Recent reviews by LAMBDA

This visual novel requires free content patch (download link available in the game's Kickstarter page). Steam version only contains the prologue chapter (Down the Rabbit-Hole 1). This review is based on the fully patched version of the game.

O Very well written mystery-drama story that span across multiple chapters. The reader must piece together clues from different characters' point of view from each chapter to figure out the entire picture of the scenario.
O While the story seems to be quite complex at first, it is actually very straight forward once the reader complete the final chapter.
O Very addictive story and well written script along with multiple sub-endings will keep you reading for hours.
O Great soundtrack and excellent voice actings.

X Serveral disturbing scenarios are way too long and badly paced (though it's definitely the writer trying to troll the reader).
X While almost every main characters are voice acted, one of the main male character isn't. It seems that the developer only hired female voice actors for female and feminine male characters.

- This visual novel contains a lot of disturbing and questionable contents; this includes but is not limited to extreme bullying, drug abuse, rape, incest, and suicide.
- A lot of references to other international literatures and poems. Knowing these references beforehand might (or might not) enhance your enjoyment of this game.
- Even with the free content patch, one CG is still removed when compared with the original Japanese version due to legal concerns on some regions.

Wonderful Everyday (Subarashiki Hibi) is a very intersting and well crafted mystery-drama that will be hard to put down once you start reading. Its relatively long (40-50 hours) reading time is definitely worth the price. This is definitely one of the best visual novel available on Steam.

O Solid action, fanstasy, and mystery story with satisfying ending.
O While some main characters are very annoying at first, they all have a very solid development throughout the story.
O Lots of plot twists; while some are quite predictable, others aren't.
O Multiple protagonists are well implemented in the story.

X While most of the antagonists are well written, the final boss is extremely underwhelming and has no personality at all.
X Background music is average at best.
X Though the game engine is quite capable, it is not well optimised, especially during scene with lots of visual effects.

- This is a kinetic novel with no branching plot line (30-50 hours long, depending on your read speed). However, there are short epilogues for each heroines (if you download and install free adult DLC from the publisher website).
- Romances are very minimal and not really the highlight here.

Overall, Sorcery Jokers is a very solid fantasy and mystery novel with interesting cast. Highly recommended for those who don't mind a linear visual novel with urban fantasy element.

O Gorgeous art direction, character design, and overall atmosphere with a very sleek in game UI.
O Superb and unique background music and soundtracks.
O Very likable and relatable main protagonist.
O While the entire plot is a simple magical girl story with melancholic mood, the game is very relaxing and charming. The story is well executed and has a memorable ending.

X Very poor game engine optimisation and limited graphic option. Well, it's a Gust game, so crap engine is quite within an expectation (even the PlayStation 4 version is badly optimised).
X Limitation in production budget is very obvious: limited map and enemy varieties, partial voice acting, and somewhat short side story for other characters other than the main trios.
X While the game mechanics and combats are very unique, they are not quite balance and overall game is a bit too easy, even on the hardest difficulty.

- Localisation changes warning: While this is very minor, pointless, and doesn't affect gameplay or plot at all, the vertical camera control in the changing room model viewer is very limited in the English version of the game.
- The story is linear, and combat can be quite repetitive on later chapters (though, you can choose to safely skip any optional quests).
- While DLCs are extremely overpriced, they are mostly cosmetic.

While it certainly has some technical and gameplay issues, Blue Reflection is a very unique flawed gem. Its colourful atmosphere and simple magical girl story about friendship is charming enough to capture my attention until the end.

O One of the best PC port with additional graphic settings, additional English voice lines, new turbo mode, and selectable controller prompts (XBox 360 or Dualshock 3 scheme).
O Excellent world building and intriguing political plot with numerous casts. Perfectly relaxing plots at times and high tension moments are well written.
O Great classic turn based RPG combat system, with tons of hidden quests and additional game mechanics. Each playable character is unique, mechanic wise, and is customizable. No level grinding required to progress through the story.
O Play time can easily clocked over 60 hours, with even longer play time for completionist.
O Great soundtracks overall.

X While most of the main casts are well developed, they are extremely JRPG tropey with some sort of tragic back stories.
X Original Japanese dub is not available due to licensing issue. Note that unofficial voice mod is available.
X Require a second playthrough (in new game plus) if you want to get every collectible in game. New optional events in new game plus is extremely minor.

- While the English script is very well written, it is heavily localized (very liberal). Personally, I prefer a tad more literal (direct) translation. This is not a bad thing per se, especially when it is done by a trustworthy localization team like XSeed / Marvelous USA. If not handle properly, heavy localization can lead to translation errors, resulting in changes in character personalities and lost of original cultural references; I am looking at you Nintendo Treehouse!
- While I enjoy every second of the game, its linear and slow story progression with lots of long text only scenes might not be everyone cup of tea.
- This titile is intended to be a two part game, since it ended with a massive cliffhanger. Its direct sequel, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II, is not yet available on PC (currently available on Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita).

While it is definitely not for everyone, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is an extremely enjoyable, classic turn based JRPG with excellent story. Its direct sequal is already confirmed for PC port and currently in development. There are also sister games, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky trilogy, with the same setting (though at earlier timeline) available now on PC.

