(Onikakushi ending spoilers) Does anyone else think the All-cast Review section was a mistake?

[CalokAndQkourQcuarante]

I'm new to visual novels. The only ones I've read before are DDLC and Rose of Winter, meaning this is the first actually Japanese VN I've read. So, I don't know if this is a common feature. I'd assume it's not very common and more to do with this being a murder mystery story.

My problem is... the all-cast review kinda spoils a big aspect of the next chapter you wouldn't expect once you finished this. The 1st-person protag dies. Two more main characters die out of the very small cast. At the end of that, I was stunned and wondering how they could possibly follow that up.

I guess there must be a new cast with a new perspective arriving at Hinamizawa who are affected by the murders in this part? Or maybe a focus on some characters as ghosts?

But no… the review gives away that they’ll all be alive again somehow in the next chapter.

I’m sure there’s a good reason for this – maybe it takes place slightly earlier – but I really didn’t want to know that until I reached the second chapter. Now a lot of the suspense from that shocking ending is gone before I even reach the next part.

I’m not trying to hate on this. I loved the story itself and the way it was told, but the fact they add an addendum which sort of drops your anticipation for the next part didn’t seem like a great idea to me.

Is there anything crucial in the future all-cast reviews? If the later chapters have them? Because if not, I’ll probably skip them from now on for the best experience.

[Gonaks]

I personally liked that they already told me to not expect something they would not be giving. As for the all-cast in general, they are not essential to read, but I enjoyed them very much. However, most of the next ones will make comments about theories that fans came up with between the release of each chapter, so if you want to read the novel with just your thoughts alone, you can skip them without losing any relevant content.

[CalokAndQkourQcuarante]

Originally posted by Gonaks:

I personally liked that they already told me to not expect something they would not be giving. As for the all-cast in general, they are not essential to read, but I enjoyed them very much. However, most of the next ones will make comments about theories that fans came up with between the release of each chapter, so if you want to read the novel with just your thoughts alone, you can skip them without losing any relevant content.

Thanks! What I might do is skip the reviews for the chapters I've just done then go back and see them after I've done the next chapter.

I also think I get where you're coming from. I've played another series where they clearly have a character die in an emotional way and obviously want you to think they're permanently dead... only to revive them in the next game. The result is... more than a bit frustrating. At least here, I've been pre-warned that the characters are returning so won't be disappointed.

[Gonaks]

Exactly, I personally think that is just plain cowardice from authors.

But back to the all-casts, Higurashi (and the other works of this author) is divided in two major parts: chapters 1-4 (question arc) and chapters 5-8 (answer arc). There are all-casts (especially the second chapter's) with comments that will be relevant just in the answer arc, so I think it will be better for your plan to read them just after finishing the whole series.

[CalokAndQkourQcuarante]

Originally posted by Gonaks:

Exactly, I personally think that is just plain cowardice from authors.

But back to the all-casts, Higurashi (and the other works of this author) is divided in two major parts: chapters 1-4 (question arc) and chapters 5-8 (answer arc). There are all-casts (especially the second chapter's) with comments that will be relevant just in the answer arc, so I think it will be better for your plan to read them just after finishing the whole series.

Thanks, I'll do that then.

[King Of Lolis]

ngl chief but i had no idea they say they are gonna be back next chapter
i either forgot or didnt payed much attention cuz it was just an "extra" non canon chapter and those are always made just to be funny

soooo after i finished this game i have been wondering for weeks as to how tf are there 8 games if mc already ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ died

ah good times

[FrostyWalrus666]

I didn't like it, it made it feel like an episode of treehouse of horror. I thought that all the chapters were connected like one big story but I guess they must all be self contained like an anthology

[Mar2ck]

Originally posted by FrostyWalrus666:

I didn't like it, it made it feel like an episode of treehouse of horror. I thought that all the chapters were connected like one big story but I guess they must all be self contained like an anthology

They are all connected, just not chronologically.

Think of it as a time loop story (although it's more complicated then that). Arcs 4 & 6 hint at why everything keeps repeating and 7 & 8 finally explain everything.

[CalokAndQkourQcuarante]

Originally posted by Mar2ck:

They are all connected, just not chronologically.

Think of it as a time loop story (although it's more complicated then that). Arcs 4 & 6 hint at why everything keeps repeating and 7 & 8 finally explain everything.

Pretty major spoiler there.

[Mar2ck]

Originally posted by CalokAndQkourQcuarante:

Pretty major spoiler there.

I'll change it to a spoiler to be safe but considering the thread is already tagged (Onikakushi ending spoilers), I don't really agree.

The fact that there is a "time loop" of sorts is revealed at the end of Onikakushi, that's what your own post is about. Even if you don't read the all-cast review, you'll know as soon as you open Watanagashi and the story has gone back to July 12th again.

Other then that I only said when more info is revealed at, but not what that info is.

[King Of Lolis]

Game is like 20+ years old
Leave the spoilers,those who havent read by then is their own fault

[CalokAndQkourQcuarante]

Originally posted by Mar2ck:

I'll change it to a spoiler to be safe but considering the thread is already tagged (Onikakushi ending spoilers), I don't really agree.

Onikakushi is only ch1. None of that is revealed at the end of ch1, but you've tagged it now, so I'll drop the issue.

Originally posted by King Of Lolis:

Game is like 20+ years old
Leave the spoilers,those who havent read by then is their own fault

You say "Game is like 20+ years old" as though that means anything. It doesn't, because spoilers don't expire. I can accept exceptions from twists basically everyone knows like Star Wars original trilogy, but not from something like this. Even if I'm reading a 1000-year old story, I don't want spoilers for it.

If you think it's people's own fault for being born later, I don't know what to say to you.

[King Of Lolis]

its also common sense not to visit any fandom stuff such as disscussion before you read all of the series
good grief

[CalokAndQkourQcuarante]

Originally posted by King Of Lolis:

its also common sense not to visit any fandom stuff such as disscussion before you read all of the series
good grief :ShirouDojo:

A discussion post for chapter 1.

This is even covered in the pinned Spoiler Guidelines post.

[Mar2ck]

Originally posted by CalokAndQkourQcuarante:

Onikakushi is only ch1. None of that is revealed at the end of ch1,

Originally posted by CalokAndQkourQcuarante:

My problem is... the all-cast review kinda spoils a big aspect of the next chapter you wouldn't expect once you finished this.

the review gives away that they’ll all be alive again somehow in the next chapter.

[King Of Lolis]

Originally posted by CalokAndQkourQcuarante:

Originally posted by King Of Lolis:

its also common sense not to visit any fandom stuff such as disscussion before you read all of the series
good grief

A discussion post for chapter 1.

This is even covered in the pinned Spoiler Guidelines post.

oh well