Release Date: October 26, 2023 (Worldwide)
Developers:  Voltage Inc.
Publishers:  Voltage Inc.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

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There are Three Segments in this Fandisc:

• Love Stories –are the primary contents of this fandisc. These are the stories that depict the events that happen after the “Happy Endings” of the first game.
• The Fellowship – is an alternative story in which the heroine does not enter into a romantic relationship with any love interest. The story’s main focus is on the bonds between the characters as they work together to tackle an ‘unresolved issue‘ introduced in the first game.
• Side Stories – These are interesting side stories and anecdotes that center around the side characters: Maya, Evelina, Conrad, and Ish.

ART AND MUSIC

Artist:	Norita (Character Design)
BG Artist:	Minoru Akiba (StudioJack)
Scenario Writers:	Ayane Ushio (Main Writer/Director), Chiaki Ogura, Koji Ogida, Mai Azuma
OST:	Shihoko Hirata (OP & ED Vocals and Lyrics)
BGM/Soundtrack:	Shunsuke Tsuchiya [PROCYON STUDIO] (Composition & Arrangement)
Producer:	Satoshi Nohara [Voltage Inc.]

Voice Acting

Makoto Furukawa as “Crius Castlerock” – Yoritomo (Birushana), Lugus (Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk), Allan Melville (Cupid Parasite), Adage (Steam Prison), Ookurikara (Touken Ranbu), Kazuma Kamikubo (Lover Pretend), Shaw (MLQC), Dazai (Charade Maniacs)

Noriaki Sugiyama as “Tyril I Lister” – Akito (Norn9), Konnosuke (Touken Ranbu), Utsutsu (Hana Awase), Thor (Kamigami no Asobi), Aiguille (Code Realize), Galle Kashika (Cendrillon Palika), Boris (Spade no Kuni no Alice), Nalan (BeniBana), Sou (Ayakashi Gohan), Sasuke (Naruto)

Shunsuke Takeuchi as “Zenn Sorfield“ – Inaba Gou (Touken Ranbu), Akechi Mitsuhide (Ikemen Sengoku), Juuza Hyoudo (A3!), Kirara (Side Kicks!), Zora (Bustafellows), Salum (RE:Zero)

Kaito Ishikawa as “Lucien Neuschburn” – Il Fado de Rie (Cafe Enchante), Marius (Tears of Themis), Dante Falzone (Piofiore), Adam (BUSTAFELLOWS), Dimitri (FE Three Houses), Kasen Kanesada (Touken Ranbu), Laurier (Nekopara Catboy Paradise), Takao (Dairoku)

Tetsuya Kakihara as “The Witch of Ruin“ – Victor Frankenstein (Code Realize), Shin (Amnesia), Uguisumaru (Touken Ranbu), Kiro (MLQC), Isora (7Scarlet), Carmen (Bustafellows), Clyde King (Iris School of Wizardry), Sena (9RIP), Keith Claes (My Next Life as a Villainess)

Suzuko Mimori as “Maya Kirkland” – Nanami Momozono (Kamisama Kiss), Umi Sonoda (Love Live), Suzune (Tokyo Ghoul), Maria Arusu (Date A Live), Hinae Arimura (CHAOS;CHILD)

Yuichi Jose as “Conrad Neuschburn” – Felix (FE Three Houses), Chiaki Morisawa (Ensemble Stars!), Sakyo Furuichi (A3!), Belle (Another Prince ~A Lost Tale), Jude Waltz (Ren’ai Princess)

Naomi Iida as “Evelina” – Queen Victoria (Code Realize), Tara (Haruka 7), Sakai Tadatsugu (Sengoku Hime), Miwa Asahina (Brothers Conflict), Renoman (Desert Kingdom) Otoha Amamiya (Hiiro no Kakera – Shin Tamayorihime Denshou)

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~MAIN CHARACTERS AND ROUTES~

