Kira☆Kira Curtain Call

I agree with the general consensus that this VN has some dissapointing aspects, especially when compared to the original. The prospect of seeing the old cast was exciting, but poorly realised, considering the introduction of the "new generation". If a new story involving new characters is the primary focus then I would have expected them to make something more of it, for example, a more interesting and less linear plot (being limited to a single romance path was extremely frustrating) or involving the female characters more frequently in terms of screen time. I found it difficult to care much about Yui especially, because I felt like I didn't know who she was. If the focus was actually a story about Murakami and HAPPY CYCLE MANIA then I would have appreciated a better plot than "being a rocker is hard so Murakami gets sad".

Issues of focus aside, I also feel that the story lacked the all important sense of gratification the viewer should receive from following the POV character, which I attribute to too many challenges or failures presented by the plot and not enough victories, or "highs".

On a positive note the character art has improved, and I found myself liking the outrageous personality of the protagonist Souta - I favour interesting POVs as opposed to "put yourself in their shoes" cardboard cut-outs. He had a lot more personality than Maejima from the previous game, certainly.

It was initially an intriguing game for me firstly because of the attachment I had to the original VN and secondly because this particular sequel approach was unique to my experience, but once the novelty wore off I'm sad to say that this was a middling VN - at best.