<rankendrake> Don't worry, according to what I read… Izen multiplies like bacteria, so there's unlimited of her to go around

Most people will probably have heard of Gadget Trial by now. If not, then some explanation might be in order: Gadget Trial is a bishoujo game that plays something like Advance Wars. (For those who have no idea what AW is, it's a sort of turn-based military strategy game, with units moving around a square-based map, and attacking each other via short cutscenes. There's quite a bit more, but then it gets into irrelevant details.) The demo (in Japanese) can be obtained here, as well as the rather amusing demo video trailer. An unofficial English patch, for the demo and the full game, can be found here.

The game is very clean, at least up to Mission 6 (which is where I've played until). I didn't see anything that would even be considered remotely risque, although I'd hesitate to say that little kids can play this game, simply because this is a game about blowing things up, albeit cartoon violence (no blood or gore). There's a few bits of dialogue which goes into great detail about being "murderers" and "weapons of mass destruction", played up for laughs. So it's safe in terms of sex, safe in terms of the depiction of violence, but maybe not so safe in terms of violent words.

The premise is that this is some time in the future, after the last world war of unspecified number. The ETU has developed the E-series robots, which look like cute girls entirely because this would raise troop morale. I defecate you not: that's the actual reason given. Of course, being that the E-series is supposed to replace generic human soldiers, I'm not sure whose morale is supposed to be raised. Anyway, of these robots, there's the White version (ie yours, the player's), and the Black version (ie the computer opponent). The White version has emotions and personalities and such (can think for themselves, but are more difficult to control), while the Black version are more like typical emotionless robots (completely obedient to commands and has slightly better processing power, but incapable of improvisation). Now, the military has decided to pit these two versions against each other in practical trials, in order to decide which version will be mass-produced.

In short: White team vs. Black team. Both attempt to blow each other up. Kill everyone that's not on your team or capture your opponent's buildings for the win.

Usually I don't like to play turn-based strategy games, since I lose incredibly easily. This is largely because I have problems sacrificing my lesser units for temporary gain, as is essential in basic strategy and tactics. It took most of my meagre gaming ability to get to as far as I am, and I believe there are about 20 or so missions in total (no tutorials as such; it's mostly on-the-job training). The thought of seeing all the bishoujo game scenes between actual missions was more or less the only thing keeping me going at times; the power of moe compelled me.

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