09-13-2012, 11:05 AM | #176 |
Cascade Badge
|
\o/
|
09-13-2012, 11:23 PM | #177 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
Shizune Path Good End: Get! Well that was unintentionally hysterically underwhelming! XD I just completed the Shizune path. A dull, aimless ending to a dull, aimless path. I don't feel like tearing this path any new ones so I think I'll just focus on this one general point: I didn't really take much away from this path and that disappoints me. By the end of the story I still couldn't really tell you what sort of people Shizune, Misha, or Shizune Path Hisao were. The author (whether knowingly or not) did so much pseudo-literary character development crap with Shizune that she became mired in self-contradictions. And not just her: Misha and Hisao too. There was this one part in particular with Hisao where I actively questioned whether the author had proofread his own story or not. ^^; Here are four screens of text in order with no gaps in between any of them: 1 2 3 4. As you can see, the author has Hisao consider Action A, then upon consideration reject it in favor of Action B, then step outside ... and suddenly the author has Hisao suggesting that Action B was what he told Shizune he'd do but in fact he wants to do Action A and so does it. What the fuck fuckin' make up your mind, Author Dude! Is he or is he not going to do Action A? Making the matter even more hysterical (though perhaps a bit easier to appreciate how such an error could happen), screenshot 1 is actually the very final screen of text in one subchapter (the path's third to last) while screenshots 2, 3, and 4 are the first three screens of text from another subchapter (the path's second to last). So like, when you consider this, it's easy to see how the author might've worked on one subchapter, felt like screen 1 was a great finish to the chapter, put his pen down, picked it back up for the next subchapter, and felt like screens 2 thru 4 were a great start. Independently they're fine! But 1 plus 2 thru 4 creates cognitive dissonance like none other! ^^; And it was because of this frequent smattering of contradictions, in the language and in the actions of all three main characters, that I had a hard time getting to know these characters, relating to them, or ultimately even caring about them. I think the path could've used a second and a third draft treatment, the sort of thing I get the impression that the Hanako path was privy to. IIRC Shizune's path was the final path the team finished and they didn't finish it until November or December 2011, mere weeks before the promised January 2012 release of the game. As happy as I was (and still am) to have the game, I think the January 2012 deadline hurt (if not killed) the Shizune path. I didn't get this impression from any of the other paths I've completed so far, not even the Rin path which I personally didn't enjoy, but the Shizune path feels like a draft instead of a finished product. Characters like Jigoro and Hideaki needed to be completely retooled. (See earlier complaint posts from February.) The whole "crisis" towards the end of the Shizune path could've done with a better setup, better delivery, and one hell of a better resolution than what we got. I ... ... I'm going to stop myself here. ^^; I said I wouldn't be tearing the path new assholes so I'll stop here. I didn't hate the path and I really do sincerely admire what its author did manage to pull off well here so I don't want to sound so negative and mean-spirited. I just ... was disappointed, that's all. The path is definitely either my second-to-least favorite or my least favorite, the pecking order being something like Hanako > Emi >> Shizune > Rin for personal enjoyment. And as for respecting the path as a work of art, it'd go something like Rin > Hanako > Emi >> Shizune. On to the Lilly path! ... Namek: \o/ ... except it's 12:22am. ^^; Maybe tomorrow? Namek: orz
__________________
|
09-16-2012, 07:26 PM | #178 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
So, it's taken me a couple days IRL and very nearly 3 hours exactly in-game to make my way to the start of Act 2 of the Lilly Path. Didn't want to say anything before I officially docked on the path since I figured there wouldn't be too much to warrant a post and I didn't want to get Namek's (or anyone else's) hopes up that I was posting with a lot to talk about. Well, I have a few things to talk about now (and don't want to keep him in suspense any longer ^^; ) so here's our first update for the path.
Spoiler: show And that's about it for now. Going to get started on the path proper here in a bit. Will probably take me at least a week to complete it, possibly longer, so don't go crazy F5'ing UPN looking for updates. Then again, if the path really grabs me, those could be famous last words. We'll see! We'll see.
