Neutral Drow reviews: A Drug That Makes You Dream

NeutralDrow

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madbird-valiant said:
NeutralDrow said:
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!"
xD You can so tell that there was originally a plotline involving the little sister. What with the whole "YES I AM 18" and such.
That was pretty amusing first time I saw it. What with the cast of 20 year-old high school students...

Seen it in other games, too. Like with Mayu in <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.148564-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Little-My-Maid>Little My Maid.

Actually, the extra sentence makes it sound like an amateur porn setup...

Hint: Guess which part of that statement isn't in the original Japanese voiceover.
 

NeutralDrow

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Monkeyman8 said:
I have to buy this now, just to see what happens when you go outside. You seem to love the game a ton so I admittedly skipped most of the review for fear of spoilers, so congrats on selling a game in one line.
Well, I'm gratified, though I don't know if that scene is worth buying the game (granted, I'd say everything else is reason, but...).

I'm mainly adamant about that particular choice because there's no forewarning and the consequences come right the fuck out of nowhere. Admittedly, it's probably the only way someone would accidentally see that Bad Ending; avoiding it during the other chance involves a choice that should be blindingly obvious.

Also, I like to think I managed to avoid any spoilers in the review beyond "the happy endings are happy, the unhappy endings are soul-crushing, Mizuki is really horny, and Kyoka does things that make me want to rip out her throat and drink her blood." I try to avoid them in all my reviews, really...unless I review something that's <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.130703-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Xchange>absolutely terrible (or something <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.148564-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Little-My-Maid>mixed, in which case I use spoiler tags).
 

NeutralDrow

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Monkeyman8 said:
NeutralDrow said:
Monkeyman8 said:
I have to buy this now, just to see what happens when you go outside. You seem to love the game a ton so I admittedly skipped most of the review for fear of spoilers, so congrats on selling a game in one line.
Well, I'm gratified, though I don't know if that scene is worth buying the game (granted, I'd say everything else is reason, but...).

I'm mainly adamant about that particular choice because there's no forewarning and the consequences come right the fuck out of nowhere. Admittedly, it's probably the only way someone would accidentally see that Bad Ending; avoiding it during the other chance involves a choice that should be blindingly obvious.

Also, I like to think I managed to avoid any spoilers in the review beyond "the happy endings are happy, the unhappy endings are soul-crushing, Mizuki is really horny, and Kyoka does things that make me want to rip out her throat and drink her blood." I try to avoid them in all my reviews, really...unless I review something that's <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.130703-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Xchange>absolutely terrible (or something <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.148564-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Little-My-Maid>mixed, in which case I use spoiler tags).
hmm, sounds like the butterfly effect which makes me wanna get it even more (I'm a bit strange) That's how I want choice in stories to go, you're given innocuous choices, go left go right, eat a pie, etc. along with conversation choices for character interaction, and these seemingly innocuous choices through the Rub Goldberg machine of life form into a hurricane, it just seems like such a neat way to apply choice to a game, and when used in an actual game (read: "not interactive hentai") it would make the whole see all choices Mass Effect 2 Heavy Rain thing almost impossible and would force people to just play the game making arbitrary choices and seeing what happens. (granted this would have to be implemented using some sort of algorithms that generate certain parts of the game on the fly based on a couple dozen factors, but while these algorithms don't exist yet, there are procedurally generated games and things like rogue likes from which you could grab parts and write something)
There are two schools of thought on the matter. One is the Rube-Goldberg innocuous choices having odd consequences. The other might be leaving all choices in the game to have some clear significance. Most games I've seen use both; some lean towards the former (in Tsukihime, if you skip lunch on a certain day, you die later from vaguely-related consequences), some towards the latter (like most of the choices I've seen in Kana: Little Sister).

This game...well, it doesn't really lean one way or the other, really. Unlike Kana, it has clearly delineated routes based on love interest and only two endings per route (rather than Kana's six endings, which are governed almost entirely by how you interact with the title character and guide her development). Unlike <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.128851-TYPE-MOON-reviews-Tsukihime>Tsukihime, there are no Dead Ends (the game doesn't end prematurely because you ran straight into a vampire, or were perforated by a church assassin, or became an insane serial killer). Compared to those two, A Drug That Makes You Dream is somewhat limited...not nearly to the extent of <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.146260-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Heart-de-Roommate>Heart de Roommate, since your first-half choices at least have immediate effects on the story, but still.

but I've gone on derailing this thread long enough, cheers.
Derailing? What you call "derailing," I call "easy page 1 publicity."
 

NeutralDrow

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Cleril said:
The review was fantastic, wouldn't change a thing. Nothing comes to mind when problems are the case. Excellent review, sadly, I'm too young to play the game, nor do I think my parents want this game in their house. :p

Again, wonderful review.
Thanks. That's great to hear, especially for one of my earlier reviews...probably the first one I wrote that doesn't make me cringe a little. >_<
 

Evilsanta

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After that i read you reviw i hade to try it out. I loved it! Though I never got any bad endings as i nearly was about to shut down the game and uninstall it and...well burn it contents as i really didnt like the the final confrontation with the ***** Que...*cough*i mean Kyoka. Though the ending made up for that and Mizukis god ending too.... Anyways great review!
 

Danny Ocean

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NeutralDrow said:
*sniiiip*
I can see your line breaks. If you want them to be totally invisible set the colour to "Aliceblue". That's the exact same as the background, as far as I can see.
 

NeutralDrow

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Danny Ocean said:
NeutralDrow said:
*sniiiip*
I can see your line breaks. If you want them to be totally invisible set the colour to "Aliceblue". That's the exact same as the background, as far as I can see.
<color=white>I guess that could work, too. To be honest, I'm still up in the air over whether I should use those line breaks as easter eggs or not (if yes, then making them a tiny bit easier to see would be the way to go). However, since I'm rather far in to my reviews now, it might be odd to start that...not to mention no one seemed to notice the joke in the opening lyrics during the Lightning Warrior Raidy review, so they're unreliable anyway.

Eh. I guess I'll just stick to the image alt text for those. Let's see how this new color of blue works...

<color=aliceblue>Huh...I dunno. I guess it is a little harder to see. Or rather, at the right angle or when the computer screen is dark enough, you can easily see both of them. The blue is just harder to read. I guess I will use that for future reviews. Thanks!
 

NeutralDrow

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Evilsanta said:
After that i read you reviw i hade to try it out. I loved it! Though I never got any bad endings as i nearly was about to shut down the game and uninstall it and...well burn it contents as i really didnt like the the final confrontation with the ***** Que...*cough*i mean Kyoka. Though the ending made up for that and Mizuki's good ending too. Anyways great review!
Thanks...though yeah, that is kind of a big spoiler. I don't want to impose, but could you perhaps edit that out? Even though I do almost agree. It's like the game was reading my mind.

Or rather, reading my hatred and bloodlust. Still, I did manage to convince myself that if they went through with it, it would have caused too many problems. As it was...next-best thing.

Also, I'm confused...you loved the game, but you were about to uninstall and burn it?
 

Evilsanta

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NeutralDrow said:
Thanks...though yeah, that is kind of a big spoiler. I don't want to impose, but could you perhaps edit that out? Even though I do almost agree. It's like the game was reading my mind.

Or rather, reading my hatred and bloodlust. Still, I did manage to convince myself that if they went through with it, it would have caused too many problems. As it was...next-best thing.

Also, I'm confused...you loved the game, but you were about to uninstall and burn it?
I have edit out that now. Why i wanted to uninstall it and burn was baseicly the coldness and apathy that they where met with and how evil and cruel the ***** Que..i mean Kyuko could get.And i got an other reason in the spoiler box.
Well..it was the near rape scen and that deliqiunt guy beating Aeka up... and that the whole freaking class then totally froze them out and joined in at the end! That really pissed me off.

And how does the teachers not notice this?! They have to be blind and/or deaf...
I guees one thing that i can be happy with that this wont happen in the real world. OK it does but not as seaverly. I apoligise for any misspellings.Now i have to let my rage out on some demons on DMC 4.
 

NeutralDrow

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Evilsanta said:
NeutralDrow said:
Thanks...though yeah, that is kind of a big spoiler. I don't want to impose, but could you perhaps edit that out? Even though I do almost agree. It's like the game was reading my mind.

Or rather, reading my hatred and bloodlust. Still, I did manage to convince myself that if they went through with it, it would have caused too many problems. As it was...next-best thing.

