Not a Starcraft player. Hell, my last serious RTS was Age of Empires 2, and that in of itself should normally make a specialized VN like this outside of my place to play, much less review. But hell, I gave it a try when it claimed I could make due without knowledge, and it did not lie. So if the only thing keeping you on the fence is whether you'll understand anything, relax. The game has a glossary, for crying out loud.

Where else to rank it... Well, I'll be as blunt as I can be. It's a free Renpy VN, after all.

Gameplay boils down to your typical faire of making choices at select points, as you might imagine. You can play as either a male or female lead, but it makes little difference. Still, props for the option even existing. My point is gameplay isn't the main focus here... Though I do hope to see innovation in anything going forward.

Visuals are smooth, nice, and right where they need to be. Likewise on the sound, everything from silky smooth tones to alt rock, everything blends pretty damn well in setting the scene right where it needs to be for the player. The game also shifts to something different just enough times to keep the player surprised without becoming expected, which I applaud.

Story and characters are compelling in their own way, too. Even without knowing squat about SC personalities, I was more than amused by the faces shown here. Even if half the fun was figuring out the archetypes early on, and watching how they'd be played out. Speaking of, game's clean. Save for a tame extra scene, there is no fanservice or anything of the sort, much less romance to worry about, so don't expect that. I will say I enjoyed what bonding scenes we did get, and caught myself questioning what relationships other characters had before I showed up... A mark of good narrative delivery in my eyes, considering I actually was interested.

Three things of note. First, no auto/skip functionality, so prepare to experience SC for yourself... When you feel like you need 300 APM just to get anywhere. (See? Wouldn't have known that before this game. Ahem.) This is swiftly dealt with by the second note, that the game is... Relatively easy to get the good ending on. It's no Sakura Spirit, there are numerous choices and -presumably- bad endings, but ah... I didn't get one. Yeah, somehow I got what could only be classified as a good/true ending on my first run, blind. No guides, just two google searches to find out what the hell Protoss even played like (and learning they were expensive as hell) and another to look up a term. All I did was play smart with basic logic from what the game showed me, and things played out flawlessly. So either I'm a natural SC2 player in the making, or the game's rather easy to complete unless you're a bonehead with this sort of thing. Third and finally, I was outright disappointed the ending I got, well... Ended so soon. It's a short game. But.

That is actually a good thing, I suppose. For as many minor (and they are minor) gripes as I have, they are tremendously outweighed by the positives the game provides. Hell, I'm listening to the credits song on repeat because it's just that good wrapping things up. The game's short, the game's small, but it's free and packed with personality and warmth. Let me put this in no uncertain terms, okay?
I actively want a bigger, more full, more packed sequel, and I want to pay for it. I want to see this story through to a full end, I want to watch these characters progress, I want more, and I want to support the creators for it.
SC2VN is a short experience, but it's one I don't regret taking in the slightest, and actively want more of.
g freakin g. Ya rolled me, guys.

Downloaded this game from the SC2VN site before Steam release, so I've already played through this

Great game, especially for StarCraft fans, but this game appeals to the eSports audience in general, does a really good job of giving you the feeling of the Korean eSports scene for StarCraft II, including the VSL. (A spin-off of the real league GSL)

This game would easily be worth 10-15$ if it was being sold for money, so there really isn't any reason not to get this game for free.

10/10 for a visual novel, there really isn't anything wrong with it.

I usually don't write reviews and I usually don't like Visual Novels... but this one is really a killer game. Really.

It gives an insane insight on the eSports world and even if you don't play Starcraft it's very enjoyable. Also, it is well written and the overall quality is astounding. If you play ANY competitive game, even at casual level, you should play this. It takes 3~4 hours and it's totally worth it. Also, it's free.

This game was a good surprise. It's free so it's worth trying, but it's heavily targeted toward fans of Starcraft 2 obviously.
Being a fan I can say the game was amazing, there is a lot of work put into details that just "hit" for people that knows Starcraft.
The "pro" environement of Starcraft in Korea is very well explained and makes a good introduction to newcomers, however it's not really the same treatement for the game itself wich will leave a lot of newbies following the matches wihtout really knowing what happens and why someone is winning or loosing.

The story, the characters, the art and the music are all pretty good. Again, bonus for the fans thanks to the use of music from Starcraft that are easily recognizable.

Even though I loved every single moments of this game, I still feel a bit disappointed because of one single thing :
The game is too short (around 4hours). But most importantly It basically ends just when the story is about to become the most interesting wich is rather frustrating and leaves a disappointing taste as a final conclusion.

SC2VN - The eSports Visual Novel was for me a complete surprise. Starting from the fact that the game is targeted to fans of StarCraft, but that doesn't mean you can't play it, not having a clue what's going on in this game. Everything important is explained in the tutorial. Yes, I am one of those who didn't have any idea what StarCraft is. The plot, characters, graphics and music, everything was done properly, neatly and attractively. Less than four hours, because so much it took me to beat the game, it was very enjoyably spent time. I definitely recommend this one.

