Genre: RPG Hentai Visual Novel
Developer: Alicesoft
Publisher: MangaGamer
Release Date: Feb 29, 2016
CONTENT WARNING: This is an adult visual novel and as such there are images that are NSFW in this review. Please do not scroll down past the first paragraph if you are at work or under the age of 18.
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The world of hentai novels is an interesting one, they separate themselves from most novels with their sexual content, graphic imagery, and more than impressive voice acting. But what happens when you mix a hentai novel with kunoichi, female ninja, and a leveling system where using sex makes you stronger? You get Beat Blades Haruka, a hentai novel RPG developed by Alicesoft and released by MangaGamer that merges RPG gameplay with a deep and rich hentai novel that makes for a experience you will not be forgetting anytime soon.
With a polished kunai, Beat Blades Haruka gives us a tale that is both interesting to read, as well as indulgingthe sexual senses. You play as Takamaru Ikusabe, a highschool student who has no luck with the ladies, thanks in part to his friend Narika Shihoudou and her attempts to ruin any relationship potential he has. This was until he met Haruka Takamori, a new girl at his school who he thinks is love at first sight and for once, he might be right. On his way home from practicing the art of the Crescent Moon clan, a group of ninjas from an opposing clan, the Noroi clan try to attack him and Narika. After Haruka and a few others join the fight, it is revealed that Takamaru is actually the next clan master for the Crescent Moon clan and that he has the ability to make kunoichi, like Haruka, stronger through the act of sex or the gaining of sex points (sp). Now filled with this knowledge, he desires to wipe out the Noroi clan with the help of Haruka and others.
This novel is not without its flaws. The game leads more like an RPG with a lot of hentai elements added in, rather than being a hentai with some RPG elements. This is not a bad thing in the least, it does work really well here, but sometimes a battle will suddenly change from a hardcore battle into a hardcore sex scene with not much explanation, and it does leave a sour taste in my mouth. The multiple, and I mean multiple, ends in Beat Blades Haruka are worth the time to put into them as the three girls this game offers you to work with each have their own kinks or fetishes that are unique to that specific character. There’s never a dull moment with the sex scenes to say the very least. Speaking of the sex scenes, they are well designed and voice acted. I am usually not one for these types of scenes but they just felt more heartwarming and respectable than other novels.
Beat Blades Haruka is as much an RPG as it is a hentai novel so a second portion of gameplay to learn and master is in the novel itself. Takamaru can basically perform sexual acts, known in the game as Dragon Synergy, to Haruka and two other girls with the success of each one being determined by a dice roll; but if successful, you get the pleasure of the novel’s well placed and well executed sex scenes. You can also do different training task while at this area, rest if needed, and once unlocked, you can send Haruka and the other two girls to fight the ninjas of the Noroi clan in enemy scanner missions. I think these small additional pieces of gameplay add a new dimension of gameplay to a hentai novel, as well as made getting to the hentai scenes worth watching, instead of being just handed them based on a story pattern. There are even a few fun little mini games included throughout the novel, and it is these type of touches that say a lot about a developer and their dedication to the craft.
To say Beat Blades Haruka is not visually pleasing would be a lie, as the novel’s art design leads to some very well executed scenes, as well as a few design choices that left a bad taste in my mouth. Visually, the novel comes off as a mix between a modern and older style anime, each with its part to give to the mix. The backgrounds are well designed, same for the characters, as they bounce off the scene really well; though the comic book style side panels appearing out of nowhere did leave a somewhat negative impression. These panels will pop up with the character on the side of them, often showing different face emotions where the main character art that stands in the background is just standing there and not moving too much, leaving me to wonder which version of the art am I supposed to look at. The CG pictures are vivid and descriptive, but they also keep a certain depth and expressiveness that makes it interesting to see the transitions. The character models can not be forgotten as they are one of the best assets Haruka has to offer. These character designs are distinct, unique, and when the scene starts getting lewd, these models reflect it with face animations and voice acting to match them.
The offerings given to us musically by Beat Blades Haruka are nothing to shake a stick at either, as these offerings are refined and well planned for the scenes they are used in, as well as the sound effects that follow up with it. The soundtrack for Haruka has to be ranked in my top five in terms of usage, the tones are all different – like the more actiony and blood pumping stylings of the combat that become sensual with the bells chimes and use of synth music for the sex music. The soundtrack is also very diverse, allowing for more enjoyment as each piece separates itself from another with the instruments used, and the range of notes created with them. We cannot forget the sound effects, that while not plentiful in Haruka, do get used to a very satisfactory degree. My favorite has to be the kunai noise as it actually pumps you up for battle when you hear the clashing of steel against each other in a battle of sparks.
Overall, Beat Blades Haruka is a hentai novel RPG with elements that surprised me with how well it mixed these two genres together without clashing. The interesting and memorable story, wonderfully mixed in RPG elements, well placed and design hentai scenes, reward system of scenes instead of progression, visuals feeling just right, well designed background and cg scenes, beautifully designed characters, and well refined and diverse soundtrack with good sound effects make for an good experience and read.
Pros:
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Story is both interesting to read and memorable
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RPG portions of the game feel balanced and fair
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Hentai scenes were well designed
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The idea of being rewarded with these scenes for your progression in training
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The visuals being a good mix and fitting the novel’s style well
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CG scenes were executed well for the story
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Elegant and defined character art
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Soundtrack is diverse and well refined, as well as solid sound effects
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Multiple endings for hours of playtime
Cons:
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Oftentimes feels more like a soft rpg with heavy focus on the hentai content
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The rpg focus is mostly for stat changes and rewards for land dice rolls
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The side panels popping in when a character talks are not always effective
DarkLunarDude gives Beat Blades Haruka a Drastik Measure 9.1 out of 10.0 (91)
At the price of $34.95 on MangaGamer.com, I can safely say this novel is a easily recommended one for those looking to change up the traditional hentai novel experience or just want to make the leap into the hentai novel scene, without wanting something very hardcore.