Even If Tempest Dawning Connections starts with a short prologue and then proceeds to the after-story selections for the four main love interests. Since it’s a fandisc, you can choose to begin with any route without worrying about major plot spoilers. It is important to note, however, that some ‘love story’ routes will reveal more lore compared to the others. If you’re looking for a recommended play order for a smoother story flow, I’d suggest the following sequence: Crius → Lucien → Tyril → Zenn → Anastasia (The Fellowship). Honestly, Crius, Lucien, and Tyril’s routes can be interchanged. Zenn’s route, on the other hand, is largely detached from the “Hystorica” plot, which serves as the setting for the other three routes, so I think playing his route last, and prior to “The Fellowship” makes for a really nice & smooth transition story-wise.

Completing a ‘love story’ will gradually unlock side stories that you can access at any time from the game’s main menu. “The Fellowship” story will only unlock after you have cleared all of the love stories for the four main LIs.

Walkthroughs:

• Crius
• Lucien
• Tyril
• Zenn
• The Fellowship (Heroine Route)

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NOTE: The contents below contain spoilers for the first game, Even If Tempest.

CRIUS CASTLEROCK

Story Enjoyment: 7/10
Fan Service: 9/10

I started with Crius, as he was the first route I went with during the first game. This route was very involved with exhaustive events from the previous installment, which initially posed a problem (for me) because I have a memory of a goldfish. (laughs) 😂Embarasingly, I had to dig up my summary draft from my last review of the first game to touch base on what was currently happening in this story. Oops.😂 In any case this route actually started pretty good, but midway it introduced a lot of political conflicts that I really didn’t care for.

On the brighter side of things, the fanservice with Crius was spot-on, and to me, it was the highlight of this route. I found myself quite taken by his ‘interactions’ *cough sexy times* with Anastasia. Dude really knows how to heat things up, if ya know what I mean!👀 In terms of romance, I really have no complaints!🔥

LUCIEN NEUSCHBURN

Story Enjoyment: 8/10
Fan Service: 8/10

One thing about this fandisc that made me very happy was Lucien’s After-Story. If you’ve played the first game, you may share the same discontent I felt towards Lucien’s route, which lacked a proper mutual romance, and how this LI was just done a disservice all around. This time, though, I’m absolutely over the moon about how much screen time Lucien gets with Anastasia They are practically inseparable throughout, and it’s so satisfying to see, as well as experience their dynamic as a couple, especially considering it’s what I had longed for in the first game.🥺

Romance aside, I also loved how well-developed Lucien’s character became in this route. His pessimism stems from growing up in an abusive family, not to mention enduring torment from his brother, Conrad. The growth he’s achieved despite all the grueling hardships he’s been through is mighty impressive, to be honest. I’m very pleased with this After-Story all around.🥰

NOTE: *Heads-up, there is attempted SA in this route but not from the LI. So just be wary of that.

TYRIL I LISTER

Story Enjoyment: 10/10
Fan Service: 9/10

Good laawd! How I miss this tsundere so much! 😭 Playing Tyril’s after-story reminded me how great of a character he truly is and how much I enjoyed him, both as his own spunky persona and as Anastasia’s partner. Unlike Crius’s and Lucien’s route, the plot in his after-story didn’t revolve too much around the politics of Hystorica. Instead, it predominantly centered around Tyril’s backstory, and the Ishik clan, which was quite interesting given there weren’t enough breadcrumbs of it in the first game.

I might be biased, but to me, Tyril’s after-story was one of the best in this game. There wasn’t a single moment where I felt bored, and the fanservice was, hoo boi! very satisfying!🥵 By the end of the route, I was left wishing for more Tyril content. (Which is pretty much how I felt in the first game so…)😂

ZENN SORFIELD

Story Enjoyment: 8.5/10
Fan Service: 9/10

A few minutes into Zenn’s Chapter 1, & my reaction was already “Woah this route got weird quick!”😂 One thing that sets this route apart from the others is the shift in the story’s theme. While the previous three routes were set around Hystorica and its politics, the core of Zenn’s story focused on the Goddess’s lore and Zenn’s immortality. We also get to see a lot of interactions here with Ish and Rune.

