Katawa Shoujo released

[applegirl]

Wow...after 5 years of development! I've been playing the all-ages version and I must say...holy cow. First, they get the guy who did "Draw with Me" to do fully animated sequences for each girl. Then, they have stories that are actually really well written and funny. I've read and played a lot of visual novels. I can see why this one was so praised. I've only had time to read one route, but it was very, very impressive. A ridiculous amount of CG too...

In fact, the only thing bad about this visual novel (and this is if I have to make a complaint), is the use of photographic backgrounds. I understand why they did it, there are so many backgrounds! It actually doesn't detract from the experience, but with everything else about this project done exceptionally well, I would notice it now and then. But again, everything else is done to a very, very high standard. I think this one really does raise the bar for free visual novels. Considering the topic, I was afraid of what they would do with it. But, it seems to have been very sensitively handled and by tackling such a topic, very original. I commend the courage to take on a controversial topic and it saddens me that the developers are closing shop after releasing such a great visual novel.

I doubt the developers are on this forum, but I thought I'd just mention it was released. Plus, I have to praise their ridiculously large fan base. Over 1000 downloads in the first 30 minutes of release? Yeah, I'm guessing a lot of people were waiting to play this.

I really thought expectations would be disappointed after 5 years. But I must say...well done. My expectations were actually exceeded.

EDIT: Here are some direct download links I posted below:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I9RKH8HT
http://www.fileserve.com/file/vAk2wMD/% ... 628%5D.exe
http://www.filesonic.com/file/gf3ln6P

Some other person uploaded them. But I downloaded the one from megaupload and played through it.

[gekiganwing]

The current version contains adult content. IIRC, the creators allow players to skip sex scenes. Not sure if there will be a 100% worksafe version.

In the next few days, I'll get around to reading Katawa Shoujo. I know that people liked the first chapter, but I was kinda "meh" about it. I liked the character sprites, but I didn't find any aspects of the writing to be exceptionally good. Maybe I missed something... Well, when I'm not feeling congested, I will try to figure out what specific things might be notable about the characterization, dialogue, and plot.

[redeyesblackpanda]

Pretty excited, although I'm a bit worried about how NSFW the NSFW scenes are (I don't know at this point, so I probably won't play this in public places).

[KimiYoriBaka]

I doubt the developers are on this forum

well, IIRC two of the contributors are members, though they don't post often. more than that, it now feels odd that the act 1 demo is in "completed games." I guess at the time it was the length of all the completed games on here, but still...

still waiting for ddl. I can't use torrent .

[applegirl]

I'll admit, I have no idea how bad the NSFW scenes are. But, I'm just really impressed overall by this visual novel. It doesn't appeal to me on the whole "wow, look how cute these characters are!" but more of a "Wow, there's actual depth and substance to characters who have actual problems."

Oh, here are some direct download links:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I9RKH8HT
http://www.fileserve.com/file/vAk2wMD/% ... 628%5D.exe
http://www.filesonic.com/file/gf3ln6P

[redeyesblackpanda]

I torrented it, but I don't really have time to play right now. Makes me sad...

[Pugfarts]

Started playing this before my trip last week. Really well-written.

[redeyesblackpanda]

Considering the work that went into it, that's not much of a surprise. I'm waiting for some free time so I can lock myself away and play this!

[Sapphi]

I'm ridiculously excited! I played Act 1 and really enjoyed it. ^0^
Of course I'm not going to have the time to play this anytime soon but hnnnnnnnnnnngh can't wait to play Hanako's route! Lily and Shizune will soon follow >w<

[dott.Piergiorgio]

already DL'd and in process of installing.

I must warn that seems that the Linux launcher has a serious bug, and on the KS site is a patch for fixing it.

Best regards from Italy,
dott. Piergiorgio.

[Wyldstrife]

Just got done with the first playthrough and got the good Hanako ending. I have to agree with applegirl, it really did exceed my expectations.

[Mink]

The current version contains adult content. IIRC, the creators allow players to skip sex scenes. Not sure if there will be a 100% worksafe version.

In the next few days, I'll get around to reading Katawa Shoujo. I know that people liked the first chapter, but I was kinda "meh" about it. I liked the character sprites, but I didn't find any aspects of the writing to be exceptionally good. Maybe I missed something... Well, when I'm not feeling congested, I will try to figure out what specific things might be notable about the characterization, dialogue, and plot.

You and me both. But surely in like five years, the writing's improved.

Right?

Either way, I'll probably start to play it relatively soon, because I'm apparently a glutton for punishment.

[Omnificent]

Rin route blew me away. It managed to capture the pain of isolation and how people can interact without ever really understanding each other in a powerful and emotionally affecting way that I really didn't expect going into her path.

Shizune route was kind of weaker/more meandering and disjointed overall, but had a lighter tone and an engaging sense of humor that I really appreciated after the emotional Mack truck that was Rin route. It helped that Shizune!Hisao and Rin!Hisao were polar opposites (I'm pretty sure Shizune!Hisao would call Rin!Hisao an emo kid if they met through some space-time paradox).

I've heard good things about the other three routes, will probably go Lily, Emi (I didn't like her much in Act 1 but Rin's path made me warm up to her), then Hanako. A path a night!

EDIT:

Finished all paths at least once. In terms of how they made me feel overall, I'd say it went Rin > Hanako > Emi > Lilly > Shizune. Lilly's was certainly the most romantic though.

[DrakeNavarone]

Just finished Hanako's route. I went with my #2 choice first, and hope to put off #1, Rin, to the very end. Hanako's route did some things very well, some things a little boringly, and some things somewhat poorly, but overall I enjoyed my time with it. I think the ending was a bit messier than the main trunk of the route itself, although Acts 2 & 3 kinda suffer a slower pace. I wouldn't quite say they drag things out, but there are a few scenes that are just boring and flat. Still, Hanako proved to be as cute as ever (especially in her casual clothes), and I did overall enjoy my time with it.

I'm thinking of hitting Lilly's route next, but I have my worries. Lilly doesn't really interest me that much in her own right, but she was rather a nice character to have around during Hanako's route, providing a great support to both Hanako and Hisao. Still, her own merits seem not to amount to much for me, based on what I had played in the first Act 1 release. And I fear that Hanako can't possibly be as good a supporting character in Lilly's route as Lilly was to Hanako's. Still, I can't help but be curious what sorts of troubles might be lurking behind that ever-smiling face.

After that, I'm thinking of getting Emi out of the way, so I can enjoy all the awesome Misha-ness in Shizune's route before diving into Rin's route. Overall, I'm enjoying the game and am pleased how it turned out. It does what it sets out to do pretty well --- even if what it does isn't imaginative or innovative, it does it with skill and ambition. And I definitely look forward to seeing more of the Mike Inel FMV sequences!!

[Silvere]

Can fully subscribe DrakeNavarone's post except Lilly - She catches my attention and I´m there for her =D

And that Hanako still is my #1. Kinda think she will stay with the most "dramatic" plot in the game and I wanna stay with that as first expression as I love such things.
But well, gotta go on and see everything, eh? =D