Others - Completed - Beat Valkyrie Ixseal [v1.01] [Alicesoft]

i'd give this a 4.5 star. overall the production value is very high, so it is amongst the best produced game here. but i would deduct 1/2 a point because the game play and mechanics can be better designed. at times it feels grindy and repetitive.

Beat Valkyrie Ixseal is very plot driven compared to its predecessors. This gets to a point where sizable interludes are used to connect a lot of word lore, character motivations, and secrets. Generally this is a good thing, but here it means that actual gameplay is reduced, and this is marketed as an RPG. In essence, the main thing to be aware of is that in terms of percentages, this is much closer to a "pure VN" than a game (even if they are one and the same, in the grand scheme of things).

After that comes the 18+, and you will be pleased to know that they delivered just about every tag in existence (hyperbole, but not by much). Whatever preferences you have, they got you covered. Overall this is the best of the 3 "Beat" titles, and a fun time.

Positive:
- Adult content - It's quite something. To keep it short, they use magic to allow for just about anything. There's no shota? Make the protagonist younger. There's no tanned heroine? Now there is. Heroine really loves the protagonist? Brainwashing and NTR ensues. The dev really wants to please its audience, and provide a lot of value. As for "extreme content", there's no need to worry because a warning (and a choice) plays out when it's about to happen. Art style and V.A (M.M has a great performance) are also helping matters, along with tips on how to unlock everything.

The only complaint will be directed at the "upgraded scenes". If you don't know, some games (usually "corruption games") have "tiered" H-scenes with progressively more daring content being unlocked as you increase some stat or clear the conditions. In Ixseal a significant part of these isn't particularly exciting or something to look forward to. I'll just give you a point of reference, something like Magical Girl Celesphonia does it right (most popular example i can come up with).

(While in the topic, "losing and rape scenes" - AliceSoft trademark - feels "organic" here. Much better than Dohna Dohna for instance.)

- Story, SoL, Comedy, Fluff - Fairly impressive given the adult nature of the title, and what was delivered in the prequels. There's no point in expecting a lot of sense or coherence, but everything is made to fit. The main narrative combines biblical inspirations with eroge tropes (i know, but it's Japan), to deliver a message of acceptance, but also pride in the things you like. The filler content is plentiful and constant, usually divided between school, city and home. There's always some event happening in Ixseal, they don't want you to feel bored or let repetitiveness set in.

Main issue would be comparisons to previous titles. This a VN where a demon invasion is under way, but it really doesn't feel like it, despite the occasional mention. Beat Blades Haruka was "darker" in this regard. Another thing is heroine portrayal. The 2 heroines are way too similar, if you disregard body types. Both Haruka and Escalayer (as in the VNs) were more attractive in that regard (highly subjective, and many years separating the impressions, but worth mentioning).

Negative:
- Gameplay - This needs a proper explanation. The problem is the time you spend in combat or managing things (RPG). The mechanics they come up with are "light-years" ahead of what was accomplished in the prequels, but most of your time goes to the story or the 18+. The combat itself is innovative and based on predicting battles many moves ahead. The "training game" (raising sim) aspect has you juggling resources in strange, but engaging ways (an example would be "mana" allowing you to cast spells, but also buy new spells), that always feel fair and organized.

The entire system (and the title itself) breathes convenience, feels friendly to the player. All of the praise becomes irrelevant when you understand that "fighting and managing", are secondary tasks at best (as stated in the opening of the parameter, it's a question of alloted time, not quality).

Score: 8/10, and a good time. In all honesty, i still favor Beat Blades Haruka over this one, but this is the superior entry, start here if you are interested in the series. The heroines needed work, the distribution of content is not to my liking, and the fact that "old school" is basically gone from the devs mentality at this point, is a double edged sword. Remove those from the equation, and it's "smooth sailing" all the way. Recommended for its focus on the storytelling, strong production values, and 18+ that delivers quantity and quality as usual.

(Try having max affection with both girls, keeping your brutality close to 80 - the threshold between pure love and brutal endings - and make a save once you reach the "higher domain" area. This allows you to check all the endings without replaying the whole thing. Doesn't apply to bad endings.)

Hello! It's me Illidan! Today i will review third Beat game from Alicesoft. It was released long time ago and i anticipated it's translation. Of course i was a bit disappointed in some small details, but overally it's good experience imo. I will rate this hgame by these categories : Translation, story, gameplay, hscenes.

Let's start!
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Translation 5/5 - I didn't find much problems.... But to be honest, i am itching to put 4, because of font, which was used for text. But i think it would be way too petty

Story 2-3/5 - I won't say that story in this part is good. I felt like previous games had better story than this one. Also MC japanese nerd antics were kinda.... Annoying tbh? I can easily see a reason, why demons betrayed him. Though, i would always blame game plot, for why they simply didn't finish off MC later. Anyway, you will see some "unexpected" plot points. But honestly, i would say that how game deviates depending on your brutality/libido and love status, does make some interesting deviations in story. Though, i am sad that there is no choices like in previous Escalayer games

Gameplay 3-4/5 - Honestly, it's unique gameplay compared to tons of RPGmaker games. But it's very simple, compared to some hgames like Baldr Sky(forgive me moderators, but i will mention it). Resists simply decrease or increase damage dealt by certain attribute. You need to watch AP, health, brutality status, your dark energy thing. Have enough stats and piled AP to beat shit out of boss. Overally, you will be forced to change your attacks deck only against some high Reflex 50/150 enemies and last boss, which have very annoying gimmick. So game is easy to clear, unless you are going for true route which requires 65 turns until the end

Hscenes 5/5 - I think it's pretty good hscenes. I think graphics in this part is better than in previous ones, but they had their own old charm. Anyway, i would recommend to watch CGs or scenes. Netorare in this hgame happens when you lose to certain bosses or if you go brutal route, where you prostitute your girls. But i honestly don't see any logical reasoning about prostituting girls....

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Conclusion 4/5 - I think it's solid Hgame to play and spend your time. Even if it feels like low effort hgame(at least imo), compared to Galzoo Island and Dohna Dohna. But if you want to relax in this hgame, i would recommend you to use cheats to not mull your brains before certain battles and simply brute force them, while gathering scenes.