Accel World: The Peak of Acceleration Progress

Still waiting for the unlikely season 02, I keep my addiction at bay by playing Kasoku no Chouten. To be honest, I don’t play a lot of dating adventure games, so I was quite intrigue that apparently there are many different routes and endings for Accel World: Kasoku no Chouten. It’s a very deep game! And so many CGs to unlock!

***WARNING! SPOILERS!

My first run seems like the normal ending/route for the game. It’s the generally happy ending where everybody keep their Brain Burst. However, as I noted in my review, White Cosmos and Cyan Disaster are nowhere to be found. After playing the game for the third time, I noticed several choices that affect the course of the game.

The first one is fairly early in the game, where Haru is going to have tests at school, but Niko dropped by to play some video games with onii-chan.

I think the choice here will only affect the events in the school’s cultural festival. If Haru decided to play with Niko, we will see this during the cultural festival.

If Haru said no, then you won’t get that CG.

The second branch is a very significant one. This is when the Nega Nebulus and Prominence team were fighting Chrome Disaster. During the fight, there is a choice that will result in either Haru or Taku being attacked by Chrome Disaster. This will affect who got infected by the cursed armor. On my first run, it was Haru, thus Silver Crow turned

 

Accel World: The Peak of Acceleration PSP Review #accel_world

Finally cleared Accel World Kasoku no Chouten, first run. This is the second game form the franchise Accel World, the first being Ginyouki no Kakusei. Just like the first game, it is available for both the PS3 and PSP, and the special edition of the game includes the EX 02 OVA. I bought the PSP version again as it is cheaper, and portable.

**WARNING: There will be spoilers.

Kasoku no Chouten is a direct sequel to Ginyoku no Kakusei. The story started right after the first game, with Phase 07, with Kuroyukihime senpai telling everybody that she’s going to London after graduation. Remember how the first game skipped the Chrome Disaster arc and went straight to the Dusk Taker Arc? Well, Chrome Disaster arc is here now. Similar story, with the Nega Nebulus team helping Niko to fight Chrome Disaster. The story also continues to Haru being infected with the Disaster Armor, although Haru managed to overcome it rather quickly, enhancing Silver Crow with gold trimmings. The story also covers the Space Elevator race. They really crammed in a lot of stuff.

And yes, looks like there won’t be a third game. Why? The story ended. Yes, the battle for level 10. Black Lotus is kicking ass. And yes, that screenshot that was uploaded on the net is true. Kuroyukihime and Haruyuki finally got together, and we have Yayoi Arita. 🙂

Now I don’t know if there are alternate endings or whatnot as this is my first run. In magazines and website, I saw pictures of Cyan Disaster and White Cosmos, but I don’t see them in the game.

If you have the first game’s saved file in your memory stick, the game will let you use it to get some money bonus and access to the first game’s gallery (only the CGs you have cleared will be shown though). The mini games are there, but you have to buy them.

For the most part, Kasoku no Chouten retains a lot of the mechanics of Ginyoku no Kakusei. Again, to those new to the franchise, this is NOT a fighting game. This is a dating simulation/adventure game, where you will be mostly seeing the characters talking and pressing the circle button to see the next dialogue/scene. Majority of the gameplay is the same. You have the adventure mode where you talk with the characters, then you have the dating simulations where you go on dates, and the same rock-scissor-paper Brain Burst battles. They did add some more features to Kasoku no Chouten that makes the game more enjoyable.

First of all, Brain Burst battles in the first game are pretty much pointless. They don’t add anything to the gameplay as your character’s stats are hard-coded to the story. Heck, it was so pointless that you can skip all battles in the game plus mode. In Kasoku no Chouten, performing Brain Burst battles will actually level up your stats. They also introduces Akihabara Battle Ground (BG), the tournament for Burst Linkers in episode 21. Battling in Akihabara BG will net you some money. Unlike the Brain Burst battles, your stats won’t improve much, and sometimes you won’t gain any additional points at all. Also, you can only do this once per day. This is primarily used to get money quickly, especially later in the game where the gifts are expensive. And yes, remember the name Prussian Stiletto. You will be fighting her most in the game as she is the one with the most reward money.

