Some moments ago I finished my first visual novel. Frankly, I have played/read a couple of them before, but Katawa Shoujo is the first I have ever played to the end.
Since I don’t feel for reciting their website’s description of the game, I will just paste it here below:
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, a normal boy living a normal life, has his life turned upside down when a congenital heart defect forces him to move to a new school after a long hospitalization. Despite his difficulties, Hisao is able to find friends—and perhaps love, if he plays his cards right. There are five main paths corresponding to the 5 main female characters, each path following the storyline pertaining to that character.
First I want to say that the game is really huge, which amazes me considering it’s an indie game – and a completely free one too I have to add. I played Emi’s route, and it took me about 8 hours. I really want to experience the other characters’ routes too, but on the other hand I don’t feel I can put down 4 x 8 additional hours into the game. Maybe I will revisit the game in the future to experience those.
I don’t know how to put this other than saying that the game has a very interesting setting, well-written characters, well-made artwork and fitting music. In other words a really good visual novel. It’s possible that I did find this game extra exiting considering I’m a bit fascinated by cyborgization and prosthetic limbs (Emi has prosthetic legs).
My only complain is that at times the character you play didn’t manage to connect dots that I think you could see coming miles away, but it’s really nothing major to complain about.
If you are interested in visual novels, check this one out. It’s available on Linux, Windows and Mac and can be freely downloaded from their website.