Visual novel and dating simulation fans are going to want to take a second look at RE: Alistair. Independent developer Sakevisual announced April 10, 2010 via the Lemma Soft Forums that the game has been expanded, enhanced and rereleased as RE: Alistair++. It’s still free, still available for Windows, Mac and Linux and there’s even an updated walkthrough at the RE: Alistair++ website.

RE: Alistair++ gives you more. More events with the guys, more CG scenes and more after game extras and bonuses. There are also character profiles now, along with a gallery and bonus section that unlock as you play…

Free games typically fall into one of three categories – “surprisingly exceptional,” “good, but I wouldn’t pay for it” and “I can see why this is free.” Sakevisual’s latest visual novel and dating simulation, RE: Alistair, definitely is a member of the surprisingly exceptional group. It’s only failings stem from it’s bland music and short storyline, and other than that it’s a really entertaining game. It also makes me wonder, if Sakevisual’s first game is this good, who knows what to expect from the next two, Ripples and Hanami x2

Merui is a gamer girl, and her favorite is Rivenwall Online, a massive multiplayer online RPG where she is the knight RuiOfTheSword, and she and her online friend FionaWings explore a virtual world and beat up monsters in hopes of getting awesome stuff. One day, they’re out venturing as usual, and fighting a difficult boss in the hopes of Merui finding a Blessed Stone. Right when Merui is about to deal the final blow, some other player called Alistair jumps in, kills the boss and takes the stone.

Merui is displeased to say the least. If the Rivenwall Online censor would allow it, she’d show it verbally. She and this rogue, Alistair, agree to duel. Just as the duel’s about to start, the school’s internet goes down…

This week’s update is huge. HUGE. There are eight new casual games out this week and the best part is, only half are hidden object games! Okay, Eden’s Quest: The Hunt for Akua (PC) is technically part hidden object and should boost the count to five hidden object games and three from other genres, but it also has adventure and match-3 elements so that kind of makes it more of a general puzzle game.

Seriously, take a good look at this week’s offerings. Chances are, no matter what kind of casual gamer you are, you’ll find something new that you might really love. There are games representing the puzzle, action, adventure, simulation and RPG genres below.

There’s only one Mac game though. Thankfully, that Mac game is RE: Alistair and happens to be free. (It also happens to be available for computers with Windows and Linux OSes.)

This week’s best bets are: RE: Alistair (PC, Mac, Linux), Apparitions: Kotsmine Hills (PC) and Clover: A Curious Tale (PC)…

Free games are always great, so let’s start the week out right with RE: Alistair! Sake-bento, tooaya and Thee Forsaken One have come together to create a brand new visual novel for PC, Mac and Linux owners. It’s free, so there’s no reason not to give it a try. If you’ve always been interested in visual novels or dating simulations, but didn’t want to pay for something you might not enjoy, RE: Alistair could be a good game to start with. It’s a pretty substantial download, a little over 72mb, but the game isn’t too long or complicated.

RE: Alistair revolves around a girl named Merui who adores the massive multiplayer game Rivenwell Online. She usually has a fantastic time playing as RuiOfTheSword, until another user named Alistair steps in. See, RuiOfTheSword and her friend FionaWings were fighting against a really strong boss, because Merui wanted a Blessed Stone. Right when the the Troll of Mt. Mourning is about to die, a user named Alistair appears, delivers the final blow and gets the Blessed Stone. He then just walks away. Merui won’t abide his insolence! You’re tasked with helping Merui take Alistair down, even though she has no idea who he really is! What follows is a visual novel where you try to find Alistair in real life, while also managing Merui’s daily life and maybe even finding her a boyfriend.

If you’re having trouble, the people behind RE: Alistair have even put together a brief walkthrough…