[Samantha Pattison]

Region locking is only for console games and DVD/blu-ray video.

[FoReVeR_Me_N]

I dont see why they have region locking, its just inconvenient to the customers.

How would I import the stuff then ? Amazon always just shipped to my adress, but they cant do that, so what do I do ?

[Katharine Newton]

I dont see why they have region locking, its just inconvenient to the customers.

How would I import the stuff then ? Amazon always just shipped to my adress, but they cant do that, so what do I do ?

Amazon.co.jp is limited in what they'll sell overseas. There used to be a couple of great services specifically for importing visual novels, unfortunately the big one closed down. There's still a couple of smaller ones but I have no experience dealing with them.

Usually the best bet is a middleman service such as http://www.shoppingmalljapan.com/ or http://yokattaweb.jp/. Yokatta is usually cheaper for non-auction buys, but shopping mall japan is faster (part of the reason it's better for auction buys).

[Johnny]

Region locking has a number of reasons, I've always felt that the main one though is so that different prices can be charged in different regions, it's a lousy practise but not a surprising one. It's also used to control release dates so that they can be staggered. Another insulting practise that does more harm than good.

It can be hit and miss but ebay can be a good place to look also. There's no gurantee what you're looking for will be there but there's no harm in trying.

[Jessica Phoenix]

Amazon.co.jp is limited in what they'll sell overseas. There used to be a couple of great services specifically for importing visual novels, unfortunately the big one closed down. There's still a couple of smaller ones but I have no experience dealing with them.

Usually the best bet is a middleman service such as http://www.shoppingmalljapan.com/ or http://yokattaweb.jp/. Yokatta is usually cheaper for non-auction buys, but shopping mall japan is faster (part of the reason it's better for auction buys).

Thanks.

Sorry for causing this trouble, I just had the sense to google what a drama CD was... Turns out im buying some sort of audiobook... I had hoped it was something I could read too, but it dosent seem like it. I dont speak Japanese so yeah... This svcks.

Still this info will be useful for the future.

Hicks have you played more KnS ? I will keep nagging, you got me into the game, its only fair you go through what I did.

[Pete Schmitzer]

Hicks have you played more KnS ? I will keep nagging, you got me into the game, its only fair you go through what I did.

I'll get back to it soon. There's that Mass Effect save to get ready for ME3. Come to think of it a Mass Effect VN could be very tasty...

Mind you, I can happily have the Kara menu minimised and have the music playing quite happily in the background. Much the same as with Narcissu

I really need to explore more of anologue also but whenever I start it up I see the patch on her arm and it reminds me that I need to keep practising my hangul alphabet

Maybe it could be worth looking into Japanese as a language to learn for you? If you enjoy various forms of media made in Japanese then it could be a handy thing for you to learn?

[lydia nekongo]

I'll get back to it soon. There's that Mass Effect save to get ready for ME3. Come to think of it a Mass Effect VN could be very tasty...

Mind you, I can happily have the Kara menu minimised and have the music playing quite happily in the background. Much the same as with Narcissu

I really need to explore more of anologue also but whenever I start it up I see the patch on her arm and it reminds me that I need to keep practising my hangul alphabet

Maybe it could be worth looking into Japanese as a language to learn for you? If you enjoy various forms of media made in Japanese then it could be a handy thing for you to learn?

But after ME2, you will just play mass effect 3... And KnS will take you a long time, also I adivse using a guide. Choices that seem unimportant can lead you to a bad ending, even choosing where to go on the map. Then the evidence search game, can skip if you find some evidence, but you may miss a more important piece, again bad endings.

I cant do that, I dont want to be reminded of KnS for some time (why I changed my avatar), and narcissu's "music" was just waves, relaxing. But I wouldnt like that in the background.

I did try learning Japanese to save waiting for translations, and if I ever visited it would be useful. But then I discovered Katakana... I cant remember much Hiragana, then they expect me to learn even more symbols. Dont get me started on kanji, they look nothing like what they represent, and you apparently need to remember 2000 to be able to read a damn newspaper. I may try again, but damn.

[Mistress trades Melissa]

Koreaaaaan! Much less characters and they're easier to write. I might be biased as I'd like to visit but the writing system oddly makes sense to me. In some ways more than English.

*This is all before he starts with the vocabulary and is reduced to a quivering heap*

Just looked at this http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/2230_Kanji.svg

My head hurts now...

I ought to be able to have ME2 wrapped up by about Thursday which will leave me time before ME3. Part of me doesn't want to rush Kara though, I like how it's clearly split into each day, makes sense to me to have a break before each day, kind of living parallel to the game. What kind of playtime did you get out of it? I vaguely remember the VNDB rating being around 15 - 30 hours?

[Crystal Clear]

Maybe it could be worth looking into Japanese as a language to learn for you? If you enjoy various forms of media made in Japanese then it could be a handy thing for you to learn?

That's what I've been doing. Too many things I'm interested in go untranslated...

I did try learning Japanese to save waiting for translations, and if I ever visited it would be useful. But then I discovered Katakana... I cant remember much Hiragana, then they expect me to learn even more symbols. Dont get me started on kanji, they look nothing like what they represent, and you apparently need to remember 2000 to be able to read a damn newspaper. I may try again, but damn.

Katakana and Hiragana are really easy to learn, took me less than a week to learn both of them. Kanji is something you pick up over time, while learning the language.

[Talitha Kukk]

Koreaaaaan! Much less characters and they're easier to write. I might be biased as I'd like to visit but the writing system oddly makes sense to me. In some ways more than English.

*This is all before he starts with the vocabulary and is reduced to a quivering heap*

Just looked at this http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/2230_Kanji.svg

My head hurts now...

I ought to be able to have ME2 wrapped up by about Thursday which will leave me time before ME3. Part of me doesn't want to rush Kara though, I like how it's clearly split into each day, makes sense to me to have a break before each day, kind of living parallel to the game. What kind of playtime did you get out of it? I vaguely remember the VNDB rating being around 15 - 30 hours?

Kara took me quite a while, im not sure about an exact number. But 12-30 hours seems right. Would have been much longer if I didnt use a guide, becuase I kept getting game overs :/

That's what I've been doing. Too many things I'm interested in go untranslated...


Katakana and Hiragana are really easy to learn, took me less than a week to learn both of them. Kanji is something you pick up over time, while learning the language.

I just svck at memorizing them. but didnt really invest much time. I saw some japanese sites, I couldnt have read even if I knew both, becuase of the kanji.
Kanji may be learne over time, but 2000 of the damn things, some look similar and have minor differences. Others are just too damn complicated.

[Stat Wrecker]

This has just gone up - http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/29/wot-i-think-anologue-a-hate-story/#1

A really good look at anologue that I hope will encourage others to try playing it. There's a trial version available so you don't have to buy it blind. Also worth note in the review article is the little opening choice section regarding potential issues with the anime type presentation of the characters. Well worded with just the right amount of humour. I doubt it would change the mind of those who have a knee jerk reaction regarding the choice of visual style. Unfortunate. But their loss.

[OTTO]

That was well written. People who are turned off by the art style should probably start with http://scoutshonour.com/digital/, since there is no art in that game (which turns out not to be a bad thing).

Also, there's a really short flash VN called http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/529708 that's worth playing, especially for anyone new to the genre since it gives you an idea of how these things work. It's too short to have any kind of in-depth story, but it's an interesting look at relationships (and possibly addiction?) that's worth playing multiple times.

[Klaire]

I went through Katawa Shoujo again. This time I gave Shizune a try. I didn't really like it as much as Emi's.

It was pretty boring until the ending to be honest.

[Logan Greenwood]

Kirakira is awesome. I reccomend it to anyone who hasnt played it. But leave Kirari's route till last, it ruined the other two for me.

Kana little sister also arrived, I cant get myself to play it yet. How bad is that creepy subject, its not too heavy right ? I hope its avoidable.

Also I hope someone here has downloaded DEARDROPS. Im curious about it, but so far I dont see many who are playing, or have finished it. If someone here has played it, I would like to hear their views.

[Chloe Botham]

http://scoutshonour.com/donttakeitpersonallybabeitjustaintyourstory/

Not sure whether this or http://scoutshonour.com/digital/

Anyone heard of these?

[Jonny]

http://scoutshonour.com/donttakeitpersonallybabeitjustaintyourstory/

Not sure whether this or http://scoutshonour.com/digital/

Anyone heard of these?

Heared of both played neither... I dont think I could play the first, it creeps me out too much.

I think Hicks has played Digital, considering how much he seems to enjoy anolouge.

[Kerri Lee]

Heared of both played neither... I dont think I could play the first, it creeps me out too much.

I think Hicks has played Digital, considering how much he seems to enjoy anolouge.

It's disturbing to some regard, but the message makes a lot of sense and for message alone it's worth playing it.

Digital gives you an education about how internet was made.

[Kelsey Hall]

Kana little sister also arrived, I cant get myself to play it yet. How bad is that creepy subject, its not too heavy right ? I hope its avoidable.

I never focused on that, and just enjoyed the story for what it is.

Something to note: there are six endings, and you have to get two normal endings before you can get the best ending. Or so I hear, haven't tested that myself.

[James Baldwin]

The walking Dead One is Great!

[matt white]

I never focused on that, and just enjoyed the story for what it is.

Something to note: there are six endings, and you have to get two normal endings before you can get the best ending. Or so I hear, haven't tested that myself.

I hate that. In Kirakira

Spoiler

I had to go through that depression inducing Kirari route. Before getting the good end.

I wish I could get the best ends without needing to play again to unlock an option. Should reward me depending on choices.

Its hard not to focus on, its a story about thier relationship it seems. Still I may be pleasently suprised, I had issues with the idea of Katawa shoujo, but got over them.

Walking dead VN ?

IIRC there is a comic, but not heared of a VN. Do you think a comic is a VN ? Sorry if im sounding like a ass, I dont mean it. But it seems a few people have similar posts.

[Dawn Farrell]

I hate that. In Kirakira

Spoiler

I had to go through that depression inducing Kirari route. Before getting the good end.

I wish I could get the best ends without needing to play again to unlock an option. Should reward me depending on choices.

Its hard not to focus on, its a story about thier relationship it seems. Still I may be pleasently suprised, I had issues with the idea of Katawa shoujo, but got over them.

I don't think it's a bad idea in this case. By showing you the alternatives first, you still have a reason to play, a goal to get that one good ending.

Plus, some side characters don't show up or aren't prominent in the best route, so someone who just got the good ending would miss their story entirely.

[Rhi Edwards]

I don't think it's a bad idea in this case. By showing you the alternatives first, you still have a reason to play, a goal to get that one good ending.

Plus, some side characters don't show up or aren't prominent in the best route, so someone who just got the good ending would miss their story entirely.

I was hoping, to get the good ending on my first run. Avoid being depressed, and just get the heartwarming outcome.
I belive your sister

Spoiler

Only survives in 1 ending

Which I assume is the best, that seems a bit unfair.

[lucile davignon]

Just got back into Kara No Shojo and the characters keep on getting better and better. Really enjoying this.

Digital A Love Story - Nice idea but I found it a little dull, mostly because it's subject matter doesn't interest me. It's a solid title though that if you're interested in the early days of the internet you will enjoy.
Don't Take It Personally - Totally different in presentation and can be at first creepy, it does sit you down though and explain things, not quite condescendingly but it comes close. Enjoyed this overall though.
anologue - Sparse and minimalist in its presentation though with more ways to interact than the previous two games, story is more an exploration of a period of history and social attitudes at the time. Probably my favourite out of the three.

Anyone been keeping up with the development of the Mental Hospital Katawa Shoujo spin off?

[Jessica Phoenix]

Just got back into Kara No Shojo and the characters keep on getting better and better. Really enjoying this.


Anyone been keeping up with the development of the Mental Hospital Katawa Shoujo spin off?

Who do you like so far ?
Also are you getting annoyed when Toko talks with Toko ?
How far in are you ?

The what ?! Oh boy that wont end well. Katawa shoujo had characters, who were disabled (except Misha and Hanako) but didnt have thier disabilities define them, hell some characters disabilities didnt play much of a role in their path, e.g Emi's path was more about her keeping people ata distance. I cant see a version with mental disorders working out well.

[Setal Vara]

His sister Yukari and friend Kyoko, when I'm supposed to be investigating I'd rather spend time with the two of them

Up to the beginning of March 10th, really don't want to rush it.

I'll be interested to see how they handle the presentation of mental health. It's a taboo subject and that's part of the problem. If they handle it deftly though not with kid gloves it ought to be good.