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Recent reviews by Bells XD

Showing 1-8 of 8 entries
1 person found this review helpful
52.6 hrs on record
Mahoutsukai no Yoru, or simply Mahoyo (Witch on the Holy Night), is based on one of Kinoko Nasu’s drafts—the famous writer and mastermind behind Type-Moon, responsible for masterpieces such as Kara no Kyoukai, Tsukihime, and Fate/Stay Night. Mahoyo is set in a different time and is perhaps the earliest story in the chronology of the Nasuverse. It revolves around Aozaki Aoko, a character already known from Tsukihime—the same mentor Shiki meets when he escapes from the hospital. She is recognized as one of the greatest mages to have ever lived due to her achievement of “true magic,” which is explained later in the novel.

Unlike other Type-Moon stories, which often involve complex plots surrounding magic, mysteries, and predictable character dynamics, this story doesn’t immediately focus on establishing a central goal or motivation that grips you from the start. In this novel, I felt that Nasu tries to fully explore the relationships and dilemmas of the three central characters:

Aozaki Aoko , already known from Tsukihime;

Alice Kuonji , Aoko’s partner and another highly skilled mage;

Shizuki Soujuro , a stark contrast to the other two main characters.

The magical elements that are always present in the Nasuverse still exist here, but in this story, they serve more as a backdrop to create situations that drive the plot rather than being the central focus. Toward the end, this shifts a little, but it takes time…

The Nasuverse lore is not deeply explored in this novel, so I wouldn’t recommend it as an entry point to this universe—it won’t give you a full understanding right away. What I found interesting, however, was the incorporation of English folklore, as well as references to English authors like Lewis Carroll (which reminds me of another novel I’d rather not think about).

For about two-thirds of the game, it almost feels like a serious-toned Slice of Life, with little presence of “moe” or lighthearted comedy. To the delight of some (myself included), moe is still present, but in Type-Moon’s signature style. However, it mainly appears in the extra chapters, which are separate from the main story. These extras are compiled in an archive-like format, where you can pick chapters to read as if selecting books from a shelf. The extra chapters are REALLY good—don’t skip any! Especially the final extra chapter, which unlocks after reading all the others. It plays out like a mystery novel in true Agatha Christie style—trust me, it’s worth it!

I also think this might be Nasu’s most verbose work. His other stories are wordy too, but they use extensive exposition to explain magic systems and world-building. In Mahoyo, the lengthy prose is simply due to the writing style itself—describing winter trees in intricate detail, how the sun sets with the evening breeze, or how the protagonist meticulously prepares tea. At times, it can feel overly relaxing to the point of being tiring. Some may enjoy this—I personally read it very slowly, which significantly increased my reading time compared to the average. You might just skim through it all, and that’s fine too.

Another key difference from other Type-Moon novels is that Mahoyo has NO choices—it follows a single linear path from beginning to end. This might make it feel a bit "boring" in that regard. If you read up to a certain point, you’ll understand what I mean. If you're looking for something more dynamic, you’ll have to turn to the extra chapters, including the one I mentioned earlier, which is the only chapter in the novel that has choices—and also the longest one.

Character Summaries:

The protagonist is a kind-hearted young man who has spent his entire life in the mountains. Life in the city is new to him. He ends up discovering the witches' secret and becomes their target. From there, the story follows his growing understanding of the situation and his interactions with the other characters. He is very innocent and hardworking.

Aoko is the second protagonist. She is a talented mage, but she only started practicing magic in high school, making her somewhat inexperienced in certain aspects. Her personality is very tsundere and easily irritated, but she has a strong determination to see things through once she sets her mind to them.

Alice is the owner of the mansion where much of the story takes place. The mansion is located on a hill, isolated in the forest. She comes from a wealthy English family with a long lineage of mages. She has extensive experience with magic, as she was trained from a young age. However, Aoko has already reached her level to some extent. Her magic is more indirect and based on English fairy tales, allowing her to summon folklore characters to do her bidding. Her personality is kuudere—reserved and somewhat sadistic. Interestingly, her voice actress is Kana Hanazawa, the same as Nadeko from the Monogatari Series, which makes everything even funnier.

Final Thoughts

The story of Mahoyo is excellent, but compared to other Type-Moon works, I felt somewhat disappointed at certain points. It’s cozy, has a solid conclusion, and the magic is there, but a lot of the payoff is crammed into the final chapters, which I think could have been better distributed throughout the story.

In conclusion:

If you're a Type-Moon fan, this is a must-read—you won’t regret it.

If you don’t have patience for Slice of Life: RUN.

If you don’t care about Type-Moon lore, I wouldn’t recommend it either.

The story offers great philosophical reflections, as expected from a Type-Moon novel. The ending is deeply emotional, reminding me of the super monologue in Kara no Kyoukai. But if you’re expecting intense action and explosions, forget it. Out of 13 main chapters + extras, only about 3 have real action.

I could go into more detail, but I don’t want to spoil anything. So that’s it. The End.
Posted 3 April.
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1 person found this review helpful
122.5 hrs on record
Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG that takes place in Tokyo in general and is another game in the Persona series.

Royal has some improvements and modifications compared to the original, in addition to adding a new ending, new characters, and a new arc (with a new palace, etc.).

But what can I say about Persona 5 itself?

Compared to its predecessors, 3 and 4, you can see several improvements and inspirations, both in terms of improved gameplay, a new graphics engine, new combat animations, and more elaborate fusions (fusions are a game mechanic that combine your abilities through the personas).

But when comparing it to the other games, you also see that it falls a little short.

Starting with the story, in short, you are a young man who has been wronged by the system and the corruption of contemporary Japanese society and are sent to spend a year at the house of an acquaintance of your parents in Tokyo. The entire game takes place in well-known locations in the city, and it follows the same standard mechanics of the Persona games: you are a normal student, and during this time, you have to manage your time well, spending it with people in your social circle or improving your skills by reading, playing, fishing, exercising, etc. Then, at another moment, you advance the story, which has supernatural elements, entering this other world where you gain powers through your personas (literally Stands for those who have seen JoJo).

The game’s story follows Joker (our protagonist) as he meets his friends and advances from enemy to enemy, who are people with distorted desires. You can invade their “palaces,” which are very similar to the castles in Persona 4. In the end, you manage to change the nature of their distorted desires, making them feel guilty for their crimes.

Overall, the story of Persona 5 is good and uses various elements from Persona 4’s own story but in its own context. Like the entire Persona series, it contains many mythological and religious references.

But I’ll warn you right away that the central theme of this Persona is related to Gnosticism and how society becomes a hostage to itself due to its distorted desires and the laziness of going beyond its own reach, conforming to the injustices that happen throughout society.

The extra dungeon in Royal adds a new arc that deals with the consequences of the original ending, and I think it was a good addition.

My only real criticism is regarding the soundtrack, which, although good, is not as captivating as those of the other Persona games.

But be prepared—the game is quite long. In addition to the palaces (the individual dungeons of each opponent), there is also Mementos, which is a dungeon of the collective unconscious (all of society) and is very similar in structure to Tartarus (Persona 3), consisting of multiple floors that you have to progress through. This is also where you complete side quests that appear throughout the story.

I personally didn’t like the ending very much. Compared to the other Persona games, it could have been better utilized, although the conclusion of Royal’s extra dungeon is excellent.

My rating: 8/10
Posted 15 March.
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11 people found this review helpful
2
1
102.8 hrs on record (102.6 hrs at review time)
I am the bone of my sword

A brief review of my experience with the Fate/stay night visual novel

Introduction (No Spoilers)

After years of postponing, with the upcoming release of Fate/stay night Remastered, I finally dove into Kinoko Nasu’s universe. I had never watched the anime, and my knowledge was fresh, ready for new experiences. Fate/stay night is possibly the most popular visual novel of all time, even more than Steins;Gate, as it laid the foundation for the Fate universe. After the success of Tsukihime, Nasu decided to write a story about heroes rather than vampires, though many magical elements remained. Fate is a story about destiny itself.

At its core, Fate/stay night is about a young aspiring mage who gets unwillingly involved in a large-scale Battle Royale-style war, where mages make contracts with servants—heroic and mythological figures summoned to fight. Seven pairs of mages and servants compete for the Holy Grail, an artifact that grants any wish to its holder. Over time, questions about the Grail War, the origins of the mages and servants, and more are answered gradually, though Nasu’s detailed writing can feel overwhelming. However, this complexity makes the lore, especially the Magecraft system, deeply captivating.

Emiya Shirou and his Ideal of Being a Hero of Justice

Many believe Fate is about heroic spirits, and while that’s true, Fate/stay night is fundamentally about Emiya Shirou, the protagonist. The story is divided into three main routes, each focusing on different events in the Holy Grail War, portraying distinct versions of Shirou and the consequences of his actions, as well as his relationships with different heroines.

  • FATE: This route introduces readers to the world, explaining many terms and systems while keeping several mysteries. It centers on Shirou’s accidental pact with the servant Saber, one of the most iconic and beloved figures in anime.

  • UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS: This route explores Shirou’s ideals of becoming a hero of justice, a belief instilled in him by his adoptive father, Emiya Kiritsugu. The central dilemma here is that to be a hero, others must suffer. Shirou’s internal conflict is mirrored by Archer, Rin Tohsaka’s servant.

  • HEAVEN’S FEEL: This final route forces Shirou to question and eventually abandon his ideals to save one person, Sakura Matou, the central heroine. It also answers the remaining mysteries of the Holy Grail War.

In summary:
  • FATE: Introduction

  • UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS: Development

  • HEAVEN'S FEEL: Conclusion

The prologue begins from Rin Tohsaka’s perspective, but the story shifts to Shirou after three days, branching into the different routes depending on choices made. At the start, we encounter a poetic text that becomes central to the story:

Originally posted by Emiya Shirou:

I am the bone of my sword.

Steel is my body, and fire is my blood.

I have created over a thousand blades.

Unknown to death,

Nor known to life.

Have withstood pain to create many weapons.

Yet, those hands will never hold anything.

So, as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works.

