Amazing Grace -What color is your attribute?-

This game took me by surprise. Around christmas time I wanted to play a christmas themed VN and it looked like this was the game to fulfill that role but instead of a happy moege christmas story you get a very compelling story full of mysteries, desperation and investigation. The protagonist Shuu arrives in a town and loses his memories. He only knows that he comes outside that town and that this town is not normal. He becomes a student in a school full of art prodigies that seem to be stuck in the renessaince time with no technology around. He befriends the people of the town when suddenly on christmas day something majopr happens that changes the fate of his life in an unexpected twist. What follows is a very awesome story I really didn't expect. I couldn't really lay the game down once it became that interesting. The writing is really fantastic. This game features H scenes that you can unlock by getting the uncensored patch from Shiravune's website. There are 16 in total but in the main story you will get only 4 and I say it rarely but this is a very good decision because it doesn't interrupt the story which is too interesting. The rest is behind the after story which also comes with a good length after everything is solved. It could have been a separte fandisc game but it's all in there. Shiravune's localization can be hit or miss but I think did a very good job with Amazing Grace. There are no honorifics and one of the characters is called Jack instead of Tenchou (Store manager) and surely the sentences are a bit lose translated which can be all be viewed as a downside but I really like that the script is a bit naughtier and the characters seem a bit cheekier, especially the h scenes have a translation I really liked a lot. The original is in that aspect a bit more on the meek side. But in the end it comes to the own preference. I think it also goes well with the humor of the game which is there a lot. All 4 heroines are very likabale with the designs of female illustrator Korie Riko who has also worked on Amairo Chocolate by Cabbagesoft. I really love the fluffy hair of the girls and they are all very distinct in their behaviour. Yune is a naive innocent angel on earth and becomes Shuu's most important ally. The after story of her surprised me a lot as we can witness a dramatic character change, it's almost funny. Sakuya goes on the offensive but is also a very kind girl. She is kind of revealing in appearance but can also get very fast jealous. Kotoha is the oldest girl. She is tall, slander and refined and someone who everyone respects but she can also have another side no one knows about. Shuu learns this fast. Kirie is small, loud, cheeky and full of energy who loves making films and to blow things up with her bombs. At the beginning you may be thinking she is a little annoying but In all honesty I have to say she can be very awesome. Usually those characters are not my type but she completely won me over, especially in her route, I love her. On the Soundtrack I have mixed feelings. As a christmas themed game you will hear jingle bells or Silent Night so much that it feels like your eras will bleed after so many loops but the other tracks are very fitting and good. It took me around 50 hours to finish everything and I listened to every voice. Overall I enjoyed Amazing Grace a lot. It became one of my all time favorite Visual Novels and made me a fan of Cabbagesoft. 9/10

Another title I would rate neutral if it were possible. I really love VN's that have supernatural or sci-fi elements. That's what makes Japanese storytelling so great. But sometimes the story plot, while initially very interesting and peaks your interest, comes crashing down into nonsense. Pros: God tier artwork by legendary artist Korie Riko. Absolutely gorgeous character designs, making the characters so loveable. An initially interesting storyline revolving around Christianity, which is pretty rare, along with mysterious supernatural elements that keep up your interest. Cons: Ridiculous ending and explanation for the cause of the supernatural elements. (trying not to go into spoilers here). Now that I know what's behind the whole thing, I seriously doubt I will ever be able to re-read this particular VN. Visiting the extras to view the "scenes" will be enough because Korie Riko's artwork is worth it.

Amazing Grace was a surprise. A lot of the reviews I read seemed very lukewarm or just okay, but this really is quite a quality story. Lots of mystery and drama. The aesthetic is as solid as Devil on G String, it is as philosophical and thought out as Wonderful Everyday without the noncon baggage, and has a great atmosphere, all with a time travel story that is pretty cute with a great emotional climax. There are two really strong love stories here, and two mildly okay ones. The choices are mostly clear, and the TL is pretty good, just a little opinionated (no honorifics). Maybe I've read too many time loop stories, but I thought 95% of the mysteries were very clearly foreshadowed if you're paying close attention. That may sound like I'm calling it predictable, and on some level it sorta was, but the way things fit together in the end was still very thoughtful and novel. Heartily recommend, a phenomenal VN.