Info about TAISHO x ALICE episode 2:

Official game description:
DUALICE(TAISHO x ALICE episode II) is a fairytale visual novel in which YOU must save your Prince Charming!  
The game is fully voiced in Japanese (excluding the main character).  
As you progress through the story, you will be asked to make choices at key points that will lead you to different endings. You will take on the role of the fairytale heroine in order to rehabilitate your chosen love interest and guide him to his "happily ever after"!  
At the end of the prologue, you will choose your prince and enter the Looking-Glass World. Each love interest has his own standalone story set in an alternate universe where the relationships between the characters will vary.  
\*Episode 2 features two love interests: Kaguya and Gretel.  
\[Content Warning\]  
Please be advised that this game deals with mature themes including mental illness, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and sexual assault.  
\[STORY\]  
Once upon a time, in a topsy-turvy world...  
In the beginning, you find yourself lost within a world of utter darkness. Your memories are gone; even your name is a mystery.  
But just when the bitter loneliness threatens to break your spirit, you meet Alice—a blond-haired, blue-eyed young man who promptly christens you "Arisu."  
Like you, Alice cannot remember anything beyond his own name. Ignoring his protests, you drag him along with you through the darkness... until you happen upon a massive mirror made of crystal.  
You stumble through the glass and into the Looking-Glass World, an antiquated fairytale dreamscape that feels oddly familiar...  
There, amid a colorful cast of gender-swapped fairytale characters, you take on the role of the heroine and join them in their twisted tales.  
How will the story end? It's up to you!  
ONCE UPON A TIME, a dramatic breakup unfolds at the cafe where you work.  
Everyone is scandalized—but then the guy turns to you and says, "Fancy going out with me?" So obviously, you say yes!  
His name is Kaguya, and he's your new boyfriend. He's everything you could possibly want: sweet, caring, and... HOMELESS?! Day 1 of the relationship, and you're already living together!  
Where will it go from here?!  
ONCE UPON A TIME, you awaken to find yourself in a strange, unfamiliar log cabin.  
But don't worry! Here you have food, clothing, and everything else you need to survive. Only one small problem: you're tied up on the bed...  
"We're going to live here from now on, where it's safe."  
So begins a life of confinement with your younger brother Gretel.  
What inspired him to take you captive?  
What is his true objective? And can you make it out alive?!  
【VOICE】  
CINDERELLA -- Daisuke Hirakawa  
RED RIDING HOOD -- Tomoaki Maeno  
KAGUYA -- Toshiki Masuda  
GRETEL -- Takuya Eguchi  
SNOW WHITE -- Syouta Aoi  
WIZARD -- Wataru Hatano  
ALICE -- Yoshitugu Matsuoka  
WOLF -- Natsuki Hanae  
HUNTSMAN -- Tomohisa Hashizume

Release date: Sep 17, 2020

Categories: Visual Novel, Otome, Romance, Choice-based Narrative, Multiple Endings, Dark Themes, Yandere

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: High Dependency on External Guides for Story Completion; summary: The dominant user complaint is the mandatory reliance on external guides to achieve good endings due to an abundance of bad endings and opaque progression mechanics. This falls under TIER 3 (The Student) as the barrier is learning system outcomes and hidden requirements.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: Reviews consistently praise the game's quality but recommend sale pricing over full price, and the second chapter is noted as cheaper than the first, suggesting an episodic pricing model. Combined with 'worth every penny' and 'worth it' statements, the community perceives fair value in a lower price range typical for indie visual novels, likely $5–15 USD for a base episode or bundle.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 25.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 3.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The 25-hour claim is the only explicit total playtime for full completion of TAISHO x ALICE episode 2, supporting gameCompletion. The 6-hour and 4-hour figures refer to individual routes, not the entire story, so storyCompletion is left null. The 3-hour report describes a continuous blind-play session, serving as evidence for sessionLength. No endgame playtime is mentioned.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts with a potentially boring first episode and slog-like segments, but hooks players once the plot twists and character bond progression deepen.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: boring first episode; slog to read; very long and repetitive stories
  - Unlock drivers: twisted plot turns; plot twists and turns; character bond progression
  - Conditions: after the first episode; when the plot twists and turns begin; when the character bond progression deepens
- Player Archetypes:
  - Dark Romance Connoisseur (buy)
    - Motivation: Emotional catharsis through twisted romance and deep psychological themes
    - Playstyle: Reads trigger warnings, engages with mature content, follows all routes deliberately
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Series Devotee (sale)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and series completion, seeing familiar characters recur
    - Playstyle: Plays all routes sequentially, compares with previous episodes, uses guides selectively
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Kingdom Hearts; TAISHO x ALICE episode 1
  - Trope-Focused Romantic (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing niche romantic tropes such as incestuous undertones and possessive love
    - Playstyle: Focused on specific romantic dynamics, seeks intense sibling-like or obsessive pairings
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: 正太控弟控 (shota/otouto-con); 重女重男 (heavy woman heavy man)
    - Reference games: 百花百狼 (Hundred Flowers Hundred Wolves)
  - Trigger-Conscious Recommender (buy)
    - Motivation: Safe and informed engagement with dark subject matter
    - Playstyle: Screens content warnings thoroughly, may skip or mentally prepare for heavy material
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Kaguya's route is popular (weight 0.82): Multiple clusters highlight Kaguya's route as well-crafted, emotionally moving, and a favorite among players. The story is praised for its tragedy, emotional depth, and strong pacing, making it the standout route for many reviewers.
- Gretel's route is highly praised (weight 0.73): Gretel's route is consistently described as well-designed, enjoyable, and emotionally engaging. Reviewers appreciate its dramatic beats, romantic elements, and the character development of Gretel himself.
- Voice acting is excellent (weight 0.42): The voice acting, particularly for the male leads, is widely praised as professional and fitting. Reviewers highlight the high quality of performances that enhance the story and emotional impact.
- Story surpasses first episode (weight 0.41): Many reviewers feel the second episode improves on the first, with a deeper script, richer character development, and a more engaging plot. The overall impression is that it stands as a worthy sequel.
- Yandere characters are appealing (weight 0.39): The yandere and possessive male characters, especially Gretel and Kaguya, are a major draw for fans of the trope. Reviewers find their obsessive yet vulnerable personalities endearing and entertaining.
- Gretel's character is well-developed (weight 0.36): Gretel is praised as a likable and well-written character, with his internal struggle between family loyalty and romantic love portrayed compellingly. His development from possessiveness to emotional depth is satisfying to players.
- Art and CGs are beautiful (weight 0.31): The character designs, expressive sprites, and gorgeous CG scenes are widely admired. Reviewers praise the art style as exquisite and a key part of the game's appeal.
- Game is fun and compelling (weight 0.16): The game is described as extremely fun, entertaining, and intriguing, with unpredictable storylines that keep players engaged. Both the story and gameplay are praised for their quality.
- Endings are satisfying (weight 0.15): The game's endings, including the happy and bad endings, are described as well-crafted and emotionally fulfilling. Players appreciate the narrative closure provided.
- Music enhances fairy-tale atmosphere (weight 0.09): The theme song and music create a fairy-tale feel that transports players into the game's world. The soundtrack is noted as nice and effective.

Common complaints:
- Too many bad endings (weight 0.75): Kaguya's route has an overwhelming number of bad endings (12-14), making it nearly impossible to reach a happy ending without a guide. The choices leading to good endings are unclear and require flawless decisions, frustrating players.
- Guide required for happy ending (weight 0.64): Achieving a happy ending without a guide is basically impossible because the route demands perfect choices and the logic is not transparent. Players feel forced to consult external guides to avoid constant bad endings.
- Gretel route is unappealing (weight 0.25): The Gretel route is criticized for toxic dynamics, cringe moments, and logical inconsistencies, leaving players confused about relationship development. It also feels too tame and lacks a real conflict point, making the struggles unjustified.
- Difficult to play without guide (weight 0.23): Choosing wrong options easily leads to bad endings, and one choice can lock players out of the happy ending. The gameplay is punishing and necessitates guides.
- Bad endings involve self-harm (weight 0.16): The bad endings involve the heroine stabbing herself, which players find absurd and unacceptable. This occur in both bad and true endings, making the experience distressing and nonsensical.
- Male characters are obsessive (weight 0.15): The male characters are described as too heavy or obsessive, which can be off-putting. Their abnormal behavior and strange reasoning contribute to a less enjoyable experience.
- Story pacing is rushed (weight 0.09): The story timeline is too short, with plot points happening too immediately and lacking proper character development. This results in a rushed and poorly developed narrative.
- Kaguya's fragility is unappealing (weight 0.09): Kaguya's route involves a fragile character who requires the protagonist to self-harm to prove love, which is not appealing. This theme is off-putting and unrealistic.
- Poor story logic (weight 0.09): Many plot points are questionable and hard to tolerate, with overall poor story logic. This makes the narrative difficult to follow or accept.
- Feels like a galgame (weight 0.09): The game does not feel like an otome game but more like a galgame or visual novel due to the protagonist's character. This shift in genre identity may disappoint otome fans.
- Translation errors present (weight 0.09): The text contains numerous translation errors, with colloquial language and missing or wrong characters. These errors reduce the quality and immersion of the story.
- Inferior to previous episode (weight 0.09): The game experience is far inferior to the previous entry and not as entertaining as Chapter 1. This disappointment may stem from the darker tone and other issues.
- Character personalities inconsistent (weight 0.08): Character personalities are not consistent with previous episodes and vary between routes. This inconsistency disrupts narrative coherence and player attachment.
- Prologue is pointless (weight 0.08): The prologue is nearly identical to Episode 1, with unclear differences, making its inclusion seem pointless. It adds little new content and feels redundant.
- Achievements broken in Chinese mode (weight 0.08): Achievements do not trigger when running the Chinese version on Windows, and some do not unlock properly in Chinese mode. This technical issue affects completionists.

Gameplay feedback:
- Visual novel otome with routes (weight 0.71): The game is widely recognized as an otome visual novel with character routes and branching choices. It features multiple male love interests and a common prologue with distinct story paths.
- Gretel and Kaguya routes (weight 0.41): Episode 2 features two main routes: Gretel and Kaguya. Players can choose between these love interests, and each route provides a distinct story perspective.
- Multiple endings require choices (weight 0.27): The game offers multiple endings, including several bad endings and a happy ending for each route. Achieving the true or happy ending often requires specific or perfect choices, sometimes with a guide.
- Each route has happy ending (weight 0.17): Every character route includes a happy ending, along with multiple bad endings. Players can achieve a successful outcome for each love interest by making correct choices.
- Gretel has dark themes (weight 0.14): Gretel's route involves pseudo-incest and imprisonment, with the character being obsessed with the protagonist. These darker themes contrast with other routes and add complexity to the story.
- Kaguya moon motif (weight 0.13): Kaguya's character is defined by a recurring motif of wanting to return to the moon, reflecting an avoidant personality. This theme is central to her route and story development.
- Self-harm by protagonist (weight 0.1): The story includes scenes where the female protagonist harms herself with a knife, adding a dark and potentially disturbing element. This theme is part of the game's darker aspects.
- Diverse route experiences (weight 0.09): Each route offers a different story and perspective, giving players varied narrative experiences. This variety enhances replayability and player engagement.
- Yandere love interests (weight 0.09): The game features yandere-type male characters who are dependent and possessive, fitting the otome genre's archetypes. These characters are central to the romantic plots.
- Short timeline Kaguya route (weight 0.09): Kaguya's route has a short in-game timeline, which may affect pacing and character development. This compact timeframe could contribute to the route's difficulty and narrative style.
- Gravity and floaty character traits (weight 0.09): The game includes male characters with distinct personality types, such as gravity-type and floaty-type. These traits likely influence their behavior and interactions with the protagonist.

Performance notes:
- Achievements are bugged (weight 0.14): Players report that achievements fail to unlock correctly, which is a common frustration. The issue is noted in multiple clusters, indicating it affects several users.
- Fullscreen mode unstable (weight 0.05): The game performs more reliably in windowed mode, as fullscreen mode introduces stability issues. This is mentioned in one cluster, suggesting it's a noteworthy but less widespread problem.
- Save data incompatibility (weight 0.05): Save files are not compatible across different language modes, which can disrupt progress for players switching languages. This is a specific issue raised in the feedback.

Recommendations:
- Avoid if sensitive or triggered (weight 0.35): Several reviewers caution against playing if you are easily triggered, have mental health issues, or dislike extreme content. They note the game includes heavy topics, self-sacrificing heroines, and questionable morality.
- Recommended for yandere and dark themes (weight 0.29): The game is frequently recommended to fans of yandere, possessive, twisted, and toxic love interests. Many reviewers specifically mention younger male leads and caging themes as appealing aspects.
- Play all routes and endings (weight 0.26): Reviewers suggest playing all bad endings and multiple routes to fully understand the story and heroine's issues. They recommend not skipping any route or episode.
- High ratings from satisfied players (weight 0.25): Several reviewers strongly recommend the game and give high scores like 8/10. They praise it as one of the top otome games and highly recommend the installment.
- Recommend Kaguya and Gretel routes (weight 0.24): Reviewers frequently recommend playing the Kaguya and Gretel routes specifically, often highlighting them as the main draw of the game. Some suggest starting with Gretel's route to gauge tolerance for the content.
- Mixed feelings and warnings (weight 0.2): Some reviewers express mixed feelings, noting the game may not be for everyone and warning not to expect great romance. One rates it 5/10, and another barely recommends it.
- Not for feminist or healthy relationship fans (weight 0.18): Reviewers explicitly state the game is not recommended for players with awakened feminist consciousness or those preferring healthy, likable characters. The content includes toxic dynamics that may be off-putting.
- Read content warnings before playing (weight 0.18): Multiple reviewers advise reading content warnings before purchasing or playing, especially for sensitive themes. They emphasize this for players who may be disturbed by dark or triggering content.
- Buy on sale or bundle (weight 0.16): Several reviewers recommend purchasing the game on discount or as part of a bundle. Some note it is worth it at a lower price, especially for Kaguya's route or completing the series.
- Suitable for dark fairy tale fans (weight 0.16): The game is recommended for fans of dark fairy tales, tragic psychological stories, and twisted romances. It is praised for its intricate character writing and layered themes.
- Avoid Gretel's route if sensitive (weight 0.13): Gretel's route is highlighted as particularly dark and not recommended for sensitive players. Some reviewers strongly discourage it, while others recommend playing it first to test tolerance.
- Appeals to masochistic tastes (weight 0.12): The game is recommended for players with masochistic tendencies or unusual tastes, including those who enjoy sick and twisted depictions. Some sarcastically mention therapy for those who don't see issues.
- Worth trying for otome fans (weight 0.12): Reviewers suggest that fans of otome games should give the game a chance, even if initial impressions are mixed. It may surprise those who found Episode 1 boring.
- Only for informed buyers (weight 0.09): The game should only be purchased if you know exactly what you're getting into, including dark content and heavy topics. Newcomers can still enjoy it, but awareness is key.
- Complex and twisted love stories (weight 0.09): The routes feature complex, twisted love stories with sadistic twists and obsessive relationships. Fans of such narratives will find much to appreciate.
- Top otome game for fans (weight 0.09): This game is considered one of the top 3 otome games by a reviewer, and highly recommended for series fans. It is a must-play for those invested in the franchise.
