Dracu-Riot has 2 things going for it: The initial setting (has a number of peculiarities), and the amount of worldbuilding that is established in at least 3 of its routes. This is still yuzusoft formula, but its not a "moege" as one would normally understand it. As far as i'm aware, no other VN by Yuzusoft managed to pull off something of this magnitude (riddle joker is the closest). That only sounds impressive in concept however, because the implementation leaves much to be desired.
Positive:
- Worldbuilding - In essence, there's a lot of it, and it remains constant (a significant portion of it) throughout the routes, so the feeling becomes similar to a linear plot, in the sense that you are accumulating information that matters, even with alternate scenarios. Events and facts pile up, if you will, in a way that should not compatible with a Yuzusoft product. The strongest asset of the VN, execution aside.
- Vampires - Their portrayal is almost mystifying, if you consider established preconceptions on vampires (fiction/entertainment), but it does make for a nice change of pace. Clans, gothic, sexy, animalistic, crosses, give way to less exciting stuff, that ties to what i mentioned about setting and worldbuilding. It's different, but not bad.
- Heroines - It's a balanced roster, with the funny one, the human loli, the tsundere, and the airhead. Other than that there's a (very) nice surprise waiting for you. The positive also extends to their routes, none felt below average, and there tends to be a rotten apple, when thinking Yuzusoft.
- Yuzusoft goodness - It's the usual remark on production values (considering release date), that needs to be stated repeatedly, and not taken for granted. Visuals, art style, voice acting, OST, structure, options... All of that is very important in establishing the quality of a VN.
Negative:
- It may sound fickle, but i could turn each and every positive above, into some form of critique. Dracu-Riot is a diamond in the rough, needs serious polishing. If i had to point out one thing, i'd say that the logistics of the island (setting) can get very dull, and the writers made a good call, abandoning this approach in the subsequent titles. They couldn't pull of the concept, in short.
Score: Dracu-Riot is a 7/10 and a good VN. The most important thing to keep in mind, is that they tried to do one thing differently and failed. That does not translate to a bad VN however, and the attempt itself needs to be commended. It's difficult to recommend this one (compared to other Yuzusoft), but if some of what i wrote sounds good to you, that's what i'm doing.
(H-scenes are more of the same, and it's a long VN. Remember the surprise.)
Positive:
- Worldbuilding - In essence, there's a lot of it, and it remains constant (a significant portion of it) throughout the routes, so the feeling becomes similar to a linear plot, in the sense that you are accumulating information that matters, even with alternate scenarios. Events and facts pile up, if you will, in a way that should not compatible with a Yuzusoft product. The strongest asset of the VN, execution aside.
- Vampires - Their portrayal is almost mystifying, if you consider established preconceptions on vampires (fiction/entertainment), but it does make for a nice change of pace. Clans, gothic, sexy, animalistic, crosses, give way to less exciting stuff, that ties to what i mentioned about setting and worldbuilding. It's different, but not bad.
- Heroines - It's a balanced roster, with the funny one, the human loli, the tsundere, and the airhead. Other than that there's a (very) nice surprise waiting for you. The positive also extends to their routes, none felt below average, and there tends to be a rotten apple, when thinking Yuzusoft.
- Yuzusoft goodness - It's the usual remark on production values (considering release date), that needs to be stated repeatedly, and not taken for granted. Visuals, art style, voice acting, OST, structure, options... All of that is very important in establishing the quality of a VN.
Negative:
- It may sound fickle, but i could turn each and every positive above, into some form of critique. Dracu-Riot is a diamond in the rough, needs serious polishing. If i had to point out one thing, i'd say that the logistics of the island (setting) can get very dull, and the writers made a good call, abandoning this approach in the subsequent titles. They couldn't pull of the concept, in short.
Score: Dracu-Riot is a 7/10 and a good VN. The most important thing to keep in mind, is that they tried to do one thing differently and failed. That does not translate to a bad VN however, and the attempt itself needs to be commended. It's difficult to recommend this one (compared to other Yuzusoft), but if some of what i wrote sounds good to you, that's what i'm doing.
(H-scenes are more of the same, and it's a long VN. Remember the surprise.)
