Detour ② — A Certain Player's Prologue

"Alright, it's time, so let's get started! "War Fairy" Pre-Launch Official Live Broadcast! I'm Tanaka, the PR guy you're all familiar with."

"Tanaka again?! We've been waiting for this!"
"Can't wait for WF!"
"Congrats on hitting the preregistration goal!"
"The name is kinda lame, isn't it?"
"← We're not supposed to say that, lol."

"And this time, we've got two amazing guests joining us. First up, playing the role of Rene..."

"I'm Momiji Kyoka! It's a pleasure to be here!"

"Momiji-chan!"
"She's cute!"
"← Momiji-chan is beautiful, you bastard!"
"Her fuse is way too short, lol."
"Beautiful AND cute, final answer!"
"Marry me."

"And next, playing the role of Roiber Christeph..."

"I'm Tsukasa Susukiya. Let's get hyped today, too!"

"Su-san!"
"Su-san is here!"
"As expected, that voice is amazing."
"Even as a guy, I could fall for that voice."
"┌(┌^o^)┐"
"Don't get excited, don't get excited, lol."
"Return to the Sea of Rot..."

"Since we're just before launch, we've got tons of important information, including details about the launch celebration events! So, first, I'd like to ask our two guests—"

"—And with that, the broadcast is coming to an end! Everyone, please enjoy "War Fairy"!"

It was exactly 9:00 PM. When I opened the app store, sure enough, the game was available for download.

Without hesitation, I started the download.

………

...Looks like the servers are getting hammered, so it's a little slow. Well, I figured something like this would happen.

For now, I'll just leave it alone and wait a little.

"War Fairy," commonly known as WF. People often make fun of how lame the name is, but the thing is, that everything is abnormal. The fact that a game with such a lame name is already this hot is weird.

Even after reading the "Introduction" and "Worldview" sections published on the official website, there isn't anything particularly novel about them. Trite. That's right. Each individual element is nothing more than something you could find just about anywhere.

And yet, despite that, it became a hot topic. The commercials must have played a major role. We're living in an era where people seriously discuss how everyone is "moving away from television," but television still has tremendous power. Through TV, WF burned its gorgeous graphics and exhilarating BGM into people's minds. Of course, the commercials on other media were practically perfect as well.

Apparently, that Tanaka guy who appeared on the livestream was being entrusted with his first major job. In other words, that's what this was all about. Naturally, the production team's skill must have played a part too, but there was no doubt that guy's promotional ability was extraordinary.

...However, no matter how successful the advertising is or how much buzz a game generates, people will leave if the game itself isn't fun. That's obvious.

Alongside managing and operating various game strategy sites, I also write game reviews. I intend to properly evaluate this game without letting its popularity or hype cloud my judgment.

While I was thinking about all this aimlessly, it seemed the download had finally finished.

I immediately launched the app.

First, a short video began playing. It was a sweeping view of the world of "Chaos," the setting of the story, as though the camera were flying all around it. As expected, the visuals were gorgeous. Apparently, this was a special video exclusive to the first startup, different from the commercials, and I couldn't help getting excited. It gave me that feeling of, "So this is the world I'm going to explore from here on out...!" As expected, the developers really understood what made games appealing.

The BGM was fantastic, too. How should I put it? It made me feel like a kid again. It reminded me of when I begged my parents to buy me a cartridge of a famous title for one of those old clamshell handheld game consoles on release day. It was a weekday, so I went to school, then hurried home with excitement and launched it the moment I got back. Back then, the music that started playing the instant I turned it on sent my excitement through the roof.

And then the story's prologue began.

An ordinary person is kidnapped by some sort of supernatural entity, informed of an impending crisis, and entrusted with saving the world.

It's a pretty standard development. Especially the sort of thing overflowing from online novels these days.

...Although I wasn't expecting them to immediately do a complete about-face and erase his memories.

When the protagonist wakes up, he's in a place with scenery completely different from what he'd seen before.

Before long, a still illustration appeared, showing a black-haired girl peering down at me against a blue sky.

Hmm. Looks like this girl, "Rene," is the main heroine.

"Before you ask, you should introduce yourself first. What's your name?"

Looks like this is where I enter my player name.

If I remember correctly, the default name for the protagonist introduced on the official website was "Kizuna Harukawa."

I like immersing myself in the world of a story, so I deliberately enter the default name. It's one of my little personal rules when playing games.

After that, various things happened, and a battle began.

Apparently, it's a tutorial meant to explain the battle system.

...The main heroine wielding a scythe is a little unusual. I wonder if it has some sort of instant-death effect?

I place Rene in an attacking position and attack the enemy.

Then, after the attack effect plays, the number 120 appears.

"When you perform an "Attack," you deal damage to your opponent and reduce their "HP (Health Points)." The higher the attacking character's "STR (Attack)," the greater the damage. Conversely, the higher the opponent's "VIT (Durability)," the lower the damage."

Hmm, I see. Pretty standard. Though there's really no point in making this complicated. If it's too complicated, it actually turns me off a little. Of course, from the perspective of deep gameplay, that kind of thing can work. But that's not what I want from a mobile game.

"When a character's HP reaches 0 from an enemy attack, they enter the "Incapacitated" state. Characters in this state cannot participate in battle. If the player's HP reaches 0, you lose and the quest fails."