At first, this incantation seems cryptic, but by the end of the FATE route, it gains meaning. It’s Archer’s chant for invoking his Reality Marble, a forbidden spell that projects his inner world, allowing him to replicate countless swords. The phrase becomes a defining element, symbolizing Shirou and Archer’s struggles.

"I am the bone of my sword"
This line asserts that Shirou’s very being is a weapon. It reflects his willingness to sacrifice himself for others, as his ideals demand.

"Steel is my body, and fire is my blood."
This supports the first line, reinforcing that Shirou’s existence is entirely shaped by his ideals and the sacrifices he’s willing to make. In UBW, he’s willing to die for them, even when facing Archer, who represents a future Shirou disillusioned by these ideals.

"I have created over a thousand blades."
This line reflects Archer’s experience in countless battles, symbolizing the weapons he has forged through suffering.

"Unknown to death, nor known to life."
This line highlights Archer’s existence as a spirit who has endured countless battles without truly living or dying. His suffering has distanced him from his original ideals, leading to disillusionment.

"Have withstood pain to create many weapons."
Archer speaks of the immense pain he has endured in countless wars, crafting weapons to fight for others.

"Yet, those hands will never hold anything."
This is the most tragic line. It acknowledges that despite Shirou’s (and Archer’s) desire to protect others, they can never truly hold onto anything for themselves. Their sacrifices are for others, but they remain unfulfilled.

"So, as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works."
Why does Shirou have the power to project swords? It’s not just because he likes them—it’s because he has become a metaphorical sword, a tool for others. However, in the Heaven’s Feel route, when he abandons his ideals for Sakura, his identity starts to crumble.

When Shirou gives up his long-held ideals to protect one person, he finally achieves something meaningful, but at the cost of being “broken.” Heaven’s Feel provides a fitting conclusion to Shirou’s journey, showing the cost of sacrificing everything for a single individual.

The Final Fate: Avalon
After completing all endings, we unlock the final episode, where Shirou’s heroic spirit finally finds rest. After enduring so much pain and fighting for others, his journey ends. In the afterlife, he reunites with Saber, who has been connected to him since the beginning. Saber, the legendary King Arthur (Artoria/Altria), mirrors Shirou’s ideals, as she too sacrificed herself for a cause beyond her reach. Both faced unjust fates, but in the end, they find peace together.
This epilogue summarizes the key themes of Fate/stay night and perfectly encapsulates what the story is about. It’s a magical universe with many characters, each with their own goals and ideals. It’s truly a journey worth experiencing.

For all those who wish to become a sword…

Read Fate/stay night.
Posted 19 September, 2024. Last edited 19 September, 2024.
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2 people found this review helpful
98.4 hrs on record
What could i say about Persona 4?

It's extremely KINO. A Masterpiece

If you ever read or watched JoJo Part 4 it is very very very similar in Plot. The Group of Friends who are together in a small city in the country. and they discover a serial killer, then form a "The" Group of Friends investigation team.

The Persona/SMT Series all have inspiration from religious/japanese mythology and the main plot also is based on that.

Simple plot, however, there are multiple development parts for each of the characters, similar in Persona 3. Although it iinvolves serial killer like antagonist. It is a "Happy" game. Again, Jojo Part 4. The Group of Friends discover a parallel dimension called the TV World, and then go to use their Personas. It is the JRPG part of the game. The most parts you are reading dialogue boxes, like a Visual Novel.

In short. It is a less darker game in comparison to Persona 3. It is the "jojo part 4 game" with its own personality, better character developent and a very good plot, and JRPG gameplay. The Plot Twists are very good also.

I would say it is one of the best games i ever played, but not entering my top 10. (better than persona 3 obv)

10/10
Posted 17 May, 2024. Last edited 21 May, 2024.
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5 people found this review helpful
63.7 hrs on record
One or possibly the best Visual Novel ever made.

Muv Luv alternative is a story about love, courage and the development of one of the best protagonists ever in a media.

There are Mechas, Shogun, Samurai Mechas, Militarism, Alien Invaders, MOE, Waifus, sad moments (really sad), happy moments and a hell of a cast.

Give it a try, but first: you need to read the first Muv Luv which englobes (Extra and Unlimited)

DO NOT read Alternative before reading the first 2.

Shirogane Takeru used all his knowledge of Lacrosse and became the most GIGAchad protagonists of all time.

You will only undestrand the PEAK if you READ it.
Posted 20 February, 2024.
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2 people found this review helpful
5.3 hrs on record (0.6 hrs at review time)
Simplesmente um dos melhores jogos já criados pela humanidade
Posted 26 November, 2022.
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No one has rated this review as helpful yet
86.6 hrs on record
One of the best stories of all time. easily one of the best visual novel ever created. 10/10
Posted 4 June, 2022.
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No one has rated this review as helpful yet
52.3 hrs on record
Very good visual novel, very entertaining. Hyped for Alternative

for Muv Luv Extra: 7/10
for Muv Luv Unlimited: 8/10

The Extra Routes are the best. The Unlimited ones are just repeatable.
Posted 4 June, 2022.
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Showing 1-8 of 8 entries