holiday star Archives - Samantha Lienhard

Last year, Hatoful Boyfriend amazed me by being actually a really good game instead of the joke it appeared to be on the surface.

After that, I bought the tie-in manga set in Anghel’s AU, backed the Kickstarter project for character plushies, and waited patiently for the sequel, Holiday Star, to come out on Steam.

I’ve now played Holiday Star. Does it live up to the original?

First, Holiday Star both is and is not a sequel. It’s set during the same time period as the first game, and BBL hasn’t happened. Think of how the routes in Hatoful Boyfriend worked. If you followed Ryouta’s path, it was a different story than Nageki’s path. The two routes can’t both occur in one timeline. This is also true of BBL… and Holiday Star.

At the same time, Holiday Star is written as a sequel. It expects the player to know the events of the first game. In particular, if you don’t know the story from the BBL route, much of Holiday Star’s most significant moments will be lost on you. It also spoils details from the first game.

In short, consider Holiday Star a game-length additional route that should only be played after the Hatoful Boyfriend routes, as a perfect companion to the BBL route.

Also, it isn’t a dating sim like Hatoful Boyfriend was. It is a visual novel, split across multiple episodes. So think more BBL in terms of structure. The main story is split across 4 episodes.

The first two episodes have very silly tones, with so much fourth-wall-breaking and ridiculousness it feels weird even for the sequel to a game in which you dated birds.

On the other hand, there are numerous shout-outs and references, including one to Ace Attorney that becomes a running gag. The protagonist occasionally shouts, “I object!” and “Hold on!” (with inferred finger-pointing) much to the alarm of her classmates.

Amid the absurdity of these incidents, you’ll catch a few darker glimpses into the characters’ backstories, especially if you’re familiar with BBL. Still, these first two episodes might feel a little too jokey and bland (though appropriate for this time of year, as they are set around Christmas and New Year’s), without enough to set the game apart.

In the third and fourth episodes, however, Holiday Star truly shines.

Not only does the third episode truly kick the game’s main plot into action, it also changes the art style.

From there on, the game incorporates a more surreal, storybook-like art style that really works well with the change in setting (the “Holiday Star” itself) and its storytelling.

Holiday Star doesn’t have an abrupt shift like the BBL route, but instead follows a more gradual path. Its humor remains, but becomes tempered by a stronger story. More serious elements emerge.

It’s hard to say more without spoilers, but let’s just say Holiday Star doesn’t lack the emotional impact of its predecessor.

What I really love about the story, though, is its subtlety. Some aspects are presented directly, but others aren’t. They’re left to implication. Holiday Star’s darkest, most twisted revelation is never said outright, but when all the pieces are put together… wow.

The game also has several mini-episodes. Some are funny, some are set in an alternate universe where the Hatoful House incident never occurred, and one even lets you see each bird’s human form if you choose.

Human or partridge, Shuu is as twisted as ever.

A gallery unlocks pictures as you play through the story, including some not used in the game, and finally there are 6 “radio” segments where the characters answer questions from fans. All are worth checking out.

Holiday Star is a shorter game than Hatoful Boyfriend, taking me 6 hours compared to the original’s 8. However, since it is a visual novel rather than a dating sim, there is much less repetitiveness. (Sadly, it is also buggier than the original, though it should be straightened out soon.)

Holiday Star was very special. It doesn’t carry the shock and impact of Hatoful Boyfriend, but it’s enjoyable and intriguing. I can’t recommend it to someone who hasn’t played the original, but if you have? Then absolutely get Holiday Star.

Have any questions about Hatoful Boyfriend or Holiday Star? Let me know in the comments and I’ll answer to the best of my ability!

Buy Holiday Star from Steam

Today’s blog post is a day early, partly because everything is happening today. So let’s take it one event at a time…

Happy 20th Anniversary, Tales series!

20 years ago today, Tales of Phantasia started a legacy that would eventually lead to me enjoying ~~Gaius~~ Tales of Xillia, falling in love with Tales of Symphonia, doing a screenshot LP of Tales of Zestiria, and watching my backlog grow under the strain of 20 years worth of games I ignored.

The next game in the series is Tales of Berseria. Here’s the latest trailer.

That looks pretty awesome. I no longer think Velvet is a vampire, but she definitely seems darker than the past few Tales protagonists I’ve seen.

Now if we could just have official localization news…

It’s Time for Holiday Star!

When I first saw Hatoful Boyfriend, I thought it looked ridiculous. So over-the-top ridiculous, I bought it as a joke, so I could say I played the “pigeon dating sim.” What I got, however, was far from a joke. Hatoful Boyfriend shocked me with how good it actually was.

And when I finished it, I couldn’t wait to read Anghel’s manga and search for information on whether or not the game’s sequel, Holiday Star, would come to Steam.

Well, it’s time. It’s here. Holiday Star is now available, and I am excited!

GameFaqs’ Final Round

Today’s also the day when everyone will cast their vote over whether Undertale or Ocarina of Time is the best game ever.

I’m not sure either’s really the best game ever (though I voted for Undertale, because it blew my mind again when I finally finished the pacifist route). In fact, I want to look at the tournament again.

What would have happened if all of my picks won? What would my “best game ever” (of the 128 games GameFaqs originally picked) tournament look like?

