by Omar (@neo_graphyte)

With the latest release of Hakuoki on mobile platforms, I thought I’d throw up a general primer for both Hakuoki and the otome (maiden) game genre. Consider this the start point if this is your first foray into either otome, visual novels, or Hakuoki. If those are already familiar to you, feel free to skip to the full review.

Originally released in 2008 on the PS2, Hakuoki has become one of the most recognizable visual novels in the genre, particularly in Japan where they’ve seen a slew of releases on multiple platforms since. Things have been a bit more sparse here in the States, where we’ve seen a PSP version (Demon of the Fleeting Blossom), a 3DS version (Memories of the Shinsengumi), PS3 (Stories of the Shinsengumi), and this newest version.

For those those confused by all the above, just know that the main story in all of them is the same, with the PS3 being the most “feature complete” of all them, missing only the new “Tea Ceremony” special story made for the this release. As someone who has somehow found himself on his third copy of the game, I can safely say the new tablet format feels like a natural fit for this style of game. The art stands out a bit better on the large screen PS3 version, but the portability and having all the routes unlocked from the start edges this new version to the top for me, at least for starting players. (It should be noted that the iOS and Android versions have the first chapter free, as well as the ability to either buy certain character routes separately, or as a whole package).

The game itself if very much a traditional example of the genre. It operates as a reverse harem game, placing a singular woman protagonist (that’d be you) in the midst of several eligible bachelors of various types, each of which has a “route” through the game that is completed by growing closer to one of them and seeing their story through. Story events are largely static, with choices given to you a certain points that can branch the narrative. For the most part it operates similar to a choose your adventure book, though with less frequency of decisions.

Hakuoki in particular is split into two parts. The first three chapters act as the common route, whose events are can be approached several ways, but are largely static, and each character’s specific route, which is determined from the fourth chapter on by whichever character you’ve built up the most affection with. Do be warned that there are ways to back yourself into a corner and prematurely end the story though, so even given the ability to skip previously read text you may want to keep a backup save of your last decision.

For those interested, there are also anime adaptions of the story. They stay relatively faithful both in art direction and plot, though void of the various routes and branching paths of the games. (The anime also features music by Kow Otani, composer on several Japanese monster movies as well as Shadow of the Colossus). The games also give you an Encyclopedia that’s updated as you progress, allowing you better insight into each of the historical figures and moments relevant to the plot, which is useful as the stories are very much rooted in actual Japanese history. 

If any of that sounded interesting to you, do check out our full review.