Samurai of Hyuga Book 2

Illustrious Shogi Champion of Hyuga is the second god forsaken book in this honestly sad series...

It being sad because I have already wasted so much precious time and grown so accustomed to probably the best supporting cast, that I can no longer look upon other COG games.
In all honesty this is THE diamond in the rough that you finally find after scouring throughout the entire first book... it only gets rougher from here.

Samurai of Hyuga Book 2 is a text-based, choose-your-own-adventure developed and published by Hosted Games. As the name states, it is the second book in the Samurai of Hyuga series, so it's highly recommended to have played the first book before delving into this second book (or this review, for that matter). You take on the role of a ronin, the wandering samurai character that you created from the first book. (However, you can choose to have a premade character as well if you don't have any saved game files from the first book.) The story starts off from the cliffhanger from book one in which your character has to find a way to save their charge/master from being killed by their ex-lover/ex-fellow samurai. After those events play out, then your character and fellow party members travel to a new town to follow up on the quest given by the emperor, which involves finding another demon. The rest of the story involves a shogi tournament that has a couple of shady characters, but I'll stop here to avoid spoilers and all that.

As for the gameplay, Samurai of Hyuga Book 2 has many choices that are presented throughout the story. The choices you make determine how your character interacts with other characters, and they unlock certain Steam achievements. Other than that, though, this game is solely text-based, so there are no visuals or audio.

Now that I've gone over the story and gameplay, I'll move onto my critique. I enjoyed the first book in the series, and I especially liked the cliffhanger at the end. It made me excited to find out what would happen in this book. Of course, this book starts off action-packed, and it's a bit heart-wrenching as well. The event doesn't feel dragged out, though, and then we're taken to the main character with their other party members, summarizing what happened and then moving onto the next mission. However, after this initial event, this is where I felt like events were a bit more dull and boring. Sure, the main character and their party are continuing on their quest, but there aren't as many exciting, action-packed events as in the first book. The events are more spy-based, where the main character has to infiltrate a shogi tournament and win in order to find the second demon and defeat it. Also, the characters felt pretty static. While this is understandable for the main character since this book locks your character's personality into whatever you decided for them based on your choices in the first book, it's not as excusable for the MC's party members. I especially found it annoying that the relationship between the MC and their charge continues to be somewhat antagonistic (despite that their charge somehow survives) although there's a tiny bit of development. In addition, I found it weird that the story seems to force one of the party members to fall in love with the MC, even if the MC does nothing to encourage it or even tries to dissuade the romance. The end result is the same. However, towards the end of the story, there's a bit of action and another cliffhanger although it isn't nearly as exciting as in the first book.

As for the writing, I found it paced ok. I noticed a few typos (mainly in the form of double words) that could use some polishing. I had no technical issues with loading my saves from the first book, and all of the achievements unlocked for me. Of course, I was able to save my end progress for book three.

Overall, would I recommend Samurai of Hyuga Book 2? If you enjoy CYOAs and liked the first installment of the Samurai of Hyuga series, then this one might be worth enjoying. Personally, I felt that it was slower to get through, and I miss the action-packed scenes that the first book had. However, I plan on continuing to play through the remaining books, and I'm hoping that book three will be an improvement. For the asking price, I'd say that it's just about worth it although you can wait to get it on sale, and it's in a couple of Steam bundles. ^^

[quote]Flying free and writing reviews solely for The Introverted Gamer.[/quote]

Wow. I am having a great many flashbacks to Rurouni Kenshin. First major arc, a wandering ronin becomes the protector of cute girl utterly smitten with him, and encounters a colorful cast of characters including a happy-go-lucky bookdumb brawler/gangster, an inexperienced but prodigal young charge, and even a doctor/nurse. Even some of the character dynamics are the same.

And then the way Book 1 ended just OOZED Kenshin vs Saito. And now THIS......By the end, however, it ends up feeling more like Umineko.

The first book was very good and this was a slog to get through.
The writing in the first book was excellent but it didnt feel as tense in this book, maybe because they story just dwindled around and didnt really get anywhere.
The first book was enough of self loathing from the protaganist point of view, but it gets really old really fast when it just continues in book 2, we get it already. And if he is this supernatural good swordsman it really didnt felt so in this book.
I found myself just wanted the book to end, what a contrast to book one where i couldent get enough

Story and characters are interesting, funny and very manga like, the prose is well written and the choices matter. Pretty much what I look for in a choose your own adventure book.

