CROSS†CHANNEL has so much going for it, that I can say with certainty: This is one of those VN's that has survived the test of time, and became a timeless classic. Characters are great; Story is engaging; Writing is often inspired; Themes are interesting and relatable; Lots of drama and emotionally powerful title; Unique comedy, nice slice of life, and more. Why is such a title not at the top of the ratings then? Endless repetition.
Positive:
- Entertainment with emotional payout - CROSS†CHANNEL is a VN about human relationships, exchanges of the heart, true and fake selves, loads of trauma, acceptance of yourself/others, and vulnerabilities galore. The more sensitive and capable of empathy you are, the greater CROSS†CHANNEL becomes.
- Good Mystery VN - In essence, you start with an incomplete setting, and keep receiving new info to paint a more detailed picture in your mind. It's not really about the big supernatural mystery, it's all about the circumstances that lead the characters to the present situation. Very enjoyable read.
- Characters are flawed and human - If you read the premise, you know that the cast is made up of society's "rejects", and the VN explores why these people became abnormal, why it's so hard for them to connect with others, if something can change their status quo, and you as the reader can determine if their actions and feelings, are (really) that far removed from normalcy.
- Comedy - It ranges from immature, stupid and crude, to surreal, brilliant, priceless, and laugh out loud material, I just remember the latter. It's not a funny VN because the subject matter doesn't allow for it, but it can tickle your "funny bone" many times.
- TL notes - If I have to pick between (optional) TL notes, and idiotic localizations that completely warp original meaning, the TL notes win every time. It's a shame this practice didn't became the rule in the medium.
Negative:
- Endless repetition of previous content (hours of it) - It's on purpose, and you are supposed to feel as lost, as the characters themselves, but it's still incredibly boring. Sometimes you have entire sections, which are almost identical to what was previously read word-by-word, and you have to read it because of a slight difference. If you don't follow a guide it's even worse. It killed masterpiece status for me.
Score: CROSS†CHANNEL is an 8/10, and one of the most impressive old VN's around. You can read this now, or 10 years down the line, and that statement will not change. It made one decision that is a "hard pill to swallow" by contemporary entertainment standards, but it's still highly recommended to anyone, who has an interest in long VN's.
(H-scenes look good for 2003, but they are no reason to read this. I didn't read CROSS†CHANNEL with the "George Henry Shaft Patch".)
Positive:
- Entertainment with emotional payout - CROSS†CHANNEL is a VN about human relationships, exchanges of the heart, true and fake selves, loads of trauma, acceptance of yourself/others, and vulnerabilities galore. The more sensitive and capable of empathy you are, the greater CROSS†CHANNEL becomes.
- Good Mystery VN - In essence, you start with an incomplete setting, and keep receiving new info to paint a more detailed picture in your mind. It's not really about the big supernatural mystery, it's all about the circumstances that lead the characters to the present situation. Very enjoyable read.
- Characters are flawed and human - If you read the premise, you know that the cast is made up of society's "rejects", and the VN explores why these people became abnormal, why it's so hard for them to connect with others, if something can change their status quo, and you as the reader can determine if their actions and feelings, are (really) that far removed from normalcy.
- Comedy - It ranges from immature, stupid and crude, to surreal, brilliant, priceless, and laugh out loud material, I just remember the latter. It's not a funny VN because the subject matter doesn't allow for it, but it can tickle your "funny bone" many times.
- TL notes - If I have to pick between (optional) TL notes, and idiotic localizations that completely warp original meaning, the TL notes win every time. It's a shame this practice didn't became the rule in the medium.
Negative:
- Endless repetition of previous content (hours of it) - It's on purpose, and you are supposed to feel as lost, as the characters themselves, but it's still incredibly boring. Sometimes you have entire sections, which are almost identical to what was previously read word-by-word, and you have to read it because of a slight difference. If you don't follow a guide it's even worse. It killed masterpiece status for me.
Score: CROSS†CHANNEL is an 8/10, and one of the most impressive old VN's around. You can read this now, or 10 years down the line, and that statement will not change. It made one decision that is a "hard pill to swallow" by contemporary entertainment standards, but it's still highly recommended to anyone, who has an interest in long VN's.
(H-scenes look good for 2003, but they are no reason to read this. I didn't read CROSS†CHANNEL with the "George Henry Shaft Patch".)
