Chuusotsu! 1.5th Graduation: The Moving Castle
- January 17, 2020
- Studio Beast
Get on SteamJoin Arue and her merry Chuusotsu band on her first visit to a certain doujin event in the Big Site, and share in her struggles as an aspiring manga creator!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Short and fun follow-up to the original Chuusotsu, maintaining the charm of the characters and their adventures.
- The story explores interesting themes related to the struggles of artists in a dystopian setting, providing depth beneath its lighthearted surface.
- Decent voice acting and music that complements the mood of the story, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of the original.
- The artwork feels unpolished and lacks variety, with no new animations or CGs compared to the original.
- The story is predictable and less engaging than the first game, with some characters feeling sidelined and underdeveloped.
- The translation has been heavily edited, which detracts from the original's charm and may confuse players trying to follow the dialogue.
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 88 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story of "Chuusotsu 1.5th Graduation" serves as a side narrative to the original, focusing on the lead character and a new addition as they navigate the challenges of becoming manga creators in a dystopian setting. While it retains a lighthearted tone with moments of serious self-reflection, the plot is straightforward and predictable, lacking the depth and complexity of its predecessor. Overall, it offers a glimpse into the struggles of artists in a bleak future, but may leave fans wanting more due to its simplistic interactions and limited character development.
“Chuusotsu 1.5th Graduation is a side story to the original 1st Graduation, featuring the same three young female protagonists, this time focusing on the lead character's and a brand new character's desire to become a manga creator, despite the odds stacked against them.”
“The story this time follows Arue and her newfound friends through the process of creating a doujin manga for a futuristic comiket-like event, all set against a dystopian and extremely dark backdrop of the world they inhabit.”
“Ahem, keeping it serious, the story takes a moment to call out the prepotence of artists, criticizing the merciless doujin and commercial battleground involving game, manga, and other material creation in Japan, while combining it with the heavy background of a bleak future where people are controlled like sheep through nanomachines.”
“Overall, barely passable and expensive for the largely so-so quality of the work, and the short story.”
“The first story's appeal and depth, the internal conflict and intricate interplay of personalities ... are mostly collapsed here into fairly static interactions and externalized conflict.”
“Her attitude provided a nice counterbalance to Arue's incessant whining and self-pity in the first story, but now instead she is paired with the 'thicc glasses girl' in a loop of fragility and emotional validation which does not really advance a plotline, focusing instead on rhetorical exploration of the artist's dilemma.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's music features a decent quantity of tracks that mirror the original's quality, effectively complementing the story's mood, but lacks memorability. Additionally, players are disappointed by the absence of an option to listen to the soundtrack in the extras.
“The soundtrack is of decent quality and complements the mood of the story well, although it may not be particularly memorable.”
“There is a decent amount of music included in the game, though it doesn't introduce anything new compared to the original.”
“Unfortunately, there is no option to listen to the songs in the extras.”
“There is a decent amount of music included in the game, though nothing new compared to the original.”
“Like in the first game, the soundtrack is of decent quality and accompanies the mood of the story well, though it is not particularly memorable.”
“Furthermore, there is no option to listen to the songs in the extras.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of contrasting dynamics, with one character's resilience balancing another's self-pity, while the narrative shifts towards a more fragile exploration of emotional validation. Additionally, the chuusotsu characters continue to evoke warmth and charm as they navigate new friendships and challenges, enhancing the overall emotional depth of the story.
“The chuusotsu are as adorable and heartwarming as ever, meeting new friends and facing new challenges in this short-story follow-up to the original.”
“Her attitude provided a nice counterbalance to Arue's incessant whining and self-pity in the first story, but now instead she is paired with the 'thicc glasses girl' in a loop of fragility and emotional validation, which does not really advance a plotline, focusing instead on rhetorical exploration of the artist's dilemma.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their stunning artwork, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate designs that enhance the overall visual experience. Many users highlight the attention to detail and artistic style, which contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
