VN - Others - Completed - Farther Than the Blue Sky [Final] [ChuableSoft]

Farther than the blue sky was able to find some footing in the difficult terrain, that is innovation, while remaining bland and inconsistent at its core. This is not a mixed bag or even a product of extremes, it's a VN where 2 (maybe 3) of its elements are more than enough for a high score, and some praise. The first is the "rocket science", and if you have zero interest in beyond layman level explanations, don't bother. The second and even more important is the inspirational value. "Real talk", this a VN about a bunch of kids, spending millions (more) for no good reason, and yet they are doing that which gives purpose to human existence. Mix that with the "grounded factor" derived from the rocket science topic, and you have something special, different from "overly romanticized" VNs.

Positive:
- "Rocket science" - it's difference factor, and educational purpose, not the theme itself. How many VNs actually teach you something tangible, while making its main subject the center of attention. Not a lot of them. It's pure boldness to attempt something like this, and guess what? They (dev) went bankrupt not long after.
- Inspirational value - How to find (your) happyness, will be left to your own devices, personally, working towards a desirable goal, and having someone who shares similar ideas/goals is the definition of the concept. That's what "Farther" presents, without overused supernatural, or abstracts that only resonate with a select number of people. More than enough reason to read this.
- Drama - This is connected to the above paragraph, and another component of a formula meant to motivate. All routes have some sort of roadblock, and that's pretty standard in the medium, but the problems ARE directly related to the main objective, and coherent with their corresponding character. When was the last time someone found themselves unable to do something, even with talent, experience, and hard work, in a VN? It's like that.

Negative:
- Many, many things: Comedy, character archetypes, group of friends, romance, trope reliance, uneven routes... It's a "punching bag" of a VN.

Score: Farther than the blue sky is an 8/10 and a very good VN. If the points on inspirational value sound good, give it a try. Don't underestimate the "rocket science sections", people with a humanities background, for instance (less math and physics) need to pay extra attention to what's going on. Consider that, when deciding if this is worth it.

(H-scenes are pretty standard, not good or bad.)

I have a love-hate relationship with this vn and the other vn also by the same dev that is also translated. huge spoilers about both vns ahead.

seriously huge spoilers.

this dev seems to like the idea of introducing some sort of permanent illness or disease or disability to their characters and use that as plot device/drama to push the story forward. it really is an expressway to black pill.

it does gave me pause and sit down and pander to a lot of things. my conclusion is basically walk away the moment you hear they have sickness. sure it's not their fault, but it's also not my problem. do not get too emotionally involved so that you can breakup easier. and don't date sick girls. if she's drinking any sort of meds even if its just something cheap as metformin, walk away.

maybe this is why being 30 and virgin makes you a wizard that can easily repel women. it was at this point in my brain that all the dots have connected. she's 25? she's a Christmas Cake. more dots connecting.

this company truly made me swallow the black pill. therefore the love-hate relationship.

A suprisingly very enjoyable and well crafted visual novel experience. It follows a well-worn formula but executes it with confidence and competence- you must help a school club of four schoolgirls achieve their dreams, and in the process you can romance them.

While there are many VNs with this kind of setup, the gorgeous art, the pleasing but not overbearing soundtrack, and the fairly decent explanations of rocket science make for a very satisfying experience. Its not often you learn while you lewd, afterall!

The characters you can choose from are all solidly realised, if stock characters. The controlling tsundere, the cheeky and energetic brat, the kuudere loli, the lovable but ditzy oppai blonde, all are decent takes on stock character types.

Some have compared this to If My Heart Had Wings. I'd say that this is a much more upbeat and straightforward story than that VN, and in my opinion, is a lot better. If My Heart Had Wings overstayed its welcome, and tried to enthuse too much of itself with a serious, soaring, epic feel that dragged. By contrast, Farther than the Blue Sky keeps a light tone, and doesn't let its protagonist's lofty goals drag the story too far from a fun, compact experience.

The Final Chapter unlocked after completing the other 4 routes may not have any additional eroge content or a much wanted harem route, but it does tell a satisfying story that brings all of the established characters together for one last heart-warming finale,

Overall, I am happy to give this a 5 out of 5. It might not be unique, mind-blowing or groundbreaking, but it is a solid VN well worth your time.

Came for the fap, stayed for the plot. Very emotional and wholesome. A touch of vanilla in this place for degenerates. All of girls can be the best girl. 5 stars, check it out (although, I suggest a lot of patience for the action to start, it one of those games that takes time).