Well, I have a very simple insight on purchasing games, and that is if I find the girls in the games cute. I know it is not very deep, but it works for me. So I would say that I am not very picky since there is a lot of games with cute girls out there.
What I look for in a new bishojo game is the story. Is it just gratuitous? Or is there an actual plot to the story. Do you sympathize with the main character? (For example, even though I liked Season of the Sakura I didn’t really sympathize / identify with Shuji. Now Snow Drop I could definitly identify with Minoru).
Then after the story I look to the art.
Depends on the reputation of the Company and what type of game they produce,I will put different focus
EG :-
If it’s ZyX,I will look at the graphics and the H scenes first as they are famous of producing Kichikuu games.
If it’s Key,I will put the story first above all.
But if it’s some new company that I have not heard of,I will look at the CGs first followed by the story.
Hi All,
Well, I would have to say that one of the first things I would look for is the story. That goes for any type of game I look at. What is the point if there is no point? I have to admit though that most Bishojo games are rather light on deep plots, but there are exceptions. Secondly, graphics I say would have to come next. As they say, “sex sells.” If it looks nice it will garner attention.
However, there is also another big part that most Bishojo games fall short on and that is actual gameplay. Most games go with the interactive story route or the choose your own adventure bit. That is the standard and is accepted (mostly in Japan, not in the western world really). This type of gameplay is too slow for most westerners from what I read in game magazines unless the story is of particularly good quality. It would be nice if actual gameplay could be injected into these games such as RPG’s and what not. Now, I know there are RPGs out there, but some of them do look dated and are very rudimentary and do little more than waste time between CGs. On the other hand there are some games out there that are headed in the right direction such as Illusion’s Brutish Mine and Biko series. The Biko series is still kinda short on gameplay, but it is deeper than the average game.
I think in order for the stigma to be lifted from Bishojo games, the standard must be raised. These type of games need a good evolution into something more. I believe that these type of games can be adapted to gameplay as seen in more mainstream games if the story is good, tasteful, and well thought out. Look at Species 1 and 2, the movie. Technically, we are talking about alien tentacle sex sorta and yet here it is in a movie that was well accepted generally speaking and did well. There was a story and it made sense. Well, this is my two cents. I welcome any feedback.
[This message has been edited by Eremon (edited 06-01-2001).]
Hey Eremon,
I’d have to disagree. Just because a game lets you mash more buttons, doesn’t necessarily make it “better” or more popular or have more gameplay. I personally don’t equate being able to use more buttons, or have more keyboard commands as more gameplay. To me, more gameplay means any choice I have has a real effect on the game. If I choose to take the stay late at work, or goto the dance, the entire story can change and will be affected.
For example, when “The Longest Journey” (by Funcom) came here, it had a ton of praises from all the computer gaming magazines, and online sites. And, all it is is just a mouse point-and-click interface. I enjoyed the hell out of the game, as it had story, plot, and made me feel involved. For a second example, “Tender Loving Care” is another mouse point-and-click interface, but the story is fantastically compelling. It keeps you saying “Oh, I can play just ten more minutes to see the next chapter.” And, boom! next thing you know, it’s four in the morning.
That’s one of the reasons the Sims are so popular. You can choose pretty much any path you want for your citizens. You can make them party animals, working class stiffs, rich, artsy, etc. And, each choice, affects the game. That is, each choice you make, affects the gameplay and story. In contrast, in Half-Life, though I enjoyed the hell out of the game, I really didn’t interact. The story was scripted, and I just went along for the ride.
So, for me, gameplay doesn’t equal more buttons to push. Gameplay equals the ability to change how the game plays and how the story progessess.
To answer Slayers question, I like a mix of both story and art. If the story is good… but the art okay… I might not get into the game as much (and vice versa.) For example, the Viper game I have has great art… but a very poor story. So… after a couple of plays, I put it up on the shelf. But, if both the story and art are great, then the game will be a lot of fun for me. I’ve taken Snow Drop, Divi-Dead, and The Maid’s Story, amongst others, off the shelf a number of times to re-play them.
Hope that helps some, and makes sense.
Mike
I agree with everything that has been said. Kumiko is right in that bishojo games do have a wide variety of gameplay styles, however I should have been more specific in that the few games that have been translated for the english market are largely the same gameplay style. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the current concept. “If it is not broken, don’t fix it.” I love adventure games such as The Longest Journey, Monkey Island, and older Sierra titles too. These games tend to have great stories, but a little variety would be nice.
Now, I am not saying that more buttons and options necessarily make the game better, but it could make the game world a little more real with the interactivity. For example, take Monkey Island 4 by Lucasarts. If anyone has played it, it is very entertaining thru its humour brought about by the story and the interactive environments. Now, imagine if it was done how english bishojo games are done. I believe you would have to agree that it would lose a little atmosphere. I am just saying that would it not be good to see a bishojo game fleshed out a little more along the same lines? Technically it is the same interface underneath it all, but it would make the game world and the people in it that much more real.
Well, there’s a few cents more. Not trying to revolutionize the industry or anything, just a few comments. By the way, I do not ever want to see a bishojo fighting game!!! Regular fighting games are hard pressed to make a passable story as it is. However, if they can ignore the story and do a good fighting engine, it might work out. Who knows?