This is ancient history now, but for a while, back around 2005 or so, there was a perception, largely created by a single translation group, that the "visual novel," a format of linear text adventure that grew out of the Japanese PC games scene, might actually have something to offer beyond cheap titillation. They chose short, indie works like narcissu, Planetarian or OMGWTFBBQ, melodramatic stories of finding that last emotional connection in the moments before your early and miserable death. And then they pretty much stopped doing it (at least for free), because, hell, translating this stuff is a pain, and that was the end of that.

Analogue feels much like the promise of those earlier works. Written in English by a native speaker and skilled writer, with a great sense for how to use the interactive features of the format to really draw you in, in a way that "an ordinary book" can't. It's smart, somber, and complicated; it's a well-told story, and not just "for video games." And really, I just have a thing for simulated terminal interfaces.

Its like a choose your own adventure game mixed with a visual novel and I loved it. I usually treat VNs like the plague but this game right here is something special. I really felt like I was Sherlock Holmes mixed with Indiana Jones on a mission through time discovering the myster of the space station you found. It was very engaging having to dig through all the files piecing together the lives and politics of the people who had once lived there. The twists and turns and trips and burns are all very interesting and kept me going along wondering what I would discover next. This game is pretty amazing and if you dont mind lots of reading and anime chicks then I definitely recommend this game.

Do AIs give you feelings? Do you like women? How about making straight people uncomfortable? All these things and more are available in Analogue: A Hate Story.

Analogue is truly a piece of art, it's so simple and yet so brilliant. I don't even normally like anime, but as a game and a story it triumphs in so many ways it's difficult to describe. You're all alone in a spaceship, your only friend is AI *Hyun-ae, together you start reading letters and some sort of memoirs about old noble families and all the terrible things that happened to them. It's a tragic story, but it also showed a great sense of humor on few occasions. It has more than one ending and many different choices to make so I'm sure I will replay it again sometime. If you're a fan of visual novels, I believe it's worth of buying for a full price + soundtrack which is AMAZING.

Analogue: A Hate Story was my first shot at a visual novel and I came away rather impressed.. The story turned out to be very dark and grim, definitely not something for kids.. I'll also say that the game may require a walkthrough for a certain 'timed segment' where you will be doing a lot of typing.

I think at some point I'll replay Analogue: A Hate Story and check out a different ending, but for my first play through (which took me around 4hours) I'm very satisfied. I'm still not sure weather VN's are my thing or not, but this game has encouraged me to check out some other ones, that is for sure.