Dear Drops

[Draneor]

Essential Information

Publisher: Overdrive
Localization: MangaGamer
Where to Buy It: You can buy it here for €34.95
Trial Version

[Draneor]

Just finished my play-through of the trial version. While I did not finish KiraKira, based on what I did play, Overdrive kicked it up a notch. I only played until the intro played--which was rather long as it was--but that was enough. Bought.

The OST is great and helps to set the mood of the story. The art, cg, and character designs are much improved from KiraKira. One of Yayoi's sprites looked weird to me, but otherwise it's very well polished. Even more than KiraKira, the Deardrops trial did not feel like I was playing a visual novel. It's its own unique story.

Anyway, regarding the characters...

Shoichi is an interesting protagonist. He's stubborn, uptight, and started off a bit emo. However, he's also insanely passionate and dedicated when he decides to accomplish something. It's clear that he's not going to let whatever it was that killed his career as a violinist stop him from moving forward as a guitarist. I like the fact that he's an adult.

Riho is... I don't think the term "tsun" even describes her behavior. Well, the introduction set her up to be quite unlikable, to put it nicely. Until the very end, where it you start to understand why she acts the way she does. I can definitely see strong character growth in Riho's path--particularly in regards to interpersonal relationships. And being the main heroine, I'm looking forward to it!

Eiji is basically the complete opposite of Shoichi. When he was first introduced, I couldn't stand the asshole (don't litter!). But one of the things I love about the Deardrops introduction is that the story compels you to love its characters after it teaches you to hate them. Sure, Eiji's a bit rough around the edges and bad with people, but he's basically a good guy who takes his music seriously and expects the same of others. Eiji's awesome.

Kanade is a pretty standard osananajimi and also strongly my type. I like that fact that, like Shoichi, she's an adult. Sadly, she didn't join the band and was relegated to being a cheerleader during the introduction. I hope this will change as the story progresses, as it would really suck if her story had no relevance to the overall plot. With that said, I think there is more to her than being cheerful, supporting, and having a pinch of jealously. When Shoichi mentioned that she hadn't changed at all, Kanade mumbled it was because she couldn't change. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, given my luck with the girls I like the most having the shitiest scenarios.

Yayoi is my second favorite character. Her normal personality is serious not all that unlike Shoichi. But when it comes to guitar, she's bat-shit insane--and fantastic.

Rimu is well, Rimu. Her part of the intro was the only part I felt dragged on too much. After the intro, I'm struggling to see where her story could go now..

Chika is the best side character in visual novel. I love her cheekiness. Honorable mention to Kanako-sensei. Fan girls everywhere understand your pain.

Planned order will be Yayoi --> Kanade --> Riho.

[Draneor]

So I finished through the beach concert. The game is pretty funny and I think it captured the feel of practicing, performing on the street, and learning to weave five very different personalities into a uniform sound. I particularly enjoyed the part where they start cussing each other out and staying stupid shit to each other prior to the beach concert. And yet, despite their raw emotions, they keep pushing forward. I also enjoyed seeing Dear Drops interact with the other upcoming bands. On a side note, there's a lot of drinking and cursing (which I guess makes sense); this may be the first time I've played a visual novel where the entire cast is drunk more often than not (exaggerating slightly).

My main criticism is there was absolutely no need for Riho to get a cold before the beach concert, go to the hospital, and get temporary cured. The drama was entirely unnecessary, added nothing to her character development, and ruined what should have been a really awesome scene by how absurd it was. The song was great, the outfits were great, the lead up mood was great... and then we had to get sidetracked.

Kanade still hasn't joined the band, although it seems she's no longer satisfied with just being a supporting role. It's been established she's a better singer than Riho--so join already. Nothing says you can't have two singers in a band. The only person holding you back is yourself.

Eiji continues to be an awesome asshole.

Rimu still annoys me. Unless someone indicates her arc is incredible, I have no intention of playing through it.

Yayoi's getting dragged down to everyone else's level. Welcome to the world of crime. Well, I guess this is what happens when an honor student joins this crowd.

Riho's seen a lot of character development and, while she's still very rough, serious, and passionate, she has softened a bit. There was something she wanted to say about the band continuing after the Summer , but she has yet to clearly state it.