I'm only getting worried that the saga won't end in book 4, the last installment on Steam, and that it'll take far to long to get back to it afterwards.

Better than the first. The first would be a 6/7 out of 10 where as this one is a definite 8. Still the same problems of the first book that I mentioned in its review. And with the RO I did not want to confey love but instead lust and it seemed a little forced that you "did" love them even when you clearly state "I'm not yours" and "I want you" instead of I love you, as well as when you let them go if you choose that. Hatch was also forcefully placed as your best friend. Though I like him I would not have put him that high at all. I would like to say the pacing is really well done. The storytelling is good as well. I am looking forward to the continuation of the series and will immediately be diving into the third. I believe the author has one of the best writing styles out of all the choice books I have read. The plot is growing on me as have Masami & Momoko. Hatch is okay to good? Still conflicted on him. Tosh is hit or miss. I will say I was surprised at how much I have developed a care for Masami and my care for Momoko was like flipping a light switch. It just happened. I would say I want to end up with Masami if possible, but if that is impossible I see myself ending up with Momoko or Junko. Tosh is a HUGE maybe because I like the moments when we bond but most of the time it is all mission with her. That is to not to say it is bad, because I like how each character is has the slow burn (Minus Momoko) and you really get to have them grow on you whether good or bad (I assume I will like Junko eventually MAYBE). This is aside from Hatch but we shall see with the next book.

I really wanted to like this, the first book was so good. Unfortunately this book is slow and largely forgettable.

Pros:
-Felt alot longer than 215,000 words.
-Summary of 1st book.
-Less emphasis on mechanics, more choices where you just pick what you want to do. Usually gives 3 choices.
-Your character develops less than previous book, BUT you can have a big impact on some of the npcs.
-Must remember stuff that happens throughout book, made the game more immersive.

Cons:
-No new stats.
-Has a tendency to tell you what you're suppose to be thinking.
-Fewer twists.
-Where did the humor from book 1 go?

Even bigger cons:
-The book is centered around a chess tournament. No really it describes you playing chess. There are some simple logic puzzles and interesting things that can happen, BUT I sure didn't feel like "the toughest ronin around" anymore.
-The book tries really hard to force you into a romance with Momoko. I found her to be the least interesting and had zero chemistry with. My chivalrous ronin avoided Momoko and conspired to hook her up with Hatch. BUT AFTER ALL THAT, suddenly decided to go to a love hotel with Momoko. Luckily you can eventually turn her down. Did the writer just forget all that other stuff or what?

Overall:
-Not worth it. Hopefully book 3 can save the series.

This was definitely an improvement over the first game. But I do have a small issue:

The ending surprised me. After the first book, I expected the story to go the '1 demon per game' route. So, now I'm not sure what to feel. Although I liked the game overall, the ending makes me wonder what this series will bring us in the future. And it kinda makes me worried that it's gonna get milked to no end.

One of the best if not the best game from Choise of Games.
The story is intresting, the characters are great and the choises matter.
I do recomend that you play the first part before playing this.

It's a good book, though personally I think the first one was better, for a simple reason - the first one was, somehow, funnier. Maybe it's because the entire book is.... how to say this without spoilers.... centered around drama? And I'm not a big fan of drama.
The book ends in the middle of the end, which I really don't get, and it's kind of annoying, but what can I do? It's a small price to pay.
Also, I didn't like how little Junko, the psychopathic ronin with a thing for whoever your character is, appears. I mean, the insane murderer is always a favorite, so put them in the book!
If your looking for blood and all that, like last book - sadly, much fewer people die in this book, though I'm happy to say all the deaths happen in extremely gruesome ways.
Totally worth my misly 6$, so it's totally worth yours.

I admit I got off to a rough start with book 1, I honestly wasn't too enthralled by it. But it picked up and it was worth the play. This however had me hooked right from the start. I really enjoyed this game and I'd recommend it to any of my story loving friends. It was full of action, humor, and suspense.

Very epic and awesome,some choices are completely badass and some just to epic,its a shame that Choice and Hosted doesn't have a save&load option to explore all choices on the moment,to see the resultes of the choice,to see what is gonna happend or what is gonna do,but well to live up with your choices is fun on its on way as well.The bad thing is,well,the wait till the 3rd book is gonna come out .oh and i recommend Sword of the Stranger to watch after ending the book.

