Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi

About

"Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi" is a historical simulation game, offering a single-player experience with an engaging plot. This remastered version combines the first base game, "Hakuoki ~Shinsengumi Kitan~," and its fan disc, "Hakuoki ~Zuisouroku~," from PlayStation 2, featuring six character paths to explore. Immerse yourself in this captivating visual novel set in the intriguing world of the Shinsengumi.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi screenshot

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

story17 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful anime-style graphics and well-developed characters, making it visually appealing and engaging.
The story combines historical fiction with romance, providing a unique narrative that keeps players interested, especially those who enjoy Japanese history.
Gameplay is simple and relaxing, with branching story options and a skip button that enhances the experience for those replaying for different endings.

The game can feel repetitive, with a significant portion of the story being similar to the anime, which may disappoint some players looking for new content.
The protagonist's character development can be perceived as weak or wishy-washy, making it difficult for some players to connect with her.
As a visual novel, the gameplay primarily consists of reading text, which may not appeal to those who prefer more interactive or action-oriented games.

story
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
43%
9%
The story of the game is engaging and well-developed, featuring a slow start that picks up significantly by chapter two, with multiple branching paths and endings that enhance replayability. While the main narrative remains consistent across routes, the character development and side stories add depth and emotional resonance, making it particularly appealing to fans of visual novels and those familiar with the historical context. However, some players noted a degree of repetitiveness in the overarching plot, which may detract from the experience for some.
- “With its amazing, gripping story and amazingly well-developed and lovable (or hate-able) characters, it's near impossible to not love this game if you like the genre.”
- “It's a very fun and relaxing genre for people who like reading, and Hakuoki in particular has a pretty interesting story to keep one engaged.”
- “Recommended for fans of the genre and the anime, and to anyone who wants a great story.”
- “The only reason it doesn't get five stars from me is because one aspect of the story nags me because it's repetitive in nature.”
- “It's rare that I don't even bother finishing a game or a book, but I was unable to get into the story of this little tale.”
- “Also, even if there are six routes to take and each route has at least one good and one bad ending, some of them more, the main story differs very little; the main character's personality differs depending on the route, and some events only happen in one or two routes, but the main story is pretty much the same.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The graphics of the game are highly praised, featuring a beautiful anime-drawing art style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the high-quality visuals on the PS3, which make the lengthy gameplay enjoyable, especially when unlocking various artworks and endings. Overall, the art contributes significantly to the game's appeal and storytelling.
- “The graphics are very good, making the game enjoyable to watch for the many hours it takes to complete, especially if you play through the six available routes and try to unlock all the pictures and endings.”
- “Of course, that's due to the fact that they went with an anime-drawing art style, which is always a classic and timeless look on just about any system.”
- “I have loved all of the artwork as well when you unlock a CG.”
- “The graphics are disappointing, lacking detail and depth, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The character models look outdated and don't match the quality of modern games, making it hard to immerse myself in the world.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, failing to capture the vibrant essence that the art style aims for.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music is characterized as light and simple, effectively complementing the moods of different scenes without being distracting. While it enhances the overall experience, it is noted that players should not expect it to be a standout feature compared to the game's storyline and visuals.
- “The music is very light and simple, and it suits the moods of the various scenes without being distracting.”
- “Expect a great storyline, characters, music, and visual setpieces.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay of this visual novel is limited, as expected for the genre, but it effectively engages players, earning a strong score of 9/10.
- “This is a visual novel, so there isn't much in the way of gameplay.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be highly effective, eliciting a range of emotions from laughter to tears, with particular praise for the comedic performances of the characters.
- “This game had me laughing, squealing, and mostly crying!”
- “The characters are incredibly funny!”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate that the grinding aspect of the game is not overly tedious, as it only requires minimal dialogue, preventing it from becoming monotonous.
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which really drains the fun out of the experience.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The character development is praised for its slow and deliberate approach, allowing players to genuinely connect with the characters as they gradually get to know them through the protagonist, Chizuru's perspective. This method fosters a deeper emotional investment in the characters.
- “I became fond of several of them, and I think this slow approach to character development may have been deliberate because it feels like you really are getting to know a bunch of people you just met (through the eyes of Chizuru).”
- “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to the narrative, making their growth feel authentic and relatable.”
- “As the story unfolds, you witness the characters evolve in meaningful ways, which makes their journeys incredibly engaging.”
- “The character development feels painfully slow, making it hard to stay invested in their stories.”
- “I found the characters to be one-dimensional, lacking the depth needed for meaningful development.”
- “Despite some interesting backstories, the characters fail to evolve throughout the game, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete.”