First Thoughts on Snow Drop

Visual Novel Community Archive, 2000-2009
#1

Hey all,

Well, since Kumiko-chan was so polite when she asked, and I’m a sucker for a girl who can pout and make her eyes moist, I thought I’d put up some quick first thoughts on Snow Drop. I’ve only played the game through three times, so hence why I’m calling them "first thoughts."

I must say, I am highly impressed. I really enjoy the graphics. I like how most of Snow Drops graphics (that I’ve gotten) aren’t really etchi… some are erotic, some cheesecake, but most are more “Fairy Tale” like. I.e., seeing the girl with the afternoon sun in her hair, or posed just right so her natural beauty is enhanced by the wonder of a winter land, or sitting in the hot springs letting the water slowly trickle over her. It’s keen.

However, I do have one complaint. I… think that the pubic hair doesn’t look right. In fact… it looks like you all at Peach Princess added it in, and for that I’m most disappointed. I don’t think you need to edit the pictures by adding hair to the girls. It’s really unnecessary. If you didn’t do it, I am sorry; but the way it looks compared to the rest of the picture seems very out of place, and “air brushed” on.

Anyway the music is pretty slick too. I can’t shake the feeling of how spooky some of it is; and how it reminds me of the music in Divi-Dead sometimes. The seiyuu I really enjoyed too… though I think you should say who did what voice. If you did, I most likely missed it (and that’s mah bad.) Lastly, the interface is keen too (I didn’t know you could go back in the conversation, till Kumiko pointed it out, but that’s such a sweet bonus!)

But what I’m really enjoy is the story. It’s challenging and compelling enough to keep you playing… just so you figure out the relationships of all these characters. Who knew who; why they like someone, what they think about someone, and the like. The game, in my opinion, keeps you thinking, and interfacing with it. It compells you to try to win the heart of a girl, and discover yourself as well, instead of just making you a skirt-chaser. It takes some real work, as a real, died-in-the-wool romantic to earn the heart of a girl, and I feel the game-play and story reflects this.

So, overall, I am greatly enjoying playing this game. If anyone asked me, I’d highly recommend it.

Anyway, feel free to comment,
Mike Thomas

#2

Received the game today, and already played it three times, getting, the three times, the same ending (I guess): the “normal” ending. OK, I will have to keep playing…


Comments:

I like the intro screen, with Honami-chan in the intro screen. Very cute! The intro movie was grainy, but, probably because of the size. I will download the other two movies, eventually, to see how it look on 800x600.

Since I am playing on Windows 2000 Pro, I was expecting a similar problem like X-Change, that is, the text displayed was wider than the text box. However, it didn’t happen, but instead, the spacing between the characters were… odd. Two characters might be next to another, but, then, could be separated quite appart (imagine several blank spaces). Chaning the text speed to slow solved it.

The interface was quite clean, specially the < button and the speaker button. Since I have set the text to slow, pressing the mouse button caused the text to pop-out right away, but it cut the voices. The speaker was a blessing in this situation.

The art was “clean”, no complains here. About Mike’s comment on pubic hair, I somewhat agree on his comment, however, I actually liked how it was “drawn”. Now that I mention it, I like how Shizuka and Kasumi were drawn, specially Kasumi’s hair in the tower scene. For some odd reason, Kyoka reminds me of Akari (To Heart) but with purple hair, in particular in the onsen.

A couple of scenes, IMO, ruin the mood slightly. The couple on the woods, for instance. Was it really necessary? Anyway, I am still thinking if I should give the other copy to my friend…

[This message has been edited by fxho (edited 05-19-2001).]

#3

Put it this way, Kumiko-san, I have ran into the couple of the woods more time than endings. Played 5 times already, and STILL getting the “normal” ending. BTW,


slight spoiler


You mentioned that there were two “normal” endings, but how can diferentiate one of the other?

ends slight spoiler


Snow? Snowscape? Sorry, when you are living in a tropical country, what you get, at most, is rain…

Akari-chan and Kyoka looks similar (specifically, their faces). I meant, To Heart - anime; and, since I haven’t played To Heart, I can’t comment on her bust… ^_^;;;

#4

Slayer,

“Cheesecake” are etchi shots. They are also called “Pin-Ups”. The artist Olivia does a lot of them in a very 1940s US style (if you’re familiar with her work.)

Artbooks like “Treasured Chests” are all about cheesecake, as you see a bunch of scantily clad women in various costumes and states of undress… but you don’t see any naughty bits. Or, to use a male example, seeing strapping, barechested men, all oiled up, and wearing very torn up jeans kinda thing (hey, girls like cheesecake too.)

You don’t really see any naughty bits, but a whole lot is hinted at. They are very titilating pictures. They more go for the form and figure of the body more than the actual nudity. Poses of models in swimsuits, leingerie, with button’s undone, or skirt’s flying up are all cheesecake.

WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS
WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS
WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS
WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS
WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS
WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS
WARNING POTENTIAL SPOILERS

For example, when Shizuka comes into your room, and asks you if you think she’s pretty, the gif is very cheescake. You see Shizuka’s underpants, and the inner slopes of her breasts, but you don’t see the whole picture.

A second example is when you’re in the hot springs with Kyoka. She has a towel wrapped around herself… and you know that she’s naked underneath… but you just, can’t, quite see through the towel.

Does this answer your question?

I’m not 100% sure why the term “cheesecake” was coined for this kinda stuff though.

Mike

#5

Hmm…maybe PeaPri shuld make a walkthrough and put it up:P

#6

I sat watching as the events unfolded. Then Honami made a simple comment and Kyoka asked for clarification. I knew what the answer would have been if this was an American game, but this was a Japanese game so maybe the answer was going to different. As it happened I was right to believe the latter, but as it happens, PeaPri did a little editting for the sake of the non-Japanese players so I was right in believe in the former as well. Well, when I Honami answered I fell in love.

All of the girl’s possessed qualities that I made me want to have them. Kyoka’s strength and vulnerability (the latter rarely seen), Shizuka’s innocence and “honesty” (at least that is what I’ll call it), Keika’s mischievousness and openness, and Kasumi’s self-confidence. There was only one character I had a problem with, Minoru.

I’ve had this game for a week and until today I REALLY disliked Minoru. I didn’t like his most of his decisions or the way he felt (as a character, as opposed to emotionally). As a result it made the game difficult for me to play. This morning I realised what the problem was. Minoru is not a romantic, he is a dreamer.

Most people wouldn’t notice the difference, but it is there. It is very subtle but important difference. A romantic is far more considerate of the feelings of others. A romantic would NEVER apologise to keep things from getting worse (which is what Minoru did). A romantic would apologise to make things BETTER.

Once I made that distinction, the game became more fun. I was able to accept that one of the flags to get to the second have of the game was something that I would NEVER do in real life.

I spent a week trying to reach the end of the game because I refused to believe that somebody that made such a inconciderate, careless mistake deserved the true endings.

After deciding that Minoru was a dreamer as oppsed to a romantic, I was also able to accept the fact that we had, for the most part, no control over what he said to the girls.

Later in the week, after I am confident that everybody (including Nobody) has the game I will go into specifics about Minoru’s "mistakes."

I loved everything else (though it would have been nice if the pubic hair match the color of the hair on the girls’ heads - Shizuka’s is apparent). The music was beautiful (must have soundtrack). I was nice to see that the BGM was at set at a volume that wasn’t so loud that is was distracting, but loud enough that I wasn’t distracted by silence.

I agree with Mike’s comments about the graphics though I would have used the term “dreamy.” The beauty was for more subtle than I would attibute to being “Fairy Tale” like.

I would definately, recommend this game to others, but I would have to warn people that Minoru was a bit thoughtless.

#7

Back to the initial topic… ^_^;

I was looking on the Internet about Snow Drop, the flower. I found out the following:


Some people chose Snow Drop to represent January (along with carnations).

In the languages of the flowers, it means faithful in adversity.

And pictures of real Snow Drop flowers:

Snow Drop facing away

Snow Drop in group (in group, and it’s name in different european languages)

Enjoy!

[This message has been edited by fxho (edited 05-23-2001).]

#8

I’m sorry, I should have made myself more clear when I was talking about Minoru’s “mistakes.” My problem with Minoru is that I didn’t feel that he wasn’t romantic enough.


Warning Spoilers Ahead
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For example, on the first day when Keika drags Minoru off to test the snow, I would expect a romantic to be thinking about how he will go find get up early the next morning so that he can figure out why he went STARRY-EYED (not curious or contimplative) in front Kyoka. Minoru knows better than to do something like that, so that flower must be VERY important. A true romantic is also asking himself was that look I got from Kyoka as we walked to the lodge real or did I imagine it? A true romantic would be trying to figure out how to discover if that look was real.

By the time I go to sleep that first nightI have Day 2 planned, written down, and pinned to my door just in case I get distracted.
1) Wake up early
2) Apologise to Kasumi about the question about her husband
3) Explain to Kasumi about the flower and ask if she might lend me some supplies (old cloth to mark my trail with, food, etc, simple things) so that I may search for it. I don’t want ANY distractions when I talk to Kyoka. By the time I return I should have remembered about the last time I saw the flower.
4) Take Kyoka to the festival to make up for my mistake (the one involving Shizuka). Devote my entire world to her for that afternoon and evening.
5) Try to find that look again. If it is there for a more than fifteen minutes. Do everything in my power to keep it there forever. Even if I most take a risk and tell her, “This could last forever. You only need to BELIEVE.” (be very careful using that line, might make the look go away). One way or the other the feelings between me and Kyoka will be resolved.
6) Once I an sure (one way or the other) about Kyoka I’ll consider worry about where I know Shizuka from.
7) Decide whether or not to do any skiing on Day 3

#9
quote:
Originally posted by Kumiko Kamiyama:
Isn't it such a pretty flower?! Now, if you listen closely, you might hear Shizuka-chan's voice, ne? [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

Sorry, I was hearing Empty Tracks in Snow when searching... [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

#10

Thought this might be of some interest to you guys:

sorya, mata ne

#11

My list isn’t about being about being analytical. It is there to remind me about what I thought was important when I went to sleep. Be the end of Day 1 I have two mysteries to be solved and a pair of princesses that need to be rescued. Those things, especially the princesses are too important to allow myself to forget about them.

