One of the two would be Private Nurse. There was something about it that is hard for me to put into words, but it felt like playing a style of these games that was similar and yet vastly different from the normal type and that made the game all the more enjoyable. In the past I have said it has that foreign film quality to it, where there is something that is familiar yet exotically different then the “norm”. At least for me this is perhaps the best description, since it is hard to describe just what draws me into the story, which is excellent, and keeps me wanting to come back for more of the story, beyond the fact that there is something that has that effect. In truth this one ranks up in my top two or three games along with Kana and Crescendo which is about the highest praise I think any game can be given at present. Though in addition to that praise there is also the music in Private Nurse which nears the top of my favorite game music along with the stunning music in Crescendo.
Second of the two I would get Heart de Roommate made by the same company as Private Nurse. While normally a slight variation in companies might be a good idea, I truly think these are the best two on your list. Heart de Roommate is far more along the romance style of gaming then any of the others on your list with the possible exception of the aforementioned Private Nurse. For me too the stories were very interesting, including the special stories you gain after all the endings, and each one was satisfying which is more then can be said about some of the other games out in the English market. Even though the first part is similar for most routes, I think it has higher replay value of wanting to replay it then any of the others, once again with the exception of Private Nurse which has equally high reply value in my book.
Though Critical Point is good it would rank third on the list of those you have listed and Gibo would rank last because the replaying for me came not from a desire to continually replay but from the frustration of getting the same ending over and over and over without the aid of a walkthrough.
[This message has been edited by SCDawg (edited 07-21-2004).]