[Betenoire]

Originally Posted by Draneor

My main criticism is there was absolutely no need for Riho to get a cold before the beach concert, go to the hospital, and get temporary cured. The drama was entirely unnecessary, added nothing to her character development, and ruined what should have been a really awesome scene by how absurd it was. The song was great, the outfits were great, the lead up mood was great... and then we had to get sidetracked.

Spoiler maybe to say there will be a reason for it?

Rimu still annoys me. Unless someone indicates her arc is incredible, I have no intention of playing through it.

No she is horrible and her arc can only manage to bring her up to being a mediocre character. Other than for completions sake or the ero scene collection there is nothing of worth there.

[Draneor]

Originally Posted by Betenoire

No she is horrible and her arc can only manage to bring her up to being a mediocre character. Other than for completions sake or the ero scene collection there is nothing of worth there.

Thanks for the confirmation. This isn't a title I care about being complete on (also, me playing a route just for ero--lol). Since it's not required to unlock the true path, I'll still do Yayoi, Kanade & Riho.

[Betenoire]

Originally Posted by Draneor

Thanks for the confirmation. This isn't a title I care about being complete on (also, me playing a route just for ero--lol). Since it's not required to unlock the true path, I'll still do Yayoi, Kanade & Riho.

I got a guide (straight from MG) and no where in it does it say anything about having to do her route to get the true end as unlike Kira Kira there isn't a bad end for a certain character before one can unlock the true end.

And no, I didn't think you cared about the ero scenes.

Should tell you that the other two routes are rather lengthy though, particularly when it comes to the true end one.

[Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Betenoire

I got a guide (straight from MG) and no where in it does it say anything about having to do her route to get the true end as unlike Kira Kira there isn't a bad end for a certain character before one can unlock the true end.

And no, I didn't think you cared about the ero scenes.

Should tell you that the other two routes are rather lengthy though, particularly when it comes to the true end one.

As Bentenoire says, there is no true end to this game. 4 ends only. 2 that focuses on the main character is with Riho and Kanade, these are pretty long. The ends with Yayoi and Rimu are about 1/3rd? the length and the focus is on the girls. If you like Eiji and want more back ground info then you will need to do Riho's route. My favorite is with Riho's route... I thought it was more satisfying.

As for the members of Dear Drops... you can see who joins at the end of the common route.

[Draneor]

All right. Done with Yayoi. Overall, I'd say it was decent, short, and flawed.

I enjoyed the amount of detail the story presented regarding how guitars are constructed and prepared. It was an info dump, but it didn't feel like one since comedy was interspersed between.

I think the story did a decent job at presenting Yayoi's uncertainty regarding what she wanted to do with her life: should she should focus on exams, guitar, or both? By having her guitar removed from her life twice, Yayoi was able to realize how much she valued playing and also what she wanted to do with it (i.e., teach).

My favorite scene was Shoichi listening to Yayoi unwind on the train to Nagoya, without him telling her what she should do.

My first issue with the route is that it discard Dear Drops after Yayoi lost her guitar. What I loved about the common route (and the first half of Yayoi's route) was seeing five different personalities clash and grow together. None of that was really present in the second half. While I enjoyed seeing everyone come together to find Yayoi's guitar, I would have enjoyed more growth as a band. Secondly, the romance aspect was just totally thrown in there. There was basically no development between Souchi and Yayoi. Consequently, the timing of the mandatory ero scene also felt forced. And even after that, they went from having sex to dating to the end with literally no development, romance, or conflict. Lastly, there was no development for Souchi. His conflict and growth were a major focus of the common route--but, after Yayoi lost her guitar, the route didn't address any of that, other than people still knowing him more for his violin. Most of my issues could have been resolved had the route been longer.

I continue to find Yayoi interesting as a character. Her mood goes from serious to crazy angry to passionate to depressed very quickly. It's fun to watch (like during the mugging scene). She also makes an interesting drunk.

Starting out, Yayoi was very much by the book. There were definitely she'd pull the "it's against the rules" card and I'd groan. But, by the end, it was clear everyone else had rubbed off on her and she was more willing to defy the established order to get what she wants. I rather liked Yayoi's ending song, "Be loud," because I think it captured her personality perfectly.

Chika knows CSS/HTML. Best side character!

Eiji totally set up Yayoi at the end by telling her to were a Kimono to her college entrance ceremony.