Reviewed on: PC
If you’re the type of player who skips all the dialogue and only wants to explore and finish objectives, I’ll warn you right away: Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms is not for you.
Being a visual novel, your only job here will be to follow, through wonderful illustrations, everything unfolding at the end of the samurai era, and here (unlike Telltale franchise games) all your actions will affect how the story unfolds. It’s true that this type of game doesn’t draw many eyes from gamers, but if you like samurai and Japanese history, I recommend you keep reading the review.
What’s this game about?
It’s hard to talk about this game without mentioning the anime Rurouni Kenshin (or Samurai X) and Japan’s fabulous history. The game takes place in the same period as the manga/anime and portrays the history of the Shinsengumi (a group defending the Shogunate), and so you will see familiar names such as Saitou and Okita. The main targets of the Wolves of Mibu (as the Shinsengumi members were called) were the Monarchists, who advocated the fall of the Shogun and the institution of the monarchy.
Think of the Shinsengumi as a police force that operated in Kyoto protecting the city from the “rebels'” actions. In a period when carnage was almost routine, this group of swordsmen wearing light blue uniforms with white details established itself as the largest and strongest group of warriors that ever existed in Japan.
With all this background, those of you who like this theme must already be curious to try the game, but the great differentiator here is the multiple paths the plot takes depending on how you relate to the other members and make your choices. There are 30 endings available, making every playthrough unique. Get ready to spend hours viewing excellent illustrations in anime/manga style, with a soundtrack familiar to samurai fans and very well done voice acting (Japanese only).
Is it worth buying?
Well… There’s not much to say about the game… As I already wrote, I recommend it for those familiar with the theme. But if you’re really interested and don’t want to invest too much of your hard-earned money, I recommend you first get the previous version, Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds, which is a bit cheaper, and try it. It’s worth noting that Edo Blossoms (being the conclusion of the story) is much tenser and more melancholic, and that tears may fall from your misty eyes if you get very involved with the characters.
Narrative: 9
AUDIOVISUAL: 9
FUN/IMMERSION: 9
Max Xavier
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