__________________
|
09-17-2012, 01:31 PM | #179 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
I'm 4 and a half hours in now, still easily in Act 2. "Unidentified Drinking Object" is the name of the chapter, to help you identify where I am without spoiling people outside the spoiler box with descriptive details. It's remarkable how many small differences there are between the Lilly and Hanako paths. They're very similar in many ways but the small differences are quite numerous and have the (clearly intended) effect of distinguishing Hanako path Hisao's experiences from Lilly path Hisao's experiences. I'm mildly enjoying it so far but every time Hanako comes up she just HRNNNNNNNNGH steals my heart and makes me wish I was playing the Hanako path for a second time instead. ^_^; Maybe she will be less
Spoiler: show
__________________
Last edited by Talon87; 09-17-2012 at 01:34 PM. |
09-19-2012, 01:30 PM | #180 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
5 and a half hours in, I think, and at the very first screen of the sixth scene in Act 3. Whether my pace picked up or whether those scenes were just genuinely short, I can't say. I felt like I played for 2-3 hours once (and the clock seemed to agree with me!) but the game reported that I'd only played for forty minutes. Then I felt like I'd played for about forty minutes this other time and I'd only played for twenty or so. I guess that means I am getting good mileage out of my content? 'Cause I'm not bored with it. It's not like it's laborious to get through. I guess it's just very rich in content ... even though, as I am playing it, it doesn't feel like it. It feels pretty normal, maybe even a little lacking. ^_^; There are so many questions I have and still no answers. Spoiler: show It felt like I played for four to five hours since starting Act 2 but according to the clock I only played for around half that time and I guess it's not lying given how little I had to report this last time (despite feeling like I played a ton). Anyway, I'm at the very first screen of the sixth scene in Act 3. Judging from how many events appear to be remaining, I'm roughly a third (or maybe even less than that) into Lilly's path post-Act 1. There's still plenty of time to win me over. Plenty of time. But so far, I'm just not feeling it. Lilly's a nice enough girl and all but I'm not really seeing where the chemistry is between her and Hisao (and simply declaring it exists doesn't work for me). But I'm not even halfway through. Anything could happen, and I could be thinking the Lilly path is the greatest path of them all by the time I see the ending. So just sit tight and we'll get there together!
__________________
|
09-24-2012, 12:28 PM | #181 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
I guess I'm past due for a status update. I haven't played but an hour since the last post and because PhotoBucket's being dumb now with photo uploads I'm not going to break my back spicing this post up with some images. I would if I were head over heels in love with the path but ... I gotta tell you ... I'm already onto Act 4 and I'm still not seeing it. ^^;
Spoiler: show From where I'm standing right now, the Hanako path is hands down the best, most emotionally powerful and rewarding path in this game hands down. The Lilly path has yet to excite me at any juncture. I don't perceive the sort of chemistry between Hisao and Lilly that I did Hisao and Hanako; instead, it feels about as "Huh? " as the "chemistry" bewteen Hisao and Rin. I'm told these two love each other but I don't feel like I've been given a good enough set of reasons to buy into it. As for how the path stacks up as a work of art, I'd say it's certainly better written than the Shizune path (sorry ^^; ) but just as certainly not the masterpiece people were making me hope it might be. That award seems to remain solely the Rin path's. Even if I don't personally like the Rin path, I can appreciate that it is like an honest-to-god literary masterpiece, the sort of thing I could easily see being turned into a Cannes film festival film. No other path achieves that sort of professional excellence, including this one. I'm still not giving up on the path though. Judging from the library, I have well over one-third of the events left to explore. Things could turn around in Act 4 and transform this into one of the very best paths in the game. I just have to hope that that happens, otherwise I have no idea what Namek and 30% of KS players were thinking.
__________________
|
10-22-2013, 05:53 PM | #182 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
So, after putting it off for a year and one month (!), I think it's high time I give the blonde beauty the ending she deserves. Time to polish off the Lilly path and be able to say that I've achieved the Good Endings for all of the paths in Katawa Shoujo. But first ...
This is a horribly cruel April Fool's Day prank. ^^; Especially when you're discovering it via a Google Image search half a year later and see the image separate from the announcement date. Wonder if it's a fan made image or the real deal. See that it links to the real blog. Click. See mention of Katawa Shoujo 2 in the title. Milliseconds later see mention of it being canceled. Heart plummets down past stomach. Then notice the date. Angry laughter ensues. Apparently the game still isn't out yet in Japanese. I guess that just goes to show that:
Anyway, yeah. I should definitely get back on this horse. Hi ho, Silver!
__________________
|
04-28-2014, 08:05 PM | #183 | ||||||
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
You horrible, horrible procrastinator. Anyway, my procrastination aside, I still cherish this game. And so today when I was looking for random things people were discussing on Twitter, when the thought to search for かたわ少女 struck me, I knew I'd be in for a treat. But I didn't expect the treat to be so flavorful. Enjoy.
