[Review] Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (PSP)

Visual novels, by design, feature little interactivity incomparison to mainstream games and are engaging as far as their stories piqueinterests. Immersion could become an issue if the protagonist is someone thatplayers simply couldn’t identify with. This was the issue I had come across inmy time with Hakuoki: Demon of theFleeting Blossom. For the first time, I found gender to be a factor in mygaming.

Set in Japan, Hakuokifollows Chizuru Yukimura on her quest to find her father, who has been lost inthe dangerous city of Kyoto. Upon her arrival, she runs into the Shinsengumi, agroup of samurai whose mission were to protect the shogun. Eventually, theytake her in and begin to become quite acquainted with her.  As part of the otome genre in Japan, this game was made for females and will be ahard sell to a majority of male gamers. Despite this, the story should equallydraw in and repel history buffs for its inclusion of Japanese historicalfigures and liberties with them.

The art in this game is done superbly well, with thedisproportionate figures of low budget visual novels nowhere to be seen. Inaddition, the costume designs are appropriate and true, reminding players of a Kyotoand Shinsengumi that is consistent with that of other Japanese media, likeclassic shounen anime Rurouni Kenshin. Of course, this isprobably aided by the game’s own roots in anime. It all leads to an atmospherethat will take players back to Japan’s Edo period. The one exception is thewriting, which frequently features the casual tones and words modern speakersare used to, hardly ringing true to the same period’s formal speech patterns. Aksysloyalists will appreciate their usual brand of localization that includesliberal use of casual words and expletives. Though this makes the game moreaccessible, it also takes away from its credibility.

For the most of the game, players will spend it pressingaway at the X button and skipping dialogue that involves little interactivityfrom the player. Only at pivotal points will the game ask for input fromplayers, which, surprisingly, offered very different events for players toparticipate in. Not only do these give players different views on Chizuru’spossible adventures, but also chances to build relationships with differentcharacters. However, these are few and far in between, leaving much to bedesired.

As an introduction to Japan’s otome genre, Hakuokidefinitely eases the west into it by providing a rich background story alongwith the romance. Its anime heritage and quality production provides for someof the best art that US players have ever laid eyes upon and, combined with itscharacter and costume designs, is a 2D visual treat. While general anime fanswill want to pick this one up, those pining for more otome and visual novel games should definitely do so to tell gamepublishers what they want in the future. 

Available on: PSP; Publisher: Aksys Games; Developer: Idea Factor; Players: 1; Released: February 14, 2012; ESRB: Mature; Official Site

Note: A retail copy was provided to Denkiphile for review purposes by the publisher.