#17 by DarthSnuggles - Apr 28 2013
This is probably one of my favorite games EVER. It combines the stat-building and schedule-planning that I enjoyed from games like Magical Diary, Lucky Rabbit Reflex and TokiMemo with a plot that is deep, gripping, and impeccably-researched. The romances are entirely otional, and in fact I'd recommend playing through WITHOUT dating any of the guys first, so that you can focus on unraveling the main plot. Trust me, it's complex enough that you're still going to want to play again, and you won't mind going through the main story multiple times as you pursue the boys, because it helps to fill in the puzzle of just what Sadie's experiences mean, both for her and for the world.
Even without factoring in the romance-specific ones, there are tons of adventures, more than you can possibly complete on a single playthrough, which only ups the replay value. I've finished the game four times now (not a small feat, this game is HUGE) and I still haven't managed to see everything. A nice touch is that most characters "remember" what adventures you've had with them, and may reference past exploits in conversation.
And, since a lot of us are in it for the romance, I'll just say that all of the love stories between Sadie and her various beaux are VERY good. No two relationships are alike, but they're all genuinely heartwarming. I particularly like the slow build of romantic tension between Sadie and whichever guy you're pursuing, from first meeting to respect to friendship to attraction and finally to love. Even though none of them are perfect, every available character is genuinely likable, and each is a good match for Sadie in his own way. Every guy's story is fairly unique to the character, as well: Sterling, bittersweet and action-packed; Nigel, mature but a little goofy; etc.
Yeah. I love this game, and strongly recommend buying it. It may be a little more expensive than other indie games out there, but in my opinion, a game this big and this detailed is worth every penny. Plus, Black Chicken Studios is good about being in contact with fans, and continues to release patches and bug fixes even after the game is out the door. They're also working on new and more ambitious games, and I encourage you to support them, because we need more developers like them in the indie community!
The only, very minor complaint I have about the game is that you cannot continue a saved game from the demo--you must start a new game when you buy. Other than that, though, 1931 may well be my new favorite otome game.
Be sure to check out my fanfics after you complete the game on their forums.
