Sakura Gamer
- October 4, 2017
- Winged Cloud
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Sakura Gamer" is a visual novel game that follows the story of a game developer who moves to a small town to work on her latest project. She becomes involved in the lives of the townspeople and uncovers their secrets while also dealing with her own past. The game features multiple endings based on the player's choices.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Sakura Gamer features a surprisingly engaging and self-aware story that humorously critiques the visual novel genre while providing insight into game development.
- The character designs and art quality are appealing, with cute and relatable characters that add charm to the narrative.
- The game offers multiple endings and paths, enhancing replayability and allowing players to explore different character dynamics.
- The writing can be repetitive and lacks depth, with some characters feeling one-dimensional and the story being relatively short.
- There is a significant amount of filler dialogue that detracts from the pacing, making some sections feel drawn out and tedious.
- The game relies heavily on fan service, which may not appeal to all players, and the lack of voice acting can make the experience feel less immersive.
- story113 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its cute and heartwarming narrative about three girls creating a visual novel, while others criticize it for being shallow and lacking depth. Many noted the game's brevity, with most playthroughs lasting around two to three hours, and some felt that the writing quality was a significant improvement over previous titles in the series. Overall, while the story has its charm and offers multiple routes, it often feels like an excuse for fanservice rather than a compelling narrative.
“The character design was really fleshed out and dynamic, the story flowed together really nicely and contained very strong and compelling themes that really drew in the player; I seriously couldn't put this down, I was hooked.”
“I enjoyed this little story about an anti-social girl creating a game with her friends, and I'm glad there's a sequel!”
“The meta-story on how to make a visual novel is entertaining and is taken with a good dose of sense of humor.”
“The whole storyline is about girls making a visual novel as fast and cheap as possible to get people to buy it.”
“The story is a re-enactment of post-graduation mediocrity, but no spins are put on it to make it worth following, and the characters acting the parts aren't believable or consistent.”
“I wouldn't recommend this Sakura game; the others had more story to offer, this one is bland in story and bland in other aspects.”
- music28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable and fitting for the story, while others describe it as repetitive and unmemorable. Many appreciate the quality of the soundtrack and sound effects, noting that it enhances the overall experience, though a few tracks are criticized for being bland or overly similar. Overall, the music is considered a decent aspect of the game, contributing positively but not standing out significantly.
“The soundtrack is so amusing and the sound effects are wonderful.”
“A soundtrack can really make or break a game and this is no different with the stunning audio sound effects and music tracks to put Mick Gordon to shame.”
“The music is a retro-gamer spin on the usual 'sakura-esque' soundtracks you usually hear, and as usual, does not get repetitive or annoying.”
“The music fits the story fine but nothing memorable or even noticeable.”
“There is only 1 track that I really dislike just because it's so repetitive and while all songs have an aspect of that, this particular song heavily leans into it.”
“The setting is overdone, the music is bland, the interactions are forced and unoriginal.”
- humor15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is cleverly crafted, blending cute and funny elements with self-referential jokes about the visual novel genre. Players appreciate the lively characters and witty dialogue, noting that the meta-commentary on game creation adds an entertaining layer to the experience. Overall, the humor is well-received, with many finding it both hilarious and engaging.
“I found it hilarious.”
“The different routes you can take are pretty fun and the game can be pretty funny itself at some points.”
“The meta-story on how to make a visual novel is entertaining and is taken with a good dose of sense of humor.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their cute and appealing art style, often featuring a consistent theme of yuri and anime aesthetics. While some users note that the visuals can be barebones or repetitive across similar titles, many appreciate the quality of the character designs and CG artwork, rating them highly. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“However the R17 CG and artwork here are good and I bought the game because of it.”
“Very cute artwork and CGs too.”
“The graphics are far ahead of its time making this a true masterpiece of our era.”
“Barebones visuals.”
“However, let me be honest here, I saw it coming when I realized the similar names and art styles.”
“The theme with sakura games, though, is a similar art style, no men, and a lot of yuri.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 89 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it heartwarming and cute, particularly appreciating the wholesome portrayal of relationships among the characters, others criticize the story for being lacking or unengaging. A few reviewers noted that the game successfully evokes genuine feelings and investment in the narrative, especially with its more serious tone and improved writing quality compared to previous titles. Overall, it seems to cater to those looking for lighthearted, feel-good experiences rather than deep, emotional storytelling.
“Wholesome gay gamer girls :)”
“Play for emotional story (I cried ;()”
“Great game, actually made me feel, I got truly invested in the story, would 100% play again but that would have to be in the future where I won't remember much so I have the same experience as I did.”
“The emotional depth of the story was lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I felt no attachment to the narrative; it was just a series of events without any real emotional impact.”
“The game tried to evoke feelings, but it ultimately fell flat and left me feeling indifferent.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through its four different endings and multiple branching story paths, allowing players to enjoy hours of varied entertainment.
“Infinitely replayable in multiplayer mode.”
“Four different endings provide significant replayability.”
“With all the branching story paths, there is tons of replay value for hours of entertainment.”
“Four different endings provide some replayability.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players report that the game involves extensive grinding, often requiring a significant time investment that some feel could take a second life to fully achieve.
“There's a lot of grinding involved, but it feels rewarding.”
“You'll need a second life for all the grinding you'll be doing.”
“The grinding can be intense, but it really pays off in the end.”
“A lot of grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is similar to other visual novels, but it stands out due to its deeper story and themes compared to typical offerings in the genre. While it retains familiar mechanics, players seeking more engaging narratives may find it refreshing, though there are better alternatives for those prioritizing hentai or gameplay.
“As someone who has only played the Sakura Succubus and dungeon games, this novel was a breath of fresh air for me. While it was still a visual novel (and therefore had the same gameplay as the succubus games), I found that the story, messages in it, as well as some of the topics discussed, are a lot deeper than the other games I've played so far have gone into.”
“Whether you're looking for hentai, story, or gameplay, there are way better alternatives at a similar cost.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its strong and compelling themes, which effectively engage players and enhance the overall narrative experience. While some users express disappointment in the depth of character arcs, the character design itself is praised for its dynamism and visual appeal.
“Character design looks great and they have a lot of depth to them.”
“I sadly have to say none of them, but for character design, I like Nekohime's look.”
“The character design was really fleshed out and dynamic, the story flowed together really nicely and contained very strong and compelling themes that really drew in the player; I seriously couldn't put this down, I was hooked.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization in Sakura Gamer is criticized for being overly aggressive and transparent, leading players to feel that the game prioritizes profit over genuine engagement, despite its appealing storyline and visuals.
“Sakura Gamer seemingly has everything every other Sakura game has - a decent storyline, cute girls, CGs that make you blush, and too many coincidences to count, but it lacks any love and blatantly exposes itself as a cash grab.”
“The monetization in this game is excessive, making it feel more like a money-making scheme than an enjoyable experience.”
“I was disappointed to find that the game heavily pushes in-game purchases, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively establishes its objectives and explores profound themes while maintaining a signature light atmosphere characteristic of Sakura games.
“Overall, this game does a great job at setting its goal, discussing deep themes, and doing it all while maintaining the trademark Sakura game light atmosphere throughout.”