A lot of people wonder about when the Japanese language version will be coming out. Tweets like this one are all too common: Quote:
That hasn't stopped some fans from giving the raw game a go. Writes Kouichirou: Quote:
Some fans use KS as a metric for English language fluency, much the same as we do with Japanese games and Japanese. One fan speaks of a level of English fluency so powerful that: Quote:
This next fan remarks that Katawa Shoujo, a game he played ages ago, is one he still remembers for how real it was: Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Oh, that's as far back as my timeline allows + stuff worth sharing! :o But yes, it looks like Japan hasn't forgotten about Katawa Shoujo just yet despite the over two-year delay in getting the game translated into Japanese. Some fans eagerly await it's Japanese language release; others have already gone ahead and played the game raw. Regardless, while there are still some people who are disappointed by the game's taboo title, it seems that most people are eager and willing to give KS a chance.
__________________
|
||||||
04-28-2014, 08:29 PM | #185 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
Here's the thread. Have at.
Kamen: But it's eight pages long ... ;~; My order was Emi --> Hanako --> Rin --> Shizune --> Lilly, with the Day of Despair either after Emi or after Hanako, I forget which. I have completed all paths (and seen all their endings) save the Lilly path, which I've been sitting on Act 4 for the past year and a half. Should seriously start 'er up and finish it. I'm told it's great. But I do this with a lot of games, unfortunately. :\ Beat 'em like 90% of the way through and then put them down for years, sometimes forever. KS shouldn't be one of those games that's put down forever though. It's just a matter of prioritizing it ahead of other distractions.
__________________
|
04-28-2014, 08:32 PM | #186 | |
ROASTY ROASTY
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: THE WORLD OF HOT POT
Posts: 2,791
|
Quote:
No problem. Five hour gaps between classes with nothing to do but procrastinate are a thing. And I completely agree with you that it's not something you put away in your hard drive never to be seen again. |
|
05-05-2014, 03:44 PM | #187 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
Yesterday, I played the first two new scenes (new to me, that is) of Act 4. I realized that in the year and a half since I'd last played Katawa Shoujo my memory of the path's finer details had gotten so bad that it'd be worth re-reading all of my old posts here to refresh my memory. For example ... Spoiler: show Re-reading the old posts proved to be a good decision as it not only helped me to refresh my memory on the path's finer points but it also gave me some insight into my attitudes a year and a half ago while playing. While the Lilly path hasn't lived up to the hype, I was mildly shocked by the passionate and frequent comparisons and contrasts I made between the Hanako path and the Lilly path. I don't necessarily disagree with anything my past self wrote, but I also don't feel as disappointed by the Lilly path now as I think the me in September 2012 must have felt. While the year-and-a-half-long break from playing Katawa Shoujo may therefore mean that my final moments with the Lilly path will be less passionate than they would have been had I pushed through to the end in September 2012, I think it will also mean that they'll be less intensely negative. Which I can only see as a good thing for both myself (since I don't go to any work of art wanting to hate it) and for friends who are fans of the path. After reading my old posts, I continued with the game. I read through a few additional scenes and am currently sitting somewhere near what I presume must be the end of the scene pictured above. Thoughts: Spoiler: show I don't have too much else to say. I haven't kept track but I think my cumulative time spent in game since starting it back up is still less than one hour. Oh! But there is one last thing I should mention. Spoiler: show
__________________
|
05-05-2014, 06:21 PM | #188 |
我が名は勇者王!
|
Oh man, I need to catch up on this if you are Talon!
__________________
あなたの勇気が切り開く未来
ふたりの想いが見つけだす希望 今 信じあえる あきらめない 心かさね 永遠を抱きしめて |
08-24-2014, 03:52 AM | #189 |
Problematic Fave
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 3,199
|
So I refuse to read through the thread because SPOILERS LOL. But I downloaded it yesterday on the direct recommendation of a RL friend, and I started it about an hour ago.
