The final installment of the "A clockwork Ley-line" trilogy ("Ley-Line 3"), does exactly what you expect of it, and provides you with a competent finale, that feels gratifying, never betraying your expectations. The only menace to all the happiness, is a change in stance/structure from the previous 2 titles, that simplified (streamlined) things, but also made it easier to end the trilogy in style. It won't be an issue to everyone, but some may frown upon realizing this.
Positive:
- Good use of the cast - Not many VNs can have a large cast, and succeed in making it relevant to the story, or appealing to the reader. Leyline 3 pulls this off, with flying colours, and the only thing clouding that achievement, is the fact that for all intents and purposes, this a 50 hour VN (The effect isn't coming solely from Ley-Line 3).
- Connections to prequels - In the same vein, but not coming across as a handicap, Leyline 3, has many links/mentions to its predecessors. The detail and cohesiveness (which was lacking in Ley-line 2), goes as far as eliminating loose threads, and even observes possible (pedantic) plot holes. Hard work, and a positive lasting impression.
- Satisfying emotional/logical conclusion to the trilogy - There are complaints, but they are minor compared to what was achieved. The payout is high whether we look at feeling elicited, or fulfillment after the ending segment. To keep it brief, reading all 3 VNs is worth it.
- More things - Like the choices on where to invest in terms of visual assets; The extra stories are nice; A diary mechanic, that induces anticipation; An acceptable "Deus Ex Machina"; Being less "tropey", than just about any traditional VN; Principal is still wonderful (has THE best voice actress); I could go on.
Negative:
- The main thing is the episodic nature of this VN, and the logistics associated with it (like reused assets, bang for your buck, strings attached in order to read, it's not a VN with a complete story - that kind of thing), but this is a personal distaste, and more subjective than usual. The real negative however, is a mindset change from previous titles, that removed complexity, and plot intricacy, in favor of convenient plot devices ("out of thin air"), and mystery built on simple (and numerous) compounding events. The whole thing is solved due to unknowable, unfeasible supernatural, after so many instances of magic with some form of logic behind it. It's not bad, but it's still disappointing.
Score: "Ley-Line 3" is an 8/10 and a very good VN. If you read the other 2, there's no reason to stop now. Highly recommended for that particular audience only.
(H-scenes are only unlocked after the main story, and they work as good fan service, giving you alternative scenarios with the heroines, and an epilogue. A number of them include comedy, and situations that happen in dreams, so treat them like an extra.)
Positive:
- Good use of the cast - Not many VNs can have a large cast, and succeed in making it relevant to the story, or appealing to the reader. Leyline 3 pulls this off, with flying colours, and the only thing clouding that achievement, is the fact that for all intents and purposes, this a 50 hour VN (The effect isn't coming solely from Ley-Line 3).
- Connections to prequels - In the same vein, but not coming across as a handicap, Leyline 3, has many links/mentions to its predecessors. The detail and cohesiveness (which was lacking in Ley-line 2), goes as far as eliminating loose threads, and even observes possible (pedantic) plot holes. Hard work, and a positive lasting impression.
- Satisfying emotional/logical conclusion to the trilogy - There are complaints, but they are minor compared to what was achieved. The payout is high whether we look at feeling elicited, or fulfillment after the ending segment. To keep it brief, reading all 3 VNs is worth it.
- More things - Like the choices on where to invest in terms of visual assets; The extra stories are nice; A diary mechanic, that induces anticipation; An acceptable "Deus Ex Machina"; Being less "tropey", than just about any traditional VN; Principal is still wonderful (has THE best voice actress); I could go on.
Negative:
- The main thing is the episodic nature of this VN, and the logistics associated with it (like reused assets, bang for your buck, strings attached in order to read, it's not a VN with a complete story - that kind of thing), but this is a personal distaste, and more subjective than usual. The real negative however, is a mindset change from previous titles, that removed complexity, and plot intricacy, in favor of convenient plot devices ("out of thin air"), and mystery built on simple (and numerous) compounding events. The whole thing is solved due to unknowable, unfeasible supernatural, after so many instances of magic with some form of logic behind it. It's not bad, but it's still disappointing.
Score: "Ley-Line 3" is an 8/10 and a very good VN. If you read the other 2, there's no reason to stop now. Highly recommended for that particular audience only.
(H-scenes are only unlocked after the main story, and they work as good fan service, giving you alternative scenarios with the heroines, and an epilogue. A number of them include comedy, and situations that happen in dreams, so treat them like an extra.)