NekoPara Vol. 1
NekoPara Vol. 1 is a straight-laced Visual Novel that has no choices or no multiple endings and instead tells a story directly without variation. Normally I prefer to have a Visual Novel that has choices and multiple endings as they tend to have replay value and are just more interesting to me. However, with that said, this VN was also very interesting and was one that I was glad I picked up.
This VN has been around for a while so it isn't a new addition to Steam. Despite that though I think it deserves a review.
NekoPara takes place in the modern world and modern times, with the exception that now that there are catgirls around. In most themes with Neko's the idea is that they are demi-humans or cat sports, or something of the sort which is unique unto itself and lends itself well to a fantasy style VN. However, this particular VN takes things in a different way, the idea that Neko's or 'catgirls' are actually genetically modified combinations of human and cat DNA created in a lab.
While obviously more human than cats physically, they do act like cats in the respect that they like fish, play with cat toys, and tend to take on cat characteristics. Physically the only difference is the ears, eyes, and tails that are cat-like. The modified catgirls are treated like normal pets with laws in place to protect them and make sure they have qualifications to be in public by themselves. Thanks to the lab they are also unable to reproduce and therefore the worry of them overpopulating doesn't exist...unlike real cats.
In the NekoPara world, you are the protag named Kashou Minaduki who is the son of a long time confection maker. That said, you decide one day that you would rather do something else with your life. After practicing in secret for a while you move away from your family home and live in the city, and you open your own pastry shop with the name "La Soleil".
Within moments of starting the game, you find yourself being introduced to two of the Minaduki family catgirls. These two apparently stowed away with your belongings as you left the family home.
The two catgirls, Chocola and Vanilla decided to come with you even though you didn't plan on anyone coming with you when you moved out of your family home. The two catgirls are sisters and are polar opposites in many ways, but despite that, they complement each other and like kittens tend to get into trouble even when they try not to. In cat fashion, the two appear to be one age but cats tend to age differently than humans do, so keep that in mind.
Chocola is the outspoken, rowdy, energetic catgirl that always smiles and tends to be a trouble maker even though she doesn't do it on purpose. She can be slow on the uptake at times and is spontaneous.
Vanilla is a reserved, quick-witted, and intelligent catgirl that doesn't speak often and is very quiet. Despite that, she is very smart and very adept, she also tends to be able to plan out things many moves ahead. She is able to predict things and adapt quickly to the situation, making her less of a bother than Chocola but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a more...kitten side.
Kashou accepts that they decided to move with him because of their bond. He found them when they were young and both were alone left to be strays. He took them home and cared for them along with his sister who has several catgirls of her own. Raising them was left to his sister and while she trained them and taught them to speak, read, write, and how to be accepted in human society, they still viewed Kashou as their Master.
Kashou opens his store despite having to now deal with two catgirls that have made the choice to stay with him regardless of his thoughts on the matter. And since they have decided to stay he decides to use their talents to help his shop.
Time goes by and eventually, Kashou's sister shows up to help his store...even though it goes against their father's wishes. She brings along her own catgirls and eventually she decides to help him with running his store along with using the catgirls as employees to help increase his business.
Eventually one of the catgirl's most enduring traits...especially that of Chocola and Vanilla shines through and makes the VN more interesting by adding a new dynamic. Catgirl's for the most part are very open with their feelings and tend to wear their hearts on their sleeve so to speak. While Vanilla is more reserved she is especially receptive to this fact and can be a bit more open. Chocola while getting flustered quickly and easily is also very open with her feelings. To that end, they make the declaration openly that they see Koshou more than just their Master.
Of course, this all comes around after they move from the kitten stage to being more of a cat. Chocola notices it first and without warning, she enters 'heat' and that brings her emotions to the top. Though Vanilla isn't far behind her, being sisters they tend to feed off one another so it was only a matter of time before Vanilla went into heat as well.
Koshou and the three become intimate, (note: please be aware that this is actually very acceptable in the society of the VN. Afterall...they are still very much human girls.)
Soon after the trio begins a relationship, catgirls are more in touch with the cat mentality and don't view relationships the same. They don't view monogamy the same way. Many catgirls instead see it as a relationship that involves those that have strong feelings for one another. They don't get jealous easily and if they do get jealous it is more so in the fact they feel that they are not getting as much attention as the other catgirl in the relationship.
The Visual Novel ends on a good note with all the catgirls helping out at the store and Koshou's sister continuing to help him as well. With Chocola and Vanilla as his 'catpanions' and not just pets anymore he feels that life can only go up from here. (Note: Catpanions in the VN refer to catgirls that are more than just pets and are intimately involved with their owners and Masters.)
Overall, this VN is a great VN that has comedy, romance, sex, and drama. It will make you fall in love with Neko's...I mean I already liked them but this solidified that fact. While the concept is unique and different it isn't that bad of a concept and the storytelling is well done. I enjoyed this from start to finish and I think regardless if you are new to VN's or someone that enjoys them on a regular bases you will too.
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