Also, I'm confused...you loved the game, but you were about to uninstall and burn it?
I have edit out that now. Why i wanted to uninstall it and burn was baseicly the coldness and apathy that they where met with and how evil and cruel the ***** Que..i mean Kyuko could get.And i got an other reason in the spoiler box.
Well..it was the near rape scen and that deliqiunt guy beating Aeka up... and that the whole freaking class then totally froze them out and joined in at the end! That really pissed me off.
Ah, yes. Have to admit, that was one of the most emotional scenes of the game. Granted, the emotions it invoked were blind panic, deep hatred, all-consuming rage, and the incredibly powerful desire to kill things, but still.

Like I said in my verdict, I honestly haven't seen or played any game that could do that that strongly (I did get really, really angry during Tales of Symphonia and Fate/Stay Night a couple of times, but they didn't make me feel as...helpless as that scene did). I mean, Aeka's route in general was amazing; I actually consider it a point in the game's favor that I spent most of the second half of her route sick with worry. I still can't listen to <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdzP5SF0We8>On the Moonlit Rooftop without tearing up, let alone when I play the scene itself again...

And how does the teachers not notice this?! They have to be blind and/or deaf...
I guees one thing that i can be happy with that this wont happen in the real world. OK it does but not as seaverly. I apoligise for any misspellings.Now i have to let my rage out on some demons on DMC 4.
It can and does happen in the real world. That level of severity might be somewhat uncommon, but not uncommon enough. And it is even worse in Japan than my own U.S.; at least there's awareness of the problem, which is good, but considering the cultural bias against sticking out, the root problem is still there.

And take out a few demons for me, will ya? I just found out a couple of days ago that my computer can't run that game, and I don't have a PS3 or Xbox 360.
 

Evilsanta

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NeutralDrow said:
Evilsanta said:
NeutralDrow said:
Thanks...though yeah, that is kind of a big spoiler. I don't want to impose, but could you perhaps edit that out? Even though I do almost agree. It's like the game was reading my mind.

Or rather, reading my hatred and bloodlust. Still, I did manage to convince myself that if they went through with it, it would have caused too many problems. As it was...next-best thing.

Also, I'm confused...you loved the game, but you were about to uninstall and burn it?
I have edit out that now. Why i wanted to uninstall it and burn was baseicly the coldness and apathy that they where met with and how evil and cruel the ***** Que..i mean Kyuko could get.And i got an other reason in the spoiler box.
Well..it was the near rape scen and that deliqiunt guy beating Aeka up... and that the whole freaking class then totally froze them out and joined in at the end! That really pissed me off.
Ah, yes. Have to admit, that was one of the most emotional scenes of the game. Granted, the emotions it invoked were blind panic, deep hatred, all-consuming rage, and the incredibly powerful desire to kill things, but still.

Like I said in my verdict, I honestly haven't seen or played any game that could do that that strongly (I did get really, really angry during Tales of Symphonia and Fate/Stay Night a couple of times, but they didn't make me feel as...helpless as that scene did). I mean, Aeka's route in general was amazing; I actually consider it a point in the game's favor that I spent most of the second half of her route sick with worry. I still can't listen to <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdzP5SF0We8>On the Moonlit Rooftop without tearing up, let alone when I play the scene itself again...

And how does the teachers not notice this?! They have to be blind and/or deaf...
I guees one thing that i can be happy with that this wont happen in the real world. OK it does but not as seaverly. I apoligise for any misspellings.Now i have to let my rage out on some demons on DMC 4.
It can and does happen in the real world. That level of severity might be somewhat uncommon, but not uncommon enough. And it is even worse in Japan than my own U.S.; at least there's awareness of the problem, which is good, but considering the cultural bias against sticking out, the root problem is still there.

And take out a few demons for me, will ya? I just found out a couple of days ago that my computer can't run that game, and I don't have a PS3 or Xbox 360.
I felt that way too and damn it if i didnt think that it hade to be the bad ending! I was glad that i was wrong. But i have to salute you. Did you actully finish all routes and got all endings? I though you were joking with that picture shoing that i should not kill time outside and out of curiosity picked that after i got the right one. And quickloaded my way out of there as soon i could. Becasue of your earlier posts and by your review i would get emotionally scarred for life.

To go off topic a little: Not that i want to erm...belittle or disrepect your computer but is DMC 4 really that demending? My PC runs it fine on the highest settings and its quite old. It does lag a little but that mainly becuase that i play on Legendery Dark Knigt mode which spawn about 40-60 monster instead of the 5-10.
 

