VN of the Month July 2010 - Second Novel ~ Kanojo no Natsu, 15fun no Kioku~

Wow, I'm going to call as many as three games masterpieces this month - Tasogare no Sinsemilla , Para-Sol and Second Novel ~ Kanojo no Natsu, 15fun no Kioku~ . And the last one is something special, so it wins. It's definitely in my review queue. Micchi awaits cuteness from Sugar+Spice2 and fandiscs.

1. Executor Script エグゼクタースクリプト [100702] Triangle

In a world where some people possess magic-like special abilities, Yamahito is a student who can use a power called ‘executor’. Together with his friend Shin they cause a commotion and one day, they were defeated by a girl named Primity Lumina, sent by the international organization Aproca to protect against ill-use of abilities. A few days later, Shin starts to use his powers to destroy the town to conquer the world. Primity Lumina approaches him to request his help in defeating Shin, while Shin also wanted him to join his side. Which he give in to the dark side or fight for justice alongside a cute bishoujo?

Card battles is all I need to know about this game.

2. Fate/Extra [100722] Type-Moon 1 2 3 4 5 6

According to Nasu, Fate/EXTRA is a JRPG which takes place set in an alternate universe that split from the Fate/stay night timeline in the 1980s to 1990s.

The Story is set in the in a school called Tsukumihara Academy, a fictional place existing with an artificial environment called the Moon Cell. There, the Moon Cell orchestrates a replication of the Holy Grail War using a system called Serial Phantasm or SE.RA.PH, which handles the summoning of Servants. Servant data is taken from the Automaton (Moon Cell Automaton), a spiritual computer system built on the lunar surface by a pre-human civilization and discovered by humans in the year 2032.

The Automaton has monitored and recorded all occurrences on the Earth (including the activities of human heroes) since time immemorial. In this sense, it is similar to the Throne of Heroes, but it's possible to summons beings which aren't present in the Throne.

Each of the 128 participants in the war must duel the other Masters in a place called the Arena, where failure results in deletion from both the real and digital worlds. When only one remains, the "Holy Grail" shall grant the victor's wish.

RPG is localized and has English reviews

3. Tasogare no Sinsemilla 黄昏のシンセミア [100722] Applique 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

There’s a legend about an angel’s robe in the scenic town of Minakami-mura, in the middle of which there is a large shrine. An university student, Kousuke, visits his mother’s hometown during the summer break to do some part-time and reacquaints with some old friends while also meeting some new ones. However, their normal lives are altered by the presence of a mythic drug that can cause living beings to become abnormal. This is the local story of the monster named Yamawaro.

There are English reviews

4. Trick x Logic Season 1 [100722] Chunsoft 1

After being pushed off of a building, prodigy prosecutor Yoshikawa Itsuki wakes up in Hell. Where the judge of human souls, Yama, asks Yoshikawa for his help with some unsolved cases. Yama usually reads a record of human deeds, the Akasha, to pass judgement on human souls, but in some cases he can't figure out whodunnit just by reading the Akasha. Hence the need for Yoshikawa's mind. He is to read the Akasha and figure out the culprit. If he cooperates, Yama promises to return him to the land of the living.

There is an English review.

5. Albatross Koukairoku 信天翁航海録 [100723] raiL-soft 1 2 3 4

Aboard the Albatross is an odd captain and an equally crazy crew. With no map in hand, they sail to unknown islands, meet ghost ships and cross paths with giant monster fish. No one knows where they are heading… including the captain. But they still all stay together since there’s no other place for them.

There are English reviews.

6. Classy ☆ Cranberry's クラ☆クラ CLASSY☆CRANBERRY’S [100723] Atelier Kaguya P-ch 1

The protagonist, Honda Rei is the only son of the world-famous Honda zaibatsu.

While his genius scientist mother and his world renowned actor father are often busy abroad, he has his sister-in-law, an attractive college student, his childhood friend and best friend with him leading fun happy student lives. They attend a school for the ultra wealthy elite where the majority of the students are sons or daughters of financial heavyweights.

However, there are also commoners attending the school, possible due to scholarships, too.

Once, Rei saved a commoner student from a predicament and they became close because of it.

And then comes the turning point.

The school's boast, the legendary event, the "Advent Festival".

Besides the fact that its events are different from normal schools' festivals, it has a school wide ball participated by all students. The center-point of which are the year's so called MVP, two students which are given the title of "Prince" and "Princess".

It's not only a high honor, there's a well known legend that the two people selected will be forever tied to each other living happy lives.

As expected Rei was selected as the prince.

Unfortunately they have difficulty selecting the princess.

The school chairman said, "I leave the decision on who would be the princess to you."

Who would he select as the princess?

You are invited to this erotic and moe ball!

There is an English review.

