The Hardcore Retro God (Review #71 - Tokimeki Memorial)
Channel: The Hardcore Retro God
Date: 2021-11-13

#GamersUnite #ImportGamesNeedAttention #LongLiveKonami #TokiMemo
Another round of countless, heartfelt apologies for not only the third-rate timing in having this intended, definitive version released (and the ominous, nerve-shattering difficulties surrounding this very task), but also deleting the 2-part split version, as some necessary edits had to be arranged for this long-awaited complete re-release of the Season 7 Premiere - one of which involves fusing BOTH PARTS, obviously!

NOW, FOR THE ABSOLUTE LAST TIME...

For those unaware of Tokimeki Memorial (ときめきメモリアル - TokiMemo), it's a franchise of dating simulators by Konami - popular in Japan but nowhere else.  You're assuming the role of a hopeful student who had just got into Kirameki Private High School, alongside a longtime playmate 
of his - Shiori Fujisaki (hence the franchise's iconic deuteragonist), one of many girls you'll be seeing, courting and/or taking out for dates as often as possible.  

Other supporting classmates include Yoshio Saotome who's great at providing info on the other girls at Kirameki, including his sister Yumi (forgive the spoiler); and especially the stuck-up rich blonde jackass, Rei Ijuin.  Regarding the bulk of the gameplay, you have to boost up the stats of 
your student character by improving his looks & athleticism, socializing often, catching up on studies and arts, participating in clubs or getting Z's while upkeeping and/or catching any particular dates with various girls - not just Shiori, of course - BUT DON'T ABANDON ANY OF THE GIRLS 
OFTEN, OR MISTREAT THEM, 'CAUSE THEIR FEELINGS DEPEND ON YOUR CHOICES (like in real life, obviously).  A 'bomb' indicating gossiping will appear if you screw any of 'em over, in which case - alternate your tactics accordingly.

Did I forget to mention I've managed to include on-screen translations for the purpose of this review (as I've done for other Japan-exclusive games)?!  Some may be imprecise, but hopefully they're engaging enough to pull everyone in somehow...