Title: Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side: 2nd Season
Price: $48.90
System(s): Nintendo DS
Release Date: 2/14/08
Publisher (Developer): Konami (Konami)
ESRB Rating: N/A
Pros: Improved skinship mode, more guys, lots of extras for the DS release, bombs are easier to defuse, extensive voice acting
Cons: If you don’t speak Japanese, you’ll need a guide for your first play-through. CG scenes are harder to get.
Overall Score: 10/10
Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side: 2nd Season is amazing, and is now my all time favorite DS title. Before you start thinking this is some single 20-something’s chance to recapture her youth, check out Amazon Japan, where TMGS: 2nd Season has been in the top 25 DS sellers for months. TMGS: 2nd Season is a quality game and an example of how all ports should be executed. It features additional content, characters, voice work, mini-games and extras without tarnishing the memory of the original title.
I just completed my first play-through about fifteen minutes before writing this review. Since much of the gameplay is identical to the original TMGS: 1st Love DS game, I will use the review to chronicle my first TMGS: 2nd Season adventure.
I’ve always favored outgoing and talented guys (both in real life and in games), so I decided to go for Hariya Kounoshin for my first boyfriend. It also helped that he reminded me a lot of Nobu from the NANA manga and his voice actor is Zach from FFVII: Advent Children and Crisis Core: FFVII. The game begins with a quiz this time around: the first three questions determine your beginning statistics and the next two determine who you will share an accidental kiss with. Hariya loves stylish, charming girls, so I set that up and arranged for him to be my accidental kiss. My new life then began!
First Year
My beginning position was somewhat detrimental. My room choice determined that Chiyomi, the straight-A student, would be my best friend – there goes my social life. Hariya wants pretty girls! It is way to much work to be smart AND pretty in TMGS games, so there is no way I’m wasting my time trying. Before I get angry comments, let me explain: studying lowers the style stat and raises intelligence and reading magazines lowers intelligence and raises style. Hence the predicament.
So I started reading fashion magazines. Two days later I met the man of my video game dreams, and he is struck by my potential. Then I meet Haruhi. Haruhi also wanted Hariya. So the snubbing had to start, because I can NOT afford rival mode. Past games have shown my ineptitude when it comes to rival mode. I’d lost both Kazuma and Madoka to rivals in TMGS: 1st Love. In an attempt to make friends who won’t steal my man, I decided to join the art club.
After my induction I am confronted by Chris, who has more braids, beads and bows in his hair than any man should have. He’s like a male version of FFX-2 Rikku. He too was enamored by me and I unintentionally charm him. As horrifying as this was, I needed to be social to unlock the job at the music store where Hariya worked. I had to deal with the Corn-row King. Maybe on the club trip we could take turns doing each other’s hair.
The next two months brought glad tidings. I had successful dates with Hariya, accepted a job at Saeki’s father’s cafe and made friends with Hisoka. Hisoka is another pretty girl, and to celebrate our newfound friendship, we spent a month doing our makeup and hair in the girls’ bathroom. My style stat passed 70, my social’s hit 50 and my charm was around 60. My intelligence, however, started to dip into the 30s and I had trouble using three syllable words. Hariya’s love was costly.
By the time Christmas rolled around, things were awesome. Hariya was smiling at me, Hisoka was my best friend and even Chris liked me. Then, a week before Christmas, Haruhi stopped me when I was headed home and asked if we can go to the cafe together. I didn’t have a choice, and so went along. She then declared that Hariya is hers! The nerve. After I sacrificed studying from March until December! No way! Rival mode was on.
Second Year
The holidays passed. I took a job at Music House Nei, where Hariya worked> He loved the Christmas gift I got him and he asked me to go to temple with him on New Years. I had to ditch Hisoka as a friend though. See, she was too pretty. When I hung out with another pretty girl, it made me look less pretty. I mean Chris already succumbed to her charms. I saw the eyes he made at her when Hariya and I double dated with the two of them. So she’s out. I don’t need her anymore anyway.
I met a new guy at the beginning of the second year. It was at the third years’ graduation. See, in Japan high school lasts three years. So I met this guy Taro at the graduation. He told me I was pretty cute. Like I don’t already know that. When I tell him so, he then takes it back! He says on second thought I’m not all that after all. Like I need his approval. Hariya was already almost at Tokimeki state.
In fact, on our first date in April he walked me home. Along the way we played this touchy love-love mini-game. Like when I’d see a heart on his head or upper body, I’d have to tap there to make him like me more. If I touched the wrong spot, or a blue heart, he’d like me less. It was fun and made him love me more.
I did have to take some remedial lessons with Wakaoji-sensei around August, because apparently loving Hariya’s made my character dumb as a stump. No surprise there – my intelligent stat was in the single digits. (It would hit 0 by November in the second year and never recover.) Thankfully in all the following finals my social, style, art and charm stats were high enough to save me from mandatory studying.
A lot happened after that. There was a school trip, where Hariya and I paired up to venture around and engaged in a pillow-fight with Hisoka and Chris. Apparently they were dating by then, but that didn’t keep him from hiding with me after the pillow-fight. Then in October this new kid Taku joined our class. Taku was totally a goth emo-kid. I felt kinda bad for him though, because everyone picked on him. So I stood up for him. Even though my I.Q. was lower than my shoe size, Wakaoji-sensei decided I’d be a good study-buddy for Taku and asked me to visit him.
Third Year
I must have screwed up. It all started around Valentine’s Day. I made my super special chocolate for Hariya, even though I am awful at that game and needed all four tries to make perfect chocolate. (My low intelligence stat at work perhaps.) When I went to give it to him, Haruhi got all up in my face about it. I ignored her and gave it to him anyway. Then I went to save my game around the end of February, and my save file no longer showed my character with Hariya! I know! The horror! Instead of the two of us singing happily, it showed Hisoka and I sewing. I hadn’t hung out with her since the end of first year!
I began my push to save my virtual relationship. My style stat was 250 and my charm was 175, and the Hariya ending only required 200 and 150. I stopped visiting Taku. I ignored the birthdays of all other characters. Every weekend was devoted to dating Hariya or scheduling dates with Hariya. I’d sleep during the week, and study fashion magazines if my stats started to drop.
Around November there was a momentary reprieve. Once again Hariya appeared in my save file image. I relaxed and took a few weekends off to defuse bombs from other guys and buy a kimono for New Years. Then, at the beginning of February, things went downhill again. Once again Hariya left my save file and Hisoka returned.
I decided to accept my fate. I was sure any day I’d come across Hariya and Haruhi together. I was too stupid to attempt to win Wakaoji, who had showed affection for my character throughout the first year. I hadn’t dated Chris enough to qualify for his ending. Taku left because I hadn’t spent enough time with him. There was less than a month left. A best friends ending with Hisoka was better than any little brother ending, so I breezed through my last few weeks.
Then came the moment of truth. I graduated and arranged to work at the music shop. After the ceremony I wandered around the campus and found my way to the lighthouse. The door was open. I went inside. After a moment, I heard someone else come in.
It was Hariya! It was a miracle! I received that sweet confession I had spent three days playing to earn. It was everything I thought it would be, and more. Suffice to say, from this diatribe, I adore this game. I totally recommend it. Personally, I’m looking forward to possibly going for Wakaoji or Taku on my next play-though. Probably Wakaoji, since his voice actor is also voiced Sephiroth (FFVII: Advent Children and Crisis Core: FFVII) and Takumi Ichinose (NANA).
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables reviewed Rune Factory 2.
Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop]
Is that game really that good? Might buy it!
Hi Emo Hairstyles!
I had an awesome lengthy comment, but it seemed to have been eaten by an error.
It is that awesome. If you're looking for more assistance and information, then stop by the livejournal community Tokimemogs. Its a great fan community with incredibly friendly members.
Also if you Google "Seaside Sketch" and "Utsukushiki Sekai", you will come across two fantastic fan sites for this game and the prequel 1st Love which have full game guides.
Hope that helps!
Hi!
I love this game.
Hari rocks, I went for him too. But I like Haruhi and dont wanna split them up. With Haruhi though, I'm pretty sure I know what happened there.. when a friend (girls) get's too attatched to you, you can get this scene where they kinda confess and the two options are something along the lines of 'I feel that way too' and 'clear up the misunderstanding'. Since I dont speak Japanese, this ruined my first game..
If you go for Saeki, let me know. There's a bit I'm stuck on and need help with..
