Bara Game Roundup - Winter 2016
I pondered previously what 2016 may have in store for English bara game fans. So let’s go over what is currently available, and what we know we can look forward to currently in a new quarterly(?) segment, Bara Game Roundup!
-Currently Available-
Coming Out On Top
Having just celebrated its one year anniversary, Coming Out On Top really started this new wave of English bara gaming. After the initial PC release following a very successful Kickstarter campaign, developer Obscura (of the titular Obscurasoft) has continued to update the visual novel with loads of extra content. In addition to the six eligible main bachelors, some which have even received bonus scenes, there is also a seventh mystery route (which has to be seen to be believed), and four bonus mini-dates, with six more on the way! And all included for free with the purchase of the game!! (Not to mention the built in facial and body hair mods.) With character designs by Obscura herself, and CG scenes provided by doubleleaf, Coming Out On Top is a fresh and charming romp through a senior year of college that gay dreams are made of. (Did I mention that it was featured on a national new broadcast in Sweden?)
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No, Thank You!!!
Developed by Pa-rade for PC, and localized by MangaGamer, this fusion of bara and more traditional BL designs is somewhat of an oddity in the visual novel genre. You don’t usually find such an eclectic mix of different ages and body types in erotic games, particularly from Japan, so it’s definitely a standout aspect. No, Thank You!!! also features a very intriguing, yet dark narrative, (aided by a stellar translation), extremely passionate voice work, and thousands(!!!) of beautiful CG scenes by the game’s artist, Shima Sanpei. (This being her debut into BL games, and what a debut it is.) Not for the faint of heart, this game offers an intense and unforgettable look into the lives of the employees of a certain unassuming bar, one sweltering summer in Japan. One of MangaGamer’s best sellers of 2015, enough to warrant a special physical release, hopefully this is just the first of many bara games to come from the prolific localization firm. (Now if only I could get one of those Kouichi mousepads…)
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Super Health Club
Developed by OONYX Games, and released in December of 2015 for PC, Super Health Club is for English fans’ the first taste of a truly traditional bara experience. With artwork by the very popular artist DongSaeng, Super Health Club draws inspiration from classic bara titles such as Hunks Work Shop! The game sees players take the role of an executive of a large fitness conglomerate, unexpectedly made the manager of a failing gym, staffed by four eager (and eligible) muscle studs. These young men are all willing to do whatever it takes to save the business, which they also consider their home. Balancing traditional visual novel/dating sim game play with some light business sim aspects, Super Health Club offers an extremely vibrant and sexy visual style, all anchored by a truly endearing cast of characters. The developers are currently taking fan feedback for further improvements and additions for the game, so if you would like to add your thoughts, you can do so now on their official forum.
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-Upcoming Releases-
Fantastic Boyfriends: Legends of Midearth
A visual novel/JRPG hybrid for both iOS and Android platforms. Fantastic Boyfriends: Legends of Midearth was developed by Life Wonders LLC/4JH App, and is another relative anomaly in the Japanese marketplace. One of the first mainstream bara apps, and one developed by a studio dedicated to promoting LGBT content made by LGBT creators, the game currently occupies a pretty unique position in Japan’s mobile marketplace. The creators have been planning an English release for the game since 2014, but suffered a setback when the crowdfunding campaign they launched to aid in the localization of the game fell just short of its goal. Despite this, the developers have reasserted their plans to bring the game to western markets, and while there is currently no release date, their desire to forge ahead is clear. The game starts a young man suddenly transported to a magical world portrayed in a game on his mobile phone. (And sexy JRPG action ensues, naturally.) Highlighted by beautiful and bulge-tastic artwork from bara mainstay BomBom, Fantastic Boyfriends is a playful and sexy foray into a true bara fantasy land, and hopefully one English fans won’t have to wait too much longer to experience.
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Kemo Coliseum
Kemo Coliseum is a visual novel/puzzle game mashup for PC from bara developer Dudele Studio. While most of their projects tend to be smaller scale experiences, this will be their largest game to date, by far. This may not be the type of bara game some players usually gravitate towards, but I think any bara fan would benefit from checking it out, even if they are not a kemono fan. Alongside the JRPG elements that have been so prevalent in the genre lately, Kemo Coliseum also serves up a unique spin on “match 3″ puzzle titles by adding a heaping dose of gay erotic content. (With the artwork for said content provided by the immensely talented Null-Ghost.) The game stars Volga, the latest participant in a grand tournament, where the spoils of defeating your opponents are more than just fame & glory… There is no current date for the final release, but the game is in ongoing beta testing via their Patreon page, and there’s also a free demo for the public to check out.
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Wonderful Pair!
A more traditional bara VN for PC, also from Dudele Studio, not much is currently known about Wonderful Pair!, but it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Wonderful Pair is the story of Tohru, a student in his second year at college, living alone while he attends school. Tohru is a generous young man that has trouble saying no, and his (love) life becomes complicated when he finds himself caught up in a love triangle between his childhood friend, the kind but reserved Jirou, and Taiga, an energetic but slightly oblivious baseball player. The artwork is provided by Nil, and while there is no current confirmation of an English release, all previous Dudele Studio games have received English translations, so I believe it’s safe to assume this will as well. The prologue of the game is currently available to play in Japanese on the developer’s website.
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The End Of Dreams
With the recent release of RPG Maker MV for PC, there has been a sudden emergence of some promising bara themed projects that are utilizing this engine. One notable project is The End Of Dreams by HANA Studio. Details about the game are pretty scarce as only the first chapter has been released in Japan, nevertheless, it looks like it will be a very intriguing bara JRPG, featuring some very sexy artwork. (Provided, appropriately, by HANA.) The creator has recently confirmed that the game’s initial version will be receiving an English translation, but no release date has been set. You can see additional artwork, including concept art on HANA’s tumblr and Pixiv pages.
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Edit: Click here for a look at the works of another talented bara game developer, Captain GerBear!
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So, that’s a general overview of what’s currently available, and what we know we can expect for bara games in English in the upcoming future. Apologies if I’ve missed something worth noting. I’m always on the lookout for interesting and exciting bara games, so hopefully they’ll be lots more to share moving forward.
And finally, something that I think is important to mention for any and all bara fans (and really, anyone that supports any sort of creative endeavor), if you like what you see someone making, and/or you’re looking forward to a particular project, let the creators know! Offering support and encouragement is free, and it might just make someone’s day. Niche games like these need all the love they can get, so don’t forget that a kind word can go a long way.
And I’ll make it really easy for y’all…
Artists: Obscura / doubleleaf / Shima Sanpei / DongSaeng / BomBom / Null-Ghost / Nil / HANA
Developers: Obscurasoft / Pa-rade / MangaGamer / OONYX Games / 4JH App / Dudele Studio / HANA Studio