GameFaqs’ Best. Game. Ever. – My Whole Tournament Picks

(For the sake of efficiency, if I have to abstain, that vote will be determined through a coin toss.)

Round 2Round 3Division FinalsQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinals

As you know, my picks during Round 1 were very different than what actually won.

So instead of the actual Round 2 match-ups, we would have gone into Round 2 with something more like this:

Division I

Chrono Trigger vs. Persona 3 – My RPG bias is already apparent. In this case, since I haven’t played Persona 3, I’d vote for Chrono Trigger.

Batman: Arkham City vs. Final Fantasy X – Yes, I enjoyed Arkham City… but not as much as I enjoy RPGs. Even though it’s not my favorite game in the series, I’d vote for Final Fantasy X.

Portal vs. The World Ends With You – Ah, a battle of favorites! Two beloved games, the fantastic puzzle game Portal and the incredible RPG The World Ends With You. Although I love them both, one edges out the other by a little bit. TWEWY moves on to Round 3.

Kingdom Hearts II vs. Halo 3 – Even though I haven’t played Kingdom Hearts II yet, I’m really excited for the series right now, so I’ll vote for Kingdom Hearts II. Especially since I knocked the first game out of the running already.

Division II

Final Fantasy VI vs. Tales of Symphonia – I am sorry, Final Fantasy VI. I consider you one of the greatest RPGs ever. And yet… I still like Tales of Symphonia more.

Knights of the Old Republic vs. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Hey, this one was actually in the tournament! I vote for Knights of the Old Republic, for the reasons I gave during the real Round 2.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U vs. Mass Effect – Likewise, my vote here goes to Mass Effect.

Halo: Combat Evolved vs. Final Fantasy VII – And this one still goes to Final Fantasy VII.

Division III

Super Mario Bros. 3 vs. Pokémon Red/Blue – Wow, a whole string where my Round 2 actually lines up with reality! I’d pick Pokémon Red/Blue again.

Portal 2 vs. The Walking Dead – While I loved the dark, emotional nature of The Walking Dead, it doesn’t approach the awesome humor of Portal 2.

Life Is Strange vs. Undertale – I haven’t played Life is Strange, but I highly doubt it’s as fantastic as Undertale.

Final Fantasy VIII vs. Super Mario World – As in the actual round, I would pick Final Fantasy VIII.

Division IV

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney vs. Diablo II – No contest. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Metroid Prime vs. Demon’s Souls – Tricky. This calls for a coin toss. Metroid Prime takes it.

Super Mario 64 vs. Resident Evil 2 – Ohh, this is also tricky. I love both of these games. Coin toss says… Super Mario 64.

Skies of Arcadia vs. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors – Two games I haven’t played but want to? …Coin toss time! 999 moves to the next round.

Division V

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. Suikoden II – Just like I abstained in the actual round, it’s time to flip the coin yet again. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Warcraft III vs. Final Fantasy IX – I love Final Fantasy IX.

Xenoblade Chronicles vs. Super Mario Maker – Sorry, Mario, but it’s time for Xenoblade to shine!

Banjo-Kazooie vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials & Tribulations – …Why did I do this to myself? Why?! These are two of my favorite games. And if I have to pick between the two of them……… *deep breath* Trials & Tribulations.

Division VI

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past vs. Final Fantasy IV – As in the real round, I will pick Final Fantasy IV and intend to play it.

Perfect Dark vs. Dark Souls – Huh. Uh… coin flip! Perfect Dark moves on.

Super Metroid vs. Dragon Age: Origins – Okay, so I haven’t played Super Metroid to properly judge it, but I really love Dragon Age: Origins.

Bloodborne vs. Valkyria Chronicles – Both of these games got in via coin flip, and that’s how the next one will advance. Here we go… Valkyria Chronicles!

Division VII

Shenmue vs. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars – Wow. I… I guess I’ll continue to pick Super Mario RPG, and (like FFIV), renew my vow to play it soon.

Shovel Knight vs. Chrono Cross – Hmm… ah… Chrono Cross. I will play it someday.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt vs. Resident Evil – Yikes… I still haven’t played Wild Hunt, but I love the Witcher universe. Yet Resident Evil is a classic. And if we’re taking the REmake into account… Resident Evil.

BioShock: Infinite vs. Paper Mario – Ahaha, no contest at all. I don’t care how good BioShock is, I will always pick Paper Mario over it.

Division VIII

Metal Gear Solid vs. EarthBound – Hmm… I did appreciate EarthBound’s quirkiness, even though I see flaws with it, so I think I’ll go for EarthBound.

Shadow of the Colossus vs. Bayonetta 2 – No contest. Bayonetta 2, hands down.

Mother 3 vs. Silent Hill 2 – I haven’t played Mother 3, so it’s a little unfair to judge this one. Until the day I play it, however, I say Silent Hill 2 is better.

StarCraft vs. Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward – I like StarCraft’s story, but not its gameplay. I haven’t played Virtue’s Last Reward, but will probably like its gameplay… Coin flip! (I’m literally flipping a coin, you know.) StarCraft gets to continue on.

Hey, some of my choices line up with what happened! But many do not, so let’s head into Round 3…

Are you ready to wildly deviate from what GameFaqs’ tournament actually looked like? Here we go!