VN - Others - Completed - Rewrite+ [v3.01 Final] [VisualArts/Key]

Rewrite was the first VN I read, many years ago, and it goes without saying, that right now any possible objectivity flew out the window, all I have to back me up is nostalgia. Still, I think rewrite is a solid VN, and a very good recommendation for someone who wants to try a longer title (30+ hours) for the first time.

Positive:
- Very likable characters. Whether it's the protagonist, the best friend who always wants to fight, the blond loli with an eyepatch, or the likely to be engaged in witchcraft best heroine, Rewrite has a colorful, and interesting cast, with more than enough going for them.
- Great OST, probably goes on a best ever list, in a VN. Just check it on YouTube, the number of good/great tracks is very impressive.
- Good group of friends, and unique club activities. Basically, a lot of Rewrite revolves around finding if anything supernatural, exists in the world (occult "club"), and the twist is that everyone is hiding something related to that interrogation. It's very entertaining.
- Oppai route. No spoilers, but this is a joke route, that requires some (a lot?) work to unlock, and it's totally worth it. After reading the entire thing, this was the cherry on top of the cake.
- (Partial) Good writing. It's complicated, as you will see below, but there are great moments, and excellent storytelling in Rewrite. Akane's route is a good example.

Negative:
- The routes are incredibly uneven, and more subjective than usual. Different writers, means you can dislike plot devices, fantastic inspirations, power levels, sense of overall coherence, and so on. It's a shame, and maintaining quality should have been a priority.

Score: Rewrite is an 8/10, and if you are thinking of getting into longer VN's, this would be my recommendation, on where to start. It's an old title, that allows you to understand how this type of entertainment works, and may convince you, to continue reading more further down the line.

The music is 10/10 as with all games made by KEY. (Clannad/ Little busters/ etc.)

The different routes are wildly varied since the premise is that the protagonist REWRITES the story based on who he chooses to spend his time with. Of course most visual novels don't have continuity between different routes anyways, but this particular game makes it slightly obvious that the gimmik is that the plot is rewritten(It's the title of the game).

Despite the lack of continuity between different routes, the routes all have uniquely enjoyable stories and uniquely wonderful music for each character.

I played this game a long time ago and I had high hopes for it but I was ultimately pretty disappointed. The art, the story and the characters are all kind of meh but what really turns me off is the retconning the plot does based on which route you take. Picking one girl over another literally changes the very fabric of the universe.

For instance, and these are just made up examples, but let's say you pick girl A. Girl A is secretly an alien who is trying to stop an enemy alien invasion from destroying the earth. Events in the common route refer to this scenario. If you picked girl B however, it turns out that girl A was just chunni and the invasion is made up and aliens aren't real. Depending on who you go with, the reality literally changes, and it's not in like a clever way where everything is tied together in the end, different routes literally contradict one another which makes it a super bizarre and a very awkward experience.

And some of the route endings are pure dog. Have fun becoming a tree.