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[cj_iwakura]

Phenomeno is a visual novel adaptation of the first 2 books in the Phenomeno series authored by Ninomae Hajime and illustrated by Yoshitoshi ABe (Haibane Renmei, Serial Experiments Lain).

It’s a freeware game released for Windows to promote the novels.

The game is occult-suspense-horror with a slight dash of humor.

Download
http://www.nitroplus.co.jp/game/phenomeno/

English Patch!
http://visualnovelaer.fuwanovel.org/tag/phenomeno/

Disclaimer: the OP and stuff leading up to the game start is in Japanese. Everything after that is translated, so don't panic(like I did).

Images/God-Tier ABe art

Play at night for optimum effect.

 

[A Sentient Keyboard]

Here's the Visual Novel Database description (which is pretty poorly written, but hey, it's something):

Visual novel adapted from the youth horror novel written by Hajime Ninomae and illustrated by yoshitoshi ABe.

Yamada Nagito, a university student living away from home, needing a cheap place to live he finds out about a mysterious “House that grants wishes” on the market for a ridiculously low rent; he snaps up the house and starts living there. Afew nights in he starts hearing strange creaking noises. Each and every night he’s assaulted by these torturous noises. The last straw is when he finds the number 7 carved into the wall, as if counting down to something. Yamada having an interest in the occult seeks help from a website he frequently visits: “Ikaigabuchi”, which specialises in occult topics.

Source

And here's a review

 

[metsallica]

Whoa! ABe lives, will check it out just for the art! Thanks cj (knew this had to be your thread)!

 

[Necrovex]

I was wondering if this game would get an English Patch, and then I read the OP. Such happiness. I love Abe's artwork. After I complete Steins;Gate, I'll make this my next VN.

Edit: AHHHHHHH! I just fully read the title of this thread. Makers of Steins;Gate too?! Yup. This will be the next VN I play after SG.

 

[tiltnkirby]

Thanks for the heads up OP, will have to wait 12 hours till night time to read.

 

[A Huge Battleship]

Visual novel. Yoshitoshi ABe. Occult-suspense-horror. Freeware. English patch.

Where do I sign?

 

[Out_Of_Ammo]

Nice, will definitely check this out!

 

[cj_iwakura]

Just finished it.

My god, that ending.

It can't end there.


Best VN. Short but sweet, and you'll damn sure never forget that last image.

 

[Despera]

Shit... I'm not huge on VNs, but will give this one a spin for the ABe art alone.

Thanks for sharing, cj.

 

[jkanownik]

Why is this in gaming? (serious question)

 

[cj_iwakura]

Why is this in gaming? (serious question)

We have a visual novel thread in gaming, last time I checked.

 

[Setre]

Do I need a torrent client for this or is d/ling the zipfile alright?

 

[Black Door]

Why is this in gaming? (serious question)

Not all video games are about protecting cyborg ninjas while they cut demons in half

 

[Byronic Hero]

I'm intrigued. I only watched the Stiens;gate anime, but loved every minute of it. Did the writer of this write anything else?

 

[dragonlife]

Hm. Will check it out.

 

[Nekobo]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing, OP!

 

[VanillaCakeIsBurning]

Planning on playing this in the coming weeks.

Looks pretty interesting.

 

[Wyndstryker]

Need to remember to get this.

Subbing so I won't forget.

 

[cj_iwakura]

For anyone worried about this being a time sink, I finished it in roughly 4 hours. (I'm a fast reader, mind you.)

 

[Shoyz]

Stumbled upon this VN a few days ago and it's left a void in my heart ever since. It was so nice to find a (psychological) horror game that can follow up Chaos;Head (a much more relevant game to bring up), but it's so short..

Does it really cover the 'first two books'? The VN has a prologue and two cases/chapters, the first book lists three cases. If anything it seems that it would only cover the first book, and not the entirety of it (hence if you liked the VN you could finish the story by getting the book?). Since 4-9 seem to be the prologue, and then three ~100 page chapters.

Either way the books seem to have been translated into English, but in raw wall of text form. Disappointingly not formatted page by page so that you can read along with the book if you get it..

I'd highly recommend playing Chaos;Head if you enjoyed Phenomeno. Not only is it the precursor to Steins;Gate, but (provided you go for the red delusions) is full of horror and twists. Just don't watch the anime.

Thinking of finishing off with Saya No Uta, but I'm fairly sure that's all that's left. Unless anybody knows any more horror VNs? (Apart from 999 which isn't horror, is terrible, and Corpse Party which I find a bit 'campy').

 

[Tizoc]

Thanks for the OT, will give this a play even tho I've yet to play SG itself XP

 

[danmaku]

Thanks, will download asap!

 

[ojsinnerz]

How the heck did I not notice this thread earlier?! It's a bit late to be playing it now, but will play it whenever I have the time.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Stumbled upon this VN a few days ago and it's left a void in my heart ever since. It was so nice to find a (psychological) horror game that can follow up Chaos;Head (a much more relevant game to bring up), but it's so short..

Does it really cover the 'first two books'? The VN has a prologue and two cases/chapters, the first book lists three cases. If anything it seems that it would only cover the first book, and not the entirety of it (hence if you liked the VN you could finish the story by getting the book?). Since 4-9 seem to be the prologue, and then three ~100 page chapters.



Either way the books seem to have been translated into English, but in raw wall of text form. Disappointingly not formatted page by page so that you can read along with the book if you get it..

Good to know. Is it an online script or anything? And is it as good as the VN? (I assume so.)

 

[Hobby]

The sad thing about Phenomeno was that this was only done by Nitro+ as a promotion for the light novel series. It's much more suited to the visual novel medium, though, and I can't imagine the light novels being anywhere near as good as a result. Also, the writing is excellent (can't speak for the translation) and I hope Nitro+ uses the guy for eroge at some point.

 

[Shoyz]

Good to know. Is it an online script or anything? And is it as good as the VN? (I assume so.)

I'm putting off reading it until I decide if importing the book is worth it. In the listing mentioned half of the photos of the book were one page text, one page illustration, so the book could very well be half drawings, missing out on a lot going all-text.

Spoiler

But it seems to be 1:1, it ends with the same cliffhanger line as the VN

Walloftext translations located here:
http://www.suiminchuudoku.net/tl/doku.php?id=phenomeno:home

Fairly sure the new stuff starts with Case02, and the Raven Notes. There also seems to be a second Phenomeno book, but I'm guessing it's untranslated. Unless Case02 is the second book.

 

[cj_iwakura]

I'm putting off reading it until I decide if importing the book is worth it. In the listing mentioned half of the photos of the book were one page text, one page illustration, so the book could very well be half drawings, missing out on a lot going all-text.

Spoiler

But it seems to be 1:1, it ends with the same cliffhanger line as the VN

Walloftext translations located here:
http://www.suiminchuudoku.net/tl/doku.php?id=phenomeno:home

Fairly sure the new stuff starts with Case02, and the Raven Notes. There also seems to be a second Phenomeno book, but I'm guessing it's untranslated. Unless Case02 is the second book.

If I'm not mistaken, seems like 1:1 to me. Maybe this writer did the VN translation? Either way, will definitely read, thanks.

 

[Shoyz]

If I'm not mistaken, seems like 1:1 to me. Maybe this writer did the VN translation? Either way, will definitely read, thanks.

Take it as rumor as I haven't read much into it, but from what I've read in various search results there was supposedly someone translating the VN, and quit when they found out that the novel was already translated (since it's more or less the same). Some time later, someone from Russia took the English translation for the Novel and applied it to the game. Not so much that it's the same person, but that the text was copy-pasted over in that case.

Edit: Having read the translator's blog, it seems that he was translating the version posted for free on their website. As mentioned it appears that a heavy amount of content in the novel is illustrations, but it also appears that Case03 is exclusive to the novel, hence why it's not translated. He mentions in the comments feeling obliged to finish what he'd started (and feels he'll end up buying the books) but gives no promises as he's moved on to a new project.

So, for a quick rundown:
(Translated) Visual Novel: Case01.
(Translated) Web Text-Only Version: Case01 and Case02.
Book Version: Case01, Case02 (Translated) and Case03 (Untranslated).
And the second book which came out recently (Untranslated). Not sure what Raven Notes is but supposedly it's an addition for the book which was added to the web version, but judging by its length I'm sure it's not Case03.

There's always the possibility that the physical copy might have differences in the story (probably not, though), and if the translator ever finds a copy, we might end up seeing Case03 and/or the second book translated. He only finished Raven Notes a month ago so who knows.

 

[Shoyz]

Information seems to be scarce, but for completion's sake:

Although it's often listed as a book and the information gleamed from google translate is incredibly vague, it's a rewrite (to some extent) of the 'House that Grants Wishes' story (Case01) from Book 1. Title is 願いの叶う家 (roughly translates to 'House of Wishes Come True')

It's expensive clocking in at about twice as much as the novels (2500yen vs 12/1300 yen). From what I can gather, it's an Audiobook CD with a small illustration booklet (33 pages). The original reading seems to have been free online, along with a video (similar to the VN but with animation effects and some new art).

Sadly the reading was done by a single person, rather than a fully voiced version of the story, and without much inflection...the weakness of the novel is that it isn't as immersive as the VN, mainly in due to the horror sound effects (which surprisingly, the audiobook doesn't have, it's just voices). Talk about a lost opportunity! Granted the actual product might be different than the original free version (such as the novel includes an extra case than the web version), but I doubt it.

Shame, as the cover art is so much better than Phenomeno 2..and so much potential! Even if you forego unique voices for each character for a simple reading, having the sound effects with a read along novel could have bridged the gap between the novels and the VN. On the bright side, a third book is coming out on April 16th.

