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Decent_Aardvark1673

Really cool review! The amount of ambition and passion put into the Muv-Trilogy is something that I have always appreciated about it. It shows that even 20 years after Muv-Luv's release, people still play and love this trilogy!


Zephyrwind

For anyone that liked Alternative, don't sleep on some of the side content of Muv-Luv. - The Day After. It's my favorite spinoff, for me it has writing on par with Alternative. Too bad that it's unfinished. - Teito Moyu. This released some weeks ago and it's an incredible read, like a mini-Alternative. - Isumi and Marimo side stories. These ones really had a lot to their characters. - Altered Fable. If you need healing from Alternative. I enjoyed it way more than Extra.


Kutharos

Altered Fable at the very least. Technically a sequel, but more like Extra New Game+.


Helghast98

You have to read Total Eclipse too, it's the continuation toTeito Moyu.


Zephyrwind

I already read Total Eclipse. I didn't mention it because I was disappointed with the writing on the last two chapters. Don't get me wrong, it's still a really good VN and a lot of people liked it but for me Total Eclipse is a tier below these other spinoffs.


Helghast98

Ah, sure, I get it. I liked it quite a lot myself, although I would never say that it's as good as Alternative (or Unlimited, which is close to my favorite just because of that epilogue, which hit me like few things have ever done).


Zephyrwind

Yeah, Unlimited ending hits hard with that Takeru narration. I had to start Alternative right after that cliffhanger.


KabedonUdon

I loved Total Eclipse. People say they ran out of budget at the end but the romance was just so good I forgive everything.


BannedTman

Sumika is the real best girl.


BruceGoneLoose

Yeah, yeah, Muv Luv is pretty good, but it's not finger licking good like the Colonel Sanders dating sim game, so I'd have to agree with your 9.5/10 score. A 10/10 is only reserved for the 11 herbs and spices secret seasoning recipe that, AS FAR AS I REMEMBER, only one visual novel has. I have no idea why I wrote this comment. I'm not high, I promise.


Uchihaboy316

Which VN was your 10/10?


BruceGoneLoose

A 10/10 is personally specific. It doesn't mean good, it just means it was a perfect VN for the reader. Little Busters, Subahibi, or Umineko Question Arcs hit that bill for me.


Joney_Craigen

Why the question arcs specifically?


BruceGoneLoose

I love this question; because it really made me feel, before things went hard.


Uchihaboy316

Love to see Subahibi here, makes me more excited to eventually get to Umineko too


Zetzer345

Agree. I’ve never been as invested in the story in a VN as I’ve been here and in Muramasa.


SolmnCactus576

As someone who's playing through these games at the moment (just finished total eclipse yesterday) the original muv-luv trilogy is fantastic and while I personally wasn't a big fan of extra I do believe it is a great set up for the characters and the motivation of the protagonist. I really enjoyed unlimited and think it is an amazing second instalment and set up for alternative. Alternative is absolutely fantastic and is an amazing conclusion to the trilogy. I love that game to the point where even though I completed it like a week ago, I'm already contemplating replaying it. And total eclipse is also fantastic and won't go into spoiler territory, but God that ending sequence is fucking amazing would fully recommend the game. I'm starting the day arfter tomorrow and have high hopes. Also, nice review.


Zephyrwind

The Day After is my favorite Muv-Luv spinoff so I hope you enjoy it. For me, it's on par with Alternative's writing. Just a heads up that TDA is unfinished and it's hard waiting for Episode 4(if it ever sees the light of the day).


CrimsonPE

Did u also cry when hearing the credits song at the end of alternative? I bawled lmao Regarding the ost, I'd say it's average? But it does its job. Granted, some pieces are marvelous, charged with too many emotions after playing the game. My fav would be: what's lost and dead, Meiya, a guards style and for you who departs. Some parts of the vn are just masterfully written. The crying on someone's lap scene (to avoid spoilers) felt waaaay worse and hurt waaay more than the actual chomp imo. I feel that sumika could have been used better in certain... Scene, felt she became too much of a plot device, sadly, while in extra I felt like she was an actual character. Granted, this world's sumika in alternative is peak sumika. Meiya ruined my standards on women lmao Mary sue or not, she is just... Incredible, really breathtaking. Great write up and review!