So "Incapacitated" is a status condition. The fact that it's presented this way means there'll probably be some kind of revival mechanic later on. Hmm. That broadens the range of possible strategies. In that sense, you could say the battle system requires some thought.

Come to think of it, they did announce beforehand that the game was going for battles where you enjoy fighting by the skin of your teeth rather than simple combat.

"When a character or player attacks or is attacked, their skill gauge increases. Once it reaches a certain value, the character's unique "Secret Art" becomes available. The player can then activate their "Player Skill.""

Hmm, hmm. I see. So basically, it's a "special move." How impressive these are visually will probably have a big impact on the game's evaluation, but we'll see.

"The player's skill gauge is full. Player Skills are effective for supporting allied characters or hindering enemy opponents. Try selecting "Fire Magic" from the commands."

I follow the instructions and select the command.

A fire-based attack is launched, and when the damage lands, the enemy's defensive buff is removed.

"The enemy has been left open. Finish the fight with a "Secret Art.""

"—My victory. See ya."

And with that signature line, Rene's Secret Art, "That Parting Guided by Fate," activates, bringing the battle to an end.

I see. The game system is a simple turn-based system. The controls aren't particularly difficult either.

However, the fact that there isn't an auto-battle feature means this is the kind of game where farming is going to eat up your time...?

Victory Rewards

Quest Skip Ticket ×1

Kizuna Fragment (R) ×1

Kizuna Crystal ×3

500 G

Skip Tickets! Now that's nice. Apparently there's a limit on how many you can use, but this should make farming much less tedious.

After that, it turns out there's actually another powerful enemy, so the protagonist and Rene decide to flee to a nearby town. There, "asking for help" = "the first ten-pull gacha," apparently.

The transition into the gacha feels a little forced... But I suppose they can't exactly call it "Summoning" for worldbuilding reasons, so it can't be helped. Even the name is "Scout" rather than "Summon."

For now, I'll do the free ten-pull.

At least for the first one, I should enjoy the summoning animation instead of skipping it.

A beautiful golden effect flashes...

A high-rarity pull right away!?

"Moonlit Gentleman Thief Roiber Christeph (SR)"

"—You say you're going to end this eternal war? Ridiculous... But I don't hate the idea. Fine. I'll go along with you. You can pay me afterward."

Oh!! It's Su-san's character! What a great start!

Next... Looks like a normal effect.

"Twilight Shield Lo-Dusk (R)"

Hm? A weapon? I see. So the gacha can give both weapons and characters at the same time. But the official livestream mentioned a "Launch Celebration Equipment Gacha." So does that mean there are also gachas that give "characters only" or "equipment only," depending on the banner?

Next... Huh!? A rainbow-colored effect!?

"Adventurous King Advanced (SSR)"

"Hm? What is it, lad? I sense a strange flow around you. ...What? You want to bring peace to the world?

GAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! This eternal chaos!? How amusing! Count me in! My little incognito vacation has turned into a grand adventure! This is why I can never give up adventuring!"

We got some guy who looks really strong━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━!!

He's a muscle-bound old geezer. These types are usually strong.

And then another golden effect!

"Guardian Knight Sir William (SR)"

"Bring peace to the world... Strangely, I cannot sense a lie in your words. You may lack strength, but your resolve is unwavering, is it? Perhaps it is people like you who end up changing the world. Very well. I, Knight William, shall lend you a small measure of assistance along the path of my own mission."

Oh! Another character who looks really strong. He's a handsome man clad in pure-white armor.

"Seeker Vermond (R)"

"Hmm, an evil that would devour even the world... Fascinating. Truly fascinating. Please allow this Vermond to accompany you on your journey. I assure you, I shall prove to be of assistance."

This one looks like some kind of emaciated researcher. He has enormous dark circles under his eyes. The mad-scientist vibe is incredible.

After that, the remaining pulls were equipment: "Twilight Armor Li-Dusk (R)," "Sacred Sword Lua (R)," "Guardian Bow Caelum (SR)," "Scorching Sand Spear La-Samak (R)," and "Ice Demon Sword Riot-Orm (SSR)," bringing the pull to an end.

Then a choice appears:

"Reroll?"

Apparently, you can reroll up to ten times.

Hmm. This is a tough one. A very tough one. I did a quick search on social media, and apparently the maximum is one character SSR and one equipment SSR. If that's the case, isn't this result good enough?

However, having every single character be a man is... rather overwhelmingly masculine.

I kind of want a little more eye candy... No, but still...

After struggling with the decision for a while, I ultimately decided to start the game without rerolling.

I also posted a screenshot of my gacha results on social media.

Well, my evaluation of this game isn't over yet. For now, I think I'll play the hell out of it today!

★ Character Introductions

・Momiji Kyoka（椛 京華 / もみじ きょうか）　Nickname: Momiji-chan, Momi-chan
　Plays Rene. A woman with a cool, composed air, and she herself considers that to be the kind of character she is. However, apparently she can also be quite scatterbrained at times.

・Tsukasa Susukiya（芒屋 月冴 / すすきや つかさ）　Nickname: Su-san
　Plays the gentleman thief Roiber Christeph. A veteran voice actor with a great, deep, handsome voice. His personality is just as cool and charming.

・The Strategy-Site Operator
　He considers himself a professional who critically evaluates games with a strict eye, but at heart, he's really just a hardcore, genuine game lover through and through. He later discovers that his first gacha pull was an exceptionally lucky one.