This is the 451st original article of the old boy’s game box, written by @王 crab
In the 1990s, a little boy who was addicted to games every day spent his days carefree in a cycle of school, arcade, and home. But I don’t know when, under the throbbing of youthful hormones, the mantra of “I don’t play with girls” gradually turned into peeking at the female classmates I liked every day, and some who were always playing games at home. Otakus don't know how to win the favor of girls, so they can only seek solace in comics and animations. I was once moved to tears by "Movie Girls", and I also envied Fujii Yakumo's line "I am the one who lives and dies with you" in "3X3 EYES". Until one day, in a game, he let I really feel the touch of campus love. This game is "Heartbeat Memories: Under the Legend Tree".
Speaking of the "Heartbeat Memories" series, I have to say that I was the creator of the dream many years ago. In the console game world that was filled with bullets and bullets at that time, it was indeed a pioneering work to create such a tender and ever-changing love simulation game. . Years later, many players may find it incredible to recall "Heartbeat Memories", but the soil in which it grew was indeed not barren and without nutrients. Although the most popular game industry at that time was Nintendo, represented by the Famicom FC, there was still a console called "PC98" in Neon Country, which was a personal computer launched by NEC in the early 1980s. The system was simply a top-notch artifact at the time.
Although there are too many games with "H" in the front on this personal computer, it should be familiar to players who visited computer rooms in the early days. Most of the "type" of PC-GAME back then were PC98 port or sequel. In comparison, the pure all-age consoles of Nintendo and Sega next door do not tolerate such content that is not suitable for children. Therefore, after an expediency, the heterogeneous work "Heartbeat Memories" was produced and landed on the PC-E platform.
Originally, "that type of" game was an anomaly in the industry. "Heartbeat Memories" was just a small attempt to let the creative genes flow in the body, and it was not taken seriously. However, the commercial market is so magical. At that time, there was no other shop for such a pure love game in the game industry. Countless otaku players actually created extremely high sales through word of mouth, which established the destiny of "Heartbeat Memories" Became a legend and created the birth of the series.
When I was checking the information of "Heartbeat Memories", I discovered an incredible figure in the development team-Koji Igarashi (IGA), the legendary producer who would later create "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" Having entered the industry as a programmer in the early 1990s, Koji Igarashi is not only good at programming, but also accomplished in story creation and other aspects. After joining the company, he worked as a scripter, programmer, and mini-game designer for "Heartbeat Memories". It can be said that Koji Igarashi contributed a lot to the instant success of "Heartbeat Memories".
Koji Igarashi also planted the classic saying deep in the hearts of many innocent otakus – there is a legend among students of private glorious universities: If you confess to the boy you like under the legendary tree in the school on graduation day , we will definitely get a happy future where the two lovers meet.
In essence, "Heartbeat Memories" is actually a time management game. During the three years of college, you not only need to improve your studies, body shape, appearance, art and other aspects, but also pay attention to popularity and pressure. If you need to date the person you like, the perfect game is Hexagon Warrior Raising Game. In addition to daily courses, players can also choose various abilities. If they work too hard, it will lead to a decrease in physical strength and increase in stress, which will eventually lead to illness. Therefore, how to reasonably arrange work and rest time is throughout the game.
The way to pursue the girl you like is to call and invite a date on holidays. Every girl has different requirements for various values. The powerful hexagon warrior can make sure that whoever wants to date will agree to it. The high-profile Neptune, said This is the original crab back then (that’s weird). But don’t get too happy too soon. If you do something outrageous, your favorite goddess will spread the rumor that “you are a scumbag” in the small circle of girls. In the game “Heartbeat Memories”, it will appear as a “rumor bomb”. " warning, when the "rumor bomb" actually explodes, you will just want to cry without tears! The picture below graphically illustrates our Cantonese slang "laughing and letting go of the poisonous snake".
"Heartbeat Memories" provides up to 11 normal attack girls and two hidden girls. The player's goal is to launch an offensive against one (or more) of the girls. After the girl falls into the heartbeat state, she will graduate. That day I confessed my love to you under the tree of legend. The first person chosen by Honkanji to attack was a girl with social phobia like Mikihara Ai, who had a submissive and gentle face. Who knew that because of her good grades in science, Yuuna Nyeo jumped out and snatched her love away from her. After being anesthetized, she was taken to the science department and asked, "If you have any health problems, please tell me."
When I finally confessed, I was willing to give up my dream of conquering the world for me. The first time, I was so moved that I couldn’t sleep. I still can’t forget this scientific madman.
Although the hexagonal female warrior Fujisaki Shiori is the heroine (and the dream lover of many innocent otakus), in my eyes, she is an indescribable existence like a robot. However, when I was conquering Fujisaki Shiori, I accidentally discovered her weak side during the skyscraper stall incident. But this little girl is too jealous. Why don't I just put on sunscreen with Kagamiro? What do you mean by hanging a bomb in the relationship list…
In addition to pursuing girls, the game "Heartbeat Memories" also provides other very interesting events. For example, you can join the science club to help make robots that conquer the world, and you can join the basketball club and football club to dominate the national conference. The most interesting ones are certain unexpected situations, such as encountering a street gangster "Universe Banchan" while visiting a shopping mall, encountering a "grumpy deer" during a school trip, etc. At this time, the game will even provide RPG-style battle scenes. The various mini-games interspersed above are really interesting. Of course, there are also various welfare shots that gentlemen love.
The phone system for inviting girls in "Heartbeat Memories" is also related to the appearance of the hidden white rich beauty Ijuin Rei. At the beginning, Ijuin Rei appeared as a woman disguised as a man. As the heir to the Ijuin Foundation, Ijuin, whose family owns a mine, has a crush on the poor prime minister. The protagonist looks arrogant and disdainful. But as long as you keep harassing her on the phone, she will trigger a series of plots: a collision in the corridor reveals the screams of girls, the kidnapping incident also involves the dispatch of private troops, Hao Saotome discovers that Ijuin is secretly brainwashed… and finally welcomes Rei Ijuin when she graduates. confession.
And another one, Miharu Tatebayashi, who is known as the "Kalahead of Murderer", doesn't tell you the conditions for reaching the conclusion of the confession, so what can he do to me!
Since the PC-E version of "Heartbeat Memories" was first released to great acclaim, it has been ported to SFC, PS, SS and other versions, and has always received rave reviews. After that, those who struck while the iron was hot began to burn the value of the series. Many derivative works and orthodox sequels were regularly launched on the market, but without exception, sales gradually declined. Perhaps business does not understand emotions in the first place.
I have my own unique perspective on the ups and downs of "Heartbeat Memories". After all, first love is beautiful and irreplaceable for everyone. Although many people born in the 1980s have long been smoothed by society, they still feel that first love deep in their hearts. Sacred and inviolable. Thanks to the best years and the best game, only one "Heartbeat Memories" is enough. As much as I love her, I hate her sequels, so that the later "Love Follows" is really both I don’t want to understand, let alone touch, I just hope that the memory of my first and purest heartbeat will not fade away…
Author: An old crab shell who has played King Crab for more than 30 years, a gamer who pays attention to game humanities in his gaming life