Hanako Games

Favorite character (spoilers!)

#1 by hanako - Feb 23 2013

I'll be uploading headshots for forum use soon, but in the meantime, you can vote on and discuss your favorite characters here.

#2 by Oki - Feb 23 2013

Callum seems to be the best option to make Maddy genuinely happy, and he's super cool. I'm gonna go with that guy!

#3 by Punchysporkk - Feb 23 2013

I had to vote for Madeleine and de-lurk to talk about her because she was such a wonderful heroine. She's tough and clever and I just love her. I get so tired of playing meek leading ladies (which is why I love your games) and before Maddie I'd never found one that was always doing and saying exactly what I hoped she would.

Right behind her is Callum. I wish I could have picked both. I love how pleased he is to realize how competent Maddie is. Oh and I have to give Oscar an honorable mention simply because I did not expect to like him and wound up being utterly charmed. So many great characters!

#4 by Ladymakaze - Feb 23 2013

*mumbles something about how Lambert is not on the list* ...

#5 by Tellah - Feb 23 2013

I have to put in a word for Cassidy- I thought she'd be sort of an 'obstacle' or something like that before I played the game, so I was surprised that I found her genuinely likable and I actually -wanted- to protect her and for her to have a happy life. She has some pretty awesome moments too for a non-actiony type.

I found it kind of funny- I thought I wouldn't be interested in Oscar because I'm usually kind of contrary and don't go after the 'obvious' option... And Callum, I felt pretty neutral/bad about him at first (you have to admit, with his first major action in the plot, he DOES leave a bad impression)...
But then they turned out to be totally awesome.
It's hard to choose between the two of them, but I have to say that Callum edges Oscar out for me. Just slightly.

#6 by Mystic Cake - Feb 24 2013

Ladymakaze:

*mumbles something about how Lambert is not on the list* ...

Well that's why you have the 'someone else' option. Lambert was, after all, an incredibly minor character- he had like, what, 3 scenes that he had a bit role in? Consider that the king and queen didn't even make the list, and they're well... the king and queen.

As for myself, my favorite character was Nazagi- no fairy tale love story for him, just his goals and whatever and whomever he has to manipulate to achieve them. (btw, as soon as character headshots for this game are available as avatars, I'm totally going to change mine to him, preferably with glasses)

#7 by hanako - Feb 24 2013

Meh. I just tried putting together some avatars but the art style really doesn't lend itself well to 100x100 - everyone but Callum came out looking pretty terrible.

edit: Took a different approach and there's now *something* up but if you have hosting for it you may still prefer to make your own.

#8 by Bootsykk - Feb 25 2013

hanako:

\everyone but Callum came out looking pretty terrible

... pffft

As much as I loved Callum, I'd have to pick Maddy as my favorite character. I want to pursue a romance with myself, damnit

#9 by Mystic Cake - Feb 25 2013

Excellent, with my new avatar, my life is now complete for the moment... at least until the next thing that attracts my attention comes along

#10 by Hazel - Feb 25 2013

I should have realized no one would pick Dolores but me. I think she's a wonderful foil for Madeleine.

#11 by Kopin - Feb 25 2013

I was totally into Oscar. Man, dude was epic sweet. And happy! I love happy people. I also found his colors pleasing. The darker skin with the lighter hair color. He was just awesome.

#12 by reveris - Feb 26 2013

I voted for Nazagi - he was an intriguing character and while it was a shame that there was so little of him, personally I felt that his route was the most realistic for all the 'romance choices' in this game, and believable for the timespan the events in the game take. It might not be a fairytale romance but it was a working partnership and had the promise of something more.

#13 by Ryuuichi009 - Feb 26 2013

Callum.

He grew on me. And his CGs made me squee I won't lie.

