Neutral Drow reviews: A Drug That Makes You Dream

NeutralDrow

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Jester Lord said:
NeutralDrow said:
Jester Lord said:
NeutralDrow said:
Jester Lord said:
This review was so awesome that I'm thinking about buying the game. I'll get a few odd looks but f*ck them, right?
Bah, this game won't get you odd looks.

Now <url=http://www.pcrdist.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/horny_bunnies_game_78.jpg>this game would get you odd looks. Primarily from me.
Why do you tease me with broken links?
Sorry. Worked for me. Here.



I've heard it's not too bad (at least, it's supposed to be rape-free), but still. The fifteen minutes I played of the second game drove me away.
Why do you judge one game by its sequel? Come on, at least give it a chance.
I guess, though I've also heard the second game is essentially the same as the first, just with different women. I do have to admit, the ones in the first game do look cuter and better proportioned (i.e. smaller chests), and GameFAQS seems to say that it's a lot better...which wouldn't matter if the plot is generic. I might look at the first game at some point, but I don't expect much...

Gah. It's gonna be hard enough reviewing Little My Maid and Casual Romance Club when I get to them; at least those are supposed to have noticeable plots. I already know the Escapist has a pretty small group of visual novel players. I'd imagine dating sim fans would be even fewer.
 

Beffudled Sheep

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NeutralDrow said:
I don't know about the rest of the escapist but I like most to all video game genres and reading long reviews so please continue. And why would it be hard to review those games?
 

NeutralDrow

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Jester Lord said:
NeutralDrow said:
I don't know about the rest of the escapist but I like most to all video game genres and reading long reviews so please continue. And why would it be hard to review those games?
Partly because I'm certain there's even less of an audience for them than the things I usually get to (this fear is gradually disappearing, mostly due to responses in this thread). Partly incipient buyer's remorse (though not nearly as much as <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.130703>Xchange). Partly because I'm as yet unsure of how to review them; there's a bit of a leap between an adventure visual novel and a pure dating sim, and I've still only written three reviews ever.

Still, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I've reached into my bag of games and pulled out <url=http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4317/newheartderoomate.jpg>a new one. It's looking more of a crapshoot, and all I know is that it will be worse than this thread's game (not that that narrows it down).
 

Pumpkin_Eater

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NeutralDrow said:
And I think the game realizes just how affecting that is; did you notice how hers is the only route to receive closure if you're not on it? Felt to me like the game was saying "okay, you can stop feeling guilty and move on, now."
I interpreted that as the game telling "you should have picked Aeka you jerk." You don't really see the other two during her route, but she gets to crash theirs long enough to spoil the mood.
 

NeutralDrow

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Pumpkin_Eater said:
NeutralDrow said:
And I think the game realizes just how affecting that is; did you notice how hers is the only route to receive closure if you're not on it? Felt to me like the game was saying "okay, you can stop feeling guilty and move on, now."
I interpreted that as the game telling "you should have picked Aeka you jerk." You don't really see the other two during her route, but she gets to crash theirs long enough to spoil the mood.
I guess that's another way of looking at it, though I still think the Kyoka resolution (insufficient though it was) kinda supports my view.

But really, it's kind of inevitable if you think about it. After all, Aeka is Kouhei's actual classmate; it's natural she'd be the one he'd encounter (and think about) most often. Mizuki is an upperclassman and Nekoko isn't around the school (heh...irony), so until their scenarios begin in earnest, they kinda have to be sought out.
 

Urouboros

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Great review!I've also played through 2 of the 3 routes(Long haired upperclassman and Loli on medication) and also recommend this to anyone that's willing to get into the whole click to read thing.
Personally I found the Nekoko most relate-able,but then again I never really get where the inspiration for Mizuki's route came from.

Again great review and keep up the good work! :)
 

NeutralDrow

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lodo_bear said:
How do you have sex without intercourse? I do not grok.
Nekoko's route has one (absolutely hilarious) handjob scene[footnote]"I found Kouhei's magic mushroom!"[/footnote], Mizuki's has handjob and footjob scenes. No full-on sex, but they're still H scenes.
 

lodo_bear

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NeutralDrow said:
lodo_bear said:
How do you have sex without intercourse? I do not grok.
Nekoko's route has one (absolutely hilarious) handjob scene[footnote]"I found Kouhei's magic mushroom!"[/footnote], Mizuki's has handjob and footjob scenes. No full-on sex, but they're still H scenes.
Okay, I get it now. Highly NSFW, but not the traditional in-out.
 

