Game Introduction - Hakuouki Hienroku
Click to view【薄桜鬼 緋焔録】Hakuouki Hienroku ~ Record of Scarlet Flames official teaser.
This game has been rumored since spring, and finally confirmed to be released on October 7th. Too bad we won't get to play it overseas, since it's pachinko!
Popular anime and manga are made into pachinko games quite often. But it's the first try for otome game. Hakuouki does have male audience, but this is still designed to attract young ladies. I wonder if ladies in Japan would appreciate this?
Official website is made by pachinko maker Daiichi. The website is very very colorful. Bright color, flashing lights, and loud sound effect are characteristics of pachinko.
Basic Game Play
Insert a 1,000 Yen bill to get steel balls to start. Then turn the knob to adjust the strength & angle the steel ball shoots up, making it fall into the target hole at the center. When you succeed, the numbers on screen turns. On Hakuouki machines, the numbers are like this:
Numbers in Rasetsu mode:
Like a slot machine, you try to get three same numbers to get to "atari" (hit) stage and win more steel balls.
In Hakuouki's case, it's triggering mini events. Besides story mode (like Kinmon Incident or Ikedaya Incident), there are individual character events, cute chibi character events, and sweet love moments too.
During the anime sequence, there will be hints telling you to shoot the steel balls to a certain direction (usually upper right), or press the button as fast as you can. Success in doing so would trigger the next event, enter better bonus modes, or hit jackpot.
The special feature of Hakuouki pachinko is, of course, Rasetsu! Seize the Ochimizu chance when it appears, fill the gauge fast enough, and enter Rasetsu time. The chance of winning doubles, and other bonus modes may unlock.
It seems that Daiichi put quite some efforts into this game. The anime sequences are nearly all new. And look at that teaser above. New CGs! What's more, the CGs actually look great! Whoever drew these, Otomate should hire her/him. Much better than that half-ass Otomate is using now. Somebody release the teaser in high quality please!
BTW the chibi Hijikata that changes flags and keeps nodding at the bottom of the screen is so cute! >w<
Game Play Movies
Hienroku won't be officially in pachinko parlors until Oct 7th. But there are test movies on youtube.
1) Jackpot - Harada's instant win in Rasetsu time.
All new Harada route anime!
But the transform looks familiar: Show the transform device ochimizu. Pink scarlet background, flying bubbles, and bling-bling sound effect. Then character makes cool poses as a finishing touch.... Isn't this a standard magical girl transform?! XD
Can't blame Daiichi though. Hijikata's transformion in anime episode 12 was pretty much this way (see how his hair flies?), only without the effects.
2) Jackpot - romantic event with Saitou.
3) Jackpot - Heisuke vs Amagiri (Heisuke's victory!)
These above (and others from the same user) seems to be provided by the developer. The quality is splendid and without noise.
Below are video recorded when actually playing. The music isn't that clear. Sometimes you can hear the noise of steel balls falling when hitting jackpot.
Heisuke's blood drinking event.
Harada's blood drinking event.
Harada's romantic event.
Souji (Rasetsu) vs Kazama, combo attack, and Harada's blood drinking event.
And here's a 82-minute long video. Starting at 55th minute is everyone's SailorMoon transform, followed by everyone's blood drinking event.
If you're visiting Japan after Oct 7th, this might be an interesting experience. Remember to bring a photo ID to prove you're old enough (above 18 and not a student) to play. Be careful! In pachinko parlor, it's easy to feed the machine enough money to buy an otome game, yet get nothing back. ;)