I enjoyed the first game so I thought nothing of paying for the second instalment. If you like CYOA games and the first part of this story then you will likely enjoy this one. For the amount of time I played this and the amount of interest it managed to get out of me it surely represents great value for the price.

If you playthrough it once you can always create another character and do things differently. I have two characters in which I take different options. Not all options will change the outcome of things though I should warn you, there is some illusion of choice, but nevertheless it does allow you to really be your character and the characters I play really feel like my own.

The writing is good and its easy to get immersed into things, and I definitely feel attached to the characters. After being with them in the story and interacting with them throughout the story you genuinely care about them.

You can choose certain aspects of your Ronin character, such as their name and aspects of their personality, but there are many things you also cannot personalise which makes sense. Just a warning.

Be warned about the cliffhanger at the end.

I recommend playing the first game before this one.

It was good, however just like Book 1 I did not like the color distinction regarding the Kondos. When reading these books I really like to immerse myself into the character and I would be considered a KONDO by looks. However the book made it clear I was different than the darker complexioned Kondo which switched me into playing someone else and not me and took away from the experience a little. But overall awesome, ready for Book 3 since I thought it would be a demon a book, but apparently not.

It's a great game, Very anime like if you enjoy those types of things. You really feel the impact of your choices perhaps more so then any choice game I have played yet.

That said It's very frustrating to know when you make a choice that you shouldn't have made. Perhaps that above all things is my biggest complaint. You can enjoy the story but you truly feel the impact of your choice more so if you made the wrong one.

It's easy to say there are no right or wrong answers however that is not what this game gives you the feeling of. You make a wrong choice and you are going to realize it very quickly. I intend to play the game again and hope that I can get into a better flow of things, for now this is my review and it's a positive one, but with reserved concern

Love this stoy so far, but dont realy feel like much was a complished in Book 2...though that said it used the time to build up the characters and the relasionships you have with them...as well as seting the ground work for the start of the next book which i think is a good thing. Though there is one glareing flaw i have to point out. THE 3rd BOOK IS NOT OUT YET! GAH! T.T soo mean...

A fun game, but not quite the worthy successor to the first; after a rather tense opening act, the story begins to crawl at a snail's pace and never seems to find its steam, not even by the end. Tiptoeing around spoilers, but I was very disappointed when I chose restraint with a certain someone for the sake of someone else, only for the story to shoehorn in a jealousy subplot. It really shattered my illusion of choice in this one, but all in all, I feel it was worth the purchase. I just hope the next Book has better pacing.

Really liked the game. I just hate one thing... That I have to wait for the third book =) I will most definitely buy it too. Just don't make the price bigger, lol.

I love samurai too much, and the plot is only starting to make sense.
You won't understand a thing unless you play the first one, and you won't regret it.
The parragraphs are incredibly fleshed out, making the task of describing people and places in a way no other CYOA game has done before.
It even serves as an History lesson on Japanese culture and traditions.
All and all, it's an excellent choice to pass the time if you like to read and get really involved in the story.
But make sure to buy the first part!

[Bad Rev... Good Review]
Continuing right off from the cliffhanger at book 1, it was refreshing to dive right back into the story. Already I have grown attached to the various characters who reside by your side, each with strengths and flaws that make them feel alive, and very much human. Yanderes have been the bane of my existence and it's nice to see it reflected in the engaging and sometimes grim and humorous story. At a glance this series may not seem like much but once you break past that hesistance to purchase this you won't regret it( unless you're illiteral or something). It's a relief to still see how your choices impact the story as well as add additional dialogue according to your choices. Sure there aren't any pictures but I respect substance through engaging works of literature than through excessive amounts of pictures. Although I'm pissed that I may have to wait a while for the next one, I give this a 10/10

A fun game with your stats affecting not only the choices available to you, but also the outcomes of your choices (for example, an exchange between two characters might change depending on if your character is brash or more calculative).

It's not a game, it's a CYOA style book, however, it does sport stats that you have to manage and take into consideration as you play. So if you don't like novels to begin with, obviously your time would be better spent elswhere.

Definently need to read the first instalment before this one. Thankfully, it's available here on steam!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/524540/