Higurashi When They Cry Hou+

About

In Higurashi When They Cry $$COLLABORATE$$, players explore four new chapters in the Hinamizawa tragedy. The virus outbreak in "Higurashi When They Cry Outbreak" threatens the town, while "Hinamizawa Bus Stop" offers a glimpse into the series' origin. The fragment "Higurashi When They Cry Mehagashi Chapter" is an additional Hou+ scenario, leading to a tragic outcome. This final installment promises to conclude the storylines and uncover new secrets in the world of Higurashi.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews

story8 positive mentions

Hinamizawa Bus Stop offers a fascinating look at the origins of the Higurashi series, making it a must-read for fans.
Outbreak and its sequel Kamikashimashi introduce new elements and characters, providing a fun and engaging experience.
The game serves as a nostalgic send-off for the Higurashi series, with enjoyable extras and a heartfelt conclusion.

Many of the extra stories, particularly Mehagashi, are criticized for excessive fan service and uncomfortable themes.
The Outbreak storyline is seen as lacking the depth and quality of the original arcs, leaving some fans disappointed.
Typos and translation issues detract from the overall experience, making it feel less polished compared to earlier entries.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
74%
7%
The story aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with the "Outbreak" arc being a notable highlight that introduces an intergalactic threat and a disease-ridden apocalypse, though many find it lacks the depth and quality of the original series. While some side stories, like "Hinamizawa Bus Stop," provide interesting insights into the franchise's origins, they are often deemed unnecessary for those not deeply invested in the lore. Overall, the additional narratives may appeal to die-hard fans but are generally considered less essential and sometimes convoluted compared to the main story arcs.
- “The gang's all back and this time the scope of the story is way over the top, as the kids try to save the world from an intergalactic threat.”
- “Outbreak is a fun and interesting extra layer added to the story, although it feels rushed and more plain than the usual fragments.”
- “I enjoyed how Ryukishi narrates the story in such a horrific, frightening way, with there being a twist at the end that made me sigh in relief although there ends up being a slightly terrifying cliffhanger.”
- “Ngl, these extra stories are rather dumb and average compared to other main story arcs.”
- “It is maybe telling that most of the positive reviews have nothing to do with this chapter of side stories in particular and is instead about people jokingly giving this game a positive review because it is more Higurashi, that they loved revisiting it, or whatever, but the outbreak storyline just contains so much wrong in it I find it baffling how someone who is even nostalgic could think it meets with Higurashi's previous level of quality.”
- “For the uninitiated, this collection of stories spoils the mystery of the first game and requires some amount of backstory to understand and appreciate.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and variety, featuring a mix of familiar tracks and new compositions that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the inclusion of a music room that allows them to explore the soundtrack further after completing certain segments. While some sound effects are drawn from the Umineko series, the effort put into the music and sound design is noted as a significant highlight of the game.
- “The music player alone is so good.”
- “As for the music, the tracks are wonderful to listen to.”
- “The game features a music room for anyone looking for the titles of the soundtrack.”
- “A good short addition to the Higurashi series, my only problem is all the Umineko sound effects/music since that isn't pure Higurashi.”
- “The usual updated sprites provided by MangaGamer are present, and there's a varied soundtrack, with mostly familiar tracks but a few new ones.”
- “Once the story fragments are completed, then extras like the music room and staff party are unlocked.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a nostalgic and touching final party that resonates with fans, particularly through expanded dialogue that adds depth. However, some users express discomfort with the inclusion of inappropriate fanservice that undermines the overall emotional experience, resulting in a mixed reception regarding the game's emotional impact.
- “The final end party was wholesome and made me oddly nostalgic for the first few chapters.”
- “A very touching and nostalgic text, as well as a tribute to fans.”
- “The expanded staff room/dialogue from Ryukishi is undoubtedly the most touching content in Hou+.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted for its effectiveness, providing a lighthearted contrast to the darker themes, particularly in the ending, which some found amusing despite its absurdity. Reviewers appreciate how the creator, Ryukishi, skillfully balances horror and tragedy with well-timed comedic elements, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- “I'm glad that ending was funny.”
- “Despite being a visual novel, they somehow make the outbreak chapter even worse than the movie/OVA. The sequel is fine, even though the ending is kind of stupid, but it's funny, so who cares.”
- “Ryukishi does a wonderful job of narrating these stories, creating an atmosphere of horror and tragedy while adding in appropriate amounts of humor.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
The gameplay is characterized by a linear structure, with no choices or branching paths for players to explore, which may limit engagement and replayability.
- “The gameplay is engaging and keeps you invested in the story.”
- “The mechanics are smooth and intuitive, making it easy to immerse yourself in the experience.”
- “The challenges presented in the gameplay are well-balanced, providing a satisfying level of difficulty.”
- “As for the gameplay, all of the stories presented are linear, so no choices show up.”
- “Now that I've gone over the story and gameplay, I'll move onto my thoughts.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in Ryukishi's narratives is skillfully crafted, blending elements of horror and tragedy with well-timed humor, resulting in a unique and engaging experience for players.
- “Ryukishi does a wonderful job of narrating these stories, creating an atmosphere of horror and tragedy while adding in appropriate amounts of humor.”