O Super comfy and sweet romance story with emphasis on theme about hapiness.
O Memorable and quirky heroines; excellent casts and good character developments overall.
O Soothing insert and ending songs (6 vocal tracks in total).
O Excellent voice actings.
O Overarching theme about true hapiness is consistently brought up and explored in every heroine route, providing an overall satisfying conclusion at the end of the final route.

X As a norm of this genre, the protagonist is extremely plain.
X Weird (but somewhat easily resolved) drama on every heroine route.
X Several engine bugs, such as text encoding errors ("%" is shown as a numer string), mislabelling voice cut toggle option, and custom protaganist name not working in story texts. [Update: 13/07/2017] Bugs are fixed as commented by the developer.

- If you are familar with other Circus titles (such as Da Capo series), this is bascially more of the same solid romance story.
- There are 4 heroine routes and one true routes. The first 4 routes can be read in any order.

Dal Segno is a slightly cliche, but very solid and sweet romance story with overaching theme about true hapiness. It has been a very comfy read (basically Circus being Circus).
PS: 3 out of 5 heroines in this game wear hat. Is this also another hat simulator like Team Fortress 2 or what?

O Slightly disturbing (in a good way) yet beautiful action and fantasy story that keep you reading.
O Multiple plot twists and true end will blown you away (though, some twists are quite predictable).
O Tons of eye catching CGs.
O Excellent voice acting, especially for our point of view protagonist.
O The infodumps are well paced, and do not feel overwhelming.

X Early character developments are slightly, weirdly paced. (However, this is explained later on in the story).
X Surprisingly lacking in the romance department.
X Game engine is quite dated - 720p fullscreen resolution (with 576p window native) and no Steam overlay support.

- There is only single choice in this visual novel with 3 relatively short alternate ending chapters and 1 true end chapter. Common route is quite long though. In a sense, the story is very linear with no branching plot, except toward the end.
- Romance is only an icing on the cake; expect more action, thriller, and mystery elements.

Addicting, beautiful, and heartbreaking in one package. Personally, I would nominate this a bloody bittersweet simulator of the year though.

O Excellent graphic and cinematography; tons of CGs for a 10-hour long visual novel.
O Eccentric but very memorable casts. Basically, everyone apart from the protaganist has a few screws loose... in a good way.
O Great voice acting. Unfortunately, the protaganist is not voiced.
O Good variety of BGMs and very catchy opening theme song.
O Interesting overarching theme about memory and magic.
O Absolutely gorgeous opening movie.

X Chapter 1 is somewhat simple and pretty basic slice of life story by itself. I guess we will probably get a bigger picture and more depth in the overall plot once other chapters are available.
X The protaganist is quite bland.

- This is a kinetic novel, i.e. a visual novel with no branching plot, with approximately 10 hours reading time. Thus, gameplay and replayability are nonexistence here.
- Avoid this if you are not into slice of life story.
- Though the story in Chapter 1 is pretty much self-contained, it definitely end up foreshadowing a potential plot point in Chapter 2.
- The entire series can become a hit or miss depending on the upcoming chapters.

One of the best looking and soothing visual novel. It certainly have high potential to be a memorable series if the succeeding chapters can add something more interesting to the overarching theme. With that said.... how much longer do I have to wait for the next chapter, damn it! -*-

O Superb characters development and interaction.
O Simple, slightly slow paced, but very touching tale with melancholy yet heart-warming conclusion.
O Excellent voice acting. The main protagonist, which is a point of view character, is also fully voiced.
O Above average cinematography when compared with other traditional visual novels.

X Strange display aspect ratio (16:10) with relatively low resolution. Note that the original Japanese version was released in 2009.
X The plot is quite predictable.

- This is a kinetic novel, i.e. a visual novel with no branching plot, with approximately 10 hours reading time. Thus, gameplay and replayability are nonexistence here.
- This is also not a sci-fi oriented, but a simple yet touching love story. Don't let the description on Steam Store misleads you.
- Avoid this like plague if you hate sad story.

One of the most touching and heartbreaking story I have ever read. This is easily one of the best visual novel currently available on Steam.

Sweet dreams, Sion.

O Very enjoyable and unique combination of turn based strategy and action gameplay.
O Somewhat cliche and predictable, but overall intriguing war story with likeable casts.
O Good graphic, despite being a PC ported version of a 2008 Playstation 3 game. Basic screen resolution and graphic settings are available.
O Solid in game mouse and keyboard control in addition to full controller support.

X Slightly awkward menu layout and, strangely, no mouse support in menu.
X In game cutscene is not in full HD, but at an acceptable resolution.
X The game grading system encourage a rush tactic instead of a more well planned strategy, i.e. the less number of turns you take to complete the mission, the better grade and rewards you get.

- There are tons of in game cut scenes between each mission and/or skirmish. Though, these cut scenes are skippable, the story is a very crucial element in this game.
- Although there is no autosave feature, you can pretty much save your game manually at any point in game.
- Soundtracks are so-so, but suitable, in my opinion.

A very solid and unique strategy game with an execellent plot that is probably a parody of the World War 2. Don't hesitate to pick this if you are a strategy game fan.

One of the best puzzle games ever.