The English-language eroge scene seems to be picking up, as more and more high-profile eroge releases make their way across the ocean to deliver otaku joy to willing customers.
With the recent announcement that JAST USA would be snuggling up to famed studio Nitroplus to publish Zanmataisei Demonbane, now digital distributor MangaGamer has released the famed eroge Shuffle! into the wilds of the internet for consumption by English-speaking erogamers everywhere. It seems that despite the bad press eroge have gotten from foreign prudes, Japanese publishers are showing increasing willingness to peddle their goods to us filthy gaijin.
For those out of the loop, Shuffle! is a transdimensional visual novel developed by Studio Navel, released way back in the middle ages, around 2004. It follows the harem-esque adventures of Rin Tsuchimi and his gaggle of gods, demons, and girls-next-door.
That doesn't sound like much, but it was enough to keep Shuffle! at #2 on the sales charts in the face of the Type-Moon juggernaut Fate/stay night, which you may have heard of. Its anime adaptation also made it to the US courtesy of FUNimation. Hit the gallery for some sample CG, hit the jump for the full press release, or just fork over some Euros at MangaGamer.
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF SHUFFLE! IN ENGLISH AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVELY AT MANGAGAMER.COM
First game released by game studio Navel now available in English
August 15, 2009 MangaGamer.com is pleased to announce the digital release of "SHUFFLE!", the first game released by game studio Navel. Set in the world where Gods and Devils co-exist with human beings, the player is able to enjoy love and friendship with colorful characters in traditional visual adventure format.
STORY
“In a certain complex of ruins, two gates have opened.
On the other side lie the world of the Gods and the world of the Devils.
These three worlds are now connected, and this causes a big change in society.
One day, two new families move into the houses neighboring Rin Tsuchimi's house.
The new residents turn out to be the King of the Gods and the King of the Devils.
Both of them have moved in next to Rin's house by request of their respective daughters,
who fell in love with him at an early age.
The stage is set for a story that involves Rin's childhood friend as well as others around him.
It is a tale of hardship and despair, but also one of faint hope.
It is a tale of a boy who, to quote his cynical friend, is capable of becoming either God, Devil or an ordinary man.”
SHUFFLE!
Manufacturer: Navel
Genre: Adventure
Price: 36.95 Euros
OS: Windows XP(32bit), Windows Vista(32bit)
Text Language: English
Voice Language: Japanese
Age Rating: 18 and over
ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world's first online download site of English translated bishojo games that opened in July 2008.
Since its launch, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular bishojo games such as
CIRCUS's "Da Capo" and OVERDRIVE's "Kira Kira" right from their home.
live comments!
Very, very awesome title.