Info about Princess Maker 2 Refine:

Official game description:
New Princess Maker 2
====================
Princess Maker Series
=====================
About the Game
==============
The star grants you the shining dream  
The Heaven sends a Devil’s army to the ground, commanding them to destroy the corrupted city. It was the wandering knight who saved the city that was on verge of destruction. On one night, with the star so bright in the sky, the knight was guided outside by a mysterious voice. The voice that called to the knight was known as the God of a Star, and the God bestowed a pure girl in his care. From then on, the wandering knight decides to settle down in the city, and start a new life as a father of the girl.  
Various Dreams, Unpredictable Future, but only one life.  
「Princess Maker 2 Refine」is a life simulation game which you play as a father of a girl, who had descended from the star. You have 8 years to raise your daughter from age 10 to 18 – your daughter will grow into her adulthood through various experiences. The future awaits for her depending on your choices. What kind of future do you dream of creating with your beloved daughter?  
Princess Maker 2 Refine comes back with all new Graphic / Voice over  
\[Princess Maker 2 refine\] has been reborn with full colored high resolution graphics, noticeable upgrade compare to the original 1994 edition. In addition to the visual update, all characters have been given a full Japanese voice over, including your daughter. Experience a true masterpiece in full color and full voice over where wonderful life with your daughter awaits you.

Release date: Sep 28, 2016

Categories: Life Simulation, Character Management, Multiple Endings, Dating Simulation, Resource Management, Visual Novel, RPG


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The community is split between those who find the full price justified and those who prefer a discount, indicating the game is decent but has enough jank and niche appeal that many wait for a sale. The fair base-game price likely falls between a typical sale price and the full listed price, given the mixed recommendations.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 3.5h
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first two evidence quotes provide direct estimates for a single playthrough: one states a 3-4 hour timeframe for finishing under a restricted schedule, and the other (translated from Japanese) specifies 3 hours to reach an ending. These support story completion at 3 hours and game completion (one ending) at approximately 3.5 hours. The third quote (translated from French) describes typical sessions extending to about 2 hours, supporting the session length metric. No evidence exists for endgame content duration, so that metric remains null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players find the game addictive and fun after overcoming the initial challenge of schedule planning, though some report the long 8-year raising period becomes tedious.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Learning how to plan the daughter's schedule
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Unclear schedule planning at start; Tedious calendar/overworld loop; Repetitive voice acting; Dated interface and menus; Pacing-killing segments
  - Unlock drivers: Learning to plan the daughter's schedule; Using the game-speed options; Accepting the game's deliberate pacing
  - Conditions: Tolerating the calendar/overworld majority; Managing schedule planning; Accepting permanent consequences of choices; Playing at higher speed settings
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Series Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To relive the classic series, explore adventure elements, and compare this version to the original.
    - Playstyle: Plays with series knowledge, focuses on exploration and detail, and may use guides or rely on memory.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Princess Maker 2
  - Raising Sim Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy the raising mechanics, unlock multiple endings, and achieve full completion.
    - Playstyle: Grinds for various endings, explores different paths, and plays repeatedly.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Long Live the Queen
  - Newcomer Needing Guidance (sale)
    - Motivation: To learn the game mechanics and succeed despite initial opacity.
    - Playstyle: Consults guides and tips, plays cautiously, and may restart frequently.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Cautious Flaw-Tolerating Reviewer (sale)
    - Motivation: To enjoy the game while valuing cost-effectiveness and tolerating imperfections.
    - Playstyle: Compares to original, notices bugs and localization problems, and waits for sales.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - 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:
- Many diverse endings (weight 0.66): Players praise the game for its numerous endings, with up to 74 possible outcomes, each offering unique epilogues and artwork. This variety is seen as a major source of replay value.
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.56): The game is consistently described as fun, addictive, and enjoyable to play, even years after its release. Its lasting appeal is a key positive point for reviewers.
- Daughter raising experience (weight 0.31): The core gameplay of raising a daughter is found to be fulfilling, with varied and unexpected outcomes, including marriage endings. This nurturing aspect is a unique and enjoyable feature.
- Improved graphics and art (weight 0.28): Reviewers praise the excellent graphics and beautiful artwork, noting improvements in this version compared to others. The visual presentation is considered a positive aspect.
- Life simulator depth (weight 0.23): Players find the game to be a deeply engaging and realistic parenting simulator, considered one of the best life simulators. The simulation aspects are detailed and immersive.
- Appreciated lack of censorship (weight 0.1): Players appreciate that this version is uncensored, which is seen as a positive factor in the review. This aspect is noted as a reason to prefer this version.
