Rating
Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei
The story premise takes place around the Heian period during the civil war of Genpei (1180-1185), opposing the two clans Yorimoto and Taira. Most of the main characters are inspired by real personalities of the time. The heroine is the last daughter of the Minamoto and is named Shanaou, the birth name of the famous General Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
Details
- Released
- September 16, 2020
- Developer
- Otomate, Idea Factory, Studio Saizensen
- Genres
- Simulator · Adventure · Visual Novel
- Publisher
- Idea Factory, Idea Factory International, Inc.
- Platforms
- Switch
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Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
Nonetheless, Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei is a truly wonderful example of the visual novel genre, and I’m glad it got localised. It’s aesthetically beautiful (and not just because Shanao and Benkei can get hot-and-sweaty together). It’s also written with a deft touch and genuinely works as a piece of historical fiction. As someone who has actually asked Koei Tecmo about a Nioh or Samurai Warriors set during this conflict, just to give us a break from all the Sengoku era games, I’m over the moon that Idea Factory decided to weave their magic during this vibrant and exciting period…
I really enjoyed playing otome games growing up, so I do have some standards when it comes to fictional relationships. The difference now is my standards have become too realistic – like, there’s no way a guy could ever say that! Nevertheless, with zero hesitation I picked up Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei. It was the visuals that drew me in, with the colorful designs and plethora of beautiful men. It also helped that I missed the cheesy, cringey things that handsome 2D men say in otome games. My fingers were crossed for a good experience and Birushana delivered.
All in all, playing Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei was a real treat. It has its moments where the story can feel like it’s dragging, as well as a few grammatical errors here and there, but if like me you have aged out of cutesy, under-developed romance games and prefer more mature themes and realistic (albeit still animeish) characters, I recommend you pick this up.
I don’t think people ever give Idea Factory and Compile Hearts the fair shake that they deserve. On the one hand, people see things like Hyperdimension Neptunia, Mary Skelter and things in the Monster Monpiece series as proof of awful fanservice with borderline assault levels of female engagement. I’m not saying that isn’t happening in those games, I’m just saying that, because we’re so focused on what’s wrong with those, we can’t see how right the other side of the coin is.
Who am I and what do I want? These are questions that are easy to answer in the modern era. But in ancient Japan, when honour, status, and reputation carry a burden that can be more important than your life, what do you choose? It’s a difficult situation, especially if your gender doesn’t suit the times.
As an excuse to hit up the sources on Wikipedia to read about the actual war that formed Japan’s political system for more than half a millennium, Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei does a really good job. As a romance… four out of five isn’t bad, I guess? But the presence of that fifth one made me bail out far faster than normal for one of these games.