October/November: こんにちは! Ça va?
Yes, you got that right! And in case you didn't, I'm happy to translate: Hello! How are you? (Or something to that effect, I'm not actually fluent in Japanese or French.) Anyways, September 30th was International Translation Day, so for the next two months that's our theme: Translation in games (think language puzzles like in Chants of Sennaar) and/or translated games (i. e. play games in a language other than the one(s) it was originally written in).
Bonus: Watch the credits until the end or until the translator names show up (usually it's both, or they end without #TranslatorsInTheCredits), and maybe you can spy a familiar name (it's me, I sometimes show up in credits).
You can use the following format to track your progress in the comments, and/or add your own thoughts about the played game(s) to your post!
name of game 1 | language(s) | achievements obtained | playtime this month | unfinished/finished
name of game 1 | language(s) | achievements obtained | playtime this month | unfinished/finished
name of game 1 | language(s) | achievements obtained | playtime this month | unfinished/finished
total: | achievements obtained | language(s) | playtime this month | Number of games finished
Theme Song
日本語 / EnglishFAQ
Do I have to participate in this month’s theme?
No, as with every theme, these are merely suggestions for anyone who is unsure about what to play next. If you already have a battle plan for your backlog and/or don’t like this month’s theme, you’re free to ignore it.
What happens if I don’t participate in the theme?
Nothing.
What happens if I play all of my unfinished games before the theme is over?
Your backlog will be a much smaller place.
I don’t have any unfinished games - I’ve beaten everything I’ve started.
Really? well that makes one of us… I salute you.
I already finished my entry can I play another?
Go ahead - the goal is to reduce your unfinished games list. The more you can play the better.
I wholeheartedly approve of this theme. Japanese visual novels, here I come!
| Name | Languages | Achievements | Playtime | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpse Party | Japanese > English | 0/17 | playtime this month | unfinished/finished |
| fault - milestone one | Japanese > English | 0/12 | playtime this month | unfinished/finished |
| KARAKARA 2 | Japanese > English | N/A | playtime this month | unfinished/finished |
| Miniature Garden | Japanese > English | 0/8 | playtime this month | unfinished/finished |
| Spirit Hunter: Death Mark | Japanese > English | 0/31 | playtime this month | unfinished/finished |
| The Orchard of Stray Sheep | Japanese > English | N/A | playtime this month | unfinished/finished |
| TOTAL: | Japanese > English (6) | 0/68 | playtime this month | Number of games finished |
Notes: Corpse Party is also available in Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Spanish.
fault - milestone one is also available in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.
KARAKARA 2 is also available in German, Russian, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.
Miniature Garden is also available in Indonesian, French, Simplified Chinese and Spanish (the Spanish version is machine translated).
The Orchard of Stray Sheep is also available in Simplified Chinese.
Check VNDB for translation type and available platforms. (Not an advertisement per se, but it is the site for VN enthusiasts.)
Yes vndb is a must have for people who play visual novels. It gives a much better time line for how long a game will be, even if choosing what version you are playing is confusing
Have fun with those games
Yeah! Although my advice is always to ignore the forums, for they’re chock-full of unpleasant individuals.
Thank you! I will!!
Oh really i haven’t bothered looking at those. I just find it fun at times to go on the site and go through the quotes that pop up. I actually posted once about how I had 2 food themes pop up right after the after. Sometimes I’ve come across games I played and I’m like really that was a sentence?
I just find it nice knowing I’m not the only crazy one who can read fast. Like for example eden of grisaia I played it in 1 day it took like 7 hours and I was like really that’s so short? Its classed as around 30 hours. The others were so much shorter then when I originally did it too. But then I went to vndb and I saw another person under that time and others under 10 hours. It was like okay I’m not the only strange one. Its still gutting knowing certain games can be done so so quickly but at least I can prove to people that other people can read as fast as I do.
Its why I like games that gave a word count. I go into it already knowing how fast its gonna be. I see 50k words I got a good idea that it can be around 1 hour. Rather then playing a game that I know is super long only to find out that actually its way to short with my reading, I do wonder how long clannad would take now adays with me but I’m not rereading that XD
Hello welcome back nellyneko !
A lot of other games to play this month, so i’ll go with just 2 games
| Aotenjo: Infinite Hands | Translated to English | 9/38 | HLTB : 2,5h main story | Time played : 9h | Beaten (24/10/25) |
| Signs of the Sojourner | Translation (cards language) | 4/14 | HLTB : 4-7h | Time played : 8h | Beaten (07/10/25) |
I think the most fabulous translation game would be heaven’s vault but i played it already
edit 07/10/25 : finished twice Signs of the Sojourner, a really nice game. I really enjoyed playing cards like dominoes, not to win a cards duel but to try to find common ground with the NPC. However game is harsh, with far too many symbols compared to the limited number of cards in the deck, and a fatigue system that hides many cards. The watercolor effect, almost like stained glass, looks beautiful though.
edit 25/10/25 : Aotenjo beaten twice. It’s Balatro with mahjong (not real mahjong rules, it’s easiest and specific rules). So based on luck but you can alter the tiles. More sets and more difficulties, but i finally ended up beating standard blue (normal mode).
| 蜀末 - Three Kingdoms: The Blood Moon | Translated to English | 21/73 | HLTB : 3h main story | Time played : 18h | Beaten (07/11/2025) |
| 蜀汉再临：源起 - Restart ShuHan Dynasty:Origin | Translated to English | 37/37 | HLTB : 4h | Time played : 5h | Completed (09/11/2025) |
| 山河旅探 - Murders on the Yangtze River | Translated to English | 40/47 | HLTB : 17,5h | Time played : 10,5h | Beaten (10/11/2025) |
edit 07/11/2025 : Shumo beaten with the 4 characters on basic difficulty. Blood moon is like replaying the full game again with more and more penalties. There is a super mega-boss on full blood moon but can’t progress further than blood moon 7. Still i had fun testing the 4 different heroes cards, there was also a good variety of enemies and boss, all from 3 kingdoms.
edit 08/11/2025 : Restart ShuHan finished, it’s a fun FMV. The sets and props are very similar to 2010 chinese drama, which is great fun for those who like that era. Unfortunately end is abrupt, almost sloppy. Maybe devs hope for a sequel, hence the title “Origin”.
edit 10/11/2025 : Finished Murders on the Yangtze river, following a steam guide it went much faster than HLTB. That’s an amazing game with a really good rythm, hard but coherent clues, top-notch illustrations and historical ambiance ! Even with a guide, highly recommended.
Oh my, went searching for some funny translation meme and spent the evening browsing the pictures and laughing like mad! xD
Anyway, this theme will be a challenge! Let’s see if I got it right. ^^