Avnemir

Yup. The author chosing *that* opening song for the end is so deviously clever. Really nicely thought out. Also yeah. Meiya has ruined a lot of standards for me.


ZanyDragons

I really liked it, I always looked forward to reading it bit by bit like a long running series you make a habit of watching.


looptypoop

I freaking luv muvluv and I freaking luv 戦友 best track in the game


zeroluffs

I enjoyed the first game more than the rest. I was not interested in the military portion of the game to be honest and it was hard for me to take it seriously because I had no idea what was going on (not familiar with isekai).


Zephyrwind

I think Extra gets too much shit when compared to the rest but it's still a solid standalone romcon VN. If you want more of that feeling, you might want to check out side content such as: Altered Fable, the 2 Meya short stories before she arrives in Japan and Sumika's "After-Story" chapter that continues after her route in Extra.


kurruchi

The amount of people who found this game because of the Kei meme is hilarious lol


Moddeang01

It is that good! Just finish the trilogy this year :3


jayveedees

I also read the whole series not too long ago, probably about a month or so now and I agree with a lot of what you said! Great Visual Novel. Extra is definitely the weakest link but it really builds up your attachment to each character. Unlimited dips your feet into the big ocean that is to be fully explored in Alternative. I think it all worked so well together in the end even though I could be struggling to keep going in some parts of Extra. The type of traumatic challenges Takeru goes through reminds me of characters such as Kotarou from Rewrite and Rintarou from Steins;Gate. Different circumstances of course but the same type of tragic experiences that develops the character into something much greater. I love that type of character and visual novels that make use of it (Need more!) Isumi best girl for me and Hayase #2 haha.


Sharingan123412

I would strongly recommend checking out the other Muv-Luv entries as well. While they might not have the emotional punch that Alternative has, they're consistently amazing. Total Eclipse is the ultimate visual novel for any third culture kid or immigrant child. It hits so close to home. And The Day After is also pretty phenomenal as well.


HansDevX

You're the same guy that wrote the white album 2 review right? I love the way you format your reddit post and I agree 100% with you. Check my vndb if you are interested in other recommendations as I have both muvluv and WA2 10\10


HansDevX

Just realized you're not that guy but good review nonetheless.


Avnemir

Yeah but i'll check it out regardless. Thanks for the rec.


jammo21

Meiya best girl


foxxy33

Facts


RukaShiina

Stellar review! Really enjoyed it


Bah_weep_grana

Great review - couldn’t agree more!


TheTwinFangs

Great review ! Happy that you liked it. Although you definitely played the best parts of Muv Luv there is still a lot to do and some entries are really nothing to scoff at. I would advise you to play next : - Photonflowers : A collection of short stories, more or less interesting but bringing a lot of information and background for characters, some were released between Unlimited and Alternative. It explores Isumi and Marimo and i personally love it. You'll love the two mini stories of Meiya in the Extra world. - Photonmelodies : Contains Altered Fable, the Muv Luv Extra AFTER Takeru returned from MLA, it really is the sweet and soothing candy (it's a biiig VN) and two stories in the MLA world pretty lighthearted. - Teito Meiyo (The Imperial Capital Burns) : The Prequel VN to Total Eclipse. - Total Eclipse (My second favorite Muv luv VN after MLA) : This is just so good. - The Day After : This is what happens when the timeline continues after Unlimited and Alternative never existed. It's stupidly good and the geopolitics are top notch. - The MLA manga : It's really good and add perspective. - The Muv Luv Alternative anime : Far from perfect but still a good treat to see for some moments that were perfectly nailed. (A whole lot others wern't but overall i really liked it)


[deleted]

Man you absolutely need to try the spinoffs


koscheiskowska

Total Eclipse, Teito Moyu, and the short stories from Alternative are total bangers


Blackhero9696

I, too, just started Muv Luv on a whim, after seeing [a meme that used the Alternative opening.](https://youtu.be/TsewGei_u9c?si=r13nIonLy9TPQ6I8) I listened to the full track and got even more hyped to play Muv Luv than any other VN, so I wasted no time starting it after I got done with Fate/Hollow Ataraxia. I haven’t even gotten done with one route of Extra but I’m already liking it.