So far I haven't been asked to do much except mindlessly mash the space bar/touch the screen. I was kind of under the impression that my character would have options and stuff. Instead he seems a bit of a lout. I'm sure that'll change later on, right? Or will the whole thing feel the same? So far my favorite character is far and away Lilly. If I could befriend/date any of the characters, it would DEFINITELY be her. She's calm, formal, and relaxed, and even Hisao seems to enjoy himself with her despite being reminded constantly of her blindness - with every other character he's all like "SO THIS IS WHAT MY LIFE IS NOW" and "IS THIS HOW IT'S GOING TO BE FOREVER". That's just my random thoughts. Naked Kenji (scene I'm on at time of writing) made me laugh until I cried. Everything about Kenji is just so hilarious - from his creepy conspiracies to his possible schizophrenia to his rejection of his own disability. I kind of wish I could play matchmaker with Hisao and Kenji just to see the kinds of things I'd have to do and say to court Kenji, but alas, gay Katawa Shoujo is just not in the cards. Oh well. I'll keep updating and stuff with some impressions and thoughts. I think this is a really interesting format for storytelling, and I am actually really interested in seeing how it all turns out.
__________________
|
08-24-2014, 04:09 AM | #190 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
I hope you have a blast. I think you will.
Kenji is hilarious. Easily one of my favorite manga / anime / VN comic relief characters of all time. I feel like he fills a very similar role to Clannad's Sunohara, another awesome character in the litany of anime-esque works. "The last sane man in an insane world." Since you're not reading old posts (bah; they're meant to be read, not gather dust ¬_¬), I'll go ahead and state that going into the game my #1 most anticipated character was Hanako. As for feelings on the other side, well, you'll just have to play all five paths before I can say. This isn't really a spoiler, though it may feel like one to you since it seems like you're unfamiliar with how many visual novels are set up: the reason you feel like you haven't gotten to make very many meaningful choices yet is:
Another micro spoiler: not all paths are created equal. For the time being, I mean two things by this that I want to bring to your attention. First, that the different paths were written by different authors. (The primary author of one of the paths was a co-author for one of the other paths, but that's about it as far as overlapping authors goes.) Second, that some of the paths are brimming with choices while others of the paths are not. Just giving you that heads up in advance.
__________________
|
08-24-2014, 04:31 AM | #192 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
I deliberately did not specify which routes were the choice-heavy ones and which were not. I don't want to color his impressions of any of the routes unfavorably.
__________________
|
11-22-2014, 01:07 AM | #194 |
我が名は勇者王!
|
After YEARS of procrastination, I've picked Katawa Shoujo as "VN I need to finish". I'm going to try and go through it as fast as possible, hopefully we'll ice one route tonight!
__________________
あなたの勇気が切り開く未来
ふたりの想いが見つけだす希望 今 信じあえる あきらめない 心かさね 永遠を抱きしめて |
11-25-2016, 11:18 AM | #195 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
I've installed the latest version of Katawa Shoujo on a laptop I inherited several weeks ago. While I would still like to finish Lilly's path, what I've really been dying to do for several years now is to replay Hanako's. :> So ... Whereas the first time I played KS was pretty authentic (Emi, Kenji, Hanako, Rin, Shizune, and the still-unfinished Lilly), this time I'm playing the paths purposely in the order I want -- Hanako first, Lilly second, and probably won't even bother with the others for right now. This is a fantastic opportunity for all of you young'uns and all of our other newcomers to the Anime forum to give this gem of a story a spin.
__________________
|
11-25-2016, 01:42 PM | #196 |
seems theres a case aclaw
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,276
|
This looks pretty neat, thanks for bumping this to notice Talon. Granted I skipped over reading the thread because likely spoilers, but I'll come back to it once I am done. Checked out Dopples initial post at least.
I'll probably do this whenever I finally finish fate/stay night. Or later tonight. Who knows. |
11-25-2016, 07:57 PM | #197 |
Fog Badge
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,513
|
I need to go back just to finish Lilly's path. Because even though I've done three other paths already, I know she
|
11-25-2016, 08:50 PM | #198 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
There is a reason I am beginning with Hanako's path instead of finishing up Lilly's first, and it's not called "Lilly is the greatest." xp
(No, but seriously, it's fucking impossible to enjoy Lilly's path as much as I should because of the constant "friendzoned Hanako" in it. Lilly's supposed to be the friendzoned one!)
__________________
|
11-27-2016, 01:45 AM | #199 |
時の彼方へ
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 20,578
|
I'm still pretty early in Act 1, but man oh man ...! I am loving every minute of this. It feels every bit like "the Story of Hanako" to me right now, hahaha, even though I know, objectively, that it's a common prologue shared between the five girls. Not too much to say in this post. Mostly just sharing pictures and thoughts/responses to pictures. Spoiler: show
__________________
|
08-25-2020, 07:36 AM | #200 | |
Barghest Barghest Barghe-
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Lower Navigation | ||||||
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|