Yosh, just finished Root Double. They really aren't lying when they say it's freaking 50+ hours long; this took me 3 days+ of 16 hours play even with a walkthrough and various skipping of bad ends (most of them are kind of stupid >_>).
As usual, let's go with the plot first. Basically you'll play through 4 routes titled After, Before, Current and Double in that order to learn the entire story. There are two protagonists - the Rescue Team Leader, Watase and the Communicator high school student Natsuhiko whose point of view would tell the story and eventually the truth as everything is slowly pieced together, one by one like a puzzle.
I'm not going to spoiler anything, but let it be known (... wait a second did I just use an Umineko reference?) that this is a more emotional-fueled story as compared to the Infinity series (as in the logic build up and scientific theories are much more persuasive). I shed tears at the ending of Before; it was really touching (though of course... ~_~). One of the unique traits of this game - or should I say an accumulated fault actually - is that you would spend 70% of the read time reading into every characters' pasts and memories. After and Double are practically the only routes that talk about the 'present' (and in Double you still spend more time in the past than present - play it and you'd get what I mean), whereas Before is the story, from Natsuhiko's point of view, of the 6 days before the Incident, and Current is simply a retelling of After also from Natsuhiko's POV.
In a sense, I've never read a more emotionally complete Visual Novel in my life - there's always some regrets here, a little dissatisfaction there that a certain character did not get enough attention etc - but Root Double covers all 9 people's pasts, stories, motives and feelings in a most masterful manner. Unfortunately readers may sometimes be plagued by the fact that they're spending way too much time looking backwards when all they want is to know what happens next, but this is ultimately a subjective matter.
While the plot is certainly not all that unfamiliar, I'm surprised at how accurate the writer manage to pinpoint an emotion (though in retrospect I can't imagine anyone who wrote this to be any less sensitive). The crisis, climax and aftermath was exactly as the writer said in one of the character's lines, "It's as if I woke up from a very long nightmare". I'll leave everything else to imagination; I really can't imagine spoiling anything about this awesome story.
Characters. I don't really need to say anything, but heck, I read so many things about all 9 characters that I feel sick from overload. Rest assured that no one gets left behind, and you'll be smashed in the face with everything you ever want to know about your most hated guy/girl until you want to knock yourself silly. :P
Art wise it's not special but definitely well made. Honestly I don't have much to say about this except that it's a fucking pain in the arse trying to collect all of dem CGs even with a walkthrough to follow. Gawd. >_<
Music, same impression. The final song at the end is certainly beautiful, but I find the OP Song Terminus from Dsyfunctional Systems to be far more effective and touching. Then again, Dischan is made up by a bunch of geniuses. Still, they are definitely not bad at all.
Systems. First, the Sense Sympathy System is kind of troublesome to use but ties in very well with the plot, so no problemo. Second, I kind of like how they hint that:
We readers are breaking the Fourth Wall and helping them through it, but that's not exactly accurate - I can't explain it really well like this - so whatever, that's fine.
Finally, the Save System can be a little tricky to use since you have to save a lot of times, so be careful is all that I can say.
In short, Root Double scores 8.7 out of 10 from me. Most of the time the story didn't really surprise me - not even close when you compare it with the shock I experienced reading through epics like Ever 17 or Remember 11, especially Remember fucking 11 >_> - and if you pay attention it's easy to realize what the many hidden truths. Or if I put it bluntly, IT'S NOT EVEN A CHALLENGE; TRY ME HARDER! :D One hint - though it may come of as spoiler-ish, so I'll spoiler it accordingly:
All the scientific theories, logical guesses, and even the classic occult Seven Mysteries are all true.
And that's it for today.
EDIT:
Dysfunctional Systems Complete Review. I just couldn't resist. T_T
Originally I didn't mean to write this since I already had one (first impressions) completed at another forum, but after having the game literally haunting the corners of my mind for days even when I'm playing Root Double, I decided to get this out.
Before I start, note that if you are a fan of Katawa Shoujo or one of its artist Doomfest, then you really shouldn't miss out on this game. The game was declared to have 5 Episodes in total, and Episode 1 takes about two hours to complete - though it could be shorter depending on your reading speed. You can buy it for $5, and its definitely worth in my opinion every penny you spent.
Now then. Dysfunctional Systems Episode 1 - Learning to Manage Chaos describes the journey of the newbie mediator Winter as she travels to many different worlds trying to resolve their plaguing issues, and ultimately saving them from chaos. In this Episode 1, Winter and her mentor Cyrus lands on the system Sule (more specifically, the Brighton colony) in attempt to figure out and avert the increasingly dangerous tension between the 3 major colonies of the Sule. Currently there are only 2 Endings in Episode 1, though there would be, I guess, more different outcomes in future Episodes.
