The worst part about So Long My Love is that awful feeling when you realize that there are at least four other Sakura Wars games that have never come to America. I desperately need to return to the warm and happy world of Sakura, but the best I can hope for is a second (or third) playthrough that takes advantage of Sakura's branching storyline.
If you want to play a good game that features a visual novel dating sim system as well as some strategic elements, this is a game for you. Both parts are equally good. It's not Persona 3, you know.
Sakura Wars So Long My Love is an interesting Visual Novel fused with strategic Jrpg elements. The cast is well characterized with so many different girls to interact with. Battles are always challenging but with a good Jrpg degree you can overcome any hardships. The bad thing is that the game lasts just 15 hours and the control system has not been rebuilt for the Wii version.
It's been five years, but Sakura Wars aged rather well. A great mix of visual novel and SRPG, charming characters, several endings and a great gameplay; one of the best games on the genre both for PS2 and Wii.
Certainly Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love has its issues, but it's a game unlike any I've played before, and I applaud NIS America's willingness to finally bring the long-running franchise to North America. [Apr 2010, p.83]
The premise may be wild-eyed, but the systems that fire it are robust... Deserves the small but vociferous following it will no doubt find. [Apr 2010, p.95]
As much as I love this game, I am going to keep this review short and simple: This game is incredible. The gameplay is innovative and fun, the story is engaging, and the characters are unbelievably real and fleshed-out. The replay value is beyond anything I have seen in a game in a while. A single playthrough will last about 15-20 hours, but believe me: you will want to play more than once. Branching conversation paths, multiple endings, and plenty of hidden secrets will keep you busy for far longer than you might think. Don't let the critic reviews fool you; as long as you are okay with the Anime art style (which is very well drawn, by the way), this game is well worth your time and money.
Great game for casual RPG-ers or for those who are new to the genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it and although it was short, it makes up for it with replay value. The controls were not the most intuitive but the art style was one of my favourites and suited the game. I would love for others in the series to come to North America.
If you go into Sakura Wars expecting nonstop combat, you might be a slight bit disappointed. If you go in for the story, then you'll be in for a treat, and a hidden gem for the Wii/PS2. The tactical game play is solid, and the characters are very dynamic in an early 20th century setting with steam powered machines. The music is fantastic. The game is admittedly more visual novel/dating simulator than it is an RPG, with most of your time spent getting to know the characters. Overall, a solid hidden gem, though a bit light on combat for most people.
The game is 90% non-animated slideshow dialogue and 10% battles. If the story was any good that would be okay, but nothing interesting ever happens. There's nothing in this game's story that a generic slice-of-life anime doesn't do better
SummarySakura Wars: So Long, My Love combines the epic battles of an RPG with the character interaction and development of a sim game in the free-roaming environment of 1920s New York City. Pilot mechs, perform in plays, and experience action and adventure in this Steampunk Extravaganza.