IxSHE Tell
- August 28, 2020
- Hooksoft
- 25h median play time
IxSHE Tell is a single-player Simulation game and Japanese-style visual novel, known for its intriguing story and good soundtrack. The game is produced by Hooksoft and was a runner-up for the 2018 Moe Game Awards, offering a humorous and engaging experience that will make you laugh. Dive into a romantic and entertaining adventure in this visual novel.
Reviews
- The common route is engaging and humorous, providing a lighthearted atmosphere that many players enjoy.
- The character designs and visuals are top-notch, with beautiful backgrounds and well-executed CG art.
- Each heroine has a unique personality, and their character growth throughout the routes is well-developed, making it enjoyable to see their stories unfold.
- The individual heroine routes often lack depth and can feel rushed compared to the more engaging common route.
- The story can be perceived as bland or generic, with some players feeling that it doesn't offer anything particularly new to the genre.
- The heart point system and other gameplay mechanics are seen as underutilized, leading to a feeling of wasted potential in terms of player choice.
- story155 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally perceived as lighthearted and straightforward, focusing on a harem setup with five heroines, but it lacks depth and complexity, leading to mixed feelings among players. While some routes, particularly those of Yui and Kasumi, are praised for their smooth progression and character development, others feel rushed or underdeveloped, resulting in a somewhat mediocre overall narrative experience. Despite its shortcomings, the game is enjoyable for those seeking a feel-good, comedic slice-of-life story.
“The story is very straightforward.”
“The story itself is very fluffy and pleasant to go through.”
“In the end, it's really just a feel-good novel with some nice plot twists that caught me off guard.”
“If I have to mention some negatives about this visual novel, it would be the bland story and the lack of depth that I at least felt.”
“I often missed a bit more story; it felt rushed and lengthy at the same time.”
“The story of the game was nothing overly exciting or dramatic.”
- humor36 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the visual novel is widely praised, particularly in the common route, where players find the interactions and character dynamics to be genuinely funny and entertaining. While the humor tends to diminish in the individual routes as the focus shifts to romance, many still appreciate the light-hearted and absurd nature of the story, complemented by cute characters and engaging art. Overall, it offers a mix of humor and charm, making it enjoyable for fans of comedic narratives.
“It's genuinely funny at various places and I found myself chuckling a lot.”
“The common route is surprisingly funny and entertaining and it starts out more as a humorous charage.”
“Story is absurd but so hilarious!”
- music30 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality, with standout elements like a western-inspired piano soundtrack and a jazzy feel that enhances the overall atmosphere. Reviewers noted the excellent musical score and voice acting, contributing to a captivating experience, although some expressed fatigue with certain tracks by the end of their playthrough. Overall, the music is considered above average, with ratings ranging from 4.5/5 to a perfect 10/10.
“The whole atmosphere is really something that just takes me in right from the get-go, starting with the beautiful art, drop-dead gorgeous backgrounds, the music, and the overall lighthearted tone of the game.”
“Music: 10/10 (that intro song tho!)”
“Well written, likeable characters, excellent musical score, and great voice acting.”
“The soundtrack itself was fine, just at the end of my playthrough, I couldn't listen to one or two soundtracks anymore.”
“Art and music is usual Hooksoft quality (which usually means above average).”
“The game setting, background, and music are well done, especially the piano soundtrack that feels like a western vibe.”
- character development18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being rushed, with many players feeling there isn't enough time to fully explore relationships and growth before the story concludes. While some appreciate the lovable character designs and voice acting, others express disappointment in the simplicity of certain storylines, particularly for specific characters, leading to a demand for additional content to enhance their arcs. Overall, the game features strong character designs and humor, but the narrative pacing leaves much to be desired.
“Loveable character development, voice acting, and background music all were great.”
“Really great character designs and even better soundtracks make it even better.”
“You get barely enough time for character development and the story ends way too quick.”
“I feel that the starting point of the story should be way earlier than this, so I can see character development and relationship progression between the main character and the heroines.”
“Story itself is quite funny, but this couldn't cover up how bad and simple the storyline ends for some of the routes, especially Ayaka and Yoshino's character development and story. This is where they decide to release an after-story of them as an add-on, although it isn't available on Steam yet.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay features unique mechanics that set it apart from other visual novels, particularly appealing to fans of dating sims. However, some players express disappointment with certain elements, like the hearts mechanic, which they find unnecessary. Additionally, the initial hour of gameplay is described as chaotic, suggesting a steep learning curve for new players.
“Ixshe features some unique gameplay elements that aren't present in other visual novels.”
“The other unique gameplay feature added a lot more.”
“But to be honest, I'm a little disappointed. When I saw the hearts 'mechanic', I thought it was going to be something interesting, but I can't see the need for that.”
“The first hour or so of the game is an absolute mess; I'd recommend watching at least the first hour of gameplay to see what I mean if you haven't played the game already.”
“The mechanics in this game are unique too.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, offering a wholesome and heartwarming story that resonates with players, particularly during key romantic moments. While some routes may start slowly, they ultimately deliver touching experiences that leave a lasting impact, making it a satisfying choice for fans of romantic comedies. Overall, it strikes a balance in length and emotional engagement, appealing to those seeking a heartfelt narrative.
“When you confess to her, it got me really emotional.”
“It's romantic and touching on the individual routes, and absent maybe one or two scenes, it doesn't outstay its welcome - not too short or long, the game is exactly the length it needs to be.”
“Yoshino is without a doubt best girl, but Kasumi has the best story arc out of all of them; honestly, her route made me feel real hard.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning quality, featuring gorgeous art and high-definition visuals that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the top-notch integration of visuals with voice acting, contributing to the game's appeal, particularly in the context of its romantic comedy theme. The inclusion of a free 18+ patch adds to the visual content, further enriching the game's artistic presentation.
“Fairly decent high-school romcom with fantastic QHD visuals.”
“This visual novel brings excellent visuals and voice acting, many of whom I recognized from other VN projects.”
“The art, graphics, music, and voice acting are all top-notch.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its lighthearted comedy, engaging competition among characters, and captivating visuals, including stunning backgrounds and music. Reviewers feel that this vibrant and inviting ambiance draws players in from the start, making the experience enjoyable and memorable.
“The whole atmosphere is really something that just takes me in right from the get-go, starting with the beautiful art, the drop-dead gorgeous backgrounds, the music, and the overall lighthearted tone of the game.”
“The common route is funny and interesting, and the whole competition atmosphere between the girls keeps you coming back.”
“This for me was the best part because of the lighthearted comedy atmosphere.”