I have upgraded after each R release (starting from I believe R3) and never had this problem till R5 FINAL. I have run the game from the InitSetting.exe and problem still here. It is why I decided to go with downloading the whole game again with R5 FINAL included in hopes a clean installation would fix my problem (it sadly did not).
I was (still am?) having issues with the 5.0.1 final. However, I too.. can not the game from InitSetting.exe alone.
Note; I realize I am running on an old laptop, that are at max limits so there is no expectation / assumption / (or being upset) from anyone. I just documenting what I encountered. I have been running somewhat Stable on R4.
I followed the update route to R4 hotfix/update. Playtested and everything seemed within the same parameters.
Updating to R5... I renamed the directory from !HoneySelect2R4 to !HoneySelect2 , ran the R5 Updater. and it ran perfectly. Playtested and everything seemed to have the same parameters.
I ran the R5 hotfix. Again everything fine. Playtested everything seemed fine.
Later; Found 1 updated SideLoader Plugins for English translation that was updated very recently. Downloaded newest full translation definitions/plugin.
AND thendownloaded the KKManager.
Extracted KKManager to !HoneySelect2\! KKManager_v0.14.4
Ran the update and check for any dupes or problems with mods and plugins.
I modified:
in mods (disabled):
AI_Tera_Horns.zi_mod (didn't need it)
[zajebanan] Nails.zi_mod (didn't need it)
B17\[B17] AI_SuSkirt_01.zi_mod (because there is no GUID)
AND with the limits of current laptop (8 Gb Mem, shared VRam because Integrated GTX 525M) throws CAB mem space errors on [B17] HS2_StdBackHair_w_Highlights.zip and will crash if I load different cards one after another. (Sub-directories for cards are max 100 card per directory, structure is sane & sound, there is no pre-caching).
I DO have a duplicate entry in Plugins:
orange.spork.advikplugin HS2_AdvIKPlugin.dll (YES, I did download it myself and place it in the plugins directory) entry was probably added the first time I ran it. The second entry was probably added from the manifest when KKManager.exe updated. that I'm uncertain how it will behave. Issue is that BOTH entries point to the same file on the same path: !HoneySelect2\BepInEx\plugins\HS2_AdvIKPlugin.dll. It has not caused me errors or issues so I chose to leave it alone.
(Unless someone recommends that I perhaps should modify it)
Unlike the CAB Mem space "Duplicate CAB Mem space error HS2_StdBackHair_w_Highlights.zip already found.. trying a to allocate a new space.." lockup occurring since the beginning? R3?
Running from inside KKManager -> InitSetting.exe ->. After setting the graphics options and checking if my paths are correct ran to Start. Standard warnings of "Not in Studio" and "Not in AI-Shoujo".. The console was throwing new errors however. New warnings regarding definitions/deprecation and "Future versions of Unity won't support that".
(maybe I just didn't notice after the 5.0.1 update?) Start. Playtested everything seemed fine.
Currently, Running !HoneySelect2\InitSettings.exe alone? Setting screen seems find. BUT hitting [Start] will pause/hesitate/lock-up. No console, No main window and just closes quietly. Procexp64.exe did not show a UnityCrashHandler64.exe blip start.
I know, I know, I should not have extracted and used (installed) latest KKManager 0.14.4.0 during this time of transition. I'm just happy I have something somewhat stable.
Now would be a great time to back-up and save all working copies of YOUR AI-SHOUJO and HONEY SELECT 2 R5.0.1!! If you have no issues do not attempt to add-on or update plugins past Oct 25th!
Onward to DX!