I believe I enjoyed Zenn’s after-story more than I expected. Much like in the previous game, I really loved watching Zenn and Anastasia working together as a team (and now as a couple) – they both truly shine when they’re in sync.😌 In addition to that, the soulmate arc that I’ve prattled about in my previous review seems to have been subtly realized here,🤔 albeit it wasn’t the focus of the story. Anyway, as for the fanservice? Good heavens!👀 I never knew Zenn could get so possessive…🥵 and I’m here for it!

ANASTASIA LYNZEL (Main Heroine)

Anastasia remains one of the best and most remarkable otome game protagonists I’ve encountered. She possesses a consistently innocent yet adorable personality and the backbone of ten men. The juxtaposition says it all – it’s an understatement to say I enjoyed her fully as a heroine! Furthermore, the writing that delves into Anastasia’s trauma was beautifully woven into the game. The events from her past, the suffering she endured during her ‘Fatal Rewinds,’ and the emotional scars she acquired from these tragic occurrences simply do not magically disappear. While most run-of-the-mill media pieces tend to downplay a woman’s trauma and suffering after a ‘happy ending,’ I’m glad that in this game, this topic was consistently addressed in the story, whether through comments from side characters, her love interests, or the heroine’s own musings. I genuinely appreciate how the narrative realistically acknowledges that Anastasia’s emotional wounds take a long while to heal.

On another note, Anastasia’s winter outfit sprite was gorgeous! She remains and will always be ‘best girl’!

THE FELLOWSHIP

Story Enjoyment: 10/10
Fan Service: 9.5/10

“The Fellowship” was by far my favorite story of this fandisc’s entirety. This story is an alternate possibility following the events of “Parting Memoirs IV” in the first game. Although there aren’t any *sexy times* in this segment for obvious reasons,😏 I was giddily obsessed with how the LIs compete for Anastasia’s attention. 😂😍 How they constantly dote on her was also such a guilty pleasure! Reverse harem route happens to be my favorite trope, and everything here is the fanservice I’ve been craving for.

SIDE STORIES

Maya – I’m so glad Maya gets a side story! As a Mimorin simp, I just loved Maya so much. She was a solid side character in the first game, plus a fan-favorite at that. My only problem was that this story was too short. I needed more of Anastasia and Maya moments!🥺

Conrad – (laughs)😂 This story is for degens like me who love the sinister, dirty, and despicable in the fictional realm. Oddly enough, I enjoyed this side story to bits!😂 If you’re not fond of Conrad though, I suggest skipping this one as it can be a bit triggering.😬

Evelina – a really good and interesting side story. It was of the perfect length and had all the right nuances that made me understand Evelina’s character better.

Ish – More “Goddess lore” told from Ish’s POV. This story only solidified my dislike for Norna. I wasn’t a fan of her in the first game, and wasn’t a fan of her here either.🤷‍♀️ I do love me some Ish fanservice, so there’s that.

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SYSTEM AND LOCALIZATION

Similar to the first game, this fandisc features routes that implement the “Investigation” mechanic, making the gameplay more interactive for players. There are, however, no more “carnivals” or “witch trials” this time around. There is one route that puts you on trial, but you can breathe easy knowing that there are no longer timed choices. Thank god!

If you’re wondering whether the gameplay in this fandisc matches the structure of the first game where one route’s end will throw you to another without warning, you’ll find that this is no longer the case for this installment. Essentially, Even if Tempest Dawning Connections functions as your regular, straightforward visual novel, so to speak.

The user interface was also pleasantly simple and easy on the eyes. The added features, such as the chapter flowchart and the EXTRA section, were straightforward at best. I’ve also experienced no crashes, or sound issues, unlike my initial experience with the first game during its release. I’m very pleased to say that my gameplay was pretty much smooth sailing all around.

