Cho Dengeki Stryker PC Review by Lolinia of We Touch Games – Edited by: kytten of We Touch Games
Genre: Adventure , Visual Novel
Developer: OVERDRIVE Publisher: MangaGamer
Release Date: Sep 19, 2014
Cho Dengeki Stryker is a ride. Like the “Holy shit, I could not stop reading, why are you doing this to me, STAHP I NEED SLEEP” kind of ride. Published by MangaGamer and developed by OVERDRIVE, Cho Dengeki Stryker (shortened to CDS) is a pure, untethered fun visual novel to experience. With animated cut scenes, tons of action sequences, fantastic storytelling, and loveable characters, CDS is worth every penny you’d spend on buying it even at full price ($44.95 USD on MG site). Many thanks to MangaGamer for the review key!
First off, tons of props to OVERDRIVE on CDS’s animated cut scenes! Like, when they happen, they are EPIC. Now, I know this looks like I’m ‘fluffing’ OVERDRIVE a lot for this, but CDS’s cut scenes really are that good. Yeah, there is one scene where it’s the equivalent to a magical girl outfit sequence or a Power Rangers transformation sequence, but then there are the sequences that leave you on the edge of your seat with bated breath. Most of them also fit perfectly into the story (more on that story later in the review). Can’t think of a single cut scene that did not leave a good impression on me as the animation quality was amazing on each one.
However, the cut scenes probably wouldn’t have left nearly as much of an impression on me had it not been for the brilliant usage sequencing for non-animated action scenes. If the animated scenes were like an anime, then the regular sequencing was an animated manga. It felt like a shounen manga had moving characters with real feelings, real emotions attached. The characters bounced around, twirled around, and had special sequences unique to their fighting styles. With special effects for the background, subject, and foreground, CDS really brings its world off the proverbial page and gives it life. Not only that, but they didn’t lag or feel out of place. The sequences move the story along almost better than the story does.
AND SPEAKING OF THE STORY, h’oh boy izzit a good’un. *cough*
CDS has the story of the year for me, at the moment, even though the English version came out in 2014. The original sagas of Zero, Heaven, and Sky came out in 2011 in the original Dengeki Stryker. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Afterwards, more Sagas were added and the game became super-fied into Cho Dengeki Stryker. Without spoiling, the sagas add upon each other and give you more insight on the world it showcases. The more you read each Saga, the more you learn about the characters. I really can’t say much more without spoiling some part of the story, but nearly every scene is jam-packed with titillating story elements that make you keep reading for more.
Finally, but not least whatsoever, are the characters themselves. Each with their own backstory, including the villains, the characters seal the deal. Like with the story, there is not much I can say about the characters at all, but each character is memorable in some way or another. Some more than others. The most I will say is this: THERE’S A DOG THAT FREAKIN’ TALKS ABOUT HIS OWN DICK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. YES. SO MUCH YES.
Now, with all of that said… the game is not perfect. Remember that “nearly every scene is jam-packed with titillating story elements” sentence from two paragraphs ago? There was one scenario that I skipped in every Saga that I played: The sex scene.
I can hear the hisses from the visual novel community already. >.>
Unfortunately, the sex scenes in CDS really don’t add anything to the story. In fact, I feel that the all-ages version on Steam is most likely the superior version, merely for the fact that the only difference between the two is the inclusion of sex scenes. They add absolutely nothing to the storytelling and, in some cases, actually slow down the pacing of the story and ruin the timing. Personally, I feel that CDS should’ve taken a page from Minori’s Eden*: The sex scenes are unlocked after you play through the story. For CDS, it could unlock some after every Saga. The scenes just felt rushed and pushed into an otherwise already perfect visual novel.
Overall, though, Cho Dengeki Stryker is fantastic and an all-around great read. Admittedly, going into a visual novel I know nothing about for the daunting prices it has ($44.95 USD on the MangaGamer website and $34.99 USD for the All-Ages version on Steam), would be scary. What if it sucked, after all? However, with CDS, I wouldn’t feel the need to refund at all. This is an awesome visual novel.
Pros:
-soundtrack is awesome
-visuals are stunning
-animations are intense
-characters are relatable
-story is incredible
Cons:
-Sex scenes have bad timing
-can’t stretch the game window
Lolinia gives Cho Dengeki Stryker a Drastik Measure 8.2 out of 10.0 (82).
PS. Btw, if it ain’t apparent who muh waifu is…
http://store.steampowered.com/app/321190/