- Improved training system (weight 0.1): The training system is considered better and more complete than the first game, making this version a more polished experience. This improvement is highlighted by players.
- Good music quality (weight 0.1): The music is praised as good and improved in this version, adding to the overall positive experience. Sound quality is a minor but appreciated point.

Common complaints:
- Numerous bugs and crashes (weight 0.9): Players encounter game-breaking bugs, crashes, and freezes, including achievement unlock failures, saves resetting, and issues after screen saver. These technical problems severely hinder gameplay.
- Technical and port issues (weight 0.7): The port has outdated technology, display issues, resolution problems, and lacks modern conveniences. Requires third-party software or workarounds, and cannot resize windows or take screenshots.
- Translation is poor and rough (weight 0.69): Multiple clusters report translation issues: awkward phrasing, typos, missing text, and name inconsistencies. These problems negatively affect comprehension and overall game quality.
- Sexist and inappropriate content (weight 0.53): The game contains sexist remarks, sexualized content, and uncomfortable scenarios, especially involving the daughter. This content is outdated and may not suit modern audiences.
- Missing content and features (weight 0.47): The re-release removed or omitted content like the cheat shop, Mysterious Shop, and some scenes, which disappoints veterans. Also, achievements are missing for endings.
- Unsatisfying endings and outcomes (weight 0.47): Players struggle to achieve desired endings, such as marrying a prince or becoming queen, and sometimes get bad endings despite high stats. This leads to frustration.
- Repetitive and tedious gameplay (weight 0.4): Gameplay becomes repetitive and tedious over time, with grinding stats, monotonous schedules, and limited interactions. Players may lose interest and abandon the game.
- Unbalanced and difficult economics (weight 0.4): Money is scarce, and the daughter's earnings are low, making it hard to afford classes and activities. The pension for the hero is also seen as unrealistic.
- Inadequate tutorials and explanations (weight 0.32): The game lacks tutorials and fails to explain many systems, stats, and mechanics. Newcomers find it confusing and difficult to start, leading to frustration.
- Inconsistent and poorly localized UI (weight 0.26): The interface has outdated elements, poor font choices, and Chinese characters that look out of place. Some text appears as question marks due to font mismatches.
- Unfair or frustrating game design (weight 0.24): The game punishes players with harsh endings and makes success dependent on obscure factors. This can feel unfair and deters casual players.
- Censorship and content changes (weight 0.24): The re-release censors or removes risqué content, but some sexual elements remain. This inconsistency disappoints players expecting the original experience.
- Art and visual inconsistencies (weight 0.22): New art style clashes with older assets, and some character portraits are less appealing. The daughter's appearance in the port is considered worse than the original.
- Audio and voice issues (weight 0.21): Voice acting is repetitive, audio levels are unbalanced, and voice and text are out of sync. Some voices are unpleasant.
- High difficulty and steep learning curve (weight 0.18): The game is complex and hard to master, with a steep learning curve. Beginners may feel overwhelmed, and the start is particularly challenging.
- Controls and interaction issues (weight 0.15): Controls are clunky, relying only on mouse clicks with no keyboard shortcuts. The interface is not intuitive and lacks modern conveniences.
- Missing language support (weight 0.15): The game lacks Simplified Chinese support, and the existing Traditional Chinese translation is incomplete and poorly adapted. This limits accessibility for Chinese players.
- Lack of save and skip functions (weight 0.13): The game has limited save slots, no skip function, and some scenes cannot be skipped. This makes replaying tedious and inconvenient.

Gameplay feedback:
- Daughter-raising simulation core gameplay (weight 0.77): The primary gameplay loop involves raising a daughter from childhood to adulthood, organizing her schedule, and managing her skills and reputation. This is central to the game's identity as a stat-raiser and life simulator.
- Many varied endings (weight 0.69): The game features numerous endings based on player choices, with over 50 possible outcomes, including specific endings like queen, gangster, and demon king. This branching narrative is a key selling point and replayability factor.
- RPG combat and exploration (weight 0.36): The game incorporates RPG elements with combat tournaments, exploration of adventure fields, and fighting segments. These mechanics diversify gameplay beyond pure stat management.
- Career and job options (weight 0.33): The daughter can take various jobs, including part-time work like lumberjack or farmer, to earn money and support her training. These jobs also influence her final career path.
- Marriage outcomes affect endings (weight 0.31): Marriage mechanics influence the daughter's life path, with endings including her marrying out or a controversial father-marriage ending. These relationship-driven outcomes add depth to the simulation.
- Complex stat management (weight 0.28): Players balance over 20 training stats, including intelligence, strength, elegance, morality, stress, and reputation. These stats significantly affect which endings are achievable, demanding strategic planning.