NeutralDrow

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Evilsanta said:
NeutralDrow said:
Evilsanta said:
NeutralDrow said:
Thanks...though yeah, that is kind of a big spoiler. I don't want to impose, but could you perhaps edit that out? Even though I do almost agree. It's like the game was reading my mind.

Or rather, reading my hatred and bloodlust. Still, I did manage to convince myself that if they went through with it, it would have caused too many problems. As it was...next-best thing.

Also, I'm confused...you loved the game, but you were about to uninstall and burn it?
I have edit out that now. Why i wanted to uninstall it and burn was baseicly the coldness and apathy that they where met with and how evil and cruel the ***** Que..i mean Kyuko could get.And i got an other reason in the spoiler box.
Well..it was the near rape scen and that deliqiunt guy beating Aeka up... and that the whole freaking class then totally froze them out and joined in at the end! That really pissed me off.
Ah, yes. Have to admit, that was one of the most emotional scenes of the game. Granted, the emotions it invoked were blind panic, deep hatred, all-consuming rage, and the incredibly powerful desire to kill things, but still.

Like I said in my verdict, I honestly haven't seen or played any game that could do that that strongly (I did get really, really angry during Tales of Symphonia and Fate/Stay Night a couple of times, but they didn't make me feel as...helpless as that scene did). I mean, Aeka's route in general was amazing; I actually consider it a point in the game's favor that I spent most of the second half of her route sick with worry. I still can't listen to <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdzP5SF0We8>On the Moonlit Rooftop without tearing up, let alone when I play the scene itself again...

And how does the teachers not notice this?! They have to be blind and/or deaf...
I guees one thing that i can be happy with that this wont happen in the real world. OK it does but not as seaverly. I apoligise for any misspellings.Now i have to let my rage out on some demons on DMC 4.
It can and does happen in the real world. That level of severity might be somewhat uncommon, but not uncommon enough. And it is even worse in Japan than my own U.S.; at least there's awareness of the problem, which is good, but considering the cultural bias against sticking out, the root problem is still there.

And take out a few demons for me, will ya? I just found out a couple of days ago that my computer can't run that game, and I don't have a PS3 or Xbox 360.
I felt that way too and damn it if i didnt think that it hade to be the bad ending! I was glad that i was wrong. But i have to salute you. Did you actully finish all routes and got all endings? I though you were joking with that picture shoing that i should not kill time outside and out of curiosity picked that after i got the right one. And quickloaded my way out of there as soon i could. Becasue of your earlier posts and by your review i would get emotionally scarred for life.
Yes, all routes and all endings. Including the seventh, premature ending. If you haven't seen it...
Aeka tries and fails to commit suicide (just like during Mikuki and Nekoko's routes), Mizuki gets knocked up, and Nekoko gets arrested. Nothing in particular happens to Kouhei, though he gets to try and live with himself afterwards.

To go off topic a little: Not that i want to erm...belittle or disrepect your computer but is DMC 4 really that demending? My PC runs it fine on the highest settings and its quite old. It does lag a little but that mainly becuase that i play on Legendery Dark Knigt mode which spawn about 40-60 monster instead of the 5-10.
DMC4 demands a pixel shader 3.0, which apparently you need ATI or nVidia for...neither of which my laptop has.
 

Evilsanta

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Salute to you agian then. Sorry about your laptop. i guess il counter with another question are the bad endings really that soul crushing?
 

Tyson765

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NeutralDrow said:
Mizuki's unhappy ending (which I did stumble onto) hit like a punch in the gut and lingered like a stab wound the more I thought of it...but her happy ending is the most heartwarming thing I've ever read. I actually walked around distracted most of the next day, so touched was I.
Yeah No spoilers here but I felt like I had actually lost a good friend after the unhappy ending and my gf was wondering what the hell was wrong with me becuase I was so depressed!
Brilliant story telling even though the whole audible hallucination thing doesn't ever seem to be anything more than a side note from my experience of the game.

Love it aswell.
 

NeutralDrow

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Evilsanta said:
Salute to you agian then. Sorry about your laptop. i guess il counter with another question are the bad endings really that soul crushing?
I found Mizuki's to be, yes.
I mean, finding out six months after her disappearance that your girlfriend died alone and is buried in an unmarked grave, and what's more that she died from complications during pregnancy while carrying your child...

Aeka's was just incredibly depressing, if unsurprising, and Nekoko's was...either depressing or bittersweet, depending on your interpretation.