#14 by RosesandAshes - Feb 27 2013

I liked all of them but I really identified with Nazagi and Collete. Oscar is a sweetheart, and I usually find the "nice guys" boring, but I didn't want to upset him. Callum grew on me, Gaston was....Gaston....the only character I really don't like is Dolores, I mean, I understand where she's coming from and I feel sorry for her, I just didn't like her, and I have a feeling she wouldn't like me.

#15 by kyoli - Feb 27 2013

Is it weird that the first guy i go for in like any game usually turns out to be my favorite? it's like just by looking at them you can tell yes that is the one with the personality that I will like the most!
like in this cause I was like Callum, distant and seems a bit broody and a little wild, yep that's who I want!
And then when we had the scene where you fight I was like yep it is confirmed he is the one!

#16 by Oki - Feb 27 2013

Ryuuichi009:

Callum.

He grew on me. And his CGs made me squee I won't lie.

Thiuuuus so hard.

#17 by biscuit - Feb 27 2013

I WANT to say Callum, but cannot honestly choose that answer (not yet, at least) because I haven't played Nazagi's route yet. But Callum, brash, moody, and just plain fwoar as he is, is completely my favorite so far.[/i]

#18 by Mystic Cake - Feb 27 2013

biscuit:

I WANT to say Callum, but cannot honestly choose that answer (not yet, at least) because I haven't played Nazagi's route yet. But Callum, brash, moody, and just plain fwoar as he is, is completely my favorite so far.[/i]

If moody is what you're looking for, Nazagi is your answer. Though it's more of a holier-than-thou way, less of an antisocial way.

#19 by biscuit - Feb 27 2013

Finally played Nazagi's route, and decided I still favor Callum.

I liked his route best because it combined both the sweet lovey-dovies (admittedly, between two somewhat aggressively competent people) and political intrigue aspects into one nice package, plus I like the tension between the two as their relationship develops.

#20 by Benazir - Mar 3 2013

Nazagi's route is my fave. Unfortunately, the kiss between Nazagi and Maddie was too short... so I couldn't understand, it was pleasant to him or not...

#21 by firegirl957 - Mar 8 2013

For me Oscar and Callum are definitely my favourites. Funnily enough they were the ones I was hesitant to pursue but they pleasantly surprised me. I can't tell which of their happy ends I loved the most but you could say Callum's was the most fulfilling for everyone one while in Oscar's and Madeline's happy end it was the sweetest. Both are still equally good to me.

#22 by Phyllis - Mar 10 2013

WARNING, possible slight spoilers ahead (for the unawares) but basically, I voted for Callum because I liked how he developed throughout the story and I just, generally, feel like he's the best match for our strong-willed Madeleine.

When I played the demo, I wasn't so keen on pursuing Callum's route. He was just so...plain...compared to the other princes and for the love of-! He tied up and placed a sword on Oscar's neck! (poor sweet boy, why would anyone do that to you?) When I got the game, his was the first route that I pursued. Might as well get it over with, I thought but then I fell in love with his character.

I especially liked how Madeleine is with Callum. Being Oscar's companion, Madeleine always have to be 'one step ahead' of Oscar. She has to know all these things that he needs to know and she has to be stronger to protect him from all possible dangers. But with Callum, I feel like they're both on equal footing...(okay, maybe not so equal...I mean, c'mon, the lady scales CASTLE WALLS like a walk in the park!). Callum recognizes her strength & intelligence and Madeline trusts him with her back in any battle. Instead of being constantly relied at, Callum is a person that she feels like she can rely on. I really, really like how they bring out the best in each other!

Of course, the amazing scenes on the prison and the 'prison guest room' totally didn't affect my vote. Totally...didn't...\(//∇//)\ Anyway, even though he is short-tempered & is overly-protective (and attached) of his younger...uh...Cassidy, the lonely and distant prince Callum who can manage to match Madeleine's wits, temper, and strength gets the 1st place in my heart.

