So what is Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Umineko no Naku Koro Ni? They are a series of murder-mystery Visual Novel games, told over several episodic releases. They've been popular enough, despite being indie games only initially released at anime cons, to have anime adaptations.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When the Cicadas Cry) can be played on PC. The only legal way is by downloading Mangagamer's translation. It's expensive, about $50 for the first series, and $27 for EACH story arc of the second series, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (the Answer Arc). NOTE: Besides the Higurashi portion of Mangagamer's site, it is NSFW as they also translate some H-Games. The alternative is the new iphone/ipad/itouch ports, with episode 1 being free and further episodes being $3-5. Each episode is a full story arc, lasting many hours (est. 8 hrs.) Alternatively, there are two single-season animes that adapt the series, only the first of which has been dubbed and released officially outside of Japan.
Umineko no Naku Koro ni (When the Seagulls Cry), sometimes referred to as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 3 and 4, is the next, seperate series that is currently only available via a purchased download of the Japanese games. But Witch Hunt offers a free English Patch to those with legal Japanese copies and you can try the first episode for free. There is also an anime series based on the first half of Umineko that finished in Japan in December 2009, no plans to release it elsewhere yet.
[21:14] pixelman: I blame fheblackdragon
[21:15] pixelman: That's not an f by the way, it's a fancy t.
[21:15] Objection: Tales of Graces "fancy t"
[21:15] Objection: Tinal Tantasy
[21:15] theblackdragon: lol OB
[21:15] pixelman: OB knows what he's asking about.
No, there's no choices. It's basically a book (or books, really) you read at your own pace, with atmospheric music and portraits and some animation.
[21:14] pixelman: I blame fheblackdragon
[21:15] pixelman: That's not an f by the way, it's a fancy t.
[21:15] Objection: Tales of Graces "fancy t"
[21:15] Objection: Tinal Tantasy
[21:15] theblackdragon: lol OB
[21:15] pixelman: OB knows what he's asking about.
Visual and sound novels usually don't have many (or any) plot branches. They're meant to be like books.
The games sound interesting, but seeing the vast difference in price between the PC and iPod versions I'm not going to bother. I don't have an iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad and that difference shows they can't pinpoint a value to their products. I'm not interested in paying more for something they deem worth less just because it's of a platform difference.
Well there are exceptions. 428 is a sound novel with loads of story branches. The whole idea of the game is that you choose for the characters and then see how they interact with one another. The way they designed it is more like a television thriller/drama than a book.
Well there are exceptions. 428 is a sound novel with loads of story branches. The whole idea of the game is that you choose for the characters and then see how they interact with one another. The way they designed it is more like a television thriller/drama than a book.
Well, that certainly sounds better than nothing. I might check it out if I can find it, but I've a feeling it's not in English, is it?
Yeah, it's not in English. Biiig disappointment, Chunsoft! Not that the game would have a market in the west anyway. Sigh. I somehow can't imagine many Americans would want to watch a live action show with Japanese actors in the starring roles. And dubbed into English, no less.
If you want to talk about anime, there is an anime thread already. But I don't think it's out of line to talk about the adpations and comparing them to the games, which should be noted as having MUCH more content.
[21:14] pixelman: I blame fheblackdragon
[21:15] pixelman: That's not an f by the way, it's a fancy t.
[21:15] Objection: Tales of Graces "fancy t"
[21:15] Objection: Tinal Tantasy
[21:15] theblackdragon: lol OB
[21:15] pixelman: OB knows what he's asking about.
So I broke down and got the first episode on the iPhone anyways. I needed a book to read so my ma would stop harping on me to read some kind of book. We'll see how it goes.
Be advised that it has a slow start. (Better than Umineko episode 1, which took twice as long.) Expect about 2 hours or more of establishing the characters and scenario before the creepiness starts. (Basing the time off of the anime adaptation and where I'm currently at, which is about 1/4 through.)
[21:14] pixelman: I blame fheblackdragon
[21:15] pixelman: That's not an f by the way, it's a fancy t.
[21:15] Objection: Tales of Graces "fancy t"
[21:15] Objection: Tinal Tantasy
[21:15] theblackdragon: lol OB
[21:15] pixelman: OB knows what he's asking about.
Be advised that it has a slow start. (Better than Umineko episode 1, which took twice as long.) Expect about 2 hours or more of establishing the characters and scenario before the creepiness starts. (Basing the time off of the anime adaptation and where I'm currently at, which is about 1/4 through.)
I already realized how slow it's gonna start. It even warns you about it, too. I'll try my beat to get through it.
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Topic: Higurashi/Umineko no Naku Koro Ni
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