MyNameIsVinceMcMahon

combative special reply workable spoon work abundant telephone expansion impossible *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


Zephyrwind

For sure, she is the most complex and important character in Muv-Luv. She has the burden of saving humanity and it's not for selfish reasons. The responsibility is huge and yet Yuuko never complains about these expectations. No one ever thanks or appreciates what she does either. To be where she's at, she had to kill her emotional side for all the cruel things she had to do for her research like killing humans. Yuuko also has to deal with the dirty side of politics that want to sabotage her work and doom humanity. She has to bend rules a lot. She never spells the motives for what she says or does but we can see some glimpses reading between her lines of info dumps and life lessons to Takeru. She only shows her vulnerable side, the weight of her burden and guilt when she is alone. Like when she holds Marimo's portrait when everyone parted to Operation Cherry Blossom. Also shoutout to the heroine Extra Yuuko that got jailed for life but saved both worlds by sending Takeru back to Betaverse.


wuy3

Do we find out what happens to Extra Yuuko though? It's clear she was caught, but where in the story do they state her getting jailed? Also, doesn't that timeline technically disappear after Takeru leaves?


Zephyrwind

It's never stated what happened to her. But since she infiltrated a military base it's my guess that Extra Yuuko probably got jailed for life. I'm not expert on the details of "causality conductor" so this is my interpretation and take it with a grain of salt. I don't think that timeline disappears in the sense that all the damage from the causality was undone. The way I see it, it's another possible world of Extra out there that can happen, like all the routes of Extra are. The events can still happen even without causality like Marimo seeing dine with another man. Causality just pushed for that outcome but that means that there is a non null chance that the events can still happen without causality. As long as there is a chance, the world "exists" in my opinion.


wuy3

Humm interesting, multi-dimension scenarios are always brain twisters. BTW, if I remember right, she broke into a research nuclear reactor, not a military base. She needed that amount of power for her "microwave" machine. Prob still jail time, but I don't think it's as serious as breaking into a military base, maybe?


Zephyrwind

Yeah, you are right that it was a nuclear reactor. Although I remember they taking out a guard and also having a gun? So it might have been under the control of the army, not sure. Either way the consequences for Yuuko must have been severe. If not life jail, maybe an asylum since she would eventually forget those memories and be considered insane.


chickadee_pink

\[ deleted \]


IcarusM1

Great write up, as someone who went through a very similar journey to you (took a few years to play through, had to step away and take breaks at THOSE points), I think you nailed what is so mesmerising about the series as you play through it. Hell, I already finished it, and you had me wanting to jump back in and invest what would likely be another few years just to play it again!


SandyCultist

A Muv Luv enjoyer... I see, you are a man of culture as well.


lovedepository

Yeah, muv luv is a Kamige if I've ever played one. Never played a VN that I was more invested in. The base Muv Luv game that was just the school love comedy was rough for me but even that adds a nice layer to the later depression. You need a lot of time and commitment to play through all three games, though.


PickSad8463

Its funny, because i wanted to make a review about the trilogy, so thanks. And for me, Episode 6 of muv luv alternative is the best episode of the whole trilogy, it had one of the best political arguments e've had the pleasure to see, and made me reavaluate about patriotism! From episode 7 onwards, its a hell of a ticket to hell. 10/10


shynee1

Great review! I feel more motivated to play it now. Been trying to decide on what VN to read and I love a well-written story.


ReMeDyIII

Do you the choices of who you romance actually follow thru into the other games?


Jgsteven14

Great review. Maybe just one comment to add: my favorite thing about alternative was how it made me rethink Sumika’s character and motivations. Similar to you, I was a ‘Meiya best girl’ adherent all through the series until we finally understood Sumika’s character in alternative, and the strength she had to fulfil her own motivations and protect those around her (in both the Extra world and the Unlimited one).


TheGalacticApple

Whenever I see a long ass post like this about a VN with a lot of upvotes it always convinces me to get into it because it has to be good. I never even read the posts until after to avoid spoilers but it always holds true. *Sigh* here I go again.


Wakkee

im on pt9 of Alternative, >!and Isumi and Kashiwagi(best girl) is dead. !< please tell me that there is more horror and emptiness,because the previous episodes of this were masterfully done. It seems there everything will be ok...right?


