Emotionally Satisfying, but Needs More Cinnamon & Spice
Of all the portions of this review I’ve had to critique, the Eroge portions are easily the most conflicting. These scenes are both simultaneously good and bad for distinct reasons. Let’s start with the good things. First off, graphically, these scenes are remarkable. NEKOPARA maintains its high-quality visual standards here, both with its still images and the animated scenes.
I’m actually very impressed with the animation. While I don’t think fluid is the right word, it does look good and doesn’t seem unnatural. From a technical perspective, the last scene, in particular, pushes their system to its limit. It’s neat to watch. In addition, there’s a lot of detail put into these images like with the rest of the game. A lot of that does translate into bodily fluids being everywhere, but it’s more comical than harmful. I would seriously hate to have Kashou’s laundry bill, though. Lastly, before we move onto the negatives let’s talk emotional payoff.
One of the reasons people like Eroge is because it’s one of the only genres that explores the emotional payoff that comes with sex. Yes, sexy images are nice and all, but unless you’re playing a Nukige, you’re probably here to see a relationship develop. This is the core thing Eroge do well. They allow us to not only see a romance bud but watch it bloom into trusting another person with your body and baring everything to them. This is something NEKOPARA also excels out, especially here.
There’s five scenes total in this game and each serves a purpose. Kashou gets a scene with both Chocola and Vanilla, and another with Azuki and Coconut. These scenes show how their relationship has continued from the previous games and shows that things are healthy within the harem. He then has two scenes with Cinnamon and Maple and these, especially the first one, are about establishing that same connection of body, soul, and mind that he has with the others. The last scene we haven’t discussed is between Maple and Cinnamon and shows how deep their own connection has grown. Really both that scene and the first time they sleep with Kashou are both sweet emotional moments and I really enjoyed them. If I had to pick one as my favorite I’d go with the scene between Maple and Cinnamon which brings us into the negatives. I don’t think this is the best scene because it’s Yuri content (which I love) I like it because it’s different.
NEKOPARA’s biggest fault is that it’s predictable. Each of these Eroge scenes follows the exact same pattern and it gets boring. There’s no spice, no variation. Yes, positions change, but when each sex scene starts with each girl going down on Kashou and then each one of them getting penetrated by him in turn, it gets dull. It almost feels like the scenes are there because they should be there. That’s the reason I enjoyed Maple and Cinnamon’s scene together. It was spontaneous and was not predictable as they hadn’t done this before. I’m especially surprised since there’s a lot you could do with Cinnamon and it really wasn’t capitalized on. We don’t need whips and chains mind you, but something, anything? Aside from that, the other thing is a continuing problem which is that the game contains mosaics.
I don’t know if this is due to technical limitations from the animations or for another reason, but it bugs me. Especially during the animated scenes where the mosaic is moving. It just looks odd. It’s a shame too since Corona Blossom Vol. 2 & Vol. 3 went mosaic-free after fan feedback regarding the first game. So, it is possible I think and I hope Denpasoft and Sekai Project consider removing mosaics in future titles. That all said, let’s start wrapping this up.
To Eroge or Not to Eroge, that is the Question
NEKOPARA Vol. 3 is an excellent title and I enjoyed my time with it. It’s a delightful story, with deep characters and that is the hallmark of a good tale. The fact the game changed my mind regarding Maple is proof of that. On a technical level, the game looks and sounds great, while there are some minor issues here and there it’s not anything that’s going to ruin the experience. The real question is not whether to buy this game. It’s if you want the Eroge content or not.
I don’t think you can go wrong either way. This is not a Nukige, there is an actual plot here and a good one. While I haven’t played the All-Ages version, you’re not really missing all that much if you skip out on the 18+ I think. The story is still there, though you won’t get all the emotional payoff. Plus, it’s hard for me to get excited about the Eroge scenes when they’re just far too formulaic. There needs to be more variety next time. On the plus side, it is five scenes that are still very high quality in terms of visuals and sound, and one is pure Yuri goodness. So, if that’s what you’re looking for then I don’t think you’ll regret it, but it’s not for everyone. Really, I’d say go with what you’re willing to spend.
The All-Ages version of NEKOPARA Vol. 3 will run you $9.99. For about 6-8 hours’ worth of high-quality content, that’s a steal. If anything, I’d say it’s too cheap and feels like it should be about $14.99 with the level of polish in visuals and presentation. The 18+ version will run you either $19.99 from Denpasoft for a full installation, or $9.99 for a patch to restore the content to the All-Ages version. That price feels about right. While paying double the price of the All-Ages version for the 18+ version is something I never like, there are at least five scenes here, so there is quantity. Keep in mind Vol. 2 had just three scenes and still cost $9.99 to patch. You’re getting a better deal this time but, you’ll need to decide if the content is worth that price to you.
In the end, NEKOPARA continues to be a shining example of what Visual Novels can accomplish. Despite its ups and downs, the series continues to improve on itself with each release. Now that we’ve gotten to know all six of the Minaduki catgirls and Kashou has completed his harem, who knows where the story will go. One thing is certain though, those wonderful ladies will continue to warm each guest’s heart with a smile at the place the sun shines brightest, a place called La Soleil.
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Review Copy Provided By Denpasoft.