Yeah, Haruhi and Hariya make a good couple. (And not just because their names sound so good together! XD)
Oh, she went on rival mode because Hariya's affection for me went higher than hers. Rival mode will never happen if you always keep the girl's affection for you at a stage higher than/equal to the guy she likes. I just accidentally let Hariya like me more than she liked me. XD
I'm actually on a Wakaoji run right now, and near the beginning of Year 2 I visited the little brother and realized Saeki was
. (I stopped by because all of a sudden Saeki asked me out on a date.) So I created an extra save file to branch off of, and when I finish getting Wakaoji I'll go back and get Saeki.
What do you need help on with Saeki? Perhaps I can help with advice with what I seem to have done right so far.
Man, I'm depressed, haha, I've always wanted to try these games, but alas, my Japanese is very terrible, i mean i can get the pronunciation, but I'm completely hopeless on full sentences, and unfortunately, tokimeki doesn't have an English release date. Curse the world! Heh…
I think I'm going to try really hard to learn though, because I want to play this game so freaking badly! ^^;
Worry not Melody. My Japanese is probably worse than yours (I only recognize select words), but I've managed through both games with no problem what so ever. If you visit the lj community and two sites I mentioned above in the comment to Emo Hairstyles, you'll find full guides for getting each guy.
Plus its really easy once the game starts. Most choices either have some English (the save key is marked by "Data") or have illustrated icons.
The games will likely never be translated. Aside from being from a category which isn't represented in the US, it also features LOADS of voice acting.
Wow! Thats good news ^^;
I may just try it out
I'm going to try my best to figure it out! 
Thanks!~
Glad I could help!
I'd recommend 2, simply because its newer, shinier and the DS exclusive guys are easier to get. In the first one the DS exclusive guy was unlocked by shopping trips and answering questions a specific way. However Jin (TMGS1L DS exclusive guy) is better looking than the two added into TMGS2S.
Cool! But I have one question, If I bought number 2, then would I have to buy #1 also?
To know it, and stuff..?
Nope – totally different storylines and guys.
Some characters from the first do occasionally appear as NPCs in the background on dates. (So far I've seen 3 of the 1st Love guys in the background while on dates XD.)
Also one of the 'secret' guys in 2nd Season goes to the same school as the characters in 1st Love and has the same uniform – but he's not related to any previous characters.
Am….does this game have an opening, just wondering, it may seem wierd, but games with openegs usually seem more fun XD
Hi Irika –
Sadly, it does not. Neither of the Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side DS ports had their opening movies with them.
The funny thing is – Vitamin X Evolution still had it's opening movie included in the DS version.
Wow this game sounds really cool and I REALLY want to get it, but the thing is, I only know a little of SPOKEN japanese words, about 10 in total -.-, and i'm not able to read it, at all. Usually I would just read about games like these and day-dream about how fun it would be to actually be able to play it, but with this game I can't just forget about it, I want to be able to play it hands on! So I was wondering, does anybody think it would be a good idea for me to get this since I barely know any japanese at all? And would I be able to guess what they're saying because I really LOVE affection dialouge.
Hi Ronniesha –
My Japanese is poor at best, and yet I wholeheartedly adore these games. In fact, I preordered the first game, sight unseen, simply because I'd always wanted the opportunity to try one. Imagine my delight when I discovered guides online to help get complete runthroughs and icon based schedule decisions.
Like I told Emo Hairstyles above, if you google “Seaside Sketch” and “Utsukushiki Sekai”, you will come up with two fantastic sites with complete guides for acquiring the guys who appeared in the Japanese PS2 versions of the game. As for DS exclusive guys, check out the Livejournal community Tokimemogs, which has extensive information on the TMGS 1 and 2 exclusive guys Jin, Taro and Taku.
Also, Siliconera has two guides for winning TMGS 2 DS exclusive guys Taro and Taku.
Since you mentioned you recognize some spoken Japanese, I'd recommend TMGS 2 first, since it features nearly full voice acting. Then if you like that and do well, follow it up with TMGS 1 DS.
Yay~! Thats really good to hear.
Do you have any recommendations on where I can import this game at? This is my first time importing a game to the U.S for me so I don't really now how to do it…And sinceit says the game is only 48.90$ All I have to do is babysit 1-2 more times and its smoothsailing! =)
Thank you so much!
I'd definitely recommend Play-Asia first and foremost. I use them almost exclusively. (I've found their cheapest price shipping also works quite well – I receive games in usually 7-9 days.)
NCSX is also very reliable, I've used them twice before and have never been disappointed.
Himeyashop is another option – except its only shipping is EMS and, while fast, is also incredibly expensive.
Alright Thanks for all the info I really appreciate it! ~THANK YOU!
This game…looks like I should play it.
It is definitely amazing Emo. You'd adore it. Its one of my favorite games for the DS, and has loads of replay value.
I'm playing this on DS, and I checked out the sites that you mentioned, but they are exactly the same as the walkthrough on gamefaqs.com. I wish I could find something with more translations!
Ah! I can help you a bit more there PSI
. There's a fantastic Livejournal group called Tokimemogs.
http://community.livejournal.com/tokimemogs/profile
The members post translations of the endings in the games, information on getting DS exclusive characters and other pertinent information on the game and its characters. It works as a great supplement to the fansites I listed above.
Dude! You review otome games! This is my new favorite site!
I'm still playing through the PS2 version of this game (I bought the pre-order with a bonus drama CD years ago, but the awesomeness of that is swiftly fading against the awesomeness of ADDED SKINSHIP in the DS version), but I've gotten Teru, Shiba, Hari, and sensei. Sensei was both totally awesome and totally inappropriate. Teru was satisfying, since he goes from jerk to LOVE SLAVE. Shiba was cute. Hari was actually the least satisfying, I think, simply because he's not as unattainable as some of the other guys. Half the fun is in the challenge!
Keep up the fabulous reviews. You're my new favorite person.
Hi Lianne! Sorry for the late reply –
Yup. Whenever I (or one of my friends) find an otome game we're interested in for the DS or PSP to buy, I'll usually review it for Gamertell's Important Importables. (My friend bought Hoshizora no Comic Garden, but she's still busy playing it so I won't be able to review it for another week or two.)
I don't have an imported (or modded) PS2, so I was SO excited when both TMGS games were announced for the DS. I literally preordered them the SECOND Play-Asia offered the option. They're still my fav games, and I always carry TMGS2 with me. XD
So far I've won the hearts of Wakaoji, Taro, Taku and Hari, and I'm working on Teru right now. I'm really enjoying the challenge of Teru, but sometimes I miss how easy it was to win Hari. I'm probably going to go for Shiba or Chris next.
I also reviewed Duel Love and Otometeki Koi Kakumei Love Revo DS for Gamertell, so if you look back you'll find those.
(Note: I also cover otome games for Siliconera, so you may want to check there as well. I covered Hana Yori Dango DS and Hiiro no Kakera DS for them.)
I just don't get this game, my japanese is not that bad but not good either, anyway, sometimes I'm just great with one of the characters and the next day he hates me…. fuck!!
But I can't hep it, I love this games so much!
@ Gaby – Maybe you accidentally let a bomb go off?
Sometimes (well, usually at least 5-7 times during a playthrough for me), one of the guys you're not pursuing, or even the one you are, will suddenly get jealous or upset. Usually your little brother will make mention of it one day after school to tease you about it. When you then do is check the guys' stats with your brother at the next available opportunity.
If you see a bomb near a guy's heart, you need to defuse it. I'm kind of fuzzy on it right now, but if I remember right the exploded bombs can cause you to lose a good ending.
If there's a bomb, immediately call and schedule a date with that character. You don't have to go on the date (probably best if you don't), but the action of calling and making the date will defuse the bomb and keep you in his good graces.
Hope that helps!
thanks!
My guy was just stole by my "supposed" best friend….
how bad is that!
thanks 4 u reply
@ Gaby – Ah, that'll happen.
If your best friend is the girl who tends to go after the guy you want, you have to ditch her. TMGS isn't like real life – you can't patch things up and be friends again. If you want that guy, you have to ditch her otherwise there's a very strong chance she'll steal him away.
gosh u guys are cool!! i only played once, in fact jus finished playing TMGS:2nd Kiss and i didnt get Teru in the end, tho his hart for me was huge red, but he left.. is tt the appropriate ending? it means i didnt get him rite?? so sad.. urghh utterly hart broken.. *cries
Hi Felicia,
Teru does leave briefly in TMGS:2nd Kiss, but he comes back. At least, he came back in my game and was there at the lighthouse in the end.
I know your character's stats have to be really high to win Teru over, and you have to date him either 15 (if you had an accidental kiss with him) or 25 (if you didn't) times to get his ending. Plus, no exploded bombs.
So if I do not understand japanese it wouldnt be wise to buy?Also you said that you would need a guide if you dont speak japanese. what do you mean by guide?
@ Andrea: I have two friends who don't speak Japanese and are able to play and enjoy it, so it's really up to you. If you really *really* want to play, then I think it'd be fine if you have a guide.
As for guide, I mean the fan guides available online.
Seaside Sketch is a good resource: http://hanegasaki.piyo-piyo.org/
As is the Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side livejournal group: http://community.livejournal.com/tokimemogs
Hi Jenni! It's been a while!
I was wondering if you've heard anything about the TGMS3 platinum and gold editions.
The guys seem a little stranger than before, but I am still pretty psyched, y'know!? o(>u<;;)o
Hi blue,
Well, I know that one of the premium editions come with adorable chibi-version charms of each of the guys. I think one version has a drama CD, and some kind of special edition booklet as well. I haven't really looked into the special editions myself though – I'm thinking about getting Wand of Fortune Portable and/or SYK Portable as well and so I can't really afford the special edition. XD
I have a really good feeling about TMGS 3 though. The two "prince" characters both look interesting, and it's nice to see a kohei character who doesn't look like a grade-schooler. I'm disappointed that there isn't a good teacher character in it.
So are you planning on picking up a special edition? Play-Asia has them. I think either Himeya Shop or YesAsia does too.
Oh man, really? That sounds so awesome!! I'm totally psyched. Although in terms of teachers, I wasn't crazy about Waka-sama…………I accidentally deleted all my TMGS1 data a couple years ago when I was almost done (even got all the creepy principal's scenes by accident), and didn't have the heart to replay it for a while… I just lost at Himuro-sensei's track last night >__w<;; Although, I would like to try out VitaminY eventually… I'm not crazy about VitaminX's gameplay, but I do like the art style a lot for some reason! What are Wand of Fortune and SYK?
@blue: I'm thinking tax refund will go to get a few games. XD
I didn't care for Wakaouji either… I don't know why. Maybe it was because he dressed like my grandpa? I loved Himuro though – he was funny, but also kinda cool and creepy at the same time.
Yeah, some official art looks a bit odd, but the screencaps and chibi characters are adorable.
I can't WAIT for P3P. I just got to watch a preview demonstration from Atlus showing some of the differences in a fully translated version (I actually wrote up a story about it for this site – it's probably still on the front page) and I really and truly can not wait! I almost imported it around December, but held back thinking, "Atlus will come through. Really!"
I know what you mean about Vitamin Y and X. I… don't think my Japanese language skills are good enough though! XD I think I'd fail at all the quizzes.
Wand of Fortune is a simulation otome game from Idea Factory. It was a PS2 game, but a PSP port is coming out in… July? I want to say July. You play a witch named Lulu who's at a magic academy and (oddly enough) as access to all kinds of magic. But people like that are too erratic and can't control it. So you have to pick a partner (which everyone does, and of course it's a male student) and hopefully find love. I've heard it has some TMGS sim elements, where you have to build certain parameters.
SYK is another Idea Factory otome game. Again, PS2 to PSP port. I forget when it comes out… It's based on the Saiyuki legend, only the main chararacter Sanzo is a girl that you play as, and you can get an ending with the other characters. It's more like an RPG otome, sort of like Neo Angelique, where characters also like you based on attributes and battling together.
I also realized I missed out on getting Arabian's Lost (DS) and Real Rode (PSP). I've heard both are fantastic RPG-style otomes (slightly similar to Neo Angelique) and while Play-Asia is still taking orders both have the dreaded 1w symbol next to them…
It is supossed that if you have the boy…in a big level than the girl…the rival mode is not activated…(I say it cause i also went for Harry…but in my 4 game…it was Saeki, Akagi, Wakaouji, Harry & Chris xD)…i ignore all the time Haruhi…& i never had the rival mode…even…i classified for the top rated U…(but when you play a lot triying to go for Hazuki n Saeki…you learn how to do that xDDD)…I love this game…i'm obssesed with it…