Adaptation Displacement sure can do a number on the original work, which is why this Troper decided to grab himself a copy of the original VN to testify it himself. So far, the impressions have been generally positive.
The story in the VN is driven by the player's decision-making. You are given choices at times, and you can simply decide not to choose at all. Doing either will advance the plot down a different route. Although it gets frustrating when you are only offered a limited range of choices, and you can still be dragged into situations that should never happen if you had full control over your actions. This feels less like you're controlling the PC's actions than just being his conscience, and I found myself having to wind back to re-pick decisions periodically. Nevertheless, Railroaded "dramatic" moments aside, the decisions you chose do make impact and as the plot goes on, will affect how the characters develop. Each character will start to show their flaws as story goes on, which you will have to resolve through decision-making, and it's heartening to see that unlike in the Anime, you as the player get to call the shots on how Makoto is going to turn out. Of course, if you choose to be the selfish bastard he is in the Anime, then Karma is going to come and bite you in the ass accordingly. But act sensibly, and you will see that although he might be weak-minded at times, give him a few jabs into the right direction and he can be a good-willed and honest guy. Personally, this is what I like the best about this VN, that you actually shape him into what he is, instead of just inexplicably turning out as the scumbag he is in the Anime. Overall there are no "wrong" choices apart from the obvious ones, The route they lead to can surprise you at times, and they often lead to some pretty heartwarming moments.
Overall, School Days HQ managed to be entertaining and psychologically surging at the same time, the plot line can end up being romantic, bland, clichéd or even dark and horrifying, but it all depends on the player's action, and gives out its reason about that. For this Troper, he is glad that he did not pry into the Anime series further and played this VN instead, and would recommend others to do the same. However if you've already watched the Anime, then this Troper can only offer you his condolences.
School Days HQ - Play it, forget the Anime
Adaptation Displacement sure can do a number on the original work, which is why this Troper decided to grab himself a copy of the original VN to testify it himself. So far, the impressions have been generally positive.
The story in the VN is driven by the player's decision-making. You are given choices at times, and you can simply decide not to choose at all. Doing either will advance the plot down a different route. Although it gets frustrating when you are only offered a limited range of choices, and you can still be dragged into situations that should never happen if you had full control over your actions. This feels less like you're controlling the PC's actions than just being his conscience, and I found myself having to wind back to re-pick decisions periodically. Nevertheless, Railroaded "dramatic" moments aside, the decisions you chose do make impact and as the plot goes on, will affect how the characters develop. Each character will start to show their flaws as story goes on, which you will have to resolve through decision-making, and it's heartening to see that unlike in the Anime, you as the player get to call the shots on how Makoto is going to turn out. Of course, if you choose to be the selfish bastard he is in the Anime, then Karma is going to come and bite you in the ass accordingly. But act sensibly, and you will see that although he might be weak-minded at times, give him a few jabs into the right direction and he can be a good-willed and honest guy. Personally, this is what I like the best about this VN, that you actually shape him into what he is, instead of just inexplicably turning out as the scumbag he is in the Anime. Overall there are no "wrong" choices apart from the obvious ones, The route they lead to can surprise you at times, and they often lead to some pretty heartwarming moments.
Overall, School Days HQ managed to be entertaining and psychologically surging at the same time, the plot line can end up being romantic, bland, clichéd or even dark and horrifying, but it all depends on the player's action, and gives out its reason about that. For this Troper, he is glad that he did not pry into the Anime series further and played this VN instead, and would recommend others to do the same. However if you've already watched the Anime, then this Troper can only offer you his condolences.