Recent reviews by FallenSi

Didn't expect this much... Freebird always deliver , what a masterpiece as always.

I just finished the 9-nine- series, and overall, it was an incredible experience! If you're like me, you have this series on your Wishlist for awhile and you hesitate to start it since it is separated in episode and it's expensive, or you saw reviews saying the first episode sucks and all that. The price is a bit high but in my opinion it's worth the 40$ (on sale) for the whole series.

The first episode is a bit slow-paced, but that is totally understandable since it sets up the world, mechanics, and character introductions. It wasn't all that bad at least for me, some things were rushed like the romance but that's normal since it's mixed with the intro. once you get past the setup however, the series takes off. On episode 2, The chemistry between the main character and the heroine was fantastic. It has been a while since I laughed as hard at some dialogues. The voice acting did amazingly so it felt natural and engaging.

From Episode 3 onward, the series reaches peak quality. I was hooked. The story delivers non-stop twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I literally couldn't stop reading until late at night.

If you enjoy visual novels with great character dynamics, high stakes, and surprising plot turns, this is definitely worth reading!

As someone who has played through this entire monolithic series all the way from the original Liberl arc up to Daybreak 2 , going back to where it all began in full 3D has been an absolute dream.

Honestly, it frustrates me how this remake isn't being talked about enough. In a year full of massive RPGs, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter deserves way more mainstream hype for how brilliantly it handles this modernization. Falcom managed to capture the exact cozy, slow-burn magic of the 2004 original while making the combat feel incredibly fresh, dynamic, and accessible for a modern audience. The attention to detail, the updated pacing, and the sheer love put into Estelle and Joshua's dynamic is flawless.

For veterans, it’s a nostalgic masterpiece; for newcomers, it is officially the definitive entry point to the series.

Knowing the franchise's trajectory, the real test is just around the corner. If 2nd Chapter coming this fall manages to replicate the legendary storytelling of the original SC with this same level of remake quality, we are not just looking at a great sequel, we are looking at what could genuinely one of the greatest RPG of all time. Don't sleep on this one.

Man..... What a ride....

YOU and ME and HER: A Love Story is a visual novel that starts off like a typical romance story but quickly turns into something much more unsettling and meta.

The game plays with player expectations in a really clever way, especially by breaking the fourth wall and making you question your own choices. The characters feel more complex than they first appear, and the story shifts from sweet to disturbing in a way that sticks with you.

That said, it’s definitely not for everyone. Its pacing can feel slow at first, and some of its darker themes might be uncomfortable depending on what you’re used to. If you like fourth wall breaking type of game like doki doki or miSide it could be in your pay grade, but I found this game more disturbing in a certain way.

Overall, it’s a unique experience. less about romance and more about control, consequence, and how games interact with the player.

ATRI -My Dear Moments- is like if a toaster learned emotions and immediately outperformed every human in expressing them.

Short, sweet, slightly devastating, and somehow wholesome.
10/10, I laughed, I cried and questioned my life choices.

One of my favorite childhood game. Timeless strategy game that's easy to learn but offer plenty of depth. If you like game like cilivisation where you go through the age of history, I strongly recommend this one.

Nuking people end game never gets old.

Tales of Arise is a fantastic evolution for the series, but it’s a game of two halves.

The Good:

-Combat is good: The "Boost Strike" system is flashy, fast, and feels incredible. I found it less fun than vesperia or grace f but it's up there.

-Visuals: The "Atmospheric Shader" makes every environment look like a living painting.

-The Cast: Alphen and Shionne’s relationship is the heart of the game, and the party chemistry is top-tier.

The Not-So-Good:

-Pacing Issues: The second half of the game hits a major wall. The narrative shifts from character-driven rebellion to heavy, long-winded info-dumps.

-Endgame Fatigue: Dungeons in the final act become a slog, filled with "HP sponge" enemies that turn standard encounters into marathons.

Verdict: It’s a great JRPG that starts as a 9/10 but finishes as a 7/10 due to the late-game drag. Still absolutely worth playing for the combat and the first 30 hours of magic.

Kinkoi: Golden Loveriche starts off like your typical high-society "moege," but don’t let the bright colors and blonde hair fool you. Underneath its polished surface lies a narrative structure that builds toward one of the most emotional payoffs in the genre.

The Standard Routes: A Solid Foundation

For the most part, the character routes (Sylvie, Reina, Elle, and Akane) are consistently good. They offer a great mix of high-school comedy, lighthearted romance, and the occasional surprisingly "chad" moment from our protagonist, Ouro Ichimatsu.

Sylvie's Route: Essential setup for the world-building, basically the "main" heroine of the cast.

Reina’s Route: Full of playful teasing and a very sweet "friends-to-lovers" vibe.

Elle’s Route: A fun, protective knight dynamic that adds flavor to the cast.

Akane’s Route: Shorter than the others, I haven't enjoyed it much but it has its moment.

While some routes lean a bit heavily into melodrama or specific tropes, they all succeed in making you fall in love with the cast and the "Golden Time" they spend together at Noble Academy.
The True Route (Golden Time): A Genuine Masterpiece

Everything changes once you unlock the True Route (Ria Soma). If the earlier routes are the gold plating, Ria’s route is the solid gold core.

It is, quite simply, a masterpiece.

The shift in tone is masterful; it takes all the hints and foreshadowing dropped throughout the previous hours and weaves them into a narrative that is both devastating and beautiful. It transforms Kinkoi from a standard romance game into a reflection on living life to the fullest. You will laugh, you will definitely cry, and you will understand why this game has such a legendary reputation among visual novel fans.

Final Verdict

If you enjoy character-driven stories with high production values, Kinkoi is a must-play. The early routes provide a fun, engaging experience, but the True Route is what elevates this game to a level few others reach.

Rating: 10/10 (Carried to glory by Ria)

Peak fiction, literally. Stop looking at reviews and buy it already.

Did Kanna and Natsume route for now, plan to do Suzune next. If you read a Yuzusoft VN and enjoy it you probably will like this one too obviously. The common route is fine, but it's one of their weakest in my opinion. The route though I think they're great, wholesome and better than expected (for the ones I did at least). I don't regret buying it for sure.

Natsume Shiki's route alone is worth your time and money,.... She's that great, TRUST ME.