Ciconia When They Cry - Phase 1 For You, the Replaceable Ones
- October 3, 2019
- 07th Expansion
- 20h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Ciconia When They Cry - Phase 1 For You, the Replaceable Ones", the world has rebuilt after World War III with the help of advanced technology. However, this has led to the creation of the Gauntlet, the ultimate military weapon, making existing forces obsolete. The game revolves around boys and girls who have the potential to become Gauntlet Knights, but find themselves as pawns in the hands of more experienced and cunning individuals, forcing them to participate in deadly battles.
Reviews
- Ciconia When They Cry features excellent world-building and a diverse cast of characters, making it a compelling entry in the When They Cry series.
- The writing is engaging and thought-provoking, tackling contemporary themes such as politics, war, and societal issues with depth and nuance.
- The production quality is high, with improved graphics, animations, and a solid soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The game is considered overpriced for its length, with many players feeling that the content does not justify the $40 price tag.
- The pacing can be slow, with excessive exposition and repetition of certain phrases, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- Some characters feel underdeveloped due to the large cast, making it difficult for players to connect with them on a deeper level.
- story169 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Ciconia: When They Cry" presents an ambitious and intricate narrative set in a unique sci-fi world, filled with political intrigue and a diverse cast of characters. However, it is currently incomplete, with many reviewers expressing frustration over the long wait for future phases and the lack of a satisfying conclusion in the first installment. While the writing is praised for its depth and complexity, some players find the pacing uneven and the multitude of characters overwhelming, making it a challenging but potentially rewarding experience for fans of the series.
“There's loads of story (I took around 40 hours my first read-through), and expertly hidden hints that reveal just enough to give a sense of mystique of where the story will go while providing a sense of accomplishment.”
“Ciconia prepares really well the gameboard to a story that has at least the potential to be as good as Umineko's.”
“This story is quite phenomenal and started this new entry of the WTC franchise with an enormous and shocking bang.”
“It was already considered pretty pricey when we thought we were going to get a full story, but for a frustratingly unfinished one, even on sale, I can't recommend you buy it.”
“The story is unfinished, and it likely never will be finished.”
“As the first entry, this story simply did not deliver a tight and engaging hook compared to e.g. umineko.”
- music45 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising standout tracks that effectively set the tone, while others criticize the overall quantity and variety compared to the acclaimed soundtrack of Umineko. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack includes a significant amount of royalty-free music, which detracts from the original compositions and leaves it feeling less memorable. Overall, while the music is generally considered good, it does not reach the heights of previous titles in the series.
“Both Ciconia and Umineko are long stories filled with complex and flawed characters dealing with their traumas, taking place in fantastical scenarios that can almost make you forget the very real messages written from experience by a former social worker, paired with legendary music that makes it clear why these are often called 'sound novels.'”
“The music, while not as grand as Umineko’s, still does a good job at setting the tone and does contain several standouts to match the atmosphere.”
“The worldbuilding, characters, art, and music are phenomenal.”
“Some royalty-free music is actually better than some of the WTC composers' input.”
“Royalty-free music on something that is, one way or another, a sequel to Umineko, is just incomprehensible to me.”
“Here there's just a few memorable ones, with most being a bit generic-sounding compared to WTC's usually unique OST sensibilities, and not even approaching the highs and mayhem or terror of Umineko's or Higurashi's peak tracks.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received praise for their improved quality, featuring a distinct Ryukishi07 style enhanced with more texture, depth, and vibrant colors. While the 2D graphics in a 3D environment may not work as seamlessly as in previous titles, the character art is detailed and expressive, effectively reflecting their complex personalities. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the immersive experience, although some players may find the lack of character movement during interactions a drawback.
“The new artwork is really great, that distinct ryukishi07 style but with more texture, depth, and color blends, and the photo filter backgrounds are now in all-new HD and absolutely gorgeous and vibrant.”
“The game's art style is beautiful, with a lot of detail in a vast roster of character art that matches their complex personalities.”
“Improved graphics compared to Umineko/Higurashi.”
“The 2D graphics in a 3D world don't work as well here as they do in 07th Expansion's library.”
“The character graphics can't even move, walk, and punch at the same time.”
“Mainly because of the story, it seems usual at first, with the graphics being little more than an enhancement from the previous games and without voice acting.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Ciconia: When They Cry" is praised for its powerful and immersive quality, effectively setting the tone from the outset with well-crafted writing and unique character introductions. While the background music is noted to be mostly royalty-free, it complements the game's ambiance, creating a warm post-WW3 world enhanced by filtered-photograph backgrounds. The prose is fluid and engaging, though some readers find occasional repetitiveness in key phrases, which does not detract significantly from the overall experience.
“Just like its predecessors, Ciconia: When They Cry has been written extremely well and manages to set a powerful atmosphere right from the beginning.”
“This, coupled with the filtered-photograph backgrounds, makes for an immersive and warm atmosphere of a post-WW3 world.”
“The only problem is that many background music tracks are royalty-free; still, they were chosen with care and truly reflect the atmosphere of the game, so I wouldn't discard all of them.”
“The music, while not as grand as Umineko’s, still does a good job at setting the tone and contains several standout tracks that match the atmosphere.”
“Completely different atmosphere from Higurashi and Umineko; not better or worse, but different.”
- humor7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-executed, effectively balancing tension and comedic moments, often featuring quirky characters and playful dialogue. While some moments are genuinely funny, others may evoke a mix of emotions, contributing to a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch amidst the more serious themes.
“Ryukishi07 has done an excellent job in pacing, matching tension with humor and a calm before a climax a number of times.”
“It's also surprisingly funny at times.”
“Akin to dueling blindfolded against a fencing master and part-time clown with a cruel sense of humor.”
“I was sobbing so hard by the ending; it wasn't funny at all, they ruined a holiday.”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced, making the humor feel more like a chore than a delight.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but instead, I found myself cringing at the attempts at humor.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *iCiconia* is characterized as a kinetic visual novel, meaning there are no player choices or traditional gameplay mechanics involved. Players experience the story through a linear narrative without interactive elements.
“As for the gameplay, Ciconia is a kinetic novel, so there are no choices presented whatsoever.”
“Oh, and it probably goes without saying, but this is a visual novel, so there’s no gameplay either.”
“This game is a visual novel/sound novel which means there is no actual gameplay.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its wholesome narrative and character-driven moments, particularly in scenes like the monster cafe, which resonate with players. However, some repetitive dialogue detracts from the overall engagement, leading to a desire for deeper character exploration and more emotionally charged interactions in future phases.
“It feels like the background we were given on them in this phase is necessary and worth it; I anticipate really cool battles and emotionally and politically heated interactions further down the road.”
“I wish the main game was more about the characters themselves; those are the parts I liked more and found more interesting and emotional. In fact, my favorite scene was the monster cafe one; I'm hoping the next phases expand more on the characters like that.”
“Wholesome Christmas story.”
- character development3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with only the main character receiving significant attention, while supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Although not entirely poor, character growth is overshadowed by the story and setting, which detracts from the overall experience compared to previous titles.
“The main criticism I have of this arc is that apart from the main character, the game lacks the strong character development the writer is known for.”
“The character development is by no means bad, but it definitely takes a backseat to the story and setting compared to previous games.”
“Some character designs absolutely suck and the soundtracks are not anything special except for a few that stand out.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is marked by a significant amount of tedious exposition and uneven content, leading to a less engaging experience. Players feel that the lighthearted skit scenes could have been better integrated into the gameplay rather than being locked as post-credits content, contributing to a sense of frustration. Overall, the game’s 9-12 hours of content may not justify its $40 price tag for some players.
“An interesting read, but a very tough buy at $40 USD—it's around 9-12 hours of content, and that content is a lot more uneven compared to past titles, with an abundance of tedious exposition and a dearth of casual interaction between characters.”
“And the lighthearted skit scenes might have been better experienced during the interludes between chapters, readable at our leisure (like Higurashi) and not unlocked post-credits in tedious bulk.”
