East Tower - Kuon
- May 14, 2013
- ROSEVERTE
- 5h median play time
In "East Tower - Kuon," a romance visual novel, players enter Dream World, a virtual theme park where inner wishes come true. Sakuya, who desires to be a man, finds out that other participants are also trapped inside. Kuon, a man who stares at Sakuya, reluctantly teams up with her to solve the mystery behind the incident and find a way back to reality. Throughout the game, Sakuya discovers that things are not as simple as they seem, leading her to unravel the true story behind the East Tower.
Reviews
- The story is engaging and offers enjoyable character development, particularly with Kuon's complex personality.
- The game features improved artwork compared to previous installments, enhancing the overall visual experience.
- It explores interesting themes such as gender identity and sexuality, making it stand out in the otome genre.
- The writing quality is inconsistent, with some parts feeling clichéd and lacking depth.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and slow-paced, leading to moments of boredom.
- Kuon's character may not resonate with all players, as some find him less appealing compared to previous love interests.
- story21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story in "East Tower: Kuon" is generally well-received, with players enjoying its unique narrative elements and character development, particularly in the third chapter which expands on the overarching plot. While some aspects, such as the handling of gender identity, are criticized for relying on clichés, the intriguing twists and the ability to unlock additional scenes through choices add depth to the experience. Overall, the game offers a more engaging story compared to its predecessors, making it a highlight for fans of the genre.
“Kuon's story - however sad and somewhat disturbing - has been a joy to read about.”
“The story is what got me hooked on this game; I love a different story than your more standard otome game that ET has.”
“This third chapter deviates from the routine a bit by introducing the unique condition of Kuon's story.”
“The story is set up in such a way that it could lend itself to an interesting discussion of gender identity and digital sexuality, but it instead chooses to do cliché 'oops, I tripped and grabbed your boob' moments.”
“It tries to move the story forward, but the problem is, it's really hard to care about it when there's really nothing interesting happening.”
“However, there are parts of the Kurenai story that won't make any sense without playing at least a bit of the other ones.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the series are generally considered subpar compared to others in the genre, with rough artwork and a less engaging art style noted as drawbacks. However, players have found that the narrative and character development compensate for these visual shortcomings, leading to a positive overall experience despite the aesthetic issues.
“I would really say that the only (slight) drawback to this game is the art style, but it is still nice in its own way.”
“In terms of artwork or atmosphere, the series is not one of the best examples in the genre, as I have noted in my previous reviews. Yet, I have played the series enough to decide that the narrative and character build don't disappoint at this point.”
“I was not a fan of the art style that it has, but I grew attached to the characters anyway, which is a good sign as the likability of the character is not just based on the art.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring hilarious elements such as time loops and split personalities, which contribute to its comedic appeal. Players also note that achieving a high rank unlocks a particularly funny ending, enhancing the overall experience.
“Hilarious game with time loops and split personalities galore; can't recommend it enough!”
“Later on, you get a funny ending when you achieve an S rank.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the series is generally considered lacking compared to the best in the genre, but players find that the narrative and character development compensate for this shortcoming.
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability thanks to its multiple endings and the opportunity for achievement hunting, encouraging players to revisit the experience for different outcomes.
“The game offers multiple paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
“With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back for more.”
“There's quite a bit of replay value to this due to the different endings and achievement hunting.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and effective adaptation to each scene, enhancing the overall experience.
“The music is very good, perfectly suited to each scene.”
“The soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making every moment more immersive.”
“Each track complements the gameplay beautifully, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has elicited discomfort among some players, particularly in relation to certain character routes that evoke feelings of unease.