I... I don't know how to convey this but... I must say this game is absolutely great.
The story is cautivating, the sounds, music and specially the V.A.
I don't regret buying this game, even though critics are saying that the English translation of this game is a little bit scuffed, for me personally, I felt they did a pretty good job translating although some parts at the end (endings and conclusions) may need some improvements and also some dialogues don't appear in the dialogue box but it's understandable just so the text makes sense, afterall, english and chinese are different in all ways, they don't even come from the same indo family tree (Coming from someone who speaks Chinese as mother tongue), nevertheless, the translation is PRETTY darn good.
Now, getting deeper into the story part, it is a pretty good story, nothing more to say, although the endings weren't what I would've wanted, they've left a good taste in my mouth, and I'm not asking for more.
I'm quite saddened at the fact that this visual novel is basically unknown outside China, the world must know and give it its proper recognition.
And to basically sum everything up.
This is ABSOLUTE PEAK.
And that's basically it, if anyone's reading this and haven't bought or haven't played it yet, you guys should, this game won't disappoint you.

Note, I got this product as a part of a giveaway they were doing as a celebration of the release of the JP voices for this VN. However, despite this, I will critique this as I would critique any other VN. also do note there may be some spoilers in this review, if you want a quick TLDR: VN is fantastic highly recommend buying. but if you want more then feel free to continue

WARNING: THIS VN COVERS ALOT OF DISTURBING TOPICS be sure to check out the warning placed above the system requirements. If you find that you're a squeamish person or you get bothered easily by things then i highly recommend you avoid this VN as it covers difficult to stomach topics.

So to start things off I just want to say this VN was fantastic. The did so many things well within the story and its also super well written on so many points. First is its subtle inclusion of many parts of chinese culture. For example, for Man Sui, she often talked about how her brother is given better treatment then her because he is a son, or chinese people and their superstition when it comes to the dead. These are just a few components of chinese culture that was well integrated into the story without having it shoved into your face like what some other stories do. The story was also quite a beautiful journey of exploring many powerful themes with one of the most memorable one being that of good and evil. We see many many evil acts being committed within the story from banditry, to human trafficking, cannibalism yet at the same time we are also shown quite clearly that while these acts are not acceptable they are acts that sometimes people do more out of necessity. When you are put into a position such as peasants during an intense famine and everyone you know is starving to death you are faced with the dilemma of do you do everything you can to survive or do you die with morals? while everyone may have their own answer to this question, you can really feel the desperation of families and people within this story with the choices they make leading to an extraordinarily powerful experience. Furthermore another wonderful part of this story i whole heartedly enjoyed was just how well everything was foreshadowed and connected with one another. From the beginning to the end there are so many mysterious or what feels like inocculous moments but as everything begins to be revealed you really end up seeing how well it all connects and how much everything makes sense by the end. There were so many " OMG" moments everytime i recognized a piece of foreshadowing and overall was just a sign of a super well written story.

In regards to the art and music both are amazing. The art is really well done in its flashback scenes it has these beautifully well done ink drawings that are amazing and again really help add into the atmosphere of the VN quite well. In terms of its non-flashback scenes its also got a really great art style of being inspired by anime but still has its own originality. In terms of the music, it is not only powerful and inserted in all of the correct places, the music was also well designed specifically for this VN. Much of what was used had a older feel there was no modern sounding soundtracks helping add to the immersion of being present in ancient china.

The VAs for this work are great. I listened to many of the moments in the story with both chinese and japanese and both are fantastic with the VAs doing a phenomenal job. I will also note i really liked the small details they put into the writing and also the VAs such as the people from more rural areas just overall talking differently versus those from more well off areas and also adding in dialects that represent this.

In terms of the translation for the story, I will note this is one area where the VN struggles a little. There are a few area's where i found the translation felt really jank so it isn't perfect BUT i will say that despite this, it is still definitely passable and understandable.

A superbly fantastic VN, it is a very well written work with alot of love and care put into it. While the translation may be wonky I highly recommend picking it up and giving it a try especially since its a shorter VN too!

Alright, this game got me. I was afraid at the beginning that the game would go into a predatory way, mainly because of the !spoiler! spanking scene in the beginning !spoiler!, but thank God it didn't. That was the "lewdest" scene you will get there. The story is wonderfully breath taking and I can assure you that the end will make you satisfied. Happy? Who knows... but satisfied.

That was the first time ever a visual novel made me entertained from the beginning to the end, there wasn't a single time I got bored or uninterested. I just can't recommend it enough.

Oh, and I only got 8 hours at the moment because initially I saw it through alternate ways, then rushed all the way to the chapter 11 when I bought it. But in total it would take me around 14 hours to finish.