Shades of Sakura Reviews

Shades of Sakura is a puzzle game all about using the power of physics and drawing to make two yin yang balls meet. The game has 40 levels, most of them having some story/visual novel elements in between them. To beat a level, you have to move one or both of the yin yang balls by creating distinct shapes with your mouse, as if you were drawing. The game isn't all too hard but if you do struggle with a level or just want to see the animated scenes, there is a skip button. Otherwise, the game isn't bad at all. Though simple, it was rather relaxing and satisfying to figure out all the puzzles!

Even though Shades of Sakura is marketed as some cheap sexy game, there's actually much more to it. I really enjoyed the dialogues. All the characters are very polite and thoughtful. There's a lot of food for thought and sometimes witty humor. Here are some of my favorite lines from just the first part of the game: "I'm always prepared to attack. What I'm not prepared for is the life of a peasant or someone's wife." "After you think about it, decide. And after you do so, don't think about it." "It's easy to let go of all the negativity of previous days and reconnect with being. The world as its creator intended it to be. Quiet and peaceful." "You quote the classics, and yet you don't understand human feelings." "The sea is big. because it doesn't neglect small rivers." The gameplay was pleasant with its easy physics puzzles where you can draw whatever you feel like. The puzzles seem to be related to the story, but this is not very obvious. The music is very chill as well. definitely buying the soundtrack during the next sale.