Katawa Shoujo: Act 1

See anything suspicious? Because I do. Hanako (one of tmfc) is there, covering something.

Dolly (Doll Judgement) introduced me to KS: Act 1. I started playing it like yesterday and finished it before I went to bed. First VN that I ever played o_____o Wasn't so bad, seriously.

The game is pretty much about you as Hisao Nakai. The main heroine/male character of the visual novel. In the beginning of Katawa Shoujo, you're outside in the snow and you're waiting for some girl. The girl finally comes and they start talking and blah blah blah. Then your heart starts feeling strange, and you later just end up in the dang hospital. The doctor is talking with your parents about medicine, how much you have to take it, and... transfer to a weird school? Yes I said it. Transfer to a school.

You have some sort of heart disease and you were forced to transfer to another school for people with strange and well-known diseases/problems. Or should I say, disabled children? o_O  Hisao is like other heriones, like Kyon from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, or even Tomoya Okazaki from CLANNAD.

You're like... well how should I describe or say this? A sarcastic guy. You're normal, sometimes calm, and sometimes sweet. Yeah, you're that kind of guy. While you play as Hisao in Act 1, you get to talk to the main characters of the game, and maybe even the supporting characters. Sometimes they would let you pick decisions in the game, but not much, really.

It's basically a VN where you just talk your mouth off where there's too much information and lots and lots of dialogue! But like I said, Katawa Shoujo isn't so bad for a visual novel. If I played the 18+ one (Hentai included version/Full game) when it's out, then I would be so happy and review some more. But unfortunately, I don't have much to say about it now.

A B O U T KATAWA-SHOUJO

Katawa Shoujo is a bishoujo-style visual novel set in the fictional Yamaku High School for disabled children, located somewhere in modern Japan. Hisao Nakai, who has had a congenital heart disorder diagnosed just a few months ago, finds his life turned upside down when he moves to a new town and school after a long hospitalization. Despite his difficulties, Hisao is able to find friends and eventually have romantic relationships with one of five main female characters.

- KS Site

 M A I N - C H A R A C T E R S

Hisao Nakai: The main heroine of the game. He has a congenital heart disorder diagnosed just a few months ago. He moves to a new town and school after a long hospitalization. After being thrown into a new beginning, the chaotic circumstances have forced Hisao to rethink his apathetic disposition, especially regarding things like life, friendship and future.

Shiina "Misha" Mikado: Misha is the interpreter for Shizune and a fellow member of the student council. Cheery, playful, and never one to pull a punch, she happily joins in Shizune's attempts to get Hisao onto the student council.

Shizune Hakamichi: Strong willed and forceful, Shizune is definitely the leader type. She’s been the class rep, despite being deaf and mute, for as long as her class has had one, and generally takes charge in just about any situation she’s placed in. Shizune is known around the school as a fearsome taskmaster, and skilled manipulator, but also as a fair and just leader.

Hanako Ikezawa: At a young age, Hanako had a traumatic experience that left her life in shambles. Her father died when their home burned down in an accident, which also disfigured Hanako herself permanently. She is reclusive to the extreme, shunning from all other people to the point of actually panicking from any social contact. Her only trusted friend is Lilly, who has taken Hanako under her wing ever since the two were introduced to each other. She has scars on her body, so she tries to cover them.

Lilly Satou: Blind since birth, Lilly is caring, responsible and friendly - the perfect foil to Hanako, her best friend, whom she shares an almost mother-daughter relationship with, in addition to her free time often being spent drinking tea alongside her companion. In class she is a diligent student, with her sense of confidence serving her well in her role as class representative of class 3-2.

Emi Ibarazaki: Despite being left with legs amputated below the knee, Emi is perhaps one of the most cheery, happy-go-lucky girls on the entire globe, let alone the school. Not one to be left in despair even after the accident that claimed her legs, Emi views her disability more as a blessing, her prosthetic legs having brought her to the heights of her ability on the track team rather than becoming a permanent obstacle.

Rin Tezuka: Since Rin’s arms are tiny stumps due to a severe birth defect and subsequent surgery, she uses her feet and occasionally her mouth to do everything, which includes painting. Because of her disability, using skirts is tough, so Rin is wearing a boy’s uniform at school. Her creativity is matched by her philosophical streak: Rin is fond of occasionally getting lost in thought and giving voice to abstract ideas about man, the universe, and other things that thoroughly confuse people.

Kenji = Harry Potter!


Mai Waifu.


KENJI IS A PORN STAR?! SUGOIIIIIIIII!


Rivalry between Lilly and Shizune. Blind VS Deaf/Mute.


Kenji and Hisao on the roof. Drinkin` whiskey and getting drunk.


Kenji motivated me even more to troll women. ALCOHOL-RELATED
COURAGEEEEEE!

Art: 5
Characters: 4
Story: 3
Setting: 4
Music: 3

Act 1 wasn't so bad as a 1st visual novel for me. I enjoyed playing Act 1 and it was all fine. I gotta hand it to you... The art is okay, characters are just <3, story is kinda meh, setting is okay, and music just fits each kind of mood in the game.

If you want to play a short Visual Novel or want to play your first one, then try out Katawa Shoujo: Act 1. If you're the kind of person who pretty much basically wants to play a long visual novel that will last to the end and have more interesting things in it, then play something else.

I took the screenies while playing the game. Info is from the official Katawa Shoujo site and also the blog. Additional random text by me.