#23 by Ramidel - Mar 12 2013

Am I the only one who actually dislikes Callum? He's a brooding, angsty teenager who thinks that hot blood and true brotherly love justify forcibly dragooning Madeleine and Oscar into his problems. Mind you, this is partially because I hate his route, but there's nothing really commendable about him (aside from the fact that he and Madeleine make a strong team) and the ease of falling into his route (he'll fall in wuv with Madeleine if she just treats him like a human being) kinda makes it worse.

On the positive side, Madeleine is awesome squared. She is not a romance-novel maiden who exists to be admired, possessed and stalked (even if Callum has a bit of the "if I just push her around enough, she'll love me" in him), she's a badass ninja maid and the brains behind whatever team she joins (and even in Nazagi's route, where she has the least agency, she's still a very important agent and a key figure in his ambition). Most otome games, you play to chase the guy (or girl as the case may be), but I play The Royal Trap because it lets me play as Madeleine and watch her cut through the intrigue, clear her name (sadly, she can't actually fight back against the King and Wisdom) and get her chosen prince on the throne. The romances (even Colette's romance!) are completely secondary to that.

#24 by jet0909 - Mar 16 2013

Ramidel:

Am I the only one who actually dislikes Callum? He's a brooding, angsty teenager who thinks that hot blood and true brotherly love justify forcibly dragooning Madeleine and Oscar into his problems.

No you aren't the only one. Though his route did become a bit enjoyable towards the middle-end I can't say that he's actually very likeable. He left a really bad impression when he took Oscar hostage. He just got worse when it was revealed that he was the one who took Cassidy. And while it was sad that his brother was taken from him, all I can see in him is a selfish prince who would force others just to get his way (I understand that he was raised that way, but come on, everyone went through difficult times, he was just the only one who lost it). Another reason I don't like Callum is because he's the only one I saw with the ugly scary face whenhe's angry.

My favorite is the Duke Pherod just because he showed that he was one of the good guys in Oscar's route. I took Oscar's route last since I didn't think I would enjoy Maddie with him too much but he didn't turn out so bad. It came as such a surprise when the Duke defended Cassidy and I was all like "My God he was that cool? Why isn't he one of the guys I could choose?" then I realised that he was married and that he had a kid. It was nice to see that he wasn't the stereotypical power hungry relative who would kill everyone on his way to power. I honestly didn't expect it and it was my favourite surprise throughout the whole story since all of the other routes just assumed that he was part of the plot against Cassidy.

I wish I could choose two since Nazagi is a very close second.

Okay, this post is just getting long but let me add a few things about Dolores. It isn't that I like or dislike her, but it is nice to see a character whose priorities were completely different from all the other characters. And she always says thing s as she sees them. It was a nice break when things were getting too deep.

#25 by Hazel - Mar 16 2013

I get the appeal of characters like Callum, but he's definitely an out of control rage monster. That does not bode well for relationship stability.

Then again, I guess there's got to be one in every game. For some reason that's not really known to me.

Don't get me wrong, I played Callum's route first and ended up quite enjoying it. It evoked all the right sympathy buttons. But with a chillier, more critical eye, that dude has problems.

#26 by irinack - Mar 16 2013

Ryuuichi009:

Callum.

He grew on me. And his CGs made me squee I won't lie.

I agree. I was like"OMG OMG OMG OMG" >.<

I pursued Nazagi first because I liked his mysterious aura. I expected much more from him though. I thought it was a bit rushed and he showed no signs of affection towards Maddie. Seriously, it may be realistic but at least in one ending I would have like some romance.
Leaving out Gaston, Callum was the last one I wanted to pursue. I mean seriously but I was still pleasantly surprised by his path. I didn't take the hostage thing seriously and his reasoning was right after all. I don't hate him, I LOVE him.

