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Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 5 (遙かなる時空の中で5) is the fifth installment in the Haruka series. It's the first main entry of the series to be PSP exclusive and to use real instruments for its soundtrack. It was voted as the eighth popular otome game of the year for 2011.

The game was created by developers and scenario writers within Ruby Party, with a focus on freshening the series' formula with a theatrical direction and adding an international flavor to the predominate Japanese setting. The overall theme is "Dignity ~transience and strength~". The focal historical setting was chosen based on fan surveys, with the game's main image colors becoming red and black to represent conflicts. A new cast was removed to celebrate the franchise's ten-year anniversary. Masako Otsuka is the game's main music composer and sound director. Pre-ordered players can obtain a CD recording of voice actor auditions, which is included in the Treasure Box collection. The game also offers an event illustration book, a premium character visual book, an original drama CD, and autographs from the voice actors.

Plot[]

In 2020, the protagonist and her childhood friends are stranded in a parallel world, amidst the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. They use a magical hourglass to travel between the two worlds, spanning three years. Initially, they aim to save the Four Gods from the parallel world's warring factions. As time passes, they discover that both worlds are merging to create a Combined World. To prevent the deaths, they sacrifice their own life force to protect their loved ones.

Gameplay[]

The general layout of the game follows a similar RPG-adventure format used in the series's third and fourth title. Similar to the third title spin-offs, story and character events are indicated by exclamation points on the world map and character portraits are completely lip-synced to the text, even during unvoiced events. Graphics return completely to 2D and several illustrated cut-ins of the main cast are included within the game; many of these stills cannot be seen in a character's gallery.

The game differentiates itself from its predecessors in the following ways:

  • The player can manually move the protagonist across the world map rather than in predetermined paths.
  • The game allows players to explore both the modern and parallel worlds simultaneously, with character portraits adjusting based on the respective worlds.
  • Allocated Five Elements can be used to restore parts of the modern world. This is needed to unlock character events.
  • Vengeful spirits are often visible wandering orbs on the world map and are optional to fight. Certain vengeful spirits must be defeated to access certain locations.
  • The text is now presented in Western formating (left to right) as opposed to traditional Japanese (top to bottom). Comic sans font is now used for the script, making the layout resemble other Neoromance titles. Developers claim that the change was made to help readers see the font on the tiny PSP screen.
  • A complete auto skip of events is available ala Neo Angelique.
  • In the first playthrough, the player views a failed timeline. Loading from this save after the story completes results in the player being unable to revisit this timeline again. It can only be seen again if the player has another save for this scenario or start again with the New Game option.
  • The game introduces a "motion portrait" feature, utilizing motion graphics to mimic character breathing and eye movements, primarily in the starting menu and character endings.
  • An in-game timeline is included within the menu screen (Triangle) to roughly dictate the setting of the parallel world.

The main story is told in a total of twelve chapters; main character stories are given their own chapter selection separate from the main story. Like the fourth title, the player can unlock several character routes simultaneously and select to initiate them whenever they please.

Hourglass and Life Pieces[]

The game involves dimensional time travel, with the Hourglass of Time determining the player's time to explore the parallel world. Every action drains sand from the hourglass, and events drain the correct amount. The player must fight constantly to stay within the parallel world. Returning to the modern world resets the hourglass, but requires the protagonist to sacrifice one of her five Life Pieces. The game ends when the player uses all their life pieces or lacks the life piece toll found in events.

Combat System[]

Battles are still turn based and the player decides each character's actions before proceeding. The protagonist is always first; the order of her comrades depends on the player. The player can shuffle the order of their allies by tapping the left or right directional keys or by tapping Square to switch in reserve party members. Escaping is done by pressing X; it has a chance to fail.

Weapons can now be upgraded. The player may do so by defeating a vengeful spirit with its elemental weak point. One seal can be used per battle to power up a party member's weapon. As weapons level up, its appearance changes and a character's attack boosts dramatically. Secondary effects can be unlocked as a weapon becomes stronger.

Seals in battle determine a character's elemental preferences and attack effects. Characters can equip themselves with two additional elements, and their elemental attacks change based on the sealing spirit. Weapons level at ten and can be strengthened by defeating a strong spirit during story events. Successful sealings have special illustrations, increased weapon levels, and unique attack slots.

Magic is performed by synchronizing the group's attack. The protagonist leads the first attack and her comrades follow in a highlighted elemental sequence. Spells are successfully triggered if every attack in the sequence hits a target; they may be activated by confirming it (Circle). Reserve party members may support spells if the player allows it. All spells can be canceled (X) if the player desires.

Will in battle is used to power specially marked attacks and special abilities. The protagonist can restore another character's Will by choosing the Cheer ability. She cannot regenerate her own used Will. One of her party members needs to cheer her in between turns to restore it.

Experience points now level up characters. Each character can learn special abilities as they level up which can be strengthened by allocated five elements. The maximum level capacity is fifty.

Character Routes[]

The player can build affinity ratings only between the protagonist and the main characters. Bonds are represented throughout the game as floating light green stars ( throughout the game). They can be increased by quickly finishing battles, selecting favorable responses in story events, or by successfully completing a character's personal events.

Characters who have personal story routes each have a feature called "Heart Crystals" (心の結晶, kokoro no kesshou). Crystals are rewarded by successfully unlocking and completing their personal events. The screen will crack apart if the player fails an event. Players can read hints for obtaining these character events by looking in each character's profile in the main menu (Triangle). These hints will specifically state when to trigger these events and when they are missed.