Lastly, the game’s localization was pretty impressive. The translations, in particular, were handled exquisitely. I liked how some of the nuanced humor and subtleties the game was going for landed on point.

I literally laughed so hard my insides hurt! IYKYK!😂

As for text typos, misspelling errors, and the like, I probably came across only one or two. Tipping my hat to the Voltage Inc. localizers for a job well done!

On a side note, the chibi sprites in the MUSIC section (which automatically unlocks after completing the game) was sooooo adorable!🥺❤️

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TRAILER

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OVERALL THOUGHTS

It took me around 20-25 hours to finish this game. While I wished for more content, the relatively short gameplay didn’t bother me as much, since this is what I normally expect from a fandisc. Additionally, this fandisc did not offer any full-on tragic endings, only short bad ends, and dead ends, which made the main ‘happy endings’ easily achievable.

Solid Stories that tied loose ends.

Truth be told, I had to go back and re-read my first review of the game to refresh my memory about the things that left me befuddled in the first installment. And I was very pleased to realize that this fandisc has addressed most, if not all, of the aspects that had previously boggled my mind.

Lady Evelina’s arc surprisingly became one of my favorites among the side stories. It was told with simplicity (I didn’t mind the use of wall text in most parts), and there weren’t too many elaborate details confined in her story that were necessary to add more depth to her character beyond what it already had. Everything flowed just right. I still don’t know why she was never chosen as a participant in the ‘carnival’ during the first game, but I’d assume this was no more than a plot choice by the writers, which was perfectly fine, in my opinion. I was happy to get more Goddess lore this time around in the fandisc, as it was one of the few gripes I had with the previous game. Albeit, this really didn’t change my opinion of Norna and how illogically irresponsible she was with everything. While I did enjoy getting more content for Ish and Rune, I remained indifferent toward the Goddess Norna’s narrative, if anything.💁‍♀️

On the other hand, I found all the love stories (and side stories) in EiT Dawning Connections to be vastly entertaining. Tyril and Zenn’s ended up being my favorite routes, though I had a fun run with Lucien’s after-story too! Crius, unfortunately, was my least favorite route story-wise, BUT the fanservice I got from him alone more than made up for it, so I really can’t complain too much! Ha!😏 

Once again, where the writing truly excels in this title is particularly with the main characters. I loved all of them in the first game, but I never thought I could love them even more in this second installment. Everyone’s likability was significantly heightened. And I mean it.🥺 Each character shined both as their own person and as a love interest for the heroine. I thought Tyril was initially my oshi, but as a big ‘box-pusher’ (hako-oshi), I found myself equally fawning over the four main guys. This is the reason why I loved the alternate story, “The Fellowship” so much because you get to have them all, with no limits! (cackles)😂

In terms of romance, I believe the developers took a lot of feedback from the fans after their first game and have considerably provided us with some really good relationship dynamics for Anastasia and her LIs. There is an abundance of fluff for the players to enjoy in this fandisc, which is a breath of fresh air, considering the little crumbs we managed to scrape out from the first game.😂 I’m also very appreciative of the copious amount of fanservice we get in this title. Seriously, if you’re an avid fan of the series like me, you can rest easy that you will be very well-fed.

Do I recommend this game? YES.
Many fans of the genre, including myself had been eagerly anticipating the release of Even if Tempest: Dawning Connections this year, and I can confidently say that the hype and the wait were entirely justified. Not a single iota of this title disappointed me. Well, perhaps I had wished for even more content,😅 But you know what, in all honesty, as the first fandisc of the series, EiT Dawning Connections sits just right for me. Make no mistake; the content you’re getting in this title is well worth its price. So if you’re a fan of the first game, loved its lore and characters, and with bated breath craved for more in the series, Even if Tempest Dawning Connections no doubt, should be a must-play in your book.

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