- Festivals and contests (weight 0.22): The game includes various festivals and contests such as cooking, art, and dance competitions. These events provide opportunities to showcase the daughter's skills and earn rewards.
- Monthly scheduling system (weight 0.21): Each month, players assign activities such as lessons, part-time jobs, rest, or adventuring. This scheduling is the core interactive loop, balancing the daughter's development and well-being.
- Character creation affects stats (weight 0.11): Birth date and blood type significantly influence starting stats, adding a layer of customization. This mechanic encourages replayability with different character builds.
- Visual novel and dating sim elements (weight 0.1): The game includes visual novel and dating sim aspects, focusing on story and character relationships. This appeals to fans of narrative-driven genres.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.25): Multiple clusters report the game crashing, including after winning a tournament, in different scenarios, and generally. This is a critical stability issue that affects gameplay progression.
- Broken window resizing functionality (weight 0.16): The game resists window resizing, and window size functionality is broken. Borderless mode triggers resolution changes, which can distort the display.
- Aspect ratio stretching issues (weight 0.12): Full-screen mode stretches the aspect ratio, making the game look terrible, and the screen can be gameboy-sized or stretched on widescreen. This detracts from the visual experience.
- Game disrupts other windows (weight 0.1): The game moves other open windows around and has Steam glitches, which can be intrusive and annoying for multitasking players.
- Freeze on certain Windows 10 (weight 0.1): The game can become unresponsive if Windows 10 IME is not set to an older version, and there is a freeze bug when using keyboard in some environments. This is a specific compatibility issue.
- Requires third-party software (weight 0.06): The game requires Borderless Gaming software to work properly, indicating native windowed mode may be flawed. This adds friction for users.
- Dialogue fast-forward bug (weight 0.06): The end text fast-forwards through dialogue boxes without player input, causing players to miss dialogue. This is a narrative-breaking issue.
- Selling items reduces Faith to zero (weight 0.06): A bug causes selling items to reduce Faith to zero, which can have severe gameplay consequences. This is a specific and impactful gameplay bug.
- Combat audio too loud (weight 0.06): Combat sounds are louder than other effects, leading to strange audio levels. This can affect immersion and gameplay feedback.
- Steam overlay does not work (weight 0.06): The Steam overlay is reported as non-functional, limiting access to community features and in-game browser.
- Low execution and display efficiency (weight 0.06): The game suffers from low execution and display efficiency, leading to performance issues that may affect gameplay smoothness.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale (weight 0.2): Multiple reviews recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing, suggesting the full price may not be justified.
- Recommended for simulation fans (weight 0.16): Multiple reviews recommend the game for fans of raising, life, and simulation games, noting its appeal across ages.
- Great for cultivation fans (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for both classic cultivation enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre, highlighting its broad appeal.
- Suitable for old and new (weight 0.11): Reviews indicate the game is recommended for both veteran players and newcomers alike, suggesting a balanced experience.
- Good series starting point (weight 0.11): The game is recommended as a solid entry point for newcomers to the franchise, easing them into the series.
- Caveat for outdated design (weight 0.1): Reviews note that the game's outdated design may only be tolerable to certain players, advising caution for newcomers.
- Universal recommendation (weight 0.06): A review recommends the game to anyone, suggesting broad appeal and enjoyment.
- For grinding enthusiasts (weight 0.06): Recommended for players who enjoy grinding for various endings and can tolerate the older art style.
- Thoughtful management appeal (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for players who enjoy thoughtful management, replayable systems, and reflective gameplay.
- Nostalgic DOS experience (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for those wanting to relive the memories of DOS-era games, appealing to nostalgia.
- Better alternatives exist (weight 0.06): One reviewer suggests playing other similar games like Volcano Princess and Magical Princess instead, as they are considered superior.
- Uncomfortable cutscenes (weight 0.06): Players should be aware of potentially uncomfortable cutscenes before playing, indicating content concerns.
- For Long Live the Queen fans (weight 0.06): Recommended for fans of similar games like Long Live the Queen, suggesting a comparable gameplay style.
- Not suitable for children (weight 0.06): One reviewer advises against letting children play, implying mature content or themes.
- Only if no original access (weight 0.06): The game is recommended only if players cannot set up the original title, making it a substitute rather than a primary choice.

Other player notes:
- Refined version of Princess Maker 2 (weight 0.69): The game is identified as a refined or remastered version of Princess Maker 2, originally from the PC-98 and DOS era, with improved graphics and new voice acting. Players compare it favorably to the original while noting it retains the core experience.
- Classic nostalgic remaster of Princess Maker 2 (weight 0.55): Players consistently describe the game as a beloved classic from gaming history, with strong nostalgic appeal as a remaster of the 1993 original. Multiple reviews reference it as a childhood title and a significant piece of the raising sim genre.
- Developed by Gainax, published by CFK (weight 0.38): Reviewers note the game was originally developed by the anime studio GAINAX, known for Neon Genesis Evangelion, with the Steam version released by Korean company CFK. This background adds credibility and context to the title's legacy.
- High importance in series (weight 0.38): Reviewers regard this title as one of the best or the best in the Princess Maker series, with multiple references to it being a GOTY 1994 winner and a benchmark for later games. Comparisons to other entries highlight its superior execution and design.
- Multiple achievements and endings (weight 0.37): The Steam version includes 162 achievements and at least 50 different endings, with individual playthroughs ranging from 2 to 10 hours depending on player goals. The variety encourages replayability and completionist play.
- High-quality voice acting and sound (weight 0.36): The game features Japanese voice acting and improved audio, scoring 4 out of 5 for sound and 5 out of 5 for gameplay, with the original DOS version lacking BGM and voices. The remaster enhances the audio experience significantly.
- Comparisons to other Princess Maker games (weight 0.36): Reviewers compare this title to earlier and later entries, finding it the best made and a benchmark for the series. The game differs from the first Princess Maker Refine and is considered superior to ReGeneration.
- Gameplay depth and life sim loop (weight 0.27): The raising sim mechanics are praised for their complexity and depth, comparable to Long Live the Queen, with a loop that inspired later titles. The game spans 8 in-game years and involves managing stats, events, and endings.
- Censored and mature content removed (weight 0.26): The re-release has censored content compared to the original, including removal of some 18+ artwork and mature themes, while some players hope raunchy moments remain. This changes the experience for veteran fans of the original.
- Game length and pacing (weight 0.22): A single playthrough takes roughly 2 to 10 hours depending on activities, with multiple endings extending overall length. This is seen as suitable for short sessions, though less content than modern games.
- Requires system tweaks on modern Windows (weight 0.19): On Windows 10, the game freezes unless the IME is set to an older Microsoft IME version, and lacks resolution adjustment options. These technical hurdles are frustrating for new players despite the game otherwise being playable.
- Influenced other games (weight 0.19): The life sim loop inspired Persona 3-5 and Tokimeki Memorial, with comparisons to games like Long Live the Queen and Project Princess. This legacy underscores its genre-defining nature.
- Compared unfavorably to original DOS and beta versions (weight 0.19): Some reviewers find the port inferior to running the older beta in DosBox, with worse daughter appearance and a superior unreleased DOS version. This suggests the remaster does not fully satisfy purist fans.
- Requests for future sequels and improvements (weight 0.19): Players hope for Princess Makers 3-5 on Steam, as well as a Princess Maker 6 early access, and urge the developer to secure and translate more games. This shows strong community interest in the franchise's future.
- Translation and wiki support (weight 0.18): The game has its own translation and wiki support, which is helpful with some exceptions, aiding new players in understanding the complex mechanics. The localization is adequate in Korean but lacks Chinese.
- Crashes and progress loss reported (weight 0.15): The player lost a lot of progress due to a crash, and the developer responded quickly to fix bugs, with community forum support for text issues. Stability concerns remain for some users.
- Censorship changes from original (weight 0.15): The re-release has censored content compared to the original, and while some mature themes are removed, the core gameplay remains intact. This affects the experience for players expecting the original's provocative elements.
- No major changes from GAINAX version (weight 0.11): Players familiar with the original GAINAX version can enjoy the same feel since there are no major gameplay changes, making it ideal for veterans seeking nostalgia. However, some content was toned down in the Refine release.
- Limited mod support and community tools (weight 0.1): Only light mods such as texture improvements and custom skins are available, with community efforts to edit images. This is a drawback for players seeking extensive customization.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.13): The port suffers from broken window sizing, crashing, and stat-reset bugs that ruin progress, with a save crash losing two years of play. Unfair endings (e.g., demon lord, swindler, or marriage to a swindler despite high stats) and unbalanced mechanics like the Faith bug and unpaid labor jobs compound the annoyance. Translation quality is poor, with untranslated letters, fast scrolling text, and font errors that hurt comprehension.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.1): Players overwhelmingly cite childhood memories of playing the DOS or PC-98 original, often on shared school or home computers. The re-release triggers fond recollections of the opening music, pixel art, and the emotional experience of raising the princess, creating a strong sense of longing for those past days. Many mention finally owning the game after decades or replaying it to reconnect with their childhood.
