Haruka
Harukanaru Toki no Naka deThe first game was released for the PS1 platform in 2000. Very little of the game was voiced (only the first and last chapters, and the combination attack spells), and the RPG system was very primitive. To commemorate the TV anime series, the game was upgraded and ported to the PS2 platform and renamed Harukanaru Toki no Naka de Hachiyoushou. More events and voice-overs were added, as well as an Akuram love ending. However, the system remained pretty much unchanged. In between, there was a limited release on the GBA, which is skimmed from the PS1 version. The release of the anime movie Maihitoyo, also prompted the development of a new game for the PS2, using the movie storyline. The game was named after the movie, and added a new love ending character, Oono Suefumi. All the Haruka games are set near the beginning of the Heian period, roughly 900 to 1000 A.D. Abe no Seimei is still an influential onmyouji of the court, and the capital, Kyou, is plagued by demons and evil spirits. Due to some of the Hachiyou's positions and the Miko's own importance to the imperial court, much of the story takes place in the imperial palace.
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 2Haruka 2 was first released on the Win98 platform, to take advantage of Koei's Internet community with downloadable scenerios. But, it was quickly ported to PS2 afterwards, with the scnearios and more voice-overs added in. Later, Haruka 2 was ported to PSP as well, with extra events and new gaming features. The main story remained unchanged in all the various versions of the game. This sequel takes place 100 years after the events of first game, still in the Heian period. The capital, Kyou, is in the midst of strife between the incumbent emperor (tei), and the retired emperor (in). Even the Hachiyou are divided into the two camps, and directly involved in the conflicts of the imperial family.
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3Haruka 3 was released only on PS2, at the height of the series' popularity. It is also the first Neoromance game that allowed the player to have multiple endings within the same gameplay due to the time-travelling powers of the Miko. The game was highly successful, and two sequels were released after it. Haruka 3 takes place another 100 years after the events of Haruka 2, at the end of the Heian period, during the Genpei Wars. Two large rival clans, the Minamoto (Genji) and the Taira (Heike), vie for control over Japan. Evil forces are at work as the Heike necromancers raise the dead to fight their battles, and the Ryuujin loses its power. The sequel, Izayoiki, follows directly after the end of the first game as Yoshitune fled his brother's forces and took refuge in Hiraizumi. New characters and new cast members were added, and a love ending with Shirogane was possible. The second sequel, Unmei no Labyrinth, follows an alternate timeline to Izayoiki, branching off from the end of Haruka 3 when Nozomi and her friends are stranded in the present world. The Hachiyou are unable to return to their time as a mysterious force blocks the Ryuujin's power. No new cast members are added, but a new love ending with Taira no Tomomori was possible (many conditions are required to fulfil this though).
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de Yume no UkihashiHaruka Yume no Ukihashi is an alternate universe game that combines the 24 hachiyou from Haruka 1, 2 and 3. I'm not entirely sure how that works. Two new characters are also introduced (which means more seiyuu to the cast), Nantoseikun (South Star) and Hokutoseikun (North Star). The game was so well received that Koei decided to port it to PS2 with added content.
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4Haruka 4 is the first Neoromance game to release on the Nintendo Wii platform, simultaneously with the PS2 release. Unlike the previous two series, it does not advance in time from the end of Haruka 3. Instead, it tells the story of the origins of the Hachiyou, and chronologically, is the very first story in the Haruka series. The world of Haruka 4 is set in the mythical age of Japan, with references to one of the most ancient Japanese chronicles known as the Kojiki.
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de Extra GamesThese games are not really part of the series, but are still set in the Haruka world.
Desktop AccessoriesKoei also released other software (wallpapers, screensaver, calendar, mail program, etc.) for Haruka. These are all out-of-print now. 遙かなる時空の中で 恋つづり |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 27 October 2008 21:30 ) |