 

[Chrysalis]

So the menu is in Japanese. Did I really reach the end?

Spoiler

Where Yoishi tells Nagi "welcome to this side" and whatnot? If so, that was supershort...like 2-3 hours. More of a promo than anything.

 

[cj_iwakura]

So the menu is in Japanese. Did I really reach the end?

Spoiler

Where Yoishi tells Nagi "welcome to this side" and whatnot? If so, that was supershort...like 2-3 hours. More of a promo than anything.

Yes, that's the end. Heck of a finale though.

 

[Clov]

I started this last night; I haven't played a visual novel since the first Higanbana (which I still haven't finished), and was really interested in this one as a big Lain fan. It's really good so far, though the translation seems a little stiff at parts. The part I left off on was after

Spoiler

the protagonist finds the "II" carved in his new apartment room, and he meets Krishna inside the club room.

I'm really excited to see what comes next; I know this is supposed to be short, but I don't want it to end!

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Didn't realize it was free. I need to check this out... I love ABe's shit.

 

[Burnburn]

Awesome game, it's only 2-3 hours long, so easily recommended.

But that ending, how it makes me crave more, that's the real horror of this game.

Beautifull game, beautifull art, beautifull music, awesome story. Highly recommended!

 

[HamPster PamPster]

Looks cool. I'm going to write myself a note so I don't forget about between now and tonight when I get home

 

[Shoyz]

Back when the book/VN came out they (I presume) handed out promotional DVDs with the VN on it.

What's significant about it (to me) is that it has a seemingly unique piece of artwork on the DVD itself, an 'alteration' of the cover. You'll understand it if you've seen the ending to the VN:

Bonus: Cosplay Yoishi

Source

 

[Shoyz]

Fresh from my mailbox: Phenomeno 1 and 2! Not that I can read them, but I wanted to read along with the translation.

Unfortunately the listing I'd seen for the first book showed four pictures, each with an illustration and a page of text, which might lead you to believe that it was a picture book, or at least had a lot. In actuality I think they showed -every- illustration in that listing. Naughty! Disappointingly there's about one drawing per Case, which doesn't amount to much. It's all-text. I was hoping that the illustrations made up the page discrepancy between the book and the translation, but it appears that it just doesn't line up at all. Woe!

Something else to keep in mind is that, while it may not show in the photo, the second book is much thinner. About 120 pages, or nearly a third (384->264), thinner, and I'm guessing a trend that will continue for the last book as it's cheaper than the second. (1365->1260->1208 yen on Amazon, respectively).

Although one nice detail I don't recall seeing in any photos of the book prior is that they actually have bookmarks built in! A nice touch.

 

[Shoyz]

Cover of the 3rd book unveiled.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Nitroplus,

Make more VNs.

Love,
cj

 

[Byronic Hero]

So are they going to make a VN version of the remaining novels? I'd really like to know before I fall in love with this only to have it end abruptly. My heart has gon through this before with the Stiens;gate anime. Not that it ended abruptly, I just wanted more.

 

[cj_iwakura]

So are they going to make a VN version of the remaining novels? I'd really like to know before I fall in love with this only to have it end abruptly. My heart has gon through this before with the Stiens;gate anime. Not that it ended abruptly, I just wanted more.

It has a unique end, for sure.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

This is weird, I just happened to be listening to the S;G ED track when I noticed this thread and clicked on it. It must be fate.

 

[The Return of]

Any sexual stuff? If so is it possible to skip the scenes? That stuff always seems to random in VN and it really stops me from even bothering with them.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Any sexual stuff? If so is it possible to skip the scenes? That stuff always seems to random in VN and it really stops me from even bothering with them.

Spoiler

There is a scene with a character lying in a 'come hither' pose with some suggestive dialogue, but nothing outright sexual.

It comes out of left field.

Nothing major, and you could fast forward through it, I guess, but the visual's still there.

 

[Endesu]

So nice to see a thread for this! Would have made one myself at the time if I hadn't still been under Junior status.

Sad to say, though, that's just about all there is for English readers. Sad times.

 

[Tenrius]

Will check this out.


On a side note, what should I pick between Steins;Gate the anime and Steins;Gate the VN? I'm inclined to get the anime, but is it a lesser experience?

 

[indigo-cyclops]

Does this need to be played in a Japanese system locale?

 

[omenaa]

Does this even have any of the same staff that were in Steins;Gate? Also most of the staff that made Steins;Gate are from 5pb..

 

[Shoyz]

So nice to see a thread for this! Would have made one myself at the time if I hadn't still been under Junior status.

Sad to say, though, that's just about all there is for English readers. Sad times.

Actually, if you scroll up I linked to an English translation of the novel's Case02, which was posted for free online along with Case01. Text-only though. Case03 is Novel-exclusive, and untranslated along with the latter two books.

 

[Clov]

Finally found the time to finish this.

Spoiler

Yoishi's face at the end, oh god! That scared the hell out of me!

I hope they make more of these based off the novels.