MARS RED is a multimedia vampire narrative set in Taisho Era Japan originally conceived as a stage play by Bun-O Fujisawa performed in 2015. The story focuses on a secret vampire military unit of vampire hunters known as Code Zero and is currently in a rather delayed renaissance with the release of a manga in 2020, followed by an anime and a video game adaptation released in English for mobile phones on May 20, 2021. The game, titled MARS RED: Edge of the Nightmare, features an all-new storyline written by Bun-O Fujisawa and stars a character absent from the anime named Yatsufusa Yuki.
Moonchime Studios announced today that they are localizing two new Japanese indie games for PC, the 18+ BL title Tokyo Onmyoji -The Tale of Rei Tengenjibashi- (Japanese title 東京陰陽師) and the point and click adventure game My Dear Frankenstein (Japanese title 愛しのフランケンシュタイン). Tokyo Onmyoji is scheduled to release for PC on JAST USA and other unannounced platforms in Q4 2021, and My Dear Frankenstein will release for PC and Mac on Steam this summer (winter if you’re in the southern hemisphere).
Both titles look really fun, but I’m particularly excited to see another publisher releasing BL games in English, and this is Moonchime‘s first foray into the genre after their first localization, the otome game I Love You!, released for PC for free in late 2020. Tokyo Onmyoji by Holicworks was originally released in Japan in 2014 and centers on Rei Tengenjibashi, an onmyoji for hire who exterminates demons. There are four romanceable characters, gorgeous art by Akira Sakamoto and fully-voiced characters. For more information on the story and cast, see Moonchime’s official announcement.
My Dear Frankenstein has a lovely fairytale-like art style and features a story inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Players control Adam, a newly-created monster who must explore the City of Shipberry for pieces of his heart that were scattered throughout. Players who like point-and-click adventure games and moving narratives should keep an eye out for a release date in the upcoming months! You can read more about My Dear Frankenstein on Moonchime’s announcement page.
Both of these games look right up my alley, so I’m really excited to check them out when they’re released! Moonchime Studios is shaping up to be a publisher to follow closely if you like visual novels and alternative indie Japanese games. I can’t wait to see what titles get added to their lineup in the future!
What do TikTok power washing videos, classic adventure games, and PlayStation 2 hacks have in common? They’re all in this episode of Pixel x Pixel! Plus, Marcus reviews both Famicom Detective Club games and Anne finally publishes her review of Cafe Enchante. And of course, we wish you a very happy Pride! 🌈
14:00 – Media Minutes: PowerWash Simulator, Muscle World, Closed Game, Where Are We? Our Trip Through America, Laid Back Camp season 2, Resident Evil Village 44:00 – Notable News: TAISHO x ALICE epilogue English release, Hashihime coming to Switch, new Twitch tags, Tell Me Why free in June, Indie Bundle for Palestinian Aid
♫ “Willie Lomans,” “5 minutes pleasure,” and “6 pence and moon” from Alphabet Planet by Hiroki Kikuta
Café Enchanté is the latest in a growing list of otome game localizations for the Nintendo Switch by Aksys Games, and right off the bat, it had me hook, line, and sinker. Coffee? Check. Monster boys? Check. Stellar development team? Check. With gorgeous art by Yuuya (Cupid Parasite), a scenario by staff who also worked on Code Realize, and a narrative centering around a quaint cafe with other-worldly patrons, I had high hopes for this one right off the bat. Read on for my full, spoiler-free review!
Magic Mike, male Viera announced for FFXIV, Marcus and Anne are mad at BOTH Apple and eBay… It’s going to be a rowdy one! Marcus has also been busy with new Collector’s Cabinet and Checking the Score pieces, plus he checks out early access for that hot new Konami game, GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon! Note that Anne says the all-new bunny race in FFXIV is for player characters in the news segment, but they’re NPCs only. Sorry about that!
15:00 – Media Minutes: New Pokemon Snap, Resident Evil 8, Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet, Fried Barry, RetroTink, Giant Bomb 44:00 – Notable News: Apple says Itch.io has “unspeakable games,” eBay banning “sexually oriented materials,” male Viera coming to FFXIV, Famicom Detective Club out now, Game Builder Garage announced, Bustafellows release date
♫ “Willie Lomans,” “5 minutes pleasure,” and “6 pence and moon” from Alphabet Planet by Hiroki Kikuta
Your regular scheduled Pixel pals are back for another episode of Pixel x Pixel! Finally, Anne has done the unthinkable – convinced Marcus to play a Monster Hunter and streamed a horror game (RE Village demo)! In addition to getting his Monster Hunter Rise on, Marcus reviews NISA’s new shooting game Poison Control and celebrates the recent Switch port of The House in Fata Morgana with a Checking the Score article on the soundtrack. This episode also marks the first time we’ve discussed the same film in three different episodes!
22:00 – Media Minutes: Mortal Kombat, Yentl, Hairspray, Monster Hunter Rise, Air Ranger: Rescue Helicopter 49:00 – Notable News: PS3 and PS Vita storefronts no longer closing, MechaPwn PS2 exploit (Marcus’ tutorial), RetroTINK-5X Pro, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles announced for Nintendo Switch
♫ “Willie Lomans,” “5 minutes pleasure,” and “6 pence and moon” from Alphabet Planet by Hiroki Kikuta
Now that DRAMAtical Murder is finally available officially in English, Marcus and Anne are ready to share their thoughts on every nook and cranny of the game in this spoiler-filled extravaganza! The first half features general info and spoiler-free impressions, followed by a full breakdown of each route along with Marcus and Anne’s number one best boy nominees.
This episode has a content warning for discussions of rape, drug use, violence, torture and gore.