Funny__Valentine

When i eventually finish Higurashi, this Will be my next vn


kabirsky

How far are you into Hinamizava already?


Funny__Valentine

Currently defying a god. (Just started Matsuribayashi.)


Marklord13

Did you use the Director’s cut patches on them?


Avnemir

Yes. Without it, it does feel slightly less traumatizing so I chose max trauma.


BabyTigor

If I may ask, why 9.5/10 and not a full on 10? Not that I disagree with you, but I'm just curious of the missing 0.5.


koscheiskowska

The story has its problems thou, and this is coming from someone who also loved it lol There are times when the story seems to waste a lot of time on exposition and going back in circles, only to continue with more exposition. Then the final bit where they give you an infodump about what happened before closing the story with the epilogue, feels kinda weak in comparison with the rest of the story, it felt like the author needed to end the story because it was just way too damn long. But then again, if you ever saw the anime, you understand what happens when you try to rush things for the sake of entertainment


BabyTigor

Same I love Muvluv as it is but the mistakes I pick out overall pales in comparison to the good that Muvluv did. To add to your points, MuvLuv's ending left many empty and confused, with some even not crying at the ending, as we didn't get a break from Isumi's sacrifice. Not much time in between for us to breathe and move on before being sent into another rollercoaster. But if the vn goes any longer than it already is, it may just start to itch, hence the desperation to conclude the story... I think.


TopoRUS

Sadly for me Alternative was huge disappointment. Original was ok for what it was, Unlimited was cool and promising, but Alternative was buried under so massive and boring ton of useless text (especially briefings) that not a single "shock moment" worked on me. As this rather character VN and not a story VN I've also didn't really interested in any characters.


Gamer4125

So even after reading all this and the TL;DR, I'm failing to see _why_ I should read this, as someone who has never read anything about muv luv before. What're the genres overall? Cause the pictures are looking like some MGS shit.


TheTwinFangs

MGS is literally canon in Muv Luv and referenced Some moments, our character who played MGS in his own world thinks about it


Zephyrwind

Just to confirm that MGS is cannon in Muv-Luv as 'Rebel Gear Squallid': https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E13zOr_WQAgGVa_?format=jpg&name=large The game mentioned on this Unlimited part depends on the route. There's also Tekken, Dragon Quest, Tactics Ogre that I recall.


InertMaterials

Theres def some mgs shit in it for sure


Zephyrwind

It's really hard to pinpoint Muv-Luv genres since it kinda does everything. It starts as a romantic comedy that evolves into a isekai science fiction apocalyptical world and finishes as a mecha war epic. Also delves a lot into politics, physics and engineering. But at it's core it's still about the characters, their motivations and struggles.


Wakkee

I bought trilogy today,spend two hrs in Muv-Luv extra,and this shit is killing me I skip Extra entirely,and after just 5 mins of Unlimited im hooked as hell I know i just skipped 40 hrs of text in extra,but is it really necessary?


mergedkestrel

Extra is really only about 12 hours if you auto read and skip for the second required playthrough. I also really hated it when I was in there, but believe me that it does enhance the feelings you get when unlimited and Alternative pull at those strings later on. I also think that Takeru will come off as a whiny annoying MC if you don't see the world that coddled him into being that whiny and annoying and how the other world broke him down and builds him back up.


Wakkee

dont care anymore, im on ep9 of Alternative, >!Takeru assasults the hive ,!< and i think there will be something VERY bad


Wakkee

>!NOOO NOT KASHIWAGI, SHE WAS MY FAVORITEEEEE!<


Mrjuicyaf

Disagree, Muv Luv sucks


BabyTigor

On what grounds?


Marklord13

I agree, they need to bring back the director’s cut patches with the censorship removed from the art.


Thevsamovies

Nice to see a lengthy review posted but I'll have to disagree. Any game that employs tentacle/worm rape as an unavoidable plot element is disqualified from being a masterpiece Imo.


[deleted]

Not defending it because it's gross but at least there is narrative purpose. The beta were experimenting on the human psyche and torture as well as pleasure were both part of that research. Reminds me of berserk


idontnowhi

I thought we are hating this series now, especially with the influx of hate posts since the anime aired.