I'm going to try really hard to write an unbiased review here as I know the writer for this novel personally, but everything I write here will be an honest representation of my thoughts on the game. But first, some minor background to the expectations I had.


I've been playing visual novel games for several years. In a similar comparison, I've also played JRPGs for years. On that note, there exists a well-known engine called RPGmaker that has slowly built itself a notorious reputation in the world of game development. What I mean to say is: most RPGmaker games are middling (which is the nice way of putting it).

Most does not mean all. Likewise, I've been around the block with the world of VNs (which is largely a dark and esoteric extension of the anime fandom); there exists a similar engine created called Ren'Py that largely opened up the accessibility of VN creation; particularly on the international front.

On that note, there are a great many Ren'Py novels that are... not great. Let me be clear that creating a VN of any proportion is an incredible feat. It requires a great many resources just to make something complete, many of which may not be accessible to most typical indie developers. That being said; VNs are not exactly a thriving business in the west due to low demand and serious quality control.

To create something memorable is an extreme challenge and worthy of praise. Sorry for all the exposition, here's what you actually came for:


SC2VN is unique for its subject matter, but does not immediately differentiate itself outside of its setting. The strongest part of this novel is easily its readability and pacing. It is just the right length for a kinetic novel, the kind that doesn't offer meaningful choices and generally reaches a singular ending. The story quickly identifies key characters and differentiates them enough to stand out in the player's mind.

While it does not necessarily offer the most original or in-depth story, what really draws you in is how seamlessly the novel ties realistic reprsentations of the Korean eSports scene with meaningful plot progression. It is made to be very easily followed along, even for the casual reader. Whether you are an enthusiast of Starcraft or completely oblivious to the franchise, the writing easily carries the player along and allows you to enjoy even the more exclusive concepts of its theming.

To make things even easier, it even comes with an in-game glossary to offer definition for jargon and some Korean vocabulary used throughout the novel. This is a really nice feature.

A powerful thing to make your VN really stand out is good presentation. Small attention to detail, especially in GUI, can make a huge difference in my experience. SC2VN applies this concept quite well; one of the nicer touches is how character names (and their appearances to an extent) are color coded to increase distinction from one another. On top of this, an especially nice touch is how there is a small icon next to the names that identify the race that each character plays. Even tiny things like this can go a really long way!

The standard features of a typical VN engine apply, thanks to Ren'Py's great versatility. You have your history log, easily accessible by scrolling up with the mouse wheel. Main menu is right click by default, mostly just the intuitive stuff you'd come to expect from reading PC novels. You think I wouldn't have to mention this stuff, but then you'd be wrong. A lot of Ren'Py novels keep the default options like having to scroll through previous text one block at a time. For perspective: even Key's 'Little Busters' does text history like this. That novel is the GOAT, but holy-muh-convenience dude. Having an actual log come up that you can leisurely scroll through and cancel at any time is doing it right, plain and simple.

No event skip/navigation menu, but this is a superfluous feature for a novel of this length. For the most part, save states are more than enough to secure and recall your favorite scenes if you are inclined to do so.

The visuals and sound are an influential part of this medium. The musical score doesn't sound at all out of place, but it isn't all too memorable. It does borrow tracks and SFX directly from Starcraft, which is a great thematic element. The character art and backdrops exceed the par for quality in indie novels. While it's not the type of work you'd jump to frame on your desktop, it's more than enough to promote the game and appeal its presentation. The art style is also fairly distinctive from your typical 'moe bishojo meta' spam, which is refreshing to say the least.

I've been mainly positive so far, which is intentional because the novel is good. While I definitely recommend it, there are faults that I'm more than willing to address.

The plot is probably the weakest part of the novel. The characterization is fantastic, but I have little to say regarding
the actual story. In the novel's climax, it unwittingly spirals into a very clichéd scenario between the two rival factions. There are some character tropes established throughout, but it would be unfair to criticize this without nitpicking as archetyping is a fairly common approach nowadays (why fix what isn't broken?). Despite this slight defect, the novel promotes itself off of its theme alone, which it does very effectively. An honest glimpse into the Korean pro Starcraft scene makes this more than worth the read on its own.

Choices are strewn throughout, but are more to elicit player interaction than any sort of actual influence on the game's outcome. I'd say this is a plus and a minus, because it serves its purpose well (it explains Starcraft to you. T H E M I N G B O Y S). It is simply not a gratifying way to present choices that the player can easily reload and correct, leading to what becomes more of a roadblock than actual gameplay.