- Watch out for pacing and logic (weight 0.08): Some reviewers note confusing plot logic and pacing issues, suggesting it may not be for everyone. However, they still recommend the game for its strengths.
- No for mentally unstable players (weight 0.06): Reviewers advise that the game is not suitable for those with mental health issues like depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. The heavy content may be harmful.
- Not recommended for expecting romance (weight 0.05): If you are looking for great romance moments, this game is not for you. It focuses more on dark and complex themes rather than traditional romantic development.
- Use a guide for best experience (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests using a guide to navigate the game, likely to achieve desired endings or avoid frustrating paths. This can enhance understanding of the complex routes.

Other player notes:
- Episode 2 differs from Episode 1 (weight 0.38): Reviewers consistently note a significant tonal and gameplay shift between Episode 1 and Episode 2, describing the sequel as feeling like a different game. The shift moves from light and cute to darker, more serious topics.
- Story based on fairy tales (weight 0.35): The narrative draws inspiration from classic fairy tales such as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter and Hansel and Gretel. Reviewers describe it as a fantasy fairy tale with tragic reality undertones.
- Sequel compared favorably to predecessor (weight 0.33): Many reviewers compare Episode 2 to the first episode, often finding the sequel better and more substantial. This comparison is a common theme across multiple reviews.
- Contains sensitive content warnings (weight 0.24): The game includes content warnings for mental illness, medication addiction, suicide, and attempted sexual assault. Reviewers mention triggering content such as rape, self-harm, and violence.
- Episode features darker tonal shift (weight 0.17): Episode 2 is described as darker and more absurd than Episode 1, with a clear tonal shift from light and cute to serious content. This darker direction is a notable aspect of the sequel.
- Game available in bundle (weight 0.17): The game can be purchased as part of a bundle or collection, and a complete game bundle exists. This is a common point mentioned by reviewers.
- Second episode of Taisho x Alice (weight 0.17): The game is the second episode in the Taisho x Alice series, and reviewers note it as a direct sequel to the first episode. The series is structured as a multi-episode narrative.
- Two routes: Gretel and Kaguya (weight 0.17): Episode 2 features two routes, Gretel's and Kaguya's, with foreshadowing and symbolism in each. The routes are based on different fairy tales.
- Multiple language and voice options (weight 0.14): The game offers Japanese voice acting and multiple language modes (Chinese, English, Japanese) with separate save data. Reviewers also praise the quality of the translation.
- Official and user guides available (weight 0.1): An official guide is included in the game files, and user-written guides are also available. This is helpful for navigating the game's routes and endings.
- Part of four-episode series (weight 0.1): The game is part of a four-episode series with an additional side story. This structure is highlighted by reviewers as a key aspect of the game.
- Japanese otome game style (weight 0.1): Reviewers describe the game as a Japanese otome game that shouldn't be taken seriously, though it does contain dark elements. The genre is a key point in reviews.
- Gretel route has bad endings (weight 0.1): Gretel's route includes bad endings, such as double death and do endings. Reviewers note the presence of multiple tragic outcomes.
- Store page content warnings (weight 0.09): Content warnings are available on the store page, but one reviewer noted a lack of them. This is a point of discussion among reviewers.
- High quality translation (weight 0.09): The English translation is praised as high quality and flawless, making the game accessible to non-Japanese speakers. This is a positive aspect highlighted by reviewers.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.12): Players overwhelmingly cite the excessive number of bad endings and the requirement for a guide to achieve any good ending, especially in Kaguya's route, which features over a dozen bad ends and opaque choices. Many also express frustration with the female protagonist's submissive role and the game's toxic relationship dynamics, alongside translation issues that add to the annoyance.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players found enjoyment in the yandere and imprisonment tropes, particularly in Gretel's route, as well as the engaging and darkly humorous story. The witty dialogue, appealing characters like the younger brother, and the unique dynamic between the leads contributed to a positive experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Many were disappointed because the story fell short of expectations, with rushed romances and abrupt endings that didn't match the darker tone. Specific complaints include the short timeline, predictable plot, and a happy ending that felt forced, especially in Kaguya's route.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Players were excited by the intense and twisted character interactions, particularly the yandere elements and the dramatic self-stabbing scene in Kaguya's route. The darker atmosphere and captivating storytelling left them eagerly anticipating the next episodes.
