Game:

Kuon (2004)

Duration: 10:59

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Original Air Date: None (NEW!)

This is rare footage of some actual gameplay for the great visual novel, Kuon no Kizuna (Sairinsyo is attached to the Dreamcast game and its an improved remake of the original Playstation game and was also released on PS2). The game is long, beautiful and enchanting in a sense, and overlooked compared to many other games within the genre. At the time it was released, game editorials complained stating that the game is too difficult to understand and the characters are perhaps too defined. Some even complained that the game has too much Kanji! Indeed, it's not a game for a Japanese novice like myself at all and even intermediate speakers/readers would no doubt have some difficulty with the title.

I bought this game many years ago when I had no knowledge of the Japanese language and stumbled from point A to point B with only the well-illustrated pictures remotely hinting at the game's plot (I cleared the game at least once, which is why I have data for it). Without knowing a word, I followed the game's thousands of pages worth of dialogue and was actually able to feel for the characters. Hell, I'll admit I even teared up a bit at the ending I got. This game is very atmospheric and not at all silly, and it delivers powerful messages.

Knowing what I know now, I can give you the general plot behind the game. Kuon no Kizuna (or the aptly titled "Bonds of Eternity") is a game that centers around a young man (the player) who is the link to generations of chaos and a clan of demons and individuals with god-like powers. He appears to be an ordinary high school student, but he has always felt different from everyone else and has wierd dreams about other times and places. As you get further in the game, you are transported through time and assume the role of a man much like yourself who knows characters who are a lot like the ones in the present (the most important period being the Heian era).

What's actually happening is that your "other selves" from times past didn't exactly make the greatest choices and you're stuck in a vicious cycle through time, dealing with people who are very much the same personally but through different points in history (hence the whole "Bonds of Eternity"). In order to break this cycle, the "present" you goes back to points in history where he may rectify his actions in an attempt to save mankind from the forces of darkness. Of course, you can choose to aid the darkness as well, but you may very well bring about the destruction of the world.

Each period has the same "influences" from the present to alter your decisions: a male who acts as your best friend and rival, a female who is like a sister to you, an introverted girl who's mind becomes corrupt through repeated abuse and neglect, some supporting characters with beneficial or negative traits, at least one antagonist (usually the "bully"), and an older sultry woman who acts as the "Cougar" of the game (in the present, it's the teacher who hits on the student...that one was a giveaway). While the influences are basically the same, the dangers you face vary depending on the circumstances.

The game's atmosphere, high quality soundtrack and artwork, and more sophisticated writing not so reliant on the extreme cliches found in more modern works of Japanese fiction is what makes this game really appeal to me. All too often now, Japanese visual novels are filled with unessential characters who solely serve as fan-service with catgirls, wind-blown skirt fetishes, etc, and add little to nothing to the overall package. Kuon does not follow that trend, as even characters you see only once or twice leave a cryptic message or lasting impression. The game is perhaps almost masterfully done. Even then, it was too profound for most Japanese gamers. It saw limited success and took about five years before they released a second, budget version for the PS2.

*Sigh*

I guess if it doesn't have some unnecessary J-Pop or bullshit character, it's a really hard sell or it must have no redeeming qualities these days. Of course I'm exaggerating, but whateva. As far as plot in a visual novel goes for me, this game hits the nail on the head. Enjoy.