- Amusement (weight 0.08): Players find humor in absurd and unexpected outcomes, such as the daughter marrying an underaged dragon, becoming a dominatrix married to the Devil, or scoring -69 points as the best prostitute. The contrast between the game's premise (raising a princess) and the bizarre endings (e.g., world conquest, mistress) amuses reviewers. The irony of training a warrior who becomes a fortune teller or a delinquent leader getting arrested also draws laughs.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Many are let down by the re-release's poor translation, which is inferior to the older DOS version and full of typos. Technical issues like a tiny window, missing achievements, audio problems, and crashes that weren't in the original also frustrate. The redesigned art is often seen as uglier than the classic pixel art, and the removal of the cheat shop makes achievements harder.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Core gameplay, with its diverse endings and stat-building, remains fun and addictive, offering high replayability. Players enjoy the challenge of raising the daughter, seeing the impact of their choices, and the game's charming visuals and atmosphere. The game is praised for being suitable for both casual and dedicated play, with smooth performance and rewarding mechanics.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Players feel satisfied by successfully raising the daughter and avoiding unwanted endings, as well as by seeing her become a powerful warrior or achieving a good marriage. The well-made remake provides a complete and uncensored experience, and the game's high replay value delivers repeated satisfaction. Winning the royal sword and getting a great ending yield a sense of accomplishment.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Anticipation builds from the game's 74 endings and the promise of varied content, making each playthrough feel unique. The excitement of discovering how choices affect the daughter and encountering quirky characters adds to the thrill. The Steam release finally making the game accessible sparked excitement among fans.
- Sadness (weight 0.03): The ending's separation, especially when the daughter leaves to marry the demon king, evokes sadness. Players feel a poignant ache that childhood days cannot be relived, and some express sympathy for the daughter's unfortunate fates. The lack of subtitles for the ending narration adds to the sense of loss.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Repetitive clicking due to no skip function and the need to redo actions irritate players. Sexist remarks, the unsatisfying Cube ending, and the ending scolding the player for their raising choices also annoy. The meager reward for saving the country and the daughter failing at everything add to the frustration.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Players admire the game's excellent graphics and detailed, harmonious artwork, which hold up even after decades. The complex attribute system and high replay value are lauded, and the game is regarded as a masterpiece by Gainax. Its enduring appeal as a classic that remains engaging regardless of age earns admiration.
- Humor (weight 0.02): The absurdity of outcomes like the daughter marrying Satan or becoming a dancer, despite the player's intentions, provides comedic relief. The situation of a father relying on a 10-year-old daughter is seen as humorously frustrating, and the comparison of a hero's pension to a child's pay is comically exaggerated. Players also find fun in the playful descriptions of sending the daughter to work in the lumberjack industry.
- Happiness (weight 0.02): The official English release after years of waiting brings happiness, allowing players to finally experience the game in their language. Being able to hear the BGM and voice acting, and the ability to reload to change the daughter's rebellious phase, contribute to joy. The game being on Steam revives a beloved title, bringing happiness to long-time fans.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players express affection for the daughter character and the experience of being a father figure. The game's diverse endings and stat-building are enjoyable, and the updated version is appreciated as much as the original. The emotional connection to the daughter's growth fosters love for the game.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Watching the daughter grow up and succeed, such as becoming powerful and defeating enemies with fireballs, brings joy. The rewarding experience of raising the daughter successfully is a source of happiness. Players find joy in the gameplay mechanics that lead to these satisfying outcomes.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's depth and scale, comparing it to Skyrim in terms of satisfaction. The addition of Korean subtitles and the quick developer response to a bug are valued. The era-appropriate graphics, novel gameplay, and good music earn appreciation.
- Concern (weight 0.01): The game contains inappropriate and sexist content unsuitable for children, such as breast enlargement pills and the option to marry the daughter, raising concerns. Technical issues like the missing season display during vacations and inability to take screenshots also worry players.
- Pride (weight 0.01): Players feel pride when the daughter chooses the thug life or achieves accomplishments like becoming a general or a famous artist. Successfully raising the daughter to win contests and reach high positions instills pride in the player.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): The lack of Chinese language support after long waiting is a source of frustration. Freeze bugs, crashes, and the inability to close the game contribute to a frustrating experience, especially for those with Chinese-language expectations.
- Approval (weight 0.01): The improved training system and interactivity are approved of by players. The game is marked as worth playing with many positive checkmarks, indicating strong approval of its overall quality.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players express acceptance and care for the daughter regardless of her path, showing affection for her character. The daughter is cute and lovable, fostering an emotional bond that players cherish.}