7. Geki Tama! ~Seiryou Gakuen Engeki Bu~ げきたま！～青陵学園演劇部～ [100723] Cassiopeia

Ikumi transfers to Seiryou Gakuen, situated at the foot of Mount Fuji, in the second school term. He is approached by drama club members Kikka, Rin and Yurina, who force him to join their club, which is short on members and is in danger of being closed. Even though he has never acted in a play before, they were all highly expecting him to help out. Then suddenly, something strange happened and he was possessed by the spirit of a general from the Sengoku! Will the play at the school fair be able to go smoothly now!?

Moege. If you ask about discerning features, it's theater club theme that is focused mostly in final fourth route.

8. Gothderi -Gothic Delusion- ゴスデリ -GOTHIC DELUSION- [100723] Lose 1

Takamichi’s is troubled by his unsuccessful career as a teacher. One night he comes across a girl alone on the side of the road. She introduces herself as Lo, and acts unexpectedly mature and collected. After taking her to a police station, Takamichi leaves her in the hands of the authorities, when an explosion engulfs the station in flames.

Unfortunately, the explosion is just the beginning of the hunt: Lo has become the target of bounty hunters. Takamichi returns to the police station and Lo, convinced by Takamichi’s determination to help her at the risk of his own life, invites him to become her minion.

There is an English review.

9. Ore no Tamanokoshi ni Notte Kure ~ Itoko to Maid to Kouhai to Senpai to Sensei to ~ 俺のタマノコシに乗ってくれ～従妹とメイドと後輩と先輩と先生と～ [100723] Patisserie

Kousuke is just an average student. But one day, he is kidnapped by some men on his way home and taken to a big house. The man in front of him says, "You, take over my position!" His a little bit erotic and slapstick life now starts....

It's not clear from the description, but

it's inevitably a nukige. Basically, we get kidnapped and delivered to a rich lady house who eagerly learns things from common life from absolutely horrible protagonist.

10. Para-Sol [100723] Root 1 2

"Now", let's talk about the future for a little bit.

In an SF world where cyborgs and androids are near reality, for some reason rumors of fantastic creatures such as werewolf and dragons started to spread.

That time, one girl silently sent a mail to an unknown someone.

A mail that's unknown to reach someone.

Written inside is only one sentence.

"Save Our Ship"

But, by a stroke of luck the mail definitely reached somewhere.

And, the girl received a reply.

"wilco"

There are English reviews.

11. GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class: Slapstick Wonderland GA 芸術科アートデザインクラス Slapstick WONDERLAND [100729] Russell

Inside an airplane heading for Japan, Mari is clutching a sketchbook which once belonged to her grandma, who is now deceased. The sketches on it are what her grandma had drawn before she died, reminiscing about the days spent in Japan. To color the sketches: a promise Mari made with her grandma. What will be Japan like, the country the grandma so much loved? Feeling hopes and fears, Mari drifts off to sleep.

The place she is heading toward as a short-term international student is GA (Geijutsuka Art Design Class). What kind of story will unfold, casting Mari and the members of GA?

Anime spin-off

12. Memories Off: Yubikiri no Kioku メモリーズオフゆびきりの記憶 [100729] KID 1 2

The player takes on the role of Naoki Serizawa, the protagonist of Yubikiri no Kioku. Naoki used to live at Chinatsu's home but is now living alone. Naoki is a second year student at the private Tourin high school. Chinatsu Amakawa is also a second year student at the private Tohrin high school and is a classmate of Naoki's. As Chinatsu is concerned about Naoki at all times, she commutes to school with him and is always around him during school hours. Kasumi Nagumo is a runaway girl who suddenly arrived at the doorsteps of Naoki's place and is forcibly living with him at the moment. Orihime Hoshitsuki is the new math teacher for Naoki's class at Tourin high school. Lisa Caycy Foster is an American girl who has gone to Japan to study abroad temporarily. Lisa works part-time at a restaurant called Fuuruuyan and is where he meets Naoki. Lisa's reason for studying in Japan is because of her interest in Japanese history and culture. Shiina Kodou is a first year student at Tourin high school. She is very outgoing and loves gossips.

There is an English review

13. Second Novel ~ Kanojo no Natsu, 15fun no Kioku~ セカンドノベル～彼女の夏、15分の記憶～ [100729] Nippon Ichi 1 2 3 4

"Do you know this story?" Ayano starts telling a story. The scene is high school and characters named Ayano and Yuichi appear.... Naoya and Ayano trace back their high school life through her story. In the summer of the second grade, Naoya lost two important things. One is Yuichi, his close friend. He fell down from the top of the school building and lost his life... Also, Ayano, whom Naoya loved, fell down from the top of the school building as if following Yuichi. Five years later... Ayano can remember things only for fifteen minutes. She still doesn't know why she fell down. The story Ayano tells is about her high school life. By knowing the fact, he might be able to find the truth behind Yuichi's death and Ayano's behavior...

There are English reviews.

