KISETSU O DAKISHIMETE
Copyright © Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony PlayStation
Anime Simulation
1 Player
¥5800
Available in Japan
Where to buy
—by Kenneth Lee
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In July '98, gamers and game companies across Japan looked to Sugar & Rockets
and wondered if they could successfully revive the old cartoon/full motion
video style games of old with their release of
DOUBLE CAST.
A few hundred thousand units later, DOUBLE CAST seems to
have re-established a genre of gaming that was, at least on this side of the
Pacific, missing for many years. For those that don't know, Sugar & Rockets
(Sony Japan) and Production I.G. (anime studio for BLUE SEED,
the GHOST IN THE SHELL movie and PSX
game, etc.) set out to make a series of Sony PlayStation games along the vein of
the DRAGON'S LAIR and SPACE ACE
cartoon-based games of yore. The difference was that they set out not just to
copy this genre but to revitalize it by introducing a powerful story line, a
great cast of characters, and a very high replay factor with multiple story paths
and 27 different endings!
The embodiment of this ideal is their YaruDra ("jibun de yaru
dra-ma" or "do it yourself drama") series. There are four separate games
in the series and they all have distinctive stories and styles. But there are
two common threads; each is set in one of the four seasons, and each centers on
a girl with amnesia that the player must help. KISETSU O
DAKISHIMETE ("Embrace the Seasons"), is part 2 and the spring title in
the YaruDra series. In short, KISETSU is yet
another excellent addition to the series as a whole, and is comparable to its
predecessor.
Although the story, characters, and art are different, this game
plays much like DOUBLE CAST because it uses the same
game engine. It's essentially a turn-based DRAGON'S LAIR
type of game. Movies play and then pause as a menu pops up. Various choices
allow you to select what you want to do and a new anime sequence plays afterwards.
Each decision has a new anime cut scene, increasing the replay factor with
multiple outcomes.
Is the fact that KISETSU uses the exact same
engine as the previous game in the series a design flaw or a major
disappointment? No. What makes the YaruDra series so special is that each of
the games is unique because they're 100% character and plot driven. Although the
premise of amnesia recurs in all the YaruDra games, the gameplay is in uncovering
the mystery, finding the right paths, and uncovering the many secrets of
each of the characters. I won't give away the story (since that's the main
reason for playing), but suffice it to say that it is nothing short of
great. One thing to note is that, as is the case with its predecessor, a
thorough knowledge of Japanese is a must to fully appreciate this game.
While DOUBLE CAST could be categorized as a
romantic/psycho-thriller/drama of sorts (complete with homicidal maniacs),
KISETSU O DAKISHIMETE is a love story with a touch of
mystery. Although I generally have an aversion to anime saccharine overdoses,
Mayu-chan is perhaps the ultimate embodiments of "Totemo Kawaiii!" (really cute).
KISETSU also has excellent art style and a
great voice cast. While DOUBLE CAST has Gotoh Keiji
(NADESICO's character designer) as its main artistic
influence, KISETSU stands out even more with its gorgeous
art style. A highlight on their anime art staff is Kitakubo Hiroyuki, director and
character designer for the GOLDEN BOY anime series. One can
immediately see this influence in the very attractive girls that grace this game.
The music is excellent; light J-pop stuff, with the main theme song (full
vocals) easily eclipsing DOUBLE CAST's song. Lastly, this is
another game marked by amazing seiyuu (voice actors). For Mayu-chan, Yuka Imai does an
outstanding job. It's hard to believe that this ultra-cute voice also does
the male voice for Mamiya Otaru in SABER MARIONETTE J! Of
course another outstanding seiyuu is Kotono Mitsuishi
(EVANGELION's Misato and SAILOR MOON's
Usagi), who plays Tomoko, the other love interest in the triangle.
All in all, KISETSU O DAKISHIMETE is an outstanding,
light-hearted game filled with nice surprises, beautiful art, awesome voice acting,
and 27 different endings! It seems that Sugar & Rockets is not only
succeeding with the anime/FMV genre as a whole, but also in
their YaruDra series itself. They are giving the gamers out there real, discernible
choices for what kind of game they want to play. With DOUBLE CAST it is
great mystery/psycho-thriller/romance. With KISETSU O DAKISHIMETE you
have a romantic love story. And judging from the special preview that
unlocks when you beat this one with a "Good Ending," the next game in the
YARUDORA series is going to be the biggest yet:
SAMPAGUITA, an
action/romance featuring art and character designs by the incomparable
Shirow Masamune. 
Rating: **** out of 4 |
