I’ve just realized I’ve never written a review about the first Norn9 game, but I guess writing my opinion about Last Era is better than nothing! But before we start, let me explain briefly my overall experience with this series.

I was really hyped when the original Norn9 was released, since I was blinded by the beautiful art and the setting fascinated me.

I barely started playing otoge at that time, my japanese skills were too basic to understand and the english localization was far from being released.

I was dying to reach a decent level that would allow me to play on my own, and when I thought I was ready, I started playing with huge expectations.

But I admit it, the result was… meh. It’ wasn’t bad, I enjoyed it overall, but it didn’t blow me away as I hoped.

Mainly, my problem was the number of datable characters: they are 9, split up in groups for 3 different heroines. Honestly, if at first I was really excited to have such a huge choice of ikemen, at some point I felt tired and bored of similar scenarios and I just wanted the game to end.

Some routes felt totally added just to reach a certain number, but the writers ran out of ideas.

I played Masamune last and I was falling asleep the whole time.

Having 3 heroines was an original concept, but their personalities are too defined for me, I couldn’t fully relate to any of them since they were too stereotyped: we get a tsundere, a kuudere and a pure angel. Where is a normal girl with a personality and reactions I can relate to?!

I felt trapped into a character who doesn’t suit me the whole time, while I was forced to make choices I hated just to reach an happy ending.

I don’t dislike these girls, but I think they were perfect for an anime or manga, not for an otome game.

Now, let’s talk about Last Era.

The first part of the game is a Prelude, that shows how the boys first met each other while leaving their families and normal lives, to start their mission with the Norn.

I think the most interesting scenes were Natsuhiko and Ron’s parts, since we could see them preparing their strategy to enter the ship and successfully kill the members.

Also, this was probably the first time I thought Ron was funny, maybe I’ve come to like him a little bit more.

The first route I played was Sakuya, since he’s my best boy.

As usual, he’s too sweet for this world and we don’t deserve a prince like him; if I were Mikoto, I’d cherish him way more and appreciate everything he does as he deserves.

He absolutely adores her, where else can you find another man like him?!

Sadly, the writers decided to focus more on the overall plot, instead of showing us their relationship.

After the boring stuff, when they were finally free and they lived together, I hoped to see cute scenes, maybe even something sexy (we know Sakuya is desperate, come on!! he doesn’t show it only because he respects Mikoto too much!!), but sadly there was angst, a final hug, promises of happiness…………….. then a time skip of years where we find them already married and with a child. WHY?? writers, why??? they basically ignored the most interesting parts!! let them kiss at least, I want to see them act like a real couple! I’m so disappointed.

Senri’s route made a miracle happen: I liked Koharu!!! I really, really appreciated her sweetness!

I used to dislike her and I thought Senri’s route was boring in the first game, since I couldn’t see him as a romantic interest at all, but I’ve completely changed my mind.

They are a cute couple and I love how they support each other.

Heishi was….. the usual Heishi: happy, innocent, irresponsible and childish.

I don’t dislike him, I’ve always thought he’s a great match for Nanami, since he can help her to become more carefree. But still, sometimes I felt like she had to take care of him as a child, because he keeps making risky actions without thinking about the possible consequences.

It wasn’t a great route, but I still consider them one of my favorite couple.

Itsuki’s route made another miracle possible: I finally ended up liking and trusting him!

I’ve never thought it could be possible, but for the first time I acknowledged their chemistry and I could accept Mikoto marrying a man who is not Sakuya. It wasn’t easy.

Itsuki is actually my type, I like those playboys usually, but the first game made him seem too superficial and empty, he couldn’t win against a desperate childhood friend.

Now I can finally see his love and resolution to make Mikoto happy, so I can approve them!

Masamune was a bit boring as usual, but I admit I kinda appreciate him now; I used to think he existed just to give annoying explanations and I still think he lacks personality, but he’s a good boyfriend for Koharu and they look cute together.

Ron’s route tried to make him look like a sweet guy, who lost his memory to start anew, but his creepy personality was somehow still the same; I couldn’t fully trust him, he seems completely crazy and without any kind of common sense. Nanami deserves a lot better.

Kakeru was so boring, I was almost falling asleep.

I admit I’ve never liked his bully attitude, but I could have ended up forgiving him if his route made him look like a decent human being; sadly, it was annoying and I only hoped it could end soon.

Well, at least I tried.

Natsuhiko’s route was probably the best one and it’s basically what I was expecting from this fandisk: to solve the problems left from the first game and show cute couple scenes.

Is it that difficult? Apparently, yes.

Anyway, I loved every single moment and he’s probably my favorite from the series at this point.

Akito’s route was great too, I’m glad I played him last, since it ended this game in the best way possible; I really wish all the routes were written like this!

He was basically a cinnamon roll all the time, with Nanami and Senri: he blushed and became emotional for everything, always smiling in joy for his new life.

He treated Nanami like a princess and was a perfect brother, trying to help Senri to find a job and a purpose in life.

I can’t say it was a bad game, but I’m not satisfied either.

It was obviously a sequel, not a cute fandisk, but I still think they should have focused more on happier scenes and cute couple moments; after all the angst we’ve been through in the first game, I think we all deserved some fanservice or at least more romantic situations.

The best written routes, for me, were Natsuhiko and Akito, which had the perfect balance of action/angst/plot parts and lovely scenes.

Some of the others were plain boring, like Kakeru. I think they tried to redeem him, to make him look less like a bully and more like a nice guy; but the result almost made me fall asleep.

Other characters are just too weird to become love interest, like Ron.

At least, I’m glad this game made me appreciate more Koharu as an heroine and I could finally see Senri as a grown up adult instead of a brat. I even ended up trusting Itsuki!

The greatest disappointment for me came from Sakuya’s route, since he’s my favorite… all I wanted was to see them act as lovers instead of childhood friends, but all I got was angst and boring discussions. All the best parts were skipped to show us them years later as an happy family.

But why?? This is an otome game, these are the parts writers should work on!!

I guess Act Tune solved this issues, but I can’t see myself going through so many characters for the third time, I had enough. So, this game ends forever my ride with the Norn9 series.

Overall it was nice, but it was too long to be enjoyable, for me. I’d probably have loved it more, if the characters were 6 or 7, before I could get bored or annoyed. But it’s just me, I guess someone loves really long games (now I’m kinda afraid Charade Maniacs will suffer of the same problems, but we’ll see).