Memories Off 5 The Unfinished Film
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese romance visual novel
developed by KID
and published by CyberFront for the PlayStation 2
console. It was released on October 27, 2005 and is the fifth game in the Memories Off
series. A port for the PlayStation Portable
handheld developed and published by 5pb.
was released on January 29, 2009. A sequel named was released for the PlayStation 2 on July 12, 2007. Its PlayStation Portable port was released on September 17, 2009. The gameplay of Memories Off 5 follows linear plot line, which offers different pre-determined scenarios and events, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters.
The story of Memories Off 5 has been adapted into novels and a one-episode anime
OVA
has also been released. Memories Off 5: Encore has also been adapted into a novel.
of Memories Off 5 requires minimal interaction from the player as much of the time is spent in reading the text that appears in the bottom of the screen. The text that is displayed represents either the dialogue between the characters or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Once in a while, the player will be presented will arrive at a "decision point". The game pauses at this point and lists some choices for the player to pick. Based on the choices that are selected, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are five main plot lines in the game, each corresponding to one of the main female characters. The player will have to replay the game multiple times to experience all of the endings.
is a friend of Haruto's and is a member of the CUM society. is another friend of Haruto's and is also a member of the CUM society. He has feelings for Asuka. is a new member of the CUM society and also a character from Memories Off: Sorekara, the previous game in the Memories Off series. is a cousin of Haruto's who also happens to be a classmate and close friend of Asuka's. is the manager of the fast food restaurant that Haruto and Asuka works at. is Haruto's neighbour.
.
, another game that was under development by KID
, was originally in danger of not being released after KID filed for bankruptcy in 2006. However, both games were resurrected after CyberFront purchased KID's intellectual properties in 2007.
The game was later ported to the PlayStation Portable and was released on September 17, 2009. For the PlayStation Portable's limited edition, a postcard set and a drama CD was included. The PlayStation Portable release of Encore includes screen capture
feature that allows the player to save images onto a memory stick.
Encore introduces a new character named . She comes in contact with the main characters after bumping into Kazuki Mishima at a video rental store. The character designs for Akina was done by Yukihiro Matsuo. Encore takes place in December, about half a year after the events of Memories Off 5, and ends in the following February. In this game, the player is able to experience the story from different perspectives besides that of Haruto Kawai. Encore also only focuses on three heroines whereas previous titles in the Memories Off series tended to feature four to six heroines.
on November 30, 2005 which included illustrations and information about the game's plot. Enterbrain also published two other novel adaptations, and , written by Chabō Higurashi. The novels were published on November 30, 2005 and December 24, 2005 respectively.
A visual fan book for Encore was published by Jive
on September 1, 2007. The fan book includes art by Yukihiro Matsuo and Takayuki Koshimizu as well as interview with the development staff members. A novel was published on September 21, 2007.
OVA
episode titled "Memories Off 5 the Animation", which aired on March 29, 2006.
and written by Chiyomaru Shikura. The soundtrack for Memories Off 5 was released on November 10, 2005. Neal Chandran of RPGFan noted that while "[it is] nothing revolutionary for Takeshi Abo...", "[it] is definitely Takeshi Abo's strongest Memories Off soundtrack [based on what he has heard]".
The opening theme for Memories Off 5: Encore, , like "Orange" from Memories Off 5, is performed by Ayane and written by Shikura. "Kimi ga Ita Shōko" was arranged by Toshimichi Isoe. The soundtrack for Encore was released on July 12, 2007 as a bonus item with the limited edition of the game. From the soundtrack, Patrick Gann of RPGFan felt the opening theme to be the weakest song in the collection.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese romance visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
developed by KID
KID
KID, whose name is an acronym of Kindle Imagine Develop, was a Japan-based company specializing in porting and developing bishōjo games....
and published by CyberFront for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
console. It was released on October 27, 2005 and is the fifth game in the Memories Off
Memories Off
is the title of a series of Japanese romance visual novel video games released by KID. The first game in the series, simply called Memories Off, was released in 1999 for the PlayStation. Memories Off titles have been released on the PC as well as video and handheld gaming consoles such as the...
series. A port for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
handheld developed and published by 5pb.
5pb.
is a Japanese video game manufacturer and record label for video game and anime music. 5pb. formed on April 6, 2005 after Chiyomaru Shikura left Scitron to begin the company as its executive director, the position he still holds. The company name is derived from the phrase "The Five powered &...
was released on January 29, 2009. A sequel named was released for the PlayStation 2 on July 12, 2007. Its PlayStation Portable port was released on September 17, 2009. The gameplay of Memories Off 5 follows linear plot line, which offers different pre-determined scenarios and events, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters.
The story of Memories Off 5 has been adapted into novels and a one-episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
OVA
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
has also been released. Memories Off 5: Encore has also been adapted into a novel.
Gameplay
The gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
of Memories Off 5 requires minimal interaction from the player as much of the time is spent in reading the text that appears in the bottom of the screen. The text that is displayed represents either the dialogue between the characters or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Once in a while, the player will be presented will arrive at a "decision point". The game pauses at this point and lists some choices for the player to pick. Based on the choices that are selected, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are five main plot lines in the game, each corresponding to one of the main female characters. The player will have to replay the game multiple times to experience all of the endings.
Characters
The player takes on the role of , the protagonist of Memories Off 5. Haruto is a university student and a member of the . is a close friend of Haruto's. He was in the process of completing the planning for a film he thought of when he died in an accident one year prior to the events of the game. is a senior high school student and the sister of Yūsuke. is an acquaintance of Yūsuke's and is at odds with Haruto and the other members of the CUM society as she claims to be responsible for Yūsuke's death.is a friend of Haruto's and is a member of the CUM society. is another friend of Haruto's and is also a member of the CUM society. He has feelings for Asuka. is a new member of the CUM society and also a character from Memories Off: Sorekara, the previous game in the Memories Off series. is a cousin of Haruto's who also happens to be a classmate and close friend of Asuka's. is the manager of the fast food restaurant that Haruto and Asuka works at. is Haruto's neighbour.
Development
The characters of Memories Off 5 were designed by Yukihiro Matsuo and Takayuki Koshimizu. The music was composed by Takeshi AboTakeshi Abo
is a Japanese video game composer. He was employed by KID beginning in 1990, and joined 5pb. in December 2006 after KID declared bankruptcy.-Discography:*Chaos;Head*Close to ~Inori no Oka*Famicom8BIT - momo-i*Gokujyou Seitokai*Iris ~Irisu~...
.
Release history
Memories Off 5 was first released for the PlayStation 2 in regular and limited editions on October 27, 2005. The limited edition includes a special book and an original drama CD. The PlayStation Portable port of Memories Off 5 was released in both regular and limited editions on January 29, 2009. The limited edition included a soundtrack CD, a vocal CD containing character songs of the heroines and the opening and ending themes, an "AfterStory" novel, a book regarding the details of the game, and a DVD for the Memories Off 5 OVA animation. The "AfterStory" novel tells the story of the main characters between the events of Memories Off 5 and Memories Off 5: Encore.Memories Off 5: Encore
Memories Off 5: Encore is the sequel to Memories Off 5 and was released on July 12, 2007 for the PlayStation 2. The limited edition PlayStation 2 release included a soundtrack for the game. The scenarios for Encore were written by Masashi Takimoto, Naotaka Hayashi, and Haruhisa Kujira. The music for Encore was composed by Takeshi Abo who also composed the music for Memories Off 5. Encore, and 12Riven12Riven
12Riven ―the Ψcliminal of integral― is a Japanese visual novel developed by KID, Cyberfront, and SDR Project and that was released on March 13, 2008 for the PlayStation 2. There is a regular edition, and a special edition which included the game's original soundtrack...
, another game that was under development by KID
KID
KID, whose name is an acronym of Kindle Imagine Develop, was a Japan-based company specializing in porting and developing bishōjo games....
, was originally in danger of not being released after KID filed for bankruptcy in 2006. However, both games were resurrected after CyberFront purchased KID's intellectual properties in 2007.
The game was later ported to the PlayStation Portable and was released on September 17, 2009. For the PlayStation Portable's limited edition, a postcard set and a drama CD was included. The PlayStation Portable release of Encore includes screen capture
Screenshot
A screenshot , screen capture , screen dump, screengrab , or print screen is an image taken by a computer to record the visible items displayed on the monitor, television, or another visual output device...
feature that allows the player to save images onto a memory stick.
Encore introduces a new character named . She comes in contact with the main characters after bumping into Kazuki Mishima at a video rental store. The character designs for Akina was done by Yukihiro Matsuo. Encore takes place in December, about half a year after the events of Memories Off 5, and ends in the following February. In this game, the player is able to experience the story from different perspectives besides that of Haruto Kawai. Encore also only focuses on three heroines whereas previous titles in the Memories Off series tended to feature four to six heroines.
Books
A 128-page visual fan book of Memories Off 5 was published by EnterbrainEnterbrain
is a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
on November 30, 2005 which included illustrations and information about the game's plot. Enterbrain also published two other novel adaptations, and , written by Chabō Higurashi. The novels were published on November 30, 2005 and December 24, 2005 respectively.
A visual fan book for Encore was published by Jive
Jive (publisher)
is a Japanese publishing company in Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan and was established on May 12, 2003. In 2004, the company sold its stock to Poplar Publishing and now Jive is an affiliate of that company....
on September 1, 2007. The fan book includes art by Yukihiro Matsuo and Takayuki Koshimizu as well as interview with the development staff members. A novel was published on September 21, 2007.
Anime
Memories Off 5 was adapted into a single animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
OVA
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
episode titled "Memories Off 5 the Animation", which aired on March 29, 2006.
Music
Memories Off 5 has two main theme songs, the opening theme, "Orange" and the ending theme, . Both of the theme songs were sung by AyaneAyane (singer)
is a female Japanese singer who has performed theme songs for games and anime. She made her major singing debut in 2004 with the single KIZUNA～絆. Her first album ARCHIVE LOVERS was released in 2007. She is attached to 5pb...
and written by Chiyomaru Shikura. The soundtrack for Memories Off 5 was released on November 10, 2005. Neal Chandran of RPGFan noted that while "[it is] nothing revolutionary for Takeshi Abo...", "[it] is definitely Takeshi Abo's strongest Memories Off soundtrack [based on what he has heard]".
The opening theme for Memories Off 5: Encore, , like "Orange" from Memories Off 5, is performed by Ayane and written by Shikura. "Kimi ga Ita Shōko" was arranged by Toshimichi Isoe. The soundtrack for Encore was released on July 12, 2007 as a bonus item with the limited edition of the game. From the soundtrack, Patrick Gann of RPGFan felt the opening theme to be the weakest song in the collection.
External links
- Official website
- Official SuperLite 2000 edition website
- Official PlayStation Portable port website
- TTIME MO#5 page