The game also brings in territory battles, where you will pick an area to do a 3 on 3 tag battle. It doesn’t really add anything to the story per se, but you can recruit additional members for the legion. This is also the only way the other Nega Nebulus members to level up their stats. Only the members that you pick as a team will get the points though.

This creates an imbalance gameplay-story relation. Since you, the player, can do Brain Burst battles as much as you want, Silver Crow will be pretty much the strongest duel avatar. This is especially true later when you are maxing out your stats. All the level 9 kings are nothing against Silver Crow. I mean I pretty much up to the point that I am defeating anybody in two to three turns with my basic attacks. This kinda distorts the game’s story, as while you kick ass during the battles, the story telling reflects otherwise. I guess it reminds you that the focus of this game is not fighting, it’s the dating simulation.

The background music includes some updated arranged tracks, but they are pretty much the same as the first game. I really wish they used the anime OST. They use the second anime opening, Altima’s Burst of Gravity, for the opening of the game. Unlike the first game, looks like they improved the video encoding as it is as smooth as the regular anime now. Also, just like the first game, all the anime seiyuu are here. In addition, we have Utai Shinomiya (Ardor Maiden) voiced too. Alas, Rin Kusakabe is not here, which is ironic as she appears in the EX 02 OVA. Oh, and just like the first game, each character does the piracy warning. Utai’s one is extremely cute!

As for the graphics, well, it is mostly the same. The characters have new wardrobe, but no variety (ie. school uniform, one casual, and a swimsuit. That’s it). Many of the scenes in the accelerated world are now replaced with static images instead of the 3D models. The images are definitely better than the poorly textured 3D models, but it cheapens the game. The CGs are superb, as usual, done with the same style as the anime.

Overall, I enjoyed the game. Of course, I am highly biased as I am a fan of the franchise. Kasoku no Chouten is definitely a better game than Ginyoku no Kakusei, an improved sequel. 9 out of 10. As usual, like most anime-based dating simulation games, this is a game for the fans. If you are not a fan, don’t bother. If you expected a fighting game, look elsewhere.

What saddens me is the fact that they are ending the story, despite the light novel is still ongoing. It is clear that there won’t be a third game, unless they do a reboot/different timeline, or maybe Magisa Garden. Does this mean we may not see season 2 of the anime? 😦 At the same time, they did introduce Utai, complete with her own seiyuu. Maybe there is hope. In any case, this is it for Accel World game. Below is the last scene of the game. Hime: “I love you, Haruyuki-kun.” Yeah, they still don’t say Kuroyukihime’s real name despite the story ending. -_-;

The End.

 

Accel World: Awakening of the Silver Wings PSP Review #accel_world

Finally cleared Accel World Ginyoku no Kakusei for the first run. This is the first game based on the franchise Accel World, available for the PSP and PS3. I bought the PSP version since the PS3 version is so expensive. Besides, having it on my PSP allows me to play it wherever I want. This game, like most Japanese only games, are also available in a cheaper Asia version, and it’s the same thing (even the special edition with the OVA is available). There’s no English manual at all, so prepare to consult the internetz and/or trial and error if you don’t understand Japanese.

Let’s start with the review. (Note: there will be spoiler.)

First and foremost, Accel World’s story is revolved around Haruyuki Arita and a virtual fighting game called Brain Burst. In this game, you will be Haru/Silver Crow. For a game based on a virtual fighting game, Accel World Ginyoku no Kakusei is not a fighting/action game. So if that’s what you’re hoping for, save your money. Just looking at the screenshots online, one can deduce that it’s the typical Japanese adventure/dating simulation game.