Unfortunately this review would seemed incomplete if I do not at least include my heartfelt impressions, but I'm spoilering them all because they contain massive spoilers. I repeat, if you had not played the game, please do NOT read the below spoilered texts.
First, I must say that this is one of those super rare Visual Novels where I explored with strong interest and wonder every crook and nanny without ever feeling bored. We look at Winter, an innocent girl whose various actions and thought processes reflect a kind of selfishness and childishness that only exists among growing adolescence. We look at Cyrus, a gaunt-looking but seemingly affectionate man exhibiting all the world weariness of a tired but purposeful adult. There are also the 3 major colonies, Gabrea the rich and Brighten the oppressed and Fehdria the warmonger, distrusting and hating and working behind each other's backs trying ever so hard to dominate and secure their own position.
They are all so fascinating. I have natural tolerance for details, but never had I felt excitement reading what would've been dead boring if presented during a history class. You would spend time mulling over the all-knowing Codex as Cyrus threw one question after another towards Winter trying to provoke an intelligent reaction, and more. You would think, you would formulate, and you would certainly attempt with refreshing vigor when Winter rebelled against Cyrus to stop him from murdering the Brighton president. This is the first time I've had so much fun deciding between the various game choices how best to persuade Cyrus into submission, even though ultimately only the final choice had real weight. It felt like my input really, really mattered. I am a walkthrough user through-to-through, but for the first time ever I've decided NOT to use any at all for Dysfunctional Systems; this and all the upcoming Episodes in the future. You did it, Dischan, and you won't believe how right it felt.
And then there was the end of the world. Ah, yes, the end of the world. Regardless whether Winter succeeds in persuading Cyrus - if worked would've lead the Brighton president to change his plans and nuke not the Gabrea's capital but the sea instead as a show of power and forceful demand - the duo would realize with utter horror that due to a simple lack of proper research, a tiny but irreversible mistake, they've unwittingly allowed True Fusion to occur on the planet (the birth and creation of a star) and thus the entire world of Sule is destroyed. Vanquished. Millions and millions of lives dead... with their blood staining Winter's innocent heart forever. The disbelieving look on her face as she raised a helpless hand towards the inevitable, the despair and shock and sadness that rode through as she sobbed... I just couldn't forget even if I wanted to, and I don't want to forget. Full credits to Doomfest, because without his art Dysfunctional Systems would never be so hauntingly beautiful.
This game is not without its lighthearted moments. I'm pretty sure everyone chuckled - and scrolled backwards a few times just to relieve the moment - when Cyrus mentioned beer and an image of Winter's mother grappling her daughter with a bottle in her hand popped out. Many would also melt at Winter's 'Daaww' moment when she tried to assert her own opinion by throwing a most ineffective but infinitely cute punch at Cyrus' abdomen. And then there was Waverly's funny chatter with either Irie or Ayo; this is probably the second time I've read genuine Western tsukkomi, with the first being Kenji from Katawa Shoujo. Dysfunctional Systems is seriously one of the best Western Visual Novels I've ever played (though, there are only 4 to 5 in total that I would admit as truly high quality Western Visual Novels).
From here on the review would be spoiler-less, so feel free to read them:
Story - Really, if you've read above then there is nothing else that I could say. Otherwise, good GOD I need far more than just two hours of gameplay dammit! WHEN IS THE NEXT EPISODE!?
Art - Holy shit. No Doomfest, no Dysfunctional Systems, no success. I have said it before, but the art is so hauntingly beautiful that I could not imagine this game in any other light but his. There're also various guest arts (actually there's more of these than actual CGs, so grumble grumble) included and needless to say they are a wonderful treat.
Music - Salute to CombatPlayer, and sheeeet I can't believe I actually bought music for the second time in my entire life (Note: Not the one that comes with the game). Maintenance, Terminus and Cado Astrum are absolutely golden, and none of the other soundtracks sound like your generic bullshit. Sure, Analysis sounds kind of weird at the beginning, but like, you know, PEOPLE I JUST BOUGHT MUSIC! ME! LIKE WTF!?
Presentation - Almost perfect. I mean, I seriously could not say anything but this if I want to keep this section spoiler-less; just go play the goddamn game already lol.
System - This I have some complains. First, the general outlook of the game can look rather blurry due to its kinda-abstract art, which is fine, but not when all the text looks blurry as well. Next, when viewing CGs in the Extras section, the hotkeys slightly differs from that of a common Japanese PC Visual Novel so it could be confusing. The Codex section text can be too small for some people to read. Lastly, the Jukebox could've offered more play options such as Loop all songs or something.
All in all a 9.2 out of 10, and once again kudos to Dischan; they are certainly the best Western Visual Novel creators out there right now. If you're seeing this guys, can't wait for Cradle Song to come out - hopefully :P - this year. Good job, good luck, and good night everyone~