Core Awaken ~Jilelen and LittleSnow~

**Core Awaken 2.5 ~Jilelen with LittleSnow and the Crimson Dungeon~** (機核覚醒2.5～ジレレンと小雪精と深紅迷宮, *Kikaku Kakusei 2.5 ~Jilelen to Xiao Xue Jing to Shinku Meikyuu)*, is an R-18 action game for the PC, initially released via DLsite on November 28, 2019. It is currently available there and through DMM Games. The game was later released for Steam on June 19, 2020 with the erotic elements removed.

## Gameplay

The game is a 2D platformer with 3D-rendered character models and dungeons, incorporating the aforementioned action style with RPG elements in a system dubbed *"Metroidvania"* by some gamers. There are a multitude of branching paths, some to advance the plot and the others leading to optional sections with collectible items and treasures.

Each robot character possesses unique abilities integral to uncovering the secrets of the Crimson Dungeon's ruins: Jilelen can push some blocks and use learned Elemental Magic to attack, activate devices or break seals, while LittleSnow can destroy certain objects or push big switches with her trusty hammer and use various items for recovery, excavation and puzzle-solving. Jilelen and LittleSnow will both gain the ability to transform into certain kinds of beasts as the plot advances, which also aids in exploration.

Enemies have two kinds of attacks in the original game: a standard damaging skill and a corruption move where they attempt to initiate forced intercourse with any of the two characters. To prevent this, the player has to tap the left and right directional keys to break free or switch to the other character and destroy the offending monster/trap. There is a risk of both characters being subject to it if there are other enemies nearby, however. The latter attack also infects certain body parts, impairing the corresponding statistic tied to it; for example, if the arms are compromised, attack power will go down. All kinds of damage can be repaired by returning to the base camp, which can be done at any time.

Enemies also have levels that gradually increase as the story progresses. The base level, status effects and attack patterns will depend on which difficulty mode was selected.

Characters can be powered-up by spending EXP to upgrade body parts or by equipping various kinds of DNA samples found in the ruins. These DNA attachments also have random passive abilities as well as set effects, adding a customization feature.

The extra unlockable difficulty added in the final update called *"No Future"* not only gives enemies a high starting level, it also introduces the Nightmare Crystals. These strange artifacts remain hidden until all enemies inside the room are defeated. Once they appear, the Nightmare Crystals can be broken. If left alone, their influence will make the final boss virtually impossible to defeat.

## Plot

"*The (self-styled) Great Detective Jilelen will uncover the secret of the ruins, then use the ancient power within to conquer the world! Wahahahahaha~*"—**Jilelen**, ***Core Awaken ~Jilelen and LittleSnow~***

Though her half-baked plan for brainwashing the express train passengers was foiled by Yuka during the Core Rebellion Incident, the JilPhone 11 smartphone-turned-robot Jilelen has not completely given up on her ambitions for world domination. She later hears about ancient magic powers sealed away in the Crimson Dungeon, which she excitedly reports to Rurumu. However, Jilelen has no idea what equipment nor attire would be suitable for ruin exploration, which she is dead set on doing no matter what.

Having recently gotten hooked on a weekly detective anthology show, Rurumu invariably associates the expedition with sleuthing. As such, she fashions an E-Coat that gives Jilelen the appearance of a certain famous detective from classical literature in just three hours. With that, The self-styled Great Detective Jilelen sets off for the Crimson Dungeon. Things seemed to be going well until a freak disaster threatens her progress.

After being rescued by the half-monster scientist Rimu and the bio-robot hybrid Xiao Xue Jing *(a.k.a. LittleSnow)*, Jilelen soon finds herself becoming part of Rimu's biological research *(and later, investigation)* team. Their primary objective is to collect DNA specimens from various creatures inside the ruins with the ultimate goal being to develop a way for robots to get pregnant and give birth, solving the current population crisis in the process.

Despite protests from Jing Ling, LittleSnow also participates in the exploration movement to further the group's sample-gathering efforts and keep Jilelen out of trouble.

## Characters

* Jilelen
* LittleSnow
* Rimu
* Ma Jing Ling
* The Mysterious Cat

## Gallery

### Screenshots

Title Screen.Plot point dialogue.Screenshot of the unique effect when importing the original save to the Steam version.
## Steam Version Changes

To make the game suitable for a general audience, the following changes were applied to the Steam release:

* Explicit events and CGs were removed, some artwork revised.
* Bestiary demonstrations disabled.
* E-Coat (clothes) setting and tummy bump feature removed.
* Sexual Experience and body part sensitivity level tables removed from character status screen.
* Traps removed from bestiary and now only cause damage.
* Kakin House removed, since it only serves as an instant CG/Event/Bestiary unlock and Sexual Experience stat reset hub.

## Notes & Trivia

* Though the game is the third title in the Core Awaken series, it is marked as "2.5", implying that it is a side story.
* The save data from the original R-18 game can be imported to the Steam version. This causes an interesting model change since the clothes toggling option was taken out of the latter: If a character is set to be naked in the original game, the Steam version will only remove the lesser articles *(hats, socks, etc.)* and will stay that way unless reconfigured using the former.

## External Links

* Celusis Lab Blog (Japanese/Chinese)
* Steam Game Page