- Confusion (weight 0.04): The fast-paced romance and unclear plot progression in Kaguya's route, along with the character motivations and plot twists in Gretel's route, left players confused. The inconsistent art style and abrupt personality changes added to the bewilderment.
- Disgust (weight 0.04): The game's glorification of self-harm, toxic relationships, and problematic themes like abuse and suicide repelled many players. Specific triggers included the requirement to self-harm for a true ending and the perceived misogynistic storytelling.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): Players found humor in the over-the-top nature of the characters' behaviors, such as Kaguya's Kansai dialect and the absurd bad endings. The contrast between the cute and insane sides of the characters, along with the yandere antics, provided entertainment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): The satisfying endings, particularly when characters sacrifice what they value most, resonated with players. The strong art, music, and emotional depth of the routes, including the tragic arcs and sound storytelling, left many feeling fulfilled.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Players were angered by the absurdity of the male leads not helping in critical situations and the game's dismissive treatment of protagonist harm. The illogical decision-making and forced sacrifices, along with the frequent bad endings, sparked significant frustration and table-slamming.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): The game's superior writing, voice acting, and visual presentation earned appreciation, with many praising the increased emotional depth compared to the first episode. The bad endings were often seen as more compelling than the good ones, showcasing the narrative's strength.
- Sadness (weight 0.03): The tragic and emotionally heavy content, including suicide and character suffering, deeply saddened players. The Kaguya route's endings, especially the bad ones, evoked strong emotional responses and left a lingering melancholy.
- Affection (weight 0.02): Players felt affection for the endearing characters, particularly Kaguya and Gretel, appreciating their obsessive yet charming personalities and the protagonist's sly and lovable nature. The pseudo-incest and yandere elements oddly drew positive feelings.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration was expressed for Kaguya's gentle yet perfect lover nature and the protagonist Yurika's bravery and determination. The author's clear vision, effective integration of the original tale, and well-coordinated cast earned respect.
- Shock (weight 0.02): Players were shocked by the game's violent and twisted content, including double-death endings and the heroine's extreme actions like self-stabbing for men. The revelation that the player character is imprisoned in Gretel's route also startled many.
- Discomfort (weight 0.02): The game's dark themes, such as yandere imprisonment, suicidal behaviors, and unhealthy relationships, made many players uncomfortable. The depiction of a guardian-child dynamic and the heroine's willingness to be assaulted for the male lead were particularly unsettling.
- Fondness (weight 0.02): Players developed fond feelings for characters like Kaguya and Gretel, finding their quirks and flaws endearing. Kaguya's chuunibyou demeanor and calling the player 'princess' were highlights, along with the heroine's assertive and clever personality.
- Love (weight 0.02): The yandere male leads and the exploration of darker human emotions fostered a deep love for the game, with players appreciating the tragic and twisted love stories. The characters' personalities and the fake sibling dynamic particularly resonated.
- Sympathy (weight 0.02): Players felt sympathy for the male leads' insecurities and tragic backgrounds, wishing to comfort them. The heroine's fate and the suffering of characters in both routes elicited a profound emotional connection.
- Fascination (weight 0.02): The complex and twisted character dynamics and dark story themes were fascinating to players, with extreme traits making characters more attractive. The intricate love stories and the psychological depth of the leads kept them engaged.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Some players found the episode tedious compared to the first, particularly Kaguya's route, which failed to resonate and became boring as the story progressed. The lack of entertainment led to disinterest.}