Bakumatsu Renka SHINSENGUMI
- June 16, 2021
- VRIDGE INC.
Get on SteamThis is a romance game for women where you become the first female soldier in the Shinsengumi, fight alongside the other soldiers, and fall in love. Experience historical battles alongside the likes of Kondo, Hijikata, and Okita.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The voice acting is excellent, particularly the Japanese voice actors, adding depth to the characters.
- The main character is portrayed as strong and independent, with goals beyond just romance, which is refreshing for the genre.
- The game offers interesting historical context and events, appealing to players who enjoy historical fiction.
- The art style is outdated and lacks the polish seen in more recent titles, making it less visually appealing.
- The romance elements feel underdeveloped and abrupt, leading to a lack of emotional connection with the characters.
- Gameplay can be slow and tedious, with pacing issues that detract from the overall experience.
- story18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it difficult to engage due to interruptions and a lack of coherence, leading to a feeling that parts of the narrative are missing. While some appreciate the depth of character development and the historical context, others feel it falls short compared to similar titles, particularly in romance and emotional engagement. Overall, the narrative is seen as more complex and less romantic than expected, which may appeal to some but disappoint others looking for a traditional visual novel experience.
“Basically, the thick plot without all the romance made me care more for the characters as people, rather than just eye candy to fawn over.”
“Soji has tuberculosis; it's terminal in the 1800s, so be warned this is not going to be an overly saccharine story.”
“I do really like the storyline and the comic scenes, and of course, the voice actors are wonderful.”
“Overall it felt like parts of the storyline were missing.”
“It is extremely hard to focus on the plot since I keep getting interrupted with every little gesture change.”
“If you have played Hakuoki, this is going to be a bit of a letdown when it comes to the character styles and story.”
- humor3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is hit or miss; while some players find it lacking and unfunny, others appreciate its heartwarming moments, particularly in the epilogue, which is described as both hilarious and touching.
“I cried a little near the end because of how much he cares, and the epilogue is freaking hilarious in a heartwarming way.”
“Jokes aside, it is really not funny anymore at this point.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, often leading to tears, particularly during poignant moments that highlight character care and connection. The blend of heartfelt storytelling with humorous elements in the epilogue adds to the overall warmth, leaving players feeling uplifted and empowered.
“I cried during this route.”
“I cried a little near the end because of how much he cares, and the epilogue is freaking hilarious in a heartwarming way.”
“He was sweet, and he made me feel stronger.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are considered extremely outdated, reminiscent of early 2000s designs, which detracts from the overall experience. While the voice acting and artwork are deemed acceptable, the primary issue lies with the plot rather than the visual presentation.
“The art style is extremely outdated (circa 2004).”
“While the voice acting and artwork are acceptable, it's more the plot that's the problem.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some praise the Japanese voice acting and find the music enjoyable, others feel it lacks excitement and fails to leave a lasting impression.
“The music features really nice Japanese voice acting (excluding the main character, of course)!”
“The music is pretty unexciting.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users appreciate Shinpachi's character design in Hakuoki, highlighting it as a standout aspect of his character development. However, there is limited feedback on the depth or progression of his character beyond aesthetics.
