[h-game] Yume Miru Kusuri (A Drug That Makes You Dream)

[-4n'Dant3-]

so this is what i do when i'm on a hiatus from ON...

not.

Anyway, I picked up this rather interesting title the other day (and finished it in another.) This is easily one of the finest h-games translated into english since Kana - Little Sister.

You play the token quiet high school protagonist, Kouhei Kagami, who when bored shitless hears a train rumbling in the distance. At first he's your token neutral boring as bishi character - no direction in life, never had a gf etc etc. but this will change dramatically as the story progresses. There are three routes in this game -

Mizuki
To everyone around her, she seems to be the miss perfect. Great assets, both physically, financially and mentally, popular and the president of the student council board. This arc deals with the 'interpersonal' segment of the game.

Aeka
The kid that gets bullied. Hard. Obviously, this path deals with the 'Bully' segment.

Nekoko
A pretty contentious addition I think because of the loli content. Yes, that's right, she's built like 13 year old. Her arc involves fairies and is the 'Drug' segment of the game.

As in every bishoujou game, there are four key elements that determine its success.

1. Story/Script
Although initially slow and fairly dry, the game manages to really pick itself up when the individual arcs are played out. The writer is fantastic, and I could only appreciate his frequent destruction of the fourth wall through frequent references to h-games within the h-game, and the 'this isn't a manga/ if this was a manga i would be...' line. However, it still suffers from some bad cliches, but there are moments like Aeka forcing Kouhei to get protection in the middle of their first time which make it refreshing. Mizuki's endings are original and almost Kana quality, and you get a real sense of satisfaction from Aeka and (somewhat) Nekoko's endings.

7/10

2. Characterisation
Each character is given a distinct personality. However, as you play through this game, their true natures are revealed and they become increasingly endearing. While certainly not as depressing as Kana or I'm Gonna Serve You 4, the game deals with serious issues in our modern society (well, the situations are a little exaggerated though) and each girl is distinct in their roles. Using Tsubaki, who is openly gay, as Kouhei's friend is a touch of gold when he serves as comic relief and helps to spur on character development. As Kouhei delves into each route, we can really appreciate the way he is developing and the values/morals that become a part of him as a result of his experiences.

Likewise, all three girls initially begin as the token 'x' character, but through story progression, become incredibly three dimensional, to the point where players are able to feel and appreciate their situation and personality. This is the most satisfying part of the game.

9/10

Art/Music
When I first saw the introduction, it became clear that the quality of art would be excellent. All the characters, backgrounds and animations are beautifully presented and vividly coloured. Refreshingly, the characters are actually proportionate. Ruf did a great job in matching the character with the art, and the actual character models speak volumes about their personality.

Likewise, the opening theme is anime quality and the music used throughout the game is rich and original. Instrumentally, BGMs cannot be faulted and contain amazing clarity and musical technique. This is one of the few h-games that doesn't get irritating when the sound clips loop.

The Voice Acting is also one of the greatest elements of this game. As forementioned, the developer did a great job on creating each character, and the VA was a cruicial element in that. Every character, from Kouhei's Dad to Antoinette the Bully are superbly acted out, giving the player every bit the belief that this is what someone with that role, personality and character would sound like. Rock Solid.

Oh, and the H-scenes are good too.

10/10

Translation
Peach Princess generally does a good job, and this is no exception. A few typos here and there (puff =/= poof,) but otherwise the story is incredible and doesn't lose much in evoking the emotional department.

Overall
Better than Crescendo, but Kana is still the best game ever. However, its focus on story and personification rather than straight out hentai (although the scenes arent half bad) is what makes this game excellent, and is thoroughly enjoyable.

26/30 (87%)

So go and buy (or download it you cheapass) this game. This title is highly recommended and guaranteed not to suck like SNK vs Capcom CFC DS.

peace out
BT aka andante aka fake endless

[Fat Cat Lim]

I really love this game. The characters are like what -4n'Dant3- described: they're quite endearing after awhile, and it was quite refreshing to see the game touch on some of the moral and social issues that other games dare not touch such as interpersonal self-doubt, bullying, and drug addiction. It's definitely one of the best H-games I've ever played, and I can see why everybody has been praising it.

My main criticism is that there are too few characters! I couldn't help but wonder whether the younger sister and the bully were left out due to a lack of a budget or something. The beginning was also slightly puzzling what with the long-haired woman in the train boxing the guy in the face, which made me wonder throughout the game if there was some other mysterious force behind the scenes. But she could have been a red herring, or some sort of metaphor that the writer wanted to make about 'jolting' the protagonist into action from his empty life.