Finally, the length is just okay. Keep in mind that this is a free to play game, so that says a lot. You can complete the read in about 2-5 hours, depending on how meticulous you are. For some, this can be a negative. You could say, it's too short. Finishing the novel is quick, but then it feels like a letdown when you find out that its over. Of course, being short means that the chances of you actually finishing the novel are extremely high, which is a very strong feature in the VN market. It also cuts out a lot of the obligatory 'filler' you see in a lot of Japanese VNs. It's important to note that this game isn't a dating sim, so the construction and focus is quite different. It would simply be nice to prolong the experience, but such is the reality of indie content.


Overview:

Presentation - A+

Music/Art - B+

Story - C+

Characters/Setting - A

+ Strong thematic elements throughout.
+ Memorable characters.
+ Unique Design
+ It costs the low low price of "nothing but your time."

+- Length
+- Depth of plot. It's effective and realistic, though. Satisfying conclusion.

- Obligatory choice gameplay.
- Shallow route deviations.

Overall, this is probably one of the best indie VNs I've ever read by a long shot. It's a very impressive offering, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the sequel has in store (Yes, there is a [pre]quel in development. Look up "Don't Forget Our eSports Dream"). A great glimpse into the Starcraft eSports culture in a clean, easy to digest visual novel format.

Apologies for the long review. If you made it this far, congratulations.

And if you haven't read SC2VN yet, then what are you waiting for? It's free, buddy.

Well worth a few hours of your time, this free Visual Novel is a great peek into the sorts of challenges facing someone looking to become a professional gamer. There's some concessions of realism for the sake of story, but they don't hinder the game in any real way, and I found myself actually interested and even caring for/about the characters.

The interface is clean and responsive, and the medium is put to good use, as there's little things that happen, like interruptions which wouldn't be possible with a non-interactive book. Do note, however, that while you do get to make a few decisions here and there, this is less of a game than an experience, so the emphasis is on telling the tale of Mach and his/her journey. That's standard for many VNs, but it has to be noted, because this is a genre that will be new to many players.

I personally feel it's a better experience with the female protagonist, as then the issues of discrimination and sexism are more relevant, as well as some of the bonds formed between characters feeling more true to life, but it's not heavy-handed with either player choice. Although fictional, there's quite a bit of historic fact and character traits based off real people included, so, in a way, SC2VN is educational as well.

Recommended for anyone interested in eSports, StarCraft, gaming in general, or just a few hours of reading and enjoyment.

Like others, played this on the original release. As gimmicky as it seems, it's probably the most enjoyable visual novel I've played, with plenty of esports in-jokes to go around, especially in the bonus feature once unlocked. That, and you can learn about the sex life of genderbent IdrA. So there's that, too.

Worth a run through if you have a couple hours to kill, I'd advise saving often, especially before decisions (there is no autosave, if you ♥♥♥♥ up, there's the possibility of a LOOOOT of clicks to skip text back to where you left off).

This was my first visual novel ever, not because i don't like this kind of stuff, but when it comes to reading something, i'll stick to a good book, thanks.

So, as a starcraft player, i knew i have to try out this. And it's totally worth it! True, there's nothing extraordinary, nothing jaw dropping, but it's a good story with lovable characters. Not sure what else i can say here without spoiling the experience, so just give it a try!

Hopefully we'll get a second game, cause i loved this one!

First of all - I usually do not write reviews but I believe this game deserves every bit of attention as it may inspire Devs to come up with a sequel in near future (at least I hope).

Let me put it this way: I pretty much hate VN and I really enjoyed this one. I also don't like eSports in general and this game made me interested in competitive Starcraft. It is truly remarkable how this simple game kept me both invested in story and relaxed at the same time. The idea was there for quite some time but until now I didn't see someone take it and make into a story of a game. Shame as this one proves that eSports make fantastic topic for "social story".

It is hard to critique this game, I mean, come on - its FREE. Devs don't have any profits from it. However as I both enjoyed it and was disappointed by some parts, I would like to offer some feedback which may lead to improvement of this one or the sequel (which of course WILL BE RELEASED SOON, RIGHT? RIGHT?!).

[Small spoilers may occur after this point]
Pros:
+ way more natural dialogues that in typical VN
+ diverse and likeable characters
+ great way to learn about competitive Starcraft
+ simple but involving story about trying to get into eSports
+ quite realistic vision of Korean society and eSports community (for a noob like me at least)
+ assets form Starcraft 1 (that music!)
+ nice graphic
+ nice music
+ short (for some)
+ lack of romance (for some)
+ IT'S FREE

Cons:
- lots of graphic and music assets re-use
- lack of meaningful choices (and choices in general)
- lack of different endings
- lack of main character self-development
- some characters and scenes are really cliché
- short (for me) - it ends right where the real story begins
- lack of romance (for me... I mean some! Not me. Some.)
- minor bugs

FINAL NOTE: 7/10

The game is doing what it does very well bearing the fact that it is crowd-funded and given for free. I feel bad that I didn't hear about it and didn't back it up when Kickstarter was on. But I really hope that Devs will come back with the sequel - longer and better in all the ways I listed and those I didn't notice. This time I will be there to back them up.

Fighting!