Basically, you will be seeing a static image most of the time with dialogues on screen. Most of the time, all you will be doing is pressing circle to move to the next dialogue. You can press the left shoulder button to toggle an auto-mode. There are few decision trees to pick your date and unlock some pictures. There’s a light RPG element in the game where you can improve the special moves of your duel avatar, but that’s about it. Picking up the right response and giving the right gifts for your dates are more important here. Having said that, Brain Burst battle is there, but it’s not what you think. The Brain Burst battle is basically a turn-based rock/paper/scissor fight, where you assign values to your duel avatar’s offense, defense, accuracy, and evasion points, and hope that yours are more than the opponent’s during the fight. It might feel hard or complicated at first unless you understand Japanese, but it’s actually pretty easy once you understand the concept and pattern. This feels tacked on though, as you don’t even participate in many of the “battles” that are part of the story. You can always do a free battle on your own, but it doesn’t give you any experience or anything. Your level is hard-coded with the story. That’s right, you don’t get to level up on your own. The story dictates what level you are, again emphasizing that this is not an RPG/fighting game, the main game is the adventure/dating simulation.

(Battle tip: Press and hold the triangle button, and use the D-pad to distribute your purple gauge into points for your stats)

There are two mini games that are unlocked once you pass certain points in the game. First one is a game based on Silver Crow’s training with Sky Raker, having to climb Tokyo Tower. You climb by alternating the left and right shoulder buttons while matching with the timing of the on-screen cue, with the D-pad to move left/right, and circle to do a head-butt. While you’re climbing, Sky Raker will drop bread or wash basin (yeah, go figure). Bread will increase your health, which is important as your health continuously drops through time. So not only you have to climb, you have to catch some bread and dodge the basins, and reach the top before times up. It’s pretty hard.

Second game is Love Squash, based on the virtual squash game that Haru played in the beginning of the anime. You move with the d-pad, serve and hit the ball with circle, and when your special move gauge is filled, you can push triangle to unleash a special move that will speed up the ball. There are two opponents, Scarlet Rain and Black Lotus. I managed to beat Scarlet Rain, but Black Lotus is impossible. Good thing you don’t have to win this game in the story.

Both mini games have retro 8-bit music with them, which is amusing.

Now to the graphics. Most screenshots you see online are clearly from the PS3 version. The graphics on the PSP version is a meh, for obvious reasons. The PSP is an old system. Jaggies are aplenty due to the low resolution, but that’s expected. The character models are actually not bad during the adventure mode, but what hurts the most is the low-res/low quality textures for the 3D models. This is most apparent on the duel avatars, especially Silver Crow. From the screenshots of the PS3 version, Silver Crow really looks metallic. On the PSP version, he’s just, well, kinda grey colored. The battle stages are no better, mostly barren with low-res textures. Having said that, the graphics would probably be acceptable during the PS1/PS2 era, and considering the limitation of the PSP system and the UMD media, I guess it’s a decent trade off as you can see later. Again, the emphasis is on the adventure part. The 2D illustrations themselves are beautiful and vibrant, with the same style as the anime.

The best part of this game is the sound. Why? Because the game is mostly fully voiced, by the same seiyuu of the anime. This is AWESOME! Heck, they really went overboard with this, by having each characters do a version of the legal warning. My favorites are Niko’s version, telling onii-chan that pirating the game is bad, and Ash Roller’s “Terra bad!!” ^_^ And yes, every dialogue of the characters are voiced, even the opponents in battles (which includes Yellow Radio, Rust Jigsaw, Black Vice, etc) with the exception of the player’s (Haru) in the adventure mode. Haru is voiced when there’s a special scene in the Accelerated World and during battle. I noticed though in battles, Haru’s voice is clearly encoded at lower quality. Now considering the extensive voice work, you can expect the limited space of the UMD might be an issue, so I can excuse the use of low-res textures for the graphics.