Master_Fubar23

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I have to say i never thought this was my type of game but now i can say for sure this is the first VN im going to play. also after i stumbled this review i found some of your other reviews and i must say great job i really want to get into VN's now since i love stories and mainly play rpgs. keep up the great reviews coming :)
 

NeutralDrow

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lordlee said:
This bump was approved by Something Awful.
And I'm oddly grateful to them for that.

I'm also amused and gratified by the realization that they had to cherry-pick those images from

A) The one game I gave an unambiguously positive response to.
B) The only parts of the review that make me look bad.

I'm serious, that second part is hilarious.

*opening irony*

*visual novel description*

*compliments to story and themes*

------ Screenshot -------------
*cultural note*
------ End Screenshot ---------

*explanation of effective characterization*

*mild compliments to artwork, gushing over music, voice acting, and other technical quality*

------- Screenshot -----------
*Ero section, compliments and complaints*

*expression of love for game*
---- End Screenshot ----------

*reiteration of game's superb writing*

*total listing of game's emotional response*

*wholehearted recommendation*
 

MasterMongoose0

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Sounds really... interesting. I would look into it more, were it not for the sex stuff. I thoroughly enjoy studies of humans through games/movies/music, but sex is where I draw the line. I only tolerate it in games if it's fitting for the plot (i.e Mass Effect)

It would be cool if they released a sexless version of the game, and just replace it with SFW scenes that still retain the charm (which would probably be lost without the sex, judging by your description).

At least Japan can experiment with their games...
 

NeutralDrow

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MasterMongoose0 said:
Sounds really... interesting. I would look into it more, were it not for the sex stuff. I thoroughly enjoy studies of humans through games/movies/music, but sex is where I draw the line. I only tolerate it in games if it's fitting for the plot (i.e Mass Effect)

It would be cool if they released a sexless version of the game, and just replace it with SFW scenes that still retain the charm (which would probably be lost without the sex, judging by your description).
Yeah. Quite a few eroge are actually re-released with All Ages versions (stuff like Kanon, Fate/Stay Night, and To Heart come to mind), but this particular one is far from likely to. In fact, I dare say that such an adaptation might well be impossible.

At least, a non-ero Mizuki route adaptation would be impossible, considering that at some point in all the unprotected sex she gets pregnant. Both of her endings are based on this.

And that's not taking into account the other story-important scenes, like Aeka's initial attempt to tie Kouhei to her with sex. I really can't think of any non-sexual situation that could replace that, while still conveying how sympathetic but frightened Kouhei is at the possibility, and how broken and desperate Aeka is for any sort of companionship that she'd even consider it. ...on the other hand, they could probably take out all of Nekoko's scenes and not be much the worse for it.

In any case, I'm sad to hear it, though I do understand completely...for this particular game. Try the same excuse when I get to Fate/Stay Night (45 minutes worth of sex, in an 80+ hour game), and I'll be more disapproving! ^_^
 

NeutralDrow

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madbird-valiant said:
You just KNOW you love the student council pres.
Eventually, yes.

...okay, almost right at the start.

Kouhei: "Isn't this all your work?"
Mizuki: "Yeah. Why?"
Kouhei: "...do you want to help me with it, instead of read a book?"
Mizuki: "It's okay. I trust you to do it."
 

NeutralDrow

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madbird-valiant said:
NeutralDrow said:
madbird-valiant said:
You just KNOW you love the student council pres.
Eventually, yes.

...okay, almost right at the start.

Kouhei: "Isn't this all your work?"
Mizuki: "Yeah. Why?"
Kouhei: "...do you want to help me with it, instead of read a book?"
Mizuki: "It's okay. I trust you to do it."
Mizuki: Oi, boy, are you a virgin?
Kouhei: What!?
Mizuki: Here, have a cigarette.
Kouhei: Er..
Mizuki: LETS GO TO A CASINO.
"HEY, little sister! Wanna share? He's got a great **** down here!"