On Cross†Channel~
I don’t know what sort of expectations I had when I started Cross†Channel. Well, it’d be safe to say I didn’t actually have any to begin with. I didn’t really know what I was getting into. In fact, it was only when I started the install process (what fun! haha!) that I realized it was the inspiration for that ridiculously insipid-yet-addicting game, Nanaca Crash. Cross†Channel is excellent. Firstly, Taichi is a loon. Taichi is awesome. Totally off the hook and way out in left field, he brings this lunatic edge to the story that leaves everyone sort of… nonsensical. I think he even dropped a Fallout reference. The game has a cyclical element similar to Kagetsu Tohya that I can’t explain without spoiling.
The Girls:
I initially thought that this was going to be a simple progression of events with a bizarre protagonist, so after a brief assessment of the superficial facts, I chose a girl and moved forward with the expectation that I’d get her in the end. Well, that’s inaccurate. I was presented with the option of pursuing a girl and when presented with that choice, I rejected her. Rejecting her introduced me to Misato, the beautiful sempai. Learning about Misato was like watching a rose bloom. Every layer of gorgeous petals simply opened the way to reveal yet more beautiful petals. I fell for her instantly, and I fell hard. She’s so wonderful, so cute, so amazing. Everything she did was amazing.
I got distracted during one iteration and chased after Kiri Sakura. To be honest, I’m glad I did. She’s ridiculously fragile and complex, like a puzzle made out of spun glass. Playing through Sakura’s route was a little rough, but it was amazing. I fell so hard for her. Playing her route touched on Touko’s route as well as Youko’s route; in ways that showed me that perhaps they’re worth pursuing.
I’ve run through an iteration with Touko, and she comes off as a very bitter and cold girl; very tsun. But wow, you give her food and bam! straight to dere dere mode! She’s not particularly sophisticated, but I can appreciate her. She’s so sweet.
The Game:
Installing was a bit more difficult as it was two CDs and you have to understand the prompt to pop out the CD and pop in the new one. Other than that, no difficulty. Maneuvering around in the game is easy too. Menu and options and saves are handled by a floating menu at the top edge of the window.
Patching:
the folks over at Amaterasu have a patch that’s currently up to week three. Give it a shot.