The music itself is okay, but can be repetitive, especially the battle music. I wish they used the same BGM as the anime. Oh well, at least they put the Anime’s OP when the game starts, complete with may’n’s Chase the World. Alas, the animation seems jerky and suffers from color banding. Seems like they encode the video at a low frame-rate and low quality, probably due to the limited amount of space of the UMD.

Now, the story (major spoiler). The story right after the first arc (Cyan Pile). Kuroyukihime is recovering in the hospital, and Taku starts going to the same school as Haru. However, the story differs completely from the original after this. In the original, Chiyu didn’t become a Burst Linker until after the second arc (Chrome Disaster) when they are in second year. Here, Chiyu decided to install Brain Burst right away, while they are still in first year.

Some differences of the story points between the anime and the game (may not be in chronological order. I’m just basing these off memory):
-Niko’s deception pretending to be Haru’s cousin is extended. They even played out the scenario that Taku in the original story thought, where Niko tries to appeal for Haru’s help by pretending to be bullied by her peers. Also, there’s no Chrome Disaster nor Cherry Rook (Chrome Disaster is conveyed differently, in the Dusk Taker arc).
-The circumstances of meeting Sky Raker is not due to Silver Crow losing his flight ability. The Dusk Taker arc is played way later, at the last part of the game. Sky Raker, and the meeting of Fuuko with Kuroyukihime, happens way early here in the game.

-Haru and Taku learning of the incarnate system is before the Dusk Taker arc
-There’s a completely original story with its own arc, where Silver Crow is leading a minor legion with members from various legions, including Blood Leopard and Ash Roller.
-Rust Jigsaw and Black Vice are introduced fairly early, before the Dusk Taker arc
-Kuroyukihime’s trip doesn’t coincide with the Dusk Taker arc
-Seiji Noumi started as a goody two shoes boy. He even friends with everybody.
-Silver Crow had his flight ability stolen by Dusk Taker in front of the Nega Nebulous members, and the mystery is they don’t know who Dusk Taker is.

Of course, the major attraction of the game is the dates between the player (Haru) and the various characters (including Taku). Meeting them, picking the right responses during dates, and giving them gifts will improve Haru’s relationship with the characters, and will unlock the various 2D anime illustrations. Haru and Hime are so cute together.

Due to the choices you made, you probably cannot unlock all the pictures in one go (I don’t). The game will let you save a cleared game and do a “game plus” mode where you keep your money and duel avatar’s skill level from the previous game. Any dialogue you’ve been through will be in grey, which is kinda annoying as it’s harder to read.

Overall, I enjoyed the game, mainly because I’m an Accel World fan. The fact that the game has a completely different story and timeline than the original kinda bugs me a little bit, but the game’s original story is also fun and still carry the same feel as the original (although the Dusk Taker arc and ending have much less impact compared to the original). Again, if you expect a fighting game, move along, nothing to see here. If you are familiar with the Japanese style adventure game, you’ll be right at home. The high production value (the voices by the original seiyuu) is worth the price of admission. PSP or PS3? I assume the content is the same, with the PS3 having better graphics and textures, although judging from the screen shots, it’s nothing to brag about (ie. it’s no Uncharted/Final Fantasy). If you want the Blu-ray of the OVA, then the choice is the PS3 special edition. Other than that, having a portable PSP version imo is more convenient as I can play it whenever and wherever.

Being an Accel World game, I’m a bit biased. Story wise, I would give the game 9 out of 10. As for the overall game itself, probably more like 7 out of 10. There’s not much interactivity in the typical Japanese adventure/dating simulation game, and the graphics is a meh. However, the voice work takes the cake. I do wish they voiced the game 100%. For non Accel World fans, or for those not familiar with this type of game, I would say it’s about 5 out of 10. Like most anime/light novel-based adventure/dating simulation games, it’s basically a fan service for the fans, not for the general audience.

A sequel of the game is obviously planned as Utai appeared briefly without any introduction. It’s a great distraction to ease my addiction after the anime ended. Now if only they would officially release the light novels in English.