To Heart (visual novel)

Infobox VG| title = ToHeart (トゥハート)


developer = Leaf (PC)
Aquaplus (PSX/PSE)
publisher = Leaf (PC)
Aquaplus (PSX/PSE)
distributor =
designer =
series = ToHeart
engine =
version =
released = May 23, 1997 (PC)
March 25, 1999 (PS)
June 27, 2003 (PSE)
genre = Visual novel (love adventure)
modes = Single player
ratings = 18+ (PC)
CERO: 15+ (PS, PSE)
platforms = PlayStation, PC, PlayStation 2 (As part of the "ToHeart" & "ToHeart2" Limited Deluxe Pack)
media =
requirements =
input = Controller, keyboard, mouse
preceded by =
followed by = ToHeart2

nihongo|"ToHeart"|トゥハート|Tū Hāto is a visual novel by Leaf/Aquaplus released in 1997 for the PC. It was later ported to the PlayStation and given voice acting. [cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/data/575229.html |title=ToHeart at GameFAQs |accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work= ] A second PC version, titled "ToHeart PSE" was released containing the PlayStation version as well as omake games. The new computer version and PlayStation version had the adult scenes removed. It spawned a ToHeart franchise featuring anime and manga adaptations.

"ToHeart" is a love adventure visual novel. It is text-intensive, covering the screen rather than sitting in a box at the bottom, and most of the text is first-person narration rather than dialogue.

Concept

The game is remarkable for the purity of its concept: it represents in many ways a minimalist distillation of the dating sim genre. It is almost entirely linear having one menu choice per fifteen minutes of gameplay. It is a pure high-school romance, without gimmicks - particularly notable since most of Leaf's other games are high-concept. Its atmosphere is relentlessly bright, full of sunlight and cute pop music. There is little continuity in the narrative, nor is there much drama: the game is a succession of short character vignettes. "ToHeart" focuses almost entirely on its writing, quirky characterization, and the dynamic of the relationships between its characters.

The game itself has never been translated into English, although Chinese and Korean versions have become available.

PC version

The original version was released on May 23 1997 as a hentai visual novel. This version had no voice acting and was also known as "Leaf Visual Novel Series Vol.3". No omake were included with this version.

The "ToHeart" logo was significantly different from the one currently in use which distinguishes it from the later, non-adult versions of the game.

The original theme song to this release was "Brand New Heart", as opposed to "Feeling Heart" which was used in all subsequent versions and in the anime. The opening scene does not use the animated version, but instead uses backgrounds superimposed with the main characters in their different poses throughout the video, as well as art scenes from the game.

ToHeart can still occasionally be found new at retail shops or ordered directly from Leaf.

PlayStation version

The PlayStation version was released two years after the original PC version. It was virtually the same as the original, but all adult scenes and themes were removed. The story is fully intact, and the ToHeart logo was redesigned for this release.

Mini-games, known as omake, were also included. The opening theme song was changed from "Brand New Heart" to "Feeling Heart", accompanied by a completely new opening sequence which has similarities to the anime opening. Although the character design was unchanged in the game, the new opening sequence utilised the anime version's.

The game was released on three CDs. The game itself can no longer be bought directly from the publisher, and is available only at secondhand shops.

PSE version

The PSE version came out in 2003: four years after the PlayStation version. It is a virtual copy of the PlayStation version, except customised for the PC. Its PlayStation roots are still reflected through the omake games, as the controls are mapped to the keyboard to resemble a PlayStation controller. The main game is fully PC compatible and supports the mouse.

Given the advances in technology between the previous two versions, PSE was released on one DVD.

Interestingly enough, unlike the previous versions the box art for PSE used the character redesigns from the anime. The game itself used the same character designed as in previous incarnations.

The game, like the original PC version, can still be found at retail shops and directly from Aquaplus

PlayStation 2 version

This version is based on the PlayStation/PSE release, with full voice acting and omake intact. It is not available individually, and only through the special ToHeart2/ToHeart bundle.

Mini games

Known as omake in Japanese, all these games are very lighthearted, featuring the characters super deformed.

These games were first seen on the Playstation version. The PSE version was ported directly, and maintains the control scheme of the Playstation.

Heart By Heart

This game allows you to choose between all of the female cast in ToHeart, except Ayaka, Serio and Rio, whom need to be unlocked by finishing each character's scenario in the main game.

All characters have certain moves in common: they are able to do a super jump, which can be used to stun enemies if hit from the bottom, and they can charge up their shots up to three levels.

Each stage consists of a few enemies and other ToHeart characters to defeat, using attacks unique to each character. There is only one screen per stage and is not a side-scrolling game. There are a total of 30 stages to play, with a 100 second time limit for every stage. It also supports up to two players.

There are two bosses: Serio and Multi, and at stage 30, a robot version of Daniel, Serika's butler.

;Akari:She attacks with one teddy bear per shot, and it moves forward, before looping back around half the distance. How far the bear moves varies with each shot. A charged shot released a super charged bear which will travel further.

;Multi:She attacks using a mop, which moves forwards only. The mop leaves a trail of water, which causes other characters to slide and become unable to stop immediately. Her super charged shot releases a much faster mop.

;Aoi:She attacks using an energy "wave" released from her hands. Her super charged shot moves much faster, and also is wider than normal.

;Hoshina:She has three different attacks which always go in order, each providing a different range. Her first attack shoots out a pencil, which travels straight across the screen. She throws a bag for her second attack, which has a small arcing distance, while she throws a book for her third attack, which has a longer arcing distance. Her charged shots are all faster versions of her normal attacks, with no difference in range.

;Shiho:She sings for her attacks, singing out a note which travels in a short s-wave. Her charged attacks travel faster and go right across the screen.

;Lemmy:She attacks using her kyudo (Japanese archery) skills. Her normal shots are not straight though, and will veer slightly up or down before disappearing after a short distance. Her charged shot allows her to shoot an arrow straight across the screen.

○△□×

A puzzle game, in which the player needs to arrange blocks with designated shapes together to form and eliminate lines. The name of the game reflects the PlayStation controller, of which the four shapes and the controller layout plays a large role.

お嬢様は魔女

nihongo|Furigana: おじょうさまはまじょ|ojō-sama wa majō (A young lady is a witch)

A side-scrolling shooter game featuring Serika Kurusugawa as a witch riding on her broomstick. There are three different types of shot that can be used, which can also be levelled up by collecting power-ups. Each type of shot will only work on some enemies, and they all have different types of arching shots.

Serika also has access to three different levels of power-ups, which increases the power and effectiveness of the shot. She also has access to three 'bombs', which destroys everything on the screen. The bombs themselves are her butler shouting at the enemies.

References

External links

*moby game|id=/to-heart|name="To Heart"