've come to the right place. Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms entertained me well and, in addition to the Fact that at the Time of this Review I approached only 3 of the 13 Paths, it will probably keep me busy for a While and I'm just around 17 Hours. The current €28p would be a bit too high for me personally, but should it be in a 25% Sale you can access as a UN fan here quietly.