There is a total of fourteen different endings in the game. The canonical true ending in the game can be seen after the player has finished the protagonist's default story, the Eight Guardians' stories, Miyako's story, and Amami's story. This ending is used as the basis for the game's sequel.

Modes[]

Continue[]

The game offers thirty-five save slots, allowing players to save their previous settings, parameters, and abilities from their last playthrough, allowing them to jump to their previous chapter.

New Game[]

Self-explanatory.

Extras[]

Includes a gallery, event, and music selection. The gallery includes alternations of the same illustration during story events. Collected events are limited to the fully voiced ones for each character story. The player can also take pictures during the game and view them as a slide show within this mode.

Downloadable scenarios can be seen and read here.

Settings[]

The game allows players to adjust text speed, skipping speed, volume, tutorial guides removal, and battle difficulty. These settings are automatically applied when starting a new game.

Mobile Joy[]

Insert passwords given in the game box to grant wallpapers, icons, and character audio files for personal cellphone.

Install[]

Installs a digital copy of the game.

Data Transfer[]

Players with Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 Aizouban save data can use it to unlock small bonuses in this game.

Characters[]

Priestesses and Eight Guardians[]

Deities and Spirits[]

Bakumatsu Figures[]

  • Isami Kondou
  • Toshizou Hijikata
  • Makoto
  • Takamori Saigou
  • Kogorou Katsura
  • Shintarou Nakaoka
  • Kaishu Katsu
  • Iemochi
  • Harry Parkes

Others[]

Spin-Offs[]

Related Media[]

Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 5 was simultaneously announced at Tokyo Game Show 2010 and Neoromance ♥ Event "10 Years Love" with Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 Aizouban. It was later promoted at Neoromance Starlight ♥ Christmas 2010 and in the radio program Neoroma & Musou. Eiji Takemoto (Ouchi Fukuchi) was one of the show's hosts; Michael Shitaanda (Ernest Satow) appeared as guest during one of the shows. The game's song Koujou no Sato was also used for its pre-recorded radio commercial.

RADIO 4Gamer featured this game with Nobuhiko Okamoto (Souji Okita) as the show's special guest. It was later archived in one of their Mafia Kajita no Nijigen ga Koi! articles. Visitors with a Niconico Douga account can log-in and watch their recorded thirty minute gameplay footage during the episode.

Neoromance stage events for the series are often crossover events with the series' different continuities. The Haruka 2012 Festival, however, exclusively featured the main cast in this game. Rindou from Kazahanaki and the event only character, Taira no Masakado, were featured in the stage live dramas. Event only merchandise can be viewed at Gamecity Shopping. Decorative sleeves using characters in this game were also shipped for the PSP.

Various CDs, DVDs, and books were published for the game. The audio dramas on these discs include scenarios that happen before, during, and after the game's story. Free samples of the character image songs can be heard on the Neoromance myspace page. Nasatya and Ernest Satow were the stars for the Neoromance ♥ Halloween Party event CD. Shinsaku Takasugi and Yukihiro Yagisawa star in the event CD for Neoromance ♥ Festa Alamode 5 with Geten no Hana.

B's Log featured the game in their February, March, April, and May 2011 issues. One special illustration for the game was seen on the January 2011 issue of Dengeki Girl's Style. A comic serialization of the game is currently being illustrated by Tohko Mizuno and published in LaLa. Like the previous adaptation, the comic pens a different beginning and interactions than those featured in the game.

Cospatio re-created Yuki's costume, but it is currently sold out. Her outfit in the modern world and the Shinseigumi coat were also recreated.

Cookies with the Eight Guardians printed on them are going to be made for sale. They are made by employees who work at Swallowtail café.

Characters from this game were featured in Gamecity's Valentine's Day and White Day Message Campaigns with other Neoromance franchises. Users with of Koei's Official Fanclub with a my GAMECITY could receive audio and text messages from their preferred character of choice. Special character interviews for the Eight Guardians were also posted for cellphones users on Koei's Neoromance Avenue service.

The Eight Guardians in this game are gradually being added to a card collection application called Yome Colle (fully translated as: "Wife Collection"). Android or iPhone users can proudly show off their digital "wife" and take photos, listen to their voice, and so on.

A live theatrical adaptation of this entry is planned for September 24 ~ October 1 and December 3~7, 2014. The same creators behind the Haruka 2 productions return for this one. Main cast members and Amami are scheduled to appear as guests during Neoromance 20th Anniversary. The producer and a handful of key actors are guests for Enta no Moto's 100th episode. The director, Ryuhei Shioguchi (Ryouma Sakamoto), and Mirai Suzuki (Souji Okita) were guests for the 18th episode of Tsukai☆Otome Game Tsushin to promote the play and present information for Haruka 6.

Takuma Terashima (Shun Kiryu) is the "body examiner" in the second Neoromance Situation CD. He contrasts Kouki Miyata (Benkei Musashibou) of Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 fame.

It is one of many titles represented in the October 21~November 3, 2014 Marui One Family Mizoguchi Koei-Tecmo Goods Fair.

During the 2004~2005 Neoromance stage events, the voice actors for Isato, Akifumi and Motomi Minamoto dubbed themselves Ushiromuki Jirettai (roughly "Back-Facing Unit"), a comedy group that criticizes negativity. Chinami and Ouchi Fukuchi are juniors to the unit. A stage event solely dedicated to the unit will take place on August 20, 2016.

A one-time cafe based on the game will be open for one week starting on August 13, 2016.

Gallery[]

External Links[]

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