Normally when I write a review, I will start by saying the very short version of my feeling to a game hence why I give it the X number of stars...and go on to make probably the longest review of all the reviews in the game's review section, while trying to be objective.
But this one, I can't.
I just love this game (or let's face it, this girl) way too much that I am aware it will cloud my judgment, but what the hell, here it goes.
First of all, let's get the obvious out of the way:
I will assume most if not all the people who read reviews are aware of another game that have similar mechanics to this one. But Review Rules dictates that I can't really mention that game, so I will simply say: Yes, it does feel like the lite version of that game that you Teach a slave Feeling again, but it has enough difference to be a simple copy.
So the basic premise is just like what the overview said, but in case you want the more "practical" version: You are a middle age (assume) salaryman (
shachiku) stuck in a dead-end job without any life outside of work. One day after work, you take a train home while thinking about your mortality. A highschool girl approaches you and starts chatting, you soon learn her name is Yuu Serizawa, she is running away from home, and need a place to stay for serval days...she asks you to let her stay, and promise to do your housework and stuff, plus doing the "obvious thing" if you want.
Now just like that other very similar game, you do have serval ways to lead to bad ends. They are (mostly) rather obvious, aside from that one that will um, how do I phrase it in a not spoiler way? Ah, screw it.
Aside from that, one bad end does show a dark alternate future that may hint of something bad is out there...but that is never really brought up in any other choices you make.
Anyway, the gameplay is rather simple, every day starts in the morning where normally you have some dialogue option to choose, then after your everyday work, the game turn in to a kinda point and click interface that gives you "action points" to do things with Yuu, that range from chatting, working, buying stuff from "not Amazon" to give to her or use yourself, drink drinks that have effects, and do the obvious (which is kinda complex compare to the simple gameplay outside of it), etc.
It is rather simple once you know what you are doing, and is also easy to fall into a trance of doing the same things every day.
What is not simple is to figure out what to do, especially that thing in the above spoilers section. Even after that, in order to unlock certain "events", you still have to do some trial and error. Now, these do have hints in the CG mode that is standard in these kinds of game, and yes, they help...but I am that dumbass who didn't notice until I bump around and unlock most of them.
Now you might wonder: Why do you not look shit up when you feel stuck? The reason is not "Gamer Pride" or something I don't have. It is because of how this game presents itself: Even though this game is rather simple when it comes to gameplay (except the "non-event sex scene") the atmosphere this game presents is probably the best out of any other similar games (Yes, even better than that famous one), it really gives you a "living with your girlfriend" feeling.
The music is calm and relaxing, the art feels cozy and warm, and the voice acting, oh boy, that is what takes the cake.
I am not good at Japanese, like at all. The amount of Japanese I can understand in a standard sentence is like 20%. But hats off to the VA who voices Yuu (I actually know her real name, but she uses a fake name in this game, so...) her performance is fantastic and is one of the main reasons, if not the main reason I am in love with this game. Hearing Yuu saying "Good Morning" every in-game day really makes me feels warm and fuzzy inside.
So does this game have any flaws? Well yes.
Aside from the trial and error mention above. There is one big flaw that will probably turn off a lot of people:
WHAT IS WITH THIS MOSIACS?
Normally I (mostly) don't give a crap about mosaics since a standard porn game often stands on both gameplay and porn (or they have no gameplay like VNs...those don't really count.)
But the gameplay of this game is only "fine" at best when compared to that famous one. It is the art direction, the music, and ofc the voice acting makes this game so great with its cozy atmosphere...and adding a giant patch of mosaics about all of them just feel very unfortunate. The game is so good, the mosaics ruin it like a piece of crap on top of a simple but carefully dressed wedding cake.
I know Japan has the law they must obey and shit, but hey, I will pay top dollar for an uncensored version.
So tl;dr, I very very like this game.
The gameplay might be simple (aside from the sex) and sometimes trial and error. But the atmosphere it presents though music, art direction, and that fantastic voice acting just trumps every flaw it has in my opinion.
Finally, to end this review, and to show that I am not joking about how much I love this game,
check this thing out.
I own it, like in real life.
Okay, now I will really end this review after probably creeping a lot of people out.