Time Leap
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese visual novel
developed by Front Wing
. It was first released as an adult game
for the PC
on December 27, 2007, and it was followed by an all-ages version release for the Xbox 360
on June 25, 2009. Time Leap is Front Wing's thirteenth title, along with previous titles such as Megachu!
. The game is Front Wing's first title to feature 3D computer graphics
, and utilizes anti-aliasing
and HDR rendering
technologies. The gameplay in Time Leap follows a linear plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios and courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters.
in Time Leap requires little player interaction as much of the time is spent on reading the text that appears on the lower portion of the screen, which represents either dialogue between characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point", where he or she is given the chance to choose from multiple options. The time between these points is variable and can occur anywhere from a minute to much longer. Gameplay pauses at these points and depending on which choice the player makes, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are five main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. To view all five plot lines, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and make different decisions to progress the plot in an alternate direction.
Outside of Time Leap normal gameplay, there are several additional content that serves to lengthen the game. A graphical benchmark was released both online and along with the game. To evaluate the graphic capabilities of the player's system, the benchmark generates a dance sequence featuring characters from the visual novel in real-time
. Prior to the evaluation, the benchmark also allows the player to modify multiple graphical settings, such as rendering techniques, visual appearance, and the characters' costumes. While the online version features the characters Ayumu and Ayumu Nagase singing the song, the version included with the game features the characters Ayumu Nagase and Yuu. Both of the versions feature the song "Happy Holiday". Subsequent versions that are included with image song
singles instead feature characters and songs from the respective CDs.
, and is also their first title to feature 3D computer graphics
. The producer for the game is Ryūichirō Yamakawa, as with their previous titles. The characters in the game are both designed and modeled by Ma@ya. The scenario for Time Leap were written by four people: Hare Kitagawa, Kazuya, Takeyuki Kizumi, and Eiji Narumi. Kazuya and Narumi has also provided the scenario for Time Leap Paradise along with Mai Shinjō. The development team for Time Leap, with the exception of Ma@ya and Kitagawa, has also worked on previous Front Wing titles such as Megachu!
. Kitagawa has previously also provided scenario for Minori
's Haru no Ashioto
.
Time-Leap utilizes various rendering techniques such as cel-shading and high dynamic range rendering
in its graphics processing, resulting in a 3D environment that resembles 2D animation. While graphics in the Xbox 360
version run at a consistent 60 frames per second
, frame rate in the PC
version is determined by various circumstances such as the game's native resolution, the rendering techniques being selected, and the player's graphics processing unit
.
of Time Leap was released online on August 3, 2009. The benchmark program consisted of a short conversation sequence typical of the gameplay
found in a visual novel
, and a real-time
dance sequence used to evaluate the graphic capabilities of the player's system. Time Leap was first released as an adult game
for the PC
on December 27, 2007 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition release, in addition to the game itself, contains a five hundred-page partial storyboard collection drawn by various artists such as Akio Watanabe
.
An all-ages version for the Xbox 360
was published by Prototype
on June 25, 2009 in limited and regular editions; the limited edition release includes a music album containing three tracks used in the version's benchmark. A PlayStation 3
version, also published by Prototype, will also be released in Fall 2011. The Xbox 360 version contains additional scenarios, graphics, and remastered, real-time rendered sequences in place of the pre-rendered sequences found in the original PC release, and the PS3 version will also provide stereoscopic 3D
compatibility.
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 Front Wing
Front Wing
is a Japanese visual novel studio that products that specializes in the production of adult visual novels. To date, the company has released 22 different games, came with three popular well-English released games/anime of Makai Tenshi Jibril, Majo no Ochakai and Canary...
. It was first released as an adult game
Eroge
An or Ero-ga is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. Eroge originated from galge, but unlike galge, they feature erotic/pornographic content.-History:...
for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
on December 27, 2007, and it was followed by an all-ages version release for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
on June 25, 2009. Time Leap is Front Wing's thirteenth title, along with previous titles such as Megachu!
Megachu!
, also known as Oh My Sex Goddess from the English Dub, is a three episode hentai anime series, based on the eroge series. It's company is made by Front Wing. The anime series was released on DVD in Japan by Milky Animation Label and MS Pictures in 2007. According to Yousai, this series is a...
. The game is Front Wing's first title to feature 3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
, and utilizes anti-aliasing
Anti-aliasing
In digital signal processing, spatial anti-aliasing is the technique of minimizing the distortion artifacts known as aliasing when representing a high-resolution image at a lower resolution...
and HDR rendering
High dynamic range rendering
In 3D computer graphics, high dynamic range rendering , also known as high dynamic range lighting, is the rendering of computer graphics scenes by using lighting calculations done in a larger dynamic range. This allows preservation of details that may be lost due to limiting contrast ratios...
technologies. The gameplay in Time Leap follows a linear plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios and courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters.
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...
in Time Leap requires little player interaction as much of the time is spent on reading the text that appears on the lower portion of the screen, which represents either dialogue between characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point", where he or she is given the chance to choose from multiple options. The time between these points is variable and can occur anywhere from a minute to much longer. Gameplay pauses at these points and depending on which choice the player makes, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are five main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. To view all five plot lines, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and make different decisions to progress the plot in an alternate direction.
Outside of Time Leap normal gameplay, there are several additional content that serves to lengthen the game. A graphical benchmark was released both online and along with the game. To evaluate the graphic capabilities of the player's system, the benchmark generates a dance sequence featuring characters from the visual novel in real-time
Real-time computer graphics
Real-time computer graphics is the subfield of computer graphics focused on producing and analyzing images in real time. The term is most often used in reference to interactive 3D computer graphics, typically using a GPU, with video games the most noticeable users...
. Prior to the evaluation, the benchmark also allows the player to modify multiple graphical settings, such as rendering techniques, visual appearance, and the characters' costumes. While the online version features the characters Ayumu and Ayumu Nagase singing the song, the version included with the game features the characters Ayumu Nagase and Yuu. Both of the versions feature the song "Happy Holiday". Subsequent versions that are included with image song
Image song
An image song or character song is a song on a tie-in single or album for an anime, game or dorama that is usually sung by the seiyū or actor of a character, in character...
singles instead feature characters and songs from the respective CDs.
Development
Time Leap is the thirteenth title developed by Front WingFront Wing
is a Japanese visual novel studio that products that specializes in the production of adult visual novels. To date, the company has released 22 different games, came with three popular well-English released games/anime of Makai Tenshi Jibril, Majo no Ochakai and Canary...
, and is also their first title to feature 3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
. The producer for the game is Ryūichirō Yamakawa, as with their previous titles. The characters in the game are both designed and modeled by Ma@ya. The scenario for Time Leap were written by four people: Hare Kitagawa, Kazuya, Takeyuki Kizumi, and Eiji Narumi. Kazuya and Narumi has also provided the scenario for Time Leap Paradise along with Mai Shinjō. The development team for Time Leap, with the exception of Ma@ya and Kitagawa, has also worked on previous Front Wing titles such as Megachu!
Megachu!
, also known as Oh My Sex Goddess from the English Dub, is a three episode hentai anime series, based on the eroge series. It's company is made by Front Wing. The anime series was released on DVD in Japan by Milky Animation Label and MS Pictures in 2007. According to Yousai, this series is a...
. Kitagawa has previously also provided scenario for Minori
Minori
is a Japanese visual novel company which created the games Bittersweet Fools, Wind: A Breath of Heart, Haru no Ashioto and Angel Type. Their latest game as of 2009 is Eden*...
's Haru no Ashioto
Haru no Ashioto
is a Japanese adult visual novel by Minori released on July 23, 2004. A PlayStation 2 port, , was released on April 6, 2006, and a fandisc, , was released on March 31, 2006. The deluxe Step of Spring Paku Paku Pack comes with puppets of the three main heroines . Also, the Paku Paku Pack box is...
.
Time-Leap utilizes various rendering techniques such as cel-shading and high dynamic range rendering
High dynamic range rendering
In 3D computer graphics, high dynamic range rendering , also known as high dynamic range lighting, is the rendering of computer graphics scenes by using lighting calculations done in a larger dynamic range. This allows preservation of details that may be lost due to limiting contrast ratios...
in its graphics processing, resulting in a 3D environment that resembles 2D animation. While graphics in the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version run at a consistent 60 frames per second
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
, frame rate in the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
version is determined by various circumstances such as the game's native resolution, the rendering techniques being selected, and the player's graphics processing unit
Graphics processing unit
A graphics processing unit or GPU is a specialized circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory in such a way so as to accelerate the building of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display...
.
Release history
Before the game's release, a benchmarkBenchmark (computing)
In computing, a benchmark is the act of running a computer program, a set of programs, or other operations, in order to assess the relative performance of an object, normally by running a number of standard tests and trials against it...
of Time Leap was released online on August 3, 2009. The benchmark program consisted of a short conversation sequence typical of the gameplay
Gameplay
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...
found in a 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...
, and a real-time
Real-time computer graphics
Real-time computer graphics is the subfield of computer graphics focused on producing and analyzing images in real time. The term is most often used in reference to interactive 3D computer graphics, typically using a GPU, with video games the most noticeable users...
dance sequence used to evaluate the graphic capabilities of the player's system. Time Leap was first released as an adult game
Eroge
An or Ero-ga is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. Eroge originated from galge, but unlike galge, they feature erotic/pornographic content.-History:...
for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
on December 27, 2007 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition release, in addition to the game itself, contains a five hundred-page partial storyboard collection drawn by various artists such as Akio Watanabe
Akio Watanabe
is a Japanese animator, character designer and animation director currently living in Tokyo, Japan. He often goes by the pseudonym Poyoyon Rock...
.
An all-ages version for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
was published by Prototype
Prototype (company)
is a Japanese software company established on March 27, 2006 by Toshio Tabeta, a former producer of Interchannel. While still with Interchannel, Tabeta's team was responsible for mainly developing and publishing versions of visual novels originally published by Visual Art's for consumer platforms...
on June 25, 2009 in limited and regular editions; the limited edition release includes a music album containing three tracks used in the version's benchmark. A PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version, also published by Prototype, will also be released in Fall 2011. The Xbox 360 version contains additional scenarios, graphics, and remastered, real-time rendered sequences in place of the pre-rendered sequences found in the original PC release, and the PS3 version will also provide stereoscopic 3D
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
compatibility.