So like many story that early PS3 owners might tell you is that they play more PS2 games on their PS3 then PS3 games much to the chagrin of the newer owners who have limited or no backwards compatibility. That being said, guess what platform this game put FFXIII back in the game case for a while?
So Sakura Wars ~ So Long, My Love ~ is a PS2 game as well as a Wii game. NIS America released two versions in the United States. For those keeping score, this is the first time Sakura Wars game has made it stateside. For those of you who may not be aware, Sakura Wars was among the future game catalogs when the Sega Dreamcast was hitting it’s stride but quickly disappeared from the line up. Sakura Wars ~ So Long, My Love ~ is actually the 5th game in the main series but one that could stand alone unlike the others. There have been a lot of Sakura Wars games (known as Sakura Taisen in Japan) with about 16 other games which fall under spin-offs, side stories, or prequels, along side anime series and movies, manga, and even audio dramas. So this was big news when NIS America announced that it was coming here.
The difference between the two versions is pretty simple and straight forward. The Wii release features a dubbed version of the game while the PS2 version includes the Japanese track on a second disc. You can almost imagine it like a VHS and a DVD release of an anime during the transition period from VHS to DVD where VHS release might only get a english dub release and DVDs had both. I got the PS2 version for the Japanese track from Rosenqueen. For a game several years old, it upscales pretty well on the PS3 on an HD TV. Sakura Wars is a sorta dating-simulation/Strategy game. You can build relationships with the girls in the game with dialog interactions. Unlike most dating-sims and visual novels, you have a time limit to your response. The game features what is known in the series as the LIPS system. Being the 5th game in the series, the LIPS system has evolved a bit from previous games and features several versions.
Normal LIPS is just like any other dialog selections you find in other games however you are usually timed. Yes, waiting the timer out is a response option. The next type is known as stick LIPS. These require you to use the analog sticks of the control to match the pattern given. This is also timed and how quickly you can do these will dictate a score which can effect the story or relationship points with the girls. The next type is known as click LIPS. Think of this like the old style point and click games from the PC where you select may give you different dialog or responses. The next is analog LIPS. In this version you control the level of your response using the left analog stick. A meter with what that level’s response will be is displayed. Finally is double LIPS where you have a limited time to complete several LIPS. The game plays out like a visual novel though during some parts of the chapter you are given freedom to move around to interact with other characters for a limited time.
The second part of the game is a turn-based strategy game. Movement is free-roam but your limited by an AP like system which dictates your movements, specials and attacks. Overall it’s not hard. Combat can take place on land or the sky and sometimes both depending on what you fight. Based on how well you get along with the girls, your attacks can be combined and become more powerful.
The game itself takes place in New York City around the 1920s in a very steam oriented society. Everything from Steam-powered cars, to steamputers that exists in this setting. You actually play the nephew of the male protagonist from the previous games who sends you New York in his place. Though out of place he quickly becomes the would be commander of the group. The characters are pretty likable and you do feel a genuine affection for some of them. The game is a bit over the top, especially with the Littlelips theaters or even Mr. Sunnyside’s house being in Central Park. It is a lot of fun and have been playing it for quite a while now.
There are different branches you can take in terms of relationships with the girls and replaying it allows you to follow another path or even one that wasn’t available the first time around. Though I wish Doublejump Books would get on with the guide for this game now. They’re about 2 months behind schedule with it.
This is a fun game and worth taking a look at. Though the story might be a bit over the top and gushes with stereotypes, it plays well with them. Some of the surprise twists you learn are pretty eye raising. Though I wish that they had included Episode 0 which features Gemini’s side story with this release. It is mentioned in the game funny enough. Heres hoping that NIS America will release the others games in the series as they get remade.
