Sakura Angels Review

  After have tried Sakura Agents I wanted to give these visual novels another go to see if they get any better.  They actually kind of do but they are still not too much more than fan service mixed with some light storytelling and a few chances to pick some actions.  Sakura Angels by Winged Cloud is still not what I would call a great gaming experience but it is some light entertainment as long as you have given up your scruples.

The Game:   

  Sakura Angels is a visual novel that takes place in some random town.  (In Japan maybe?)  You will be following the story of a high school student by the name of Kenta who is just living an average life until he is visited by his two strangers who protect him from an attack by a creature of the shadows.  They turn out to be two guardian angels sent to protect you from evil.  Sayaka is a quirky outgoing extrovert while she is counterbalanced by her partner Hikari who is shyer and reserved.

  You will click your way through the text of the novel making some decisions along the way that can slightly vary what happens in the story.  This is all dialog based so you will just be reading while every once in a while you will change backdrops in the story or the characters will move around.  There is some animation and the people you interact with will give you some reaction but its mostly static.

  There is an auto function for when you get tired of clicking and it comes with the standard save and load functionality that visual novels come with.  There is also a gallery in the opening screen that you will display pictures of your more "memorable" moments. Basically when they are wearing the least amount of clothes.  This is for adults if you haven't caught on by now. (kind of for adults)

My Thoughts:

  These "games" are a bit difficult for me to cover because in one respect I know what it is I am playing and my public face should be telling you it's all awful and embarrassing but really it's not that bad.  Sakura Angels is not really meant to be anything besides what it is.  For a visual novel, it's really not bad.  The voice acting was all in Japanese and sounded fine to me.  There really wasn't any moments that I was completely taken out by it.  Granted I don't understand it but I think the voices fit the character.

  The story was a bit campy but it wasn't bad.  It isn't really taking any deep philosophical dives but it also has a point.  Well, most of it has a point.  The beach scene just seems to be a mandate for these "games" and only vaguely built on the story.  It was more for character relationship development and of course an excuse to draw the two angels in bathing suits.  

  There were quite a few choices and in my run, I missed a few that led to two pictures I never received in my gallery. I can't say I am compelled to go back and get them even though I save the game on spots that require a decision.  

The characters were well drawn and some of the backgrounds were even animated, which is a lot more effort than I have seen in these novels thus far.  This was released on steam so I can't be fully sure what was edited out either, I know they tend to make these novels sensor themselves to get on.

  Visual novels are an acquired taste for sure and I think Sakura Angel is an alright one. It's nothing that is going to make it to a top running anime but its a few hours of entertainment with some scantly characters from someone's fantasy. It isn't the worst thing I have played and it is a light time filler.  Can I recommend it? If you find it on a bundle or for a discount and you are into this type of experience. 

TL;DR:

  Sakura Angels is a visual novel full that is what it is.  It's not great but it's not bad and will deliver a mildly entertaining experience while dotting the game with some scantly drawn anime chicks.  If you have some time and are into these it might worth a cheap pick up.