As far as I know, I have been browsing reviews for the Solomon's Ring series, and I believe most (or some) of the English reviews aren't full of praise. So, I have been thinking to myself: what if before they were released, they would've had a more interesting storyline? And what if it was also an RPG / ADV crossover? And what if in each of the four games, there would be a rival character?
No. 1: A Better Storyline
Lily would be a Mary Sue of some sorts if her parents were dead, so why not let her mother survive instead? Also, she would've been entrusted with Solomon's ring before her grandfather died. After summoning three of the twelve demons that she can pursue, she'll also encounter one of four half-human half-angels (formerly tennyo aka celestial maidens), all whom are sisters and are the descendants of the four archangels. There would've been love triangles with certain demons, since each of the four sisters has some connection with at least one or two of the three demons in each of the individual games, and could lead to different endings, where either Lily or one of the half-angel sisters ends up with a particular demon. And yes, they would have to face off against Lucifer in the end.
No. 2: RPG Elements FTW!
Instead of just being a plain old ADV, it should've been a ADV / RPG. You could guide Lily and her party into randomly generated dungeons to explore and maybe level themselves up, so that they can tackle tougher enemies. And yes, the twelve demons do have weapons of their own (an example is the three sample CGs of the Fire demons), but so do the four half-angel sisters. Lily, on the other hand, has a lot of MP, which allows her to summon spells to attack certain enemies (fire against water, wind against earth, light against darkness, you know the drill!) And when you finally reach Lucifer, you're gonna have to be super-strong and equipped with the best armor and weapons for your party. Oh, and better CGs.
No. 3: Rival Characters
Now this is the fun part: each of the four half-angels appear in a specific game, and let's start off with Hi no Shou.
First is Rose, the third eldest of the four half-angels. She is described as having long red hair ending at her waist, which she always keeps in a single braid, topped with a rose, and green eyes. Proportion-wise, she's also quite busty ^.^ Known for being a plucky and brave young woman, she's often friendly to others and is often carefree at times, although she can be pretty much of a goofball. She is also the same age as Lily. Rose is also the descendant of Uriel, and as the maiden of the element of fire, she possesses the Fire Ring. Her weapon of choice is a sword. Concerning her relationships with the demons, she appears to have a romantic interest in Glasyas, whom she's well acquainted with. Concerning Asmodeus, he appears to have a thing or two for her, something she's somewhat unaware of. And as for Paimon, they've been at each others's throats for quite some time.
So, if Lily chooses to pursue Asmodeus, Rose begins to understand his feelings for her, which could either lead to a love triangle or Rose ending up with him, but it's possible to have Lily get his best ending with him by not convincing Rose that she also has an interest in him. In Glasyas's route, however, is a different story. Lily can either interfere with Rose and Glasyas's budding romance and end up with him, or let Rose pursue him and end up with him, or even trigger another love triangle. Last but not least, Rose would've been voiced by Harumi Sakurai (Kazene in eroge).
Next is Kaze / Fuu no Shou.
This time, it's Iris, the youngest of the four half-angels. She has long brown hair that ends at her hips, kept in twin ponytails secured by green ribbons, topped with an iris, and brown eyes. Naive and childish, she often tries to do things her way, in order to deviate from the norm; she's also a bit of a crybaby. She is also a year younger than Lily. Iris is also the descendant of Raphael, and as the maiden of the element of wind, she possesses the Wind Ring. Her weapon of choice is a mage's staff. Concerning her relationships with the demons, she is very fond of Dantalion, even possessing a super-crush on him, although she also often refers to him as "sensei". Next is Astaroth, and she appears to be unaware of his coercive behavior around others, including Iris herself. She also refers to him as "onii-san", which sometimes gets on his nerves, although she isn't head-over-heels in love with him as she is with Dantalion. Iris also appears to be on good terms with Belial, although she doesn't see any romantic possibilities with him.
If Lily chooses Astaroth, Iris appears to be jealous at first, but immediately starts flaunting her hidden feelings for him in the process. This can lead to a love triangle, or Iris getting things her way and ending up with him. But if Lily gets the best ending possible where she ends up with him instead of her, she needs to ensure that he's just an older-brother-figure to Iris, and not a love interest. In Dantalion's route, Lily can choose to interfere with Iris's pursuit of him and wind up with him in the end, or allow Iris to beat her to him and get her ending, or trigger another love triangle. Iris would've been voiced by Hitomi (Minami Hokuto in eroge).
Next, Mizu no Shou.
The rival character in question is Cherry, eldest of the four half-angels, as well as the head of the half-angels. She is described as having black hair in a bobbed style (also known as okappa), topped with a cherry blossom, and grey eyes. In addition to being the oldest of the four half-angels, she's also the most strong-willed, as well as a bit arrogant. However, she's actually kind to her younger sisters, as well as Lily. She is also two years older than Lily. Cherry is also the descendant of Gabriel, and as the maiden of the element of water, she possesses the Water Ring. Her weapon of choice are a pair of gauntlets on her hands. Concerning her relationships with the demons, it is highly assumed that she and Marchosias are dating, and have been well-acquainted with one another. Andromalius also refers to Cherry as "oneesama", as it appears that he frequently fawns over her, and she in turn refers to him as "Andy". Amy, on the other hand, having a love of sweets, often asks Cherry to make him strawberry shortcake, which she does, and often praises her cooking, and has an interest in her as well.
If Lily pursues Andromalius, it isn't a big deal to Cherry. However, if Lily allows Cherry to get involved, it would lead to either a love triangle, or Cherry winding up with him in the end. Fortunately, Lily can avoid these two endings and get his best ending by growing closer to him. In Marchosias's route, Lily can choose to interfere with his relationship with Cherry, and trigger either Lily ending up with him or a love triangle in the end. Otherwise, she can just let Cherry maintain her relationship with him and get her happy ending. Cherry would've been voiced by Kei Mizusawa (Rino Kawashima in eroge).
Last, but certainly not least, is Chi no Shou.
The last of the rival characters is Orchid, second eldest of the four half-angels. She is described as having long blond hair that ends at her back, topped with an orchid, and blue eyes. Kind-hearted and demure, she is considered the Yamato Nadeshiko of the four half-angels, and is also quite domestic. She is also one year older than Lily. Orchid is also the descendant of Michael, and as the maiden of the element of earth, she possesses the Earth Ring. Her weapon of choice are a bow and arrow. Concerning her relationships with the demons, she and Belyth are said to be in a relