Yay, your reviews are always so organized and readable! Makes my brain happy :) Really though, nice review with good bits of humor. It makes me sad that being a chicka this game wasn't really intended for me. T.T
Love Plus game Review
Official Konami page: ラブプラス
Story & Playability
Story Introduction
You are a second year High School student whom later joins the Tennis Club , the Library Committee and got yourself a
part time job at a restaurant to maintain an upkeep for your livelihood.
Along the way , you meet three different girls of different and very distinct personalities.
Character Introduction
Player
You have the choice to name the character that you use in the game and yes , there is absolutely no default names.
His decisions and actions are mainly affected by the player though personality-wise , his fairly outgoing and enjoys
chatting up with the people he meets.
Takane Manaka
A fairly reserved and serious girl from a strict household.
She is part of the Tennis Club and tends to go straight home after school activities.
Whilst she is indeed the school idol , she appears to be lonely most of the time.
Anegasaki Nene
A mature-looking woman whom is actually just a year older than the player.
She attends the same school as the player but also works at the same restaurant.
She is reliable and rather sisterly so it's not really a surprise how one would mistake her age - which is
something she isn't fond of.
Kobayakawa Rinko
A woman whom behaves quite as coldly as her appearance would suggest.
She is part of the library committee which the player joins under the teacher's request.
She can be fairly hot-blooded and hard to approach.
Story Overview
Well , don't expect anything out of this Dating Sim , in terms of storyline anyway.
Storyline-wise , this game is actually more or less ordinary - typical school life , typical everyday scenarios but with
very , very distinct girls.
To put it bluntly the storyline itself is almost at the state of non-existence but the characters are fairly unique if I must say so myself.
For example - Whilst most librarians are "quiet and calm" , Rinko can be rather anti-social in a fiery way ,
not to mention she goes to arcades and causes a bit of trouble every now and then.
Takane's hobbies and usual everyday activities can be a bit surprising for a school idol as well.
There is , however , one issue I'd like to add.
This game is majorly focused on the player and the three heroines - other people are like... almost non-existent or
something.
Rating:
Graphics
Artwork Review
The artwork of this game isn't perfect but it is unique.
Upon first glance , it definitely isn't the most beautiful piece of artwork - owing to it's tone textures but
it is strangely charismatic and well , beautiful in it's own way.
In some ways , it is crude but in others , it can be beautiful whilst bringing out the scenario to the player whom is
playing the game.
Do not be mistaken , the drawing is smooth , but the coloring requires a bit of a brush up , but strangely enough , it
is pretty much a love-hate and in this case , you would end up loving the artwork more and forget about it's
flaws.
Graphics Review
Ugh... I've never thought that 3D graphics can be so.... incredibly... cute.
Most 3D renders tend to look a world apart from their 2D counterparts but Love Plus somehow manages to turn 2D into
3D... or is it 3D into 2D..?
*smacks head*
Whilst their not exactly remarkably realistic ( Please , this is on the DS ) , the characters can be extremely cute ,
particularly when they fidget and move about in conversational scenarios.
Well , just expect yourself to go "hngh!" when your playing the game.
Rating:
Sound
Music Review
The music is generally cheery and bright - and I've only just noticed that the music variety isn't exactly
large.
But strangely enough , you find yourself listening on to the same tunes again and again without complaints , what's
more , they loop a lot too.
For some reason , the music does seem to lift the spirits of the player up - or simply drag it through a sandpaper in
more romantic moments.
Pass me a hanky.
Voice Acting Review
Well , the voice acting is good... or perhaps , too good.
I'm pretty sure most characters who sounds "cute and lively" tends to sound a mite bit cheesy. I admit ,
it is definitely a bit cheesy in this game but you'd soon get over it... or rather , you'd get over it in a
few minutes.
Not to mention , when some of the girls throw a bit of a tantrum , you'd go "hngh!"
... Wait , did I repeat that statement again?
Well , no matter , this game is simply filled with "hngh!" moments.
Rating:
Fun
This is a Review of Love Plus
Well , firstly , if your a girl don't even bother trying this :P
This is a Dating Sim which bears a great focus on the male audience... and I must say that the developers knows how to
play with a man's heart.
I hate to admit it but I find my heartbeat increasing at certain events , turning beet red at romantic scenarios and
feel my soul floating in the air with the unbearable doses of moe in this game.
The interactive levels of this game only strengthens your addiction to it.
I've never expected a Dating Stimulation to hold such a firm grip on my attention.
Ahh... As a warning : Try it on your own risk.
Overall : Others
Age Rating : 12 + ( But seriously , would anyone below 16 or 17 play Dating Sims? )
Console : Nintendo DS
Gameplay
Stats and Schedule
Interestingly , this game does bear a mite bit of similarity to Persona.
The player have several status which would affect a girl's interest in him.
Fitness , Intelligence , Sense and Charisma.
You can increase ( or decrease ) the stats by fulfilling daily activities.
If you have a high enough level of a certain stat , you can accomplish unique events which can have a major boost in a
girl's interest towards you.
Of course , failing means a reverse effect.
Unique Features
This game requires the player to talk at times.
Yes , talk.
You may have to state some statements with your own lips at certain times and the game itself occasionally requires some
active participation from the player.
It can be a bit of a hassle but at least it holds a bit more gameplay value compared to typical Dating Sims.
Events
Events can happen randomly or have a notification for you to partake in such events.
Naturally , events = growing closer with the girl = growing even closer with the girl = growing even more closer with
the girl.
Simple.
Romance
I wouldn't consider this true romance , particularly since it's set in a more favourable setting to attract
male audiences.
Nor is it particularly emotional - Let's just say it's a High School romance that a typical male dreams of.
Still , it is interesting to see how the player must put in effort to grow closer to the girl in question ( Then again ,
which Dating Sim doesn't? ) and partake in special events to grow ever closer with her.
Not to mention receiving and sending back her E-Mails.... choosing favourable options in conversations ... you get the
idea.
Interestingly , there is two phases to the game. The first part is of which you grow closer to the girl. The second
phase being of which the confession has occurred and she is now your girlfriend.
The two different phases have a slightly different gameplay and setting to them so it makes the game extremely
addictive.
Trivia
- There is a newer version called Love Plus + , which holds extra features...
- There are Manga series released for it
- There is a sequel called Newloveplus , which is on the 3DS
- You can emulate the game and there is a English patch for the emulated version
Reviewer's Comment :
This isn't a Visual Novel but it's just as addictive despite the lack of a proper plotline.
Or rather , storyline is almost non-existent in this game... but.... =w=
Rating:
Final Verdict
6.3333 (average)
Reviewed by z827, Jul 12, 2011
Comments
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SnickerdoodleNinja Retired Moderator Jul 13, 2011
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angelxxuan Banned Member Jul 13, 2011
z, you always keep me entertained and still keep it short with your reviews, another nice review and since I'm not a fan of any dating game, especially sims, I won't bother with this one, thanks for the review, it saved me the time to bother with this. sometimes I do run across such games as these in stores and the plot sounds good, but when I get home with them I'm like, well this is pointless. can't wait to see what you review next :)
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CyanideBlizzard Retired Moderator Jul 14, 2011
From my understanding, Love Plus has garnished a huge fanbase for it's unique approach to the dating sim style of gameplay. While I have never gotten a chance to do much research into it and most likely will not be able to play it, unless it plans on doing a US release, I have to say it is nice that we do get coverage on a variety of things here at MT and this is one.
As always, it's nice to see such a large amount of info covered and yet conserved as well. I especially like the inclusion trivia (I may have to try to hunt it down knowing these facts.. haha). The story part of it greatly intrigued me, because I figured that aside from having a great cast of female characters, there would be a strong story to go alongside it. I guess I was mistaken in this thought.
Thanks for the review, z827!
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