Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Valis X: Reiko – Kizudarake no Senshi is presented as a visual novel rather than a traditional action-oriented Valis title. Players progress primarily by reading dialogue and narrative text, with occasional decision points that branch the story into slightly different erotic or narrative scenes. While these choices do not alter the overall plot trajectory, they do unlock unique character interactions and sexual content, making multiple playthroughs worthwhile for completionists and fans of adult visual novels.

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The interactivity is straightforward: at key moments, you’ll be prompted to select one of two or three options, each leading to a distinct scene or dialogue path. Combat, exploration, and puzzles are absent, placing full emphasis on storytelling and character moments. For players seeking varied gameplay mechanics, this lack of traditional action may feel restrictive, but it stays true to the episodic visual-novel format established in the Valis X series.

One of the strengths of this chapter’s gameplay lies in its pacing. By viewing events through Reiko’s eyes, familiar scenes from the first episode gain fresh nuance. Although you won’t be physically controlling Reiko in battle, the narrative interludes are paced so that tension builds naturally toward key revelations. The decision points are spaced out, ensuring you’re mostly engaged in narrative progression rather than repetitive choice menus.

Graphics

Visually, Valis X: Reiko maintains the anime-inspired style of its predecessor, with clean character designs and richly colored backgrounds. Each static illustration—from Reiko’s expressive close-ups to the lush landscapes of Vecanti—demonstrates a careful attention to line work and shading. The art team succeeds at giving each heroine a distinct look and personality, with Reiko’s determined gaze contrasting sharply against the more ethereal styling of Yuko in the first chapter.

Backgrounds are detailed yet unobtrusive, providing enough context to immerse you in Vecanti without stealing focus from the characters. While there’s no in-game animation beyond occasional blinking or subtle camera pans, the high-resolution stills and smooth UI transitions contribute to a polished presentation. Menus and dialog boxes are neatly organized, ensuring text remains legible even against darker artwork.

Given the adult nature of the content, the erotic scenes are rendered with the same level of detail as the story segments. Whether depicting romantic encounters or more unsettling tentacle-based assaults, the illustrations are explicit and unflinching. Art direction leans into fan-service tropes common to the genre, but does so with professional consistency and a clear, if mature, visual identity.

Story

As the second chapter in the Valis X saga, Reiko – Kizudarake no Senshi retells familiar events from the viewpoint of Reiko Asou, Yuko’s steadfast friend. This perspective shift reveals hidden motives, deepens character relationships, and clarifies the machinations of Vecanti’s villains. Fans of the original Valis games will appreciate how locations, antagonists, and lore are reassembled in a new narrative mosaic rather than following any single game plot verbatim.

The overarching narrative remains focused on the war for Vecanti and the legendary sword of Valis, but Reiko’s journey highlights her inner conflicts—her loyalty to Yuko, her fear of inadequacy, and her fierce determination to protect her friends. New subplots explore Reiko’s encounters with minor characters and fleshed-out backstories, adding emotional stakes that were only hinted at in the first episode. While some scenes veer into erotic territory, the core plot advances steadily toward broader revelations in later chapters.

That said, the juxtaposition of serious fantasy drama with explicit adult content creates tonal dissonance at times. Tentacle-monster assaults and graphic lesbian scenes are interwoven with heroic dialogue and lore exposition, which may jar players expecting a more cohesive thematic experience. Nonetheless, Reiko’s personal arc remains compelling, and her viewpoint enriches the player’s understanding of events that felt opaque in the prior chapter.

Overall Experience

Valis X: Reiko – Kizudarake no Senshi will appeal primarily to adults who enjoy visual novels with strong erotic elements and a penchant for the classic Valis mythos. Its strength lies in the character-focused narrative and the fresh perspective on familiar events, making this chapter a must-play for series enthusiasts. However, readers seeking robust gameplay mechanics or a strictly heroic fantasy experience may find its visual-novel structure limiting.

The polished art style, clear UI, and well-paced storytelling create an engaging presentation, even as the heavy erotic content—especially the more graphic tentacle scenes—limits the game’s audience to mature players. Choices, while cosmetically minor, encourage replayability and offer glimpses into otherwise unseen character moments. For those curious about the larger Valis X narrative, Reiko’s tale sets the stage for the climactic final episode.

In summary, Reiko – Kizudarake no Senshi stands out among adult visual novels for its ties to a beloved retro franchise and its focused, character-driven retelling of key events. While the gameplay is minimal and the adult content may be polarizing, fans of Reiko and the Valis universe will find this chapter a rewarding blend of fantasy drama and mature storytelling.

Retro Replay Score

null/10