14. Bunny Black [100730] SofthouseChara 1 2 3 4 5

Dierks is a perverted adventurer entered a labyrinth known as the Maou’s forest and was defeated by the maou himself. But taking pity on him, the maou kindly recruited him as part of this demon army. Given a second chance, Dierks has two goals: to rise in the ranks of the demon army, and to defeat and have sex with those girls who come to attack the maou.

RPG has English reviews

15. Enbou no Felshis ~Horizon of the Earth and Sky~ 遠望のフェルシス Horizon of the earth and sky [100730] Ninetail 1 2

The Emilia Republic is situated on the northeast area of the Reindil continent. In the eastern town of Felshis is Voromia National Academy, which is well-known for training adventurers. Adventurers specialize in searching for and retrieving an important resource to all nations: dragon bones. Many young people aspire to be adventurers for different reasons: to satiate their curiosity, to become rich, to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps, to envision a world they have never seen.

RPG has English reviews.

16. Motto Nee, Chanto Shiyou yo! もっと姉、ちゃんとしようよっ！ [100730] Candy Soft 1 2 3 4 5

Souma goes to an all-boys school by himself in Hokkaido. One day, he received a call from one of his older sisters, telling him that their father had become sick and collapsed. He quickly returns to Hakkakubashi and seeing his five downcast sisters and sickly father, he decided to stay to take care of his father.

There are English reviews

17. Nanapuri. ななプリ。 [100730] TopCat

Enor lives by himself in the wilderness of the Gullfoss continent. One day, he came upon a fallen girl by a nearby riverside and took her home to take care of her. Her name is Katarina and she is actually the Seventh Princess Edelweiss’ personal knight. They were pursued by attackers and now the princess is missing, so Katarina asks Enor to pretend to be the princess. So, he dresses up as a girl and goes on a journey together with her.

It only looks like a fantasy plotge. In reality scenario is based on the seven princesses that we visit one by one through the loop (although only three get visited as a result). Same heavy repetitive development as in previous Topcat game.

18. Sora o Aogite Kumo Takaku 空を仰ぎて雲たかく [100730] Debo no Su Seisakusho 1

Adonis practiced under Danang to be a dragon trainer. One day, he came upon a young dragon girl Mint in the forest. She calls him papa, but it seems that she doesn’t remember anything except her own name. He takes her to his master’s house, where Danang tells her that as a dragon trainer, he was destined to meet her. They set out on a journey to discover her memories.

RPG has English reviews

19. Steal My Heart ~Rhapsody of Moonlight~ すてぃーるMyはぁと～Rhapsody of moonlight～ [100730] Palette 1

Akitomo enjoys his peaceful school life, but one night, he met a mysterious thief and his world suddenly changed. All the unexplainable events and environment changes made him totally confused. What fate awaits him in the future?

Phantom thief setting is not utilized properly outside of one route with other routes devoted to normal heroines. Scenario is plain weak..

20. Sugar+Spice 2 [100730] ChuableSoft 1 2

Hibiki moves in with his older sister after his father went abroad for business. However, his cousin Fuuka also lived there and he worried about being able to get along with her since they are unfamiliar with each other. However, they get along nicely. One day, Fuuka asks him to come shopping with her and a friend since they need help carrying bags. He agrees, but when he arrives, he meets a senpai who he admires, Ginga. She asks him why he’s here and what he wants to do. Realizing that he doesn’t have a goal or a dream to pursue, Hibiki decides to begin living with a new purpose.

There are English reviews.

21. Vestige -Yaiba ni Nokoru wa Kimi no Omokage- Vestige―刃に残るは君の面影― [100730] Alcot Honey Comb

Kurou was reading a book in the library when he saw his older sister Shizu fall from the roof. Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt badly. Kuro and their osananajimi Ruri are happy that she’s fine and don’t ask her what happened. Later, he finds out from his classmate Wakaba that she was fighting against some mysterious men. It is because they are after him, as he possesses the elixir of immortality ‘ochimizu’, so he decides to take part in the battle as well.

Youkai confrontation work with lack of explanations and persuasive power.

BLOCKED

1. Shin Koihime † Musou ~Moeshouden~ 真・恋姫†無双～萌将伝～ [100723] BaseSon 1 2 Moeshouden is the final game in the Koihime series. In this fandisk, there’s no more fighting among the factions. Instead, all 52 heroines fight for Kazuto’s love. Or maybe he can settle for a harem in the true sense of the word. Fandisc

2. Muv-Luv Alternative Chronicles Vol.1 マブラヴオルタネイティヴクロニクルズ01 [100730] Age 1 2 3 4 5 6

New chronicles of Muv-Luv universe featuring director cut verisons of previously released Chicken Divers and Rain Dancers, along with a brand new Muv-Luv Unlimited The Day After, which details what happened following the end of Muv-Luv Unlimited. There’s also desktop accessories, movies and radio clips.
Fandisc