#27 by emi-chan74 - Mar 31 2013

Ramidel:

Am I the only one who actually dislikes Callum? He's a brooding, angsty teenager who thinks that hot blood and true brotherly love justify forcibly dragooning Madeleine and Oscar into his problems. Mind you, this is partially because I hate his route, but there's nothing really commendable about him (aside from the fact that he and Madeleine make a strong team) and the ease of falling into his route (he'll fall in wuv with Madeleine if she just treats him like a human being) kinda makes it worse.

This is why I'm simultaneously hating and loving Callum. I love his intensity and the fact that he and Maddie are on equal footing once you leave the dungeon. He respects her but some things went too far. He's too eager for blood. And too willing to make others pay for something that wasn't their fault. His harshness to Dolores shows this. But loving her for treating him like a human being? Isn't that the whole point of his character?
While he's never been denied of a material need he's been denied love, affection and understanding. He's been denied his childhood. His brother was taken from him and he was never allowed to know the real reason why. He grew up knowing there was a sister he'd never met (or had but didn't know him). He was the son cast into the back room and forgotten. Some basic human interactions that treated him like a real person - that's what Callum needs and Maddie's the first person to give him that. Why wouldn't he fall in love with her?

To be honest I'd have to say that either Callum or Nazagi are my favorites. I prefer Nazagi's character and story but Callum's ending and Cutscenes just kill me.

Prince Oscar!

#28 by Angharad - Apr 3 2013

Oscar is such a kind-hearted and sweet young man. I love how he's so sincere and trustworthy! He's not as shrewd as Nazagi and macho like Callum, but he's brave and loyal, which I think is all the more important qualities in a man.

The CG for the wedding between Maddie and Oscar is so cute! It totally made my day! How can I have this pic for my desktop wallpaper? This is so yummy...

#29 by perch - Apr 21 2013

My favorite it Gaston. I don't get to see too many characters with his 'archetype' in general and he strongly reminds me of Alex Louis Armstrong from Fullmetal Alchemist so it's hard to resist him. He's just so adorably weird and cuddly.

Also Collette is a sweetheart.

For actual 'this guy/gal is smokin' hot' I'd have to say Callum's CGs were the best, but I liked Nazagi's character arc and happy ending more.

#30 by Ramidel - May 23 2013

One honorable mention.

I really like how Dolores talks. She's really inspiringly vulgar, in the sense that Hanako had to write her dialogue without peppering it with curse words and took the chance to give her such delightful turns of phrase instead.

"They're trying to find out if you have a tail in front," indeed!

#31 by Blue Rose - May 24 2013

Such a hard choice, but I have to go with Gaston. So magnificently camp and passionate, but the clincher is his happy ending. Such a sweet man.

#32 by AnnG - Jun 26 2013

spoiler
From all the visual novel games I have played I expected to enjoy Nazagi's route best, because he represents a certain type of stereotype which I have really enjoyed in many games. Oscar while being a very well developed character wasn't really much of a surprise, I would even call him a bit 2-dimensional in terms of personal characteristics. What I mean is that it was pretty obvious what kind of person he will proove to be from the bginning (he was still pretty charming though). I haven't play Gaston yet cause he seems damn boring but may be will give him a shot later.
That leads me to my favourite- Callum. As many of you have said he didn't appear very interesting initially- even a bit boring (I have had enough of the arrogant royal characters in visual novels). But the way the story developed was great- it was very smooth. The plot gradually explored Callum as a character making him more and more likeable.
I see that most people have voted for him. There are a many reasons why one would consider Callum's ending the best. As Madeleine isn't a typical character so isn't Callum. He combines a bit of Nazagi's mysterious aura and arrogance, Oscar's goals and warm heart and is also strong as Madeleine. He also seems to respect her and to find in her an equal partner. I was very pleasntely suprised by how events turned in his route.
And oh.. Nazagi's edning was so terrible- if she agress to be with him he lets her live, if she doesn't- he kills her. Really?!

#33 by Ramidel - Jun 27 2013

He doesn't kill her, he knocks her out and uses a memory-erasing drug.

