Zettai Kaikyuu Gakuen

It took me years to finally start Zettai Gakuen, because the school theme doesn’t interest me anymore; but I’ve seen a lot of good reviews talking about this game as something unique and intriguing, so I changed my mind and finally started playing.

Was it worth a try? absolutely, yes!

I admit I was hesitant at first, since it seemed a typical school game and I couldn’t fully immerse in the story immediately; but as soon as I progressed and the true plot started to be revealed, I literally couldn’t stop playing. I wanted to know more and more!

Some scenes are impressing and well written, the BGM is perfect to create a feeling of tension and even terror. I couldn’t predict at all most of the events and this created an aura of mystery I appreciated a lot.

Also, since there are different status you can reach, it’s very interesting to see how the heroine’s personality changes depending on the choices which lead her to a completely different experience and situations. More than seeing different endings, it feels like playing completely different routes but with the same boy.

That’s really new to me and it was cool!

I decided to start Riku’s route first, since he’s close to the Queen and I thought it could reveal something more.

Dealing with him was way easier than I expected: he acted like he just wanted to be at the center of attention and since the heroine didn’t treat him like some kind of god, it was enough to get him interested and desperate.

It was obvious that he fell in love pretty soon, since he always helped her solving her problems and even asked for a dance at the school ball. He could say harsh words, but it was too easy to make him blush, I couldn’t even feel offended.

Ichiha’s route was one of the most rage inducing I’ve ever played in my life.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been so annoyed by a character, I lost counts of how many times I wanted to punch his arrogant face.

He basically plays around with girls and dumps them when he’s bored, so when the poor heroine becomes a Stone, he doesn’t even think twice about ignoring her and treating her like trash.

Obviously, he can’t allow other people to see him with a useless girl! He has a reputation!

IT WAS PAINFUL TO SIT THROUGH. I wanted to drop his route, I swear.

You know I love playboy types, but his attitude was too much, there’s no way I could ever fall for a douche like him. I hoped the Rose route could be better, but he was a cheater and a liar until the end.

I was sure Haru’s route was going to be a lot better, since he’s a Stone so they don’t have to worry about a different status.

Well, it’s true, but they also have to take a lot of bullying and overcome various trauma, so it was not enjoyable as I hoped it would.

I think he’s a nice guy inside, but he acted too cold most of the time and you know I don’t like when an heroine gets too desperate and starts following around a character with a bad attitude until he gives up and randomly falls in love. This is just the plot of most of the shoujo manga out there, that’s why I stopped reading them ages ago.

The Rose route was even worse, since it was an endless circle of misunderstandings and scenes that made me angry or just sad; and this is not the kind of tragedy I enjoy, is teen drama. No, thanks.

Toya’s route was completely different from my expectations.

He looked like a positive guy, ready to fight for his believes and loyal to his friends, but after a while he revealed himself to be also arrogant, possessive and even scary.

I could perfectly understand why he was angry, but I expected him to be a character prone to forgiveness to everyone around him, maybe even too nice; well, I was wrong.

I usually dislike innocent characters who are easily fooled by fake friends, but I admit some scenes made me even sad and I lost some respect for Toya.

Being a leader doesn’t necessarily mean being controlling and forceful, you can also give people other chances, if they show true repent.

Somehow I couldn’t like him completely even when he acted like an hero in the end, something about him is always off for me. I don’t dislike him, he’s a good guy after all… but still, not my type.

Rei’s route was amazing, I loved every single scene. It made the game worth playing for me.

I can’t explain more, since it would be a huge spoiler, but I highly suggest to play him last, since it explains a lot of mysteries that happen in other routes too.

It was well written, shocking and also interesting; I wasn’t expecting this at all and it was a nice surprise, I love sudden revelations when they are so unpredictable.

If my opinion about the Stone part was very positive, I can’t say the same about the Rose route, which was very sad and also made me angry, because the heroine’s attitude was terrible.

After completing all the routes, a “True Ending” unlocks for each character, so you can discover the reality behind the school… and I warn you, it will shock you for real!

It was way longer than I imagined (overall this game is really long, even if the characters are just 5), and I admit I really loved it: every secret was explained perfectly, the writing was amazing and I was very satisfied with the endings too.

This even managed to make me appreciate the characters I disliked in their main routes, it’s a miracle!

Would I recommend this?

Overall, yes, it’s a good game.

There are highs and lows, great moments and terrible ones, but I think it’s worth it.

If you decide to try it, keep in mind it’s really long (it took me nearly 2 months!).