Samurai of Hyuga Book 4
- August 29, 2019
- Hosted Games
"Samurai of Hyuga Book 4" is a visual novel adventure game set in feudal Japan. The game follows the story of a young samurai tasked with protecting his lord's lands from various threats. This fourth book in the series focuses on political intrigue, personal relationships, and the challenges of leadership as the samurai navigates a complex web of alliances and betrayals. With multiple endings based on player choices, "Samurai of Hyuga Book 4" offers a rich and immersive storytelling experience.
Reviews
- The writing is exceptional, with strong world-building and character development that keeps players engaged and emotionally invested.
- The story offers a deep exploration of complex relationships, particularly focusing on the character of Junko, which some players found to be a compelling narrative choice.
- The game provides a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to feel a wide range of emotions, from anger to empathy, making it a memorable installment in the series.
- Many players felt that the choices in the game were largely illusory, leading to a lack of meaningful impact on the storyline and character relationships.
- The portrayal of Junko as a central figure was criticized for romanticizing abusive behavior, leaving some players uncomfortable with the narrative direction.
- The game can be emotionally taxing and dark, with themes of torture and manipulation that may not be suitable for all players, leading to feelings of frustration and helplessness.
- story41 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story is a complex and emotionally charged narrative that shifts focus from the main plot to explore character relationships, particularly that of the antagonist, which some players found compelling while others felt forced to sympathize with a character they disliked. Despite criticisms regarding the lack of meaningful choices and the heavy-handedness of certain themes, many reviewers praised the writing, depth, and emotional impact of the story, expressing eagerness for future installments. Overall, it is seen as a significant and engaging continuation of the series, blending dark themes with character development and moral complexity.
“This was so beautifully written, and I love the impact your decisions can have on the storyline; it's so immersive.”
“The story is amazing, and you're given so many choices that the game has a lot of replayability.”
“The characters, the story, the variety of choices, and the vivid imagery all help make this game the best choose-your-own-adventure style game on the market.”
“Her backstory doesn't excuse anything, and instead of being able to say that out loud, the game forces us to sympathize with this monster.”
“The fact is, this isn’t a game, it’s a book and the author is forcing his story down our throats with no way to have our main character react differently from how he wants them to react.”
“I didn't even get a story that had real branches.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of Soh4 is described as intensely taxing and unrelenting, drawing comparisons to the heavy emotional toll of The Last of Us Part II. Reviewers note that the narrative takes unexpected turns, deepening character relationships and evoking strong feelings, making it an emotional rollercoaster that some may find overwhelming yet rewarding. Overall, the book's ability to elicit empathy for previously disliked characters adds to its impactful emotional experience.
“I would liken playing Soh4 to my experience during The Last of Us Part II, where the emotional toll is suffocating and the violence is unforgiving and endless.”
“This addition to the series has far exceeded my expectations; it took turns I could not foresee and made me feel for and even love characters I previously despised.”
“I found Book 4 to be an emotional rollercoaster as it goes deeper and reveals more about our character and Jun's/Junko's relationship.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted as a significant strength, with reviewers noting that the pain and torment experienced by characters leads to profound and impactful growth throughout the narrative.
“The payoff and character development that arises from the pain and torment was incredible.”
“The depth of each character's journey is truly remarkable, making their growth feel authentic and relatable.”
“I was amazed at how the choices I made influenced the characters' development, leading to unexpected and meaningful transformations.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are notably lacking, with some users expressing disappointment that there are no visual elements at all.
“And it doesn't even have graphics!”
“The graphics look outdated and lack detail.”
“I was expecting more from the visuals; they feel flat and uninspired.”