Nazagi is not a nice guy, that should be obvious from playing his route. If Madeleine doesn't agree with the scheme he's proposed (which involves quite a bit of secrecy and lying), she becomes a security risk to him, and he's not going to leave a loose end untied.

And Gaston's route isn't about Gaston, really. Gaston's just the big puppy dog, Madeleine's the actual faction leader.

#34 by AnnG - Jun 28 2013

Yeah, whatever really. You are most probably right, may be I skipped through the ending and didn't read carefully. However, that's a minor detail and it doesn't change much. Nazagi's route doesn't really present any "happy ending" at all. But that's not too bad- as you said he is obviously not a nice guy, therefore suddenly making him soft, caring and loveable will be a cliche.
And Nazagi and Gaston are not really incorporated in the plot. I mean, if you don't delibarately choose them you won't encounter them much throughout the rest of the story. While if you pick Oscar for example, you still encounter Cassidy, Callum and Dolores equally. May be that's why I am not too eager to play Gaston for now.

#35 by Ramidel - Jun 29 2013

Nazagi's route has an ending that's happy for the kind of person that would pursue him in the first place.

The only route where the romantic option comes out of left field after you've started the path is Gaston's.

Re:

#36 by Sjofn - Aug 27 2013

Hazel:

I should have realized no one would pick Dolores but me. I think she's a wonderful foil for Madeleine.

Don't worry, I picked her too. <3

Honestly, I really liked most of them, some more than I expected (Oscar, Callum and especially Cassidy ... Cass is probably my second favorite overall, really, and I didn't expect to care much about her at all!), some about as much as I expected (Gaston, Maddie), with only a few less than expected (Nazagi, for example, is just not at all my cup of tea ... but that's OK!).

Re: Favorite character (spoilers!)

#37 by LimaZulu - May 29 2014

Why is Callum so popular? Like, I get he's a romance option, but how we meet him cast a considerable pall on any and all future dealings with him. At best, he coerced me into entering a sacred blood pact by threatening to kill my best friend and charge. At worst, he coerced me into the aforementioned pact by threatening to kill my best friend, charge, and unrequitable love interest.

I don't see any room to forgive that. Can someone explain me a thing?

Re: Favorite character (spoilers!)

#38 by M3D34 - Jun 1 2014

LimaZulu:

Why is Callum so popular? Like, I get he's a romance option, but how we meet him cast a considerable pall on any and all future dealings with him. At best, he coerced me into entering a sacred blood pact by threatening to kill my best friend and charge. At worst, he coerced me into the aforementioned pact by threatening to kill my best friend, charge, and unrequitable love interest.

I don't see any room to forgive that. Can someone explain me a thing?

*shrugs* Well, for me, I just simply didn't take it personally. His actions weren't prioritizing a need to turn me into his lifelong slave nor did he truly have any desire to assassinate Oscar for ambitious or petty reasons. Naturally if he had simply asked, I would have helped him out, but he had no guarantee that I would assist him, so he insured that guarantee through blackmail. Considering his upbringing I can understand his lack of trust in people and if I were in a similar situation I can't deny the possibility of resorting to underhanded or devious means to save someone I cared for deeply. Now if he went back on our deal that would be a whole other story.

Same thing goes for Nazagi, my second favorite character. I never held anything he did against him. It was always a part of a plan and he never went out of his way to abuse me. And I was totally cool with his ending. I never held ambitions for power, so neither would my Madeleine. "I" don't need to be queen, but "I" wouldn't mind being the mother of queens and kings even if they were led to believe another woman was their mother in order to ensure they wouldn't have to grow up starving in the streets. And I liked Nazagi as a character. I always had a thing for the intellectual types (along with the bad boys and the adorkables).

Re: Favorite character (spoilers!)

#39 by blushofspring - Jan 25 2016

Callum, because I just can't resist a guy who uses a rough and tough exterior but to hide his soft sweet interior, like a chocolate truffle. Plus, he's a mega hottie.