hanako

Hi. I'm Hanako.

I'm here to leave reviews and thoughts on VNs (and the occasional critique or suggestion, but rarely--not everything I have ever said is a critique). I'm an avid reader of VNs. I like including both positive and negative in my reviews. Here to help and have honest discussions. There's a word limit on itch's review system, so critiquing is actually very difficult to do on this site. One cannot elaborate every single point, and exact reasons as to why certain areas could've been improved.

I try to avoid dishonest, sugarcoating. If I happen to leave a 1-star rating all of a sudden, in a game jam for example… I have to formulate my thoughts first before writing that review. I'm well-aware no developer obviously is setting out to make something bad. This shouldn't need to be stated, but I've been thinking I need to. If somebody leaves a lower rating, there is always reasons behind it. And not everybody wants to leave their exact thoughts due to multiple factors--e.g. they're worried a dev will misunderstand them, or will take them too seriously, or their words in the wrong way, or perhaps block them without any warning, explanation, nor any civil discussion beforehand (which could potentially leave that reader confused or hurt because they took the time out of their day to leave honest feedback). Everyone has different opinions/perspectives and taste. Especially depending on the culture, or background they come from.

Preference-wise, for me… I don't like rude/crude tone, and presumptuous, or satirical writing styles, or some chatsim-hybrids I've been seeing as of late, however I will try to keep an open mind and try to find some merit, or something positive to say, despite that. Props to those of you who do like that. Our tastes are all different, and I respect that. It's good that those kinds of work exist out there for you and suit your preferences; it's just not my cup of tea.

My main gripe in VNs is first and foremost the writing, how the story is structured as a whole, and how enjoyable it is to read for me. I appreciate the art and all that goes into the coding & interface, and whatnot, but that is often not my determining factor when I rate something. The writing factor is the most important to me, aka. "How *IS* the work as a standalone *novel*?" That is a question I always have in my mind. How would this work be as a novel without the visuals and was just the text alone? Since I'm reading Visual "Novels," or "Novel" Games (this is what Japanese people call them). Again, this is my just my own personal preference, but if some people prefer less novel & more gameplay, or dialogue--that's great! Just not always my thing. It totally depends on the work.

I do apologize in advance if I sometimes come off as blunt, I'm just trying to be as honest and helpful as possible, without disingenuous, honeyed words. Nothing I say is meant to be taken personally, please try to read my review neutrally. If I review something, I see potential and I want to help you out in improving the work, or any future work of yours.

I'm reviewing the novel or work from my own perspective based on what I thought both during and after reading it. A review is not a personal attack on yourself as a person. Please keep that in mind when others try to leave feedback (mixed, or otherwise). Your readers and reviewers are people, too. Just as you, yourself (as a dev), don't like being misunderstood… neither do readers. I certainly didn't expect to be misinterpreted so much. I hope everybody has a good day. And no one should attack someone for having a different opinion, or even just rating things however they choose to. The site even allows users here to rate from 1-5. And there's a reminder area called: things-to-rate. At the end of the day, these ratings are just numbers. And reviews are just how someone else (other than you, the dev) viewed the work. Whether it be positive or mixed thoughts. I find it strange I even need to state this here.

Thanks to anyone who read this whole thing, as well as my reviews neutrally. (: