VN - Others - Completed - Kara no Shojo [v1.04] [Innocent Grey]

Kara no Shoujo is a very good mystery VN that stands out on account of its realism (even if the plot is still intricate), meaning that characters, what drives them, the setting, plot devices and themes, are all relatable, or at least believable. The problem with this title is the detective work expected of the reader/player. Without a guide it's very difficult to figure things out on your own. Also this takes place in 1950's Japan, and it's different from the usual VN.

Positive:
- No-nonsense art style - I really like it, because at some point you don't want more hair colors, eye colors, crazy clothing... Normal becomes the new special, if everything is special.
- OST, voiced protagonist - At least a handful of tracks are very good, and the protagonist being voiced is a major plus.
- One of the best mystery VN's - Convoluted or not, it's a great mystery story, and they give you some tools to try and solve it. If that doesn't sound appealing, following a guide and treating like a kinetic novel, is still rewarding.
- Unique setting - It's sheer difference factor, and a nice depiction of a distinct era, you don't usually see in the medium.
- Great characters - After story, and setting, the biggest strength of Kara no Shoujo lies in its characters. Protagonist, heroines, villains, support cast, everyone is at least above average and have plenty going for them.

Negative:
- It's complicated to figure out (not impossible though) - That's it. If you get stuck follow a guide, life is too short to watch the same dialogue being skipped repeatedly.

Score: Kara no Shoujo is an 8/10, and a very good VN. If you like mystery, as well as a more realistic approach to writing/visuals, and want to escape the usual VN setting, then this is perfect for you, and I highly recommend it. Just keep in mind that frustration may arise from the detective work, and figuring out the right choices.

(H-scenes also stray from traditional, but they aren't much of a reason to read this - Check the tags.)

V1.04

not played this one for some time, but have fond memories.
still in my top 5 VN's of all time as a double hitter behind F/S night's UBW.

i do remember it was a tricky read and i hit many dead ends before i finally found a half decent guide to routes for both, but the story was great to me. i don't think i have read another horror VN that comes even close.

it may be that my memories are rose-tinted as i had a small fascination at the time of other things japanese and especially their cinematic style of 'sinister', something hollywood normally fails at and turn to typical jump scare scenes to surprise the audience, not exactly horror.
this also translates into VN's as i do remember finding this one a little sinister and much more horrific than bible black, which is probably the closest competition for a horror VN that i have read.

but then tastes vary and we all are different. after all, i was the only person i know these days who did not see the twist ending at the end of sixth sense coming, even though all 3 times i see it at the cinema the whole audience gasped at the same point causing an ear-popping vacuum. so you might like this one or it may frustrate you. only one way to truly know.

i personally read the original 2011 release, the first western release, which was uncensored. not sure why this has been re-translated as i certainly don't remember it being ingrish. money for old rope possibly?

worth playing both. just play at night in a dark room bwahahaha

One of the best VNs I've ever played, and I've played a lot. An absolute classic of the horror / drama / mystery genres. I've looked and looked and never been able to find its equal.

First played it years ago, then went back to it after playing its sequel. Still holds up great. You owe it to yourself to play this game. It may stick with you for decades like it has with me.

I own a giant almost human sized wall scroll of one of the cover of this game (Touko sitting on a giant broken eggshell filled with blood while blood is falling on the ground), should tell you how much i love this one, i wasn't expecting to as i'm not that into horror or mystery/investigation but i did end up loving it, really loving it.

Everything is high quality, the character design, the art in general, the music, the story, the horror and the emotion this make you go trough, the sex scene are great too.

Touko the main girl is one of my favorite visual novel girl, she's really captivating, interesting, mysterious and likeable.

This game made me feel some pretty extreme thing multiple times i had that feeling of your heart sinking, definetely depressed me and made me feel like shit for a while after finishing it but i don't regret it, an experience like no others and one i won't forget.

I do very much realize that this isn't for everyone and most won't see this game as perfect as i do, objectively i can tell it's not flawless but it doesn't matter to me.

Anyway absolutely recommended, not for everyone but give it a chance !

This is one of those properties that knocks you off your feet immediately with just how graphic it is, and then proceeds to attempt to replicate this system shock repeatedly through the rest of the story, failing more and more each time as you become more and more desensitized to it. The story is well done, but the content lends the experience more towards exhausting than satisfying.

In the end, I'd say it's still worth a read. Just don't go expecting a happy ending, not that you should after that first scene.