Figures of Happiness

"Angel Smile's Mesmerizing Love Story"

I admit it. I was somewhat disappointed with Angel Smile's last English translated game, "Heart de Roommate." Their decision to split the game into 26 anime episodes was somewhat gimmicky, and broke the flow of the story within the game. So with mild trepidation, I lowered my expectations for this release. I am happy to say that I shouldn't have bothered, because this game went far above and beyond my expectations.

In "Figures of Happiness," an adult PC game created by Angel Smile and published by G-Collections.com, you are Ryo Sugisawa, a student who seems to have an ideal life: a loving girlfriend, a place of your own, and no worries. But due to a minor misunderstanding, you broke up with your girlfriend, Mio Hiragi. Even worse, you foolishly agree to a ghostly request to lend your "life force" to a recently deceased acquaintance, Minamo Kamina, who want to confess her love before leaving this world for the afterlife. Since she is shy, and lack self confidence, Minamo is having trouble with this seemingly simple task. You compound the problem through a reckless act of compassionate towards Minamo, and did something that put your own soul at risk. How will you ever get your body back?

Angel Smile is known for its original games, and Figures of Happiness is no different. The story behind Figures is original, focused, and well written. It's about a guy named Ryo, and how you as Ryo take for granted your special relationship with Mio. Friends and strangers alike view Ryo and Mio as the ideal couple, and you have no clue how kind fate has been to you until your favor to Minamo puts you in a death-like coma, and tests the strength of your love for Mio and vice versa. Eventually, you learn the true meaning of happiness.

There is a lot to rave about this game. Of particular note is how the writers treated the various love triangles that pop up along the way, and made Ryo agonize over them in a fashion similar to that of the main character in Crescendo, another English bishojo game published by G-Collections.com. The dialogues are realistic and well thought out, and the characters' feelings toward one another changed slowly but surely as they learn more about each other. The choices that are presented to you are logical; for example, when a girl finally declares her love for you, you could either accept or decline her feelings, or stay undecided. You don't feel "locked in" or steered towards a particular girl. Furthermore, the writers did a fantastic job tying up all the loose ends. By the time you unlock most of the endings, you will find yourself marvelling at how Angel Smile thought up that solution to a particular love triangle.

The music soundtrack is very good. The music use the piano as the foundation and other instruments are added. The music run from light hearted to frenetic to somber to serious. Particularly enchanting is the soulful piece, "You are Not Here When I Want To Cry." The opening song, "One More Time," appropriately captures the essence of this game--another chance for redemption. But even better are the sound effects (plenty of pows, bangs, etc.) sprinkled through the game, and the female voice acting. Figures of Happiness has a huge cast, and each voice actress performed her role extremely well. There are many light hearted moments, such as when certain girls get involved in cat fights. You'll see stars flying everywhere, and hear it too!

Since Figures of Happiness is essentially a love story, the sex scenes are few and far in between. Players have to work pretty hard to uncover anything besides the first scene. The characters are beautifully drawn, with exquisite details in the hairstyle and clothes, plus an assortment of character poses. In fact, some players may view the character designs as frilly and excessive. The game features plenty of beautiful sky shots as background, which create a proper tone and setting for the game.

Figures of Happiness has very high replay value because the game is surprisingly complex. There is at least one ending for each of the seven female characters, but there are multiple endings for the two main female characters (Minamo Kamina and Mio Hiragi). Furthermore, some routes are extremely long, and tricky to obtain. It is highly recommended that players use a walkthrough for this game (whenever one is posted).

The functions for this game are well organized. The in-game functions of save, load, skip, auto, option, and log are lined up in a horizontal row at the top of the text messages box. Clicking on option will allow you to switch between window and full screen, skip text, adjust the volume for sound effects, voices, and background music. In addition, you can adjust the text display speed, and the graphic display speed. There are 50 save slots available, but you may find yourself needing more than that. The Extra screen at Title menu will lead you to the Graphics screen, showing you which of the 65 CGs have been unlocked. At the bottom of the Graphics screen is the music soundtrack player; you can play any of the 14 music tracks available for this game. In addition, you can click on Album and access any of the 11 sex scenes that you have unlocked.

Ever since G-Collections.com announced the departure of a staffer and PR person in March, there has been rampant speculation over the financial state of affairs at this company, and its ability to stay in business and to continue publishing English translated bishojo games. Should Figures of Happiness prove to be the last hurrah for this company, it is going out with a bang. Figures of Happiness will be as highly regarded as Kana Little Sister, Crescendo, and Hourglass of Summer. And English bishojo gamers will talk about it for years to come.

Storyline: 10/10
Music: 10/10
Graphics: 10/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Replayability:10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/08/05