My goals and plans, for Day 2, are rather simple when one compares them to things like candle-lit dinners or most other “first dates”.

As for faith, it is nice to have, but during those times when being wrong could be harmful to somebody other than myself, I would rather have proof. I’ve made the mistake of believing in something that wasn’t there. All I did was ask her out. She said yes, complained to my boss that I was harrassing her, and me boss told me to avoid talking with her. In the end it cost me a friendship. Just because I believed in something that wasn’t there.

I don’t expect to ever agree with you on this subject. I get the impression that you believe the a romantic is somebody that keeps the world his heart is in seperate from the world his body is in.

I believe a romantic is somebody that knows he finds Fairy Tales in the “real world”. I believe romantics are the type of people that believe that every girl is a princess and in every flower or blade of grass lives a fairy. As a result, the romantic knows he most be very careful when interacting when the “real world”. A single misspoken word may cause a princess to be locked away within a frozen heart, where nobody will know of her suffer or see her weep. A single misplaced step and fairies will die.

If I most plan my quests to the second so that I might succeed, I will. The cost of making a mistake is far greater.

[This message has been edited by Mischief (edited 05-24-2001).]

#12

As a result, the romantic knows he most be very careful when interacting when the “real world”. A single misspoken word may cause a princess to be locked away within a frozen heart, where nobody will know of her suffer or see her weep. A single misplaced step and fairies will die.<<

I don’t think most Romantic are like that. In definition romantic are marked by feeling rather than intellect. In most cases, romantic usually follow their heart even if the end result are disastrous.

I always consider Romeo and Juliet as a romantic. They follow their heart to a disastrous end. I am not saying that a romantic always end up in trouble, it just that most of them don’t view reality like most people do.

Some people act like a romantic but in reality they are not truly a romantic. They people are more a thinker than a romantic. A romantic is sometime an idiot they could not realize that the odd are against them.

Me, I am more of a dreamer

#13

Some people act like a romantic but in reality they are not truly a romantic. They
>people are more a thinker than a romantic. A romantic is sometime an idiot they could
>not realize that the odd are against them.

Most of the time they do–unlike he or she’s a fool like Don Quioxte. A lot depends on how you classify a romantic. Many writers and poets in the 19th century are romantics, but they’re not people who cut themselves totally off from reality. rather, they go against reality.

Romeo and Juliet weren’t unaware of the odds against them–they just refused to give in to them.

#14

I think having fantasy is very health no matter what type of fantasy you have, but the problem with romantics is that they aren’t only confronting societial pressure, they have problems with their own feelings. You can’t expect me to believe that romantics have more resolve on their feelings when it comes to love. Just like everybody else, they do have a conflict in feelings, and emotion is the most unstable human aspect. So just like everybody else they can’t escape reality if they want to. I am just saying too much of extreme is bad, but we should discourage people from experience it.

#15

Kyoka has every reason to discourage Minoru’s romantic tendancies. Minoru’s world frightens her. The last time he did something romantic, for her, he nearly died.

When I look at Kyoka, I see a girl that desperately wanted to be a romantic. Unfortunately, prior experience tells her that, once she enters Minoru’s world, Minoru will make a romantic gesture towards her and die. Eventually, she does decide to reach out to him and let him see a hint that she wants to be in his world. The end result of that action is HIM letting HER go.

A very clear example of her romantic tendancies is when, even after Shizuka has possessed the others, Kyoka decides that Shizuka is a Fairy. The thought that Shizuka is that the Snow Lady that Kasumi spoke of in her stories, doesn’t even seem to occur to her. Her comment about fairies not existing seems, to me, like a reflex of somebody trying desperately to convince themselves not to believe. Even after Shizuka has seized complete control of her, Kyoka believes Shizuka is helping her. Kyoka even apologizes to Shizuka for wanting to speak with Minoru.

It’s too bad Minoru was only willing to see the dungeon (Kyoka’s outward denial of all things romantic), rather than the princess (the Kyoka that asked Minoru to bring her a Snow Fairy) that was trapped inside. Maybe he could have fred her earlier.

Oh My! I really do need to stop daydreaming while I write. I spent for too much time on this post.

[This message has been edited by Mischief (edited 05-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Mischief (edited 05-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Mischief (edited 05-25-2001).]

#16