Ne no Kami: The Two Princess Knights of Kyoto
- October 26, 2016
- Kuro Irodoru Yomiji
In Ne no Kami: The Two Princess Knights of Kyoto, players follow the story of Len and Shinonome, two high school girls who become divinely appointed protectors of Kyoto. They must fight against supernatural beings threatening the city while uncovering the truth about their own destinies. The game is a visual novel with adventure and puzzle elements, featuring Japanese voice acting and animations.
Reviews
- The story is engaging and well-constructed, with solid character development and emotional depth.
- The art and music are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- The game successfully combines elements of yuri romance with supernatural themes, making it appealing to fans of both genres.
- The pacing can be slow, especially in the first half, leading to moments of boredom for some players.
- The translation quality is inconsistent, with typos and awkward dialogue that detract from the immersion.
- Some characters lack development, and the romantic aspects may feel underwhelming or rushed for those seeking a deeper connection.
- story198 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story is set in modern Japan, blending supernatural elements from Japanese folklore with a contemporary narrative, featuring a relatable protagonist drawn into extraordinary circumstances. While some reviewers found the pacing slow and the romance somewhat rushed, many praised the engaging plot twists, character development, and immersive storytelling that kept them invested throughout. Overall, the narrative is described as solid, with a mix of humor and emotional depth, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre, particularly those interested in yuri themes.
“The characters bring life to this game world with all their different personalities and reactions throughout this story.”
“The story is set in modern Japan, but it has supernatural elements belonging to Japanese folklore and mythology.”
“The story is very well constructed and keeps up the tension the whole way through; character interactions are realistic with any oddities having in-game explanations.”
“The design of characters isn't bad, but the story is pretty boring.”
“The story made me want to skip most of the game just to finish it.”
“Its downfall was wasted on juvenile jokes and plot holes throughout almost the entire story.”
- music36 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in "Ne No Kami: The Two Princess Knights of Kyoto" is widely praised for its quality and effectiveness, enhancing both the emotional and action-packed moments of the game. Reviewers highlight the impressive battle themes, particularly the metal tracks, and commend the soundtrack for its ability to convey tension and heartwarming scenes alike. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
“But one of the best things about this game is the music.”
“Literally has some of the best battle music I have ever heard.”
“This seemed like such a promising series - it came well recommended, the art looks great, it seemed like the plot could be decent.. and it does have its strong points; the art is good, the characters have several different expression variants, the soundtrack is solid, the smooth text transitions give it a polished feel.”
“The company did a very good job at expressing tense moments with some darker music, while giving light, heartfelt music to the pleasant moments in the visual novel.”
“The best part of the Ne No Kami Part 1 (yes, this is part of a series), is the opening soundtrack.”
- character development10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, character development in the game has received high praise, with some users rating it a perfect 10/10. While opinions on character design vary, many appreciate the unique styles and find them appealing, particularly highlighting the character Uzume. The combination of engaging character arcs and attractive designs contributes to a positive reception of this aspect.
“Character development: 10/10 yes character development was great!”
“I was drawn to this title due to the concept - namely the promise of action and yuri, as well as the good character designs and musical score.”
“Cute character designs.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics in *Ne no Kami: The Two Princess Knights of Kyoto* are praised for their memorable style and overall improvement over its predecessor, *Sacrament of the Zodiac*. However, some weapon designs, particularly the heroine's sword and shield, are seen as confusing, and there is a noticeable lack of detail in the supporting character sprites. Overall, the artwork contributes positively to the game's engaging plot and music.
“Overall, ne no kami: the two princess knights of kyoto is a large improvement over sacrament of the zodiac in terms of having a longer and more engaging plot and storyline, better artwork, and engaging background music.”
“The artwork, music, and story are all well done.”
“The visuals are great and certainly have a memorable style.”
“While there are quite a few yuri-themed visual novels out there, all too many simply drift into some sort of fan-service focused vortex with a bad story and all-too-blatant and predictable visuals.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the visual novel is mixed; while the music effectively enhances tense and heartfelt moments, the main pairing is criticized for being flat and unengaging in the first installment. However, there are indications that emotional depth improves in the sequel, with some moments successfully eliciting strong feelings. Overall, the execution of promised heartwarming elements falls short, leaving a somewhat inconsistent emotional experience.
“The company did a very good job at expressing tense moments with some darker music, while giving light, heartfelt music to the pleasant moments in the visual novel.”
“And man does this visual novel take you on an emotional swing at times.”
“Emotional, and other sorts of emotions at the same time.”
- humor8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as juvenile and out of place, with cringey jokes and shallow fanservice that detract from the serious storyline. However, some players find the characters relatable and endearing, appreciating the lighthearted moments despite the awkwardness and brevity of conversations. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a unique charm to the experience.
“While it cannot quite keep up with kindred spirits, 'No No Kami: The Two Princess Knights of Kyoto' nevertheless delivers a set of characters that are relatable, funny, and thoroughly endearing.”
“Seeing how it's only 9 - 10 USD, I think it's worth it to support not just the developers of the game but Sekai Project too. I also loved seeing those two girls from that other yuri visual novel 'Sacrament Sheep' during the beginning of the game; it was hilarious and cute!”
“I don't mean to say that it's bad, necessarily... maybe it's best if I just summed it up as being 'incredibly animu.' Cringey jokes, shallow fanservice, hilariously awkward combat scenes, and an infuriating inability to continue a line of conversation for longer than five sentences all gradually wore away my ability to appreciate the characters or anything that they were going through.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a visual narrative with no choice options, emphasizing storytelling over player decisions. A unique mechanic is employed that has been seen in only one other visual novel, adding a distinctive touch to the experience.
“Gameplay: there are no choice options; this is a visual story after all.”
“They also used a mechanic that I have only seen in one other visual novel before.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow, long, and tedious, with some also criticizing the quality of the art.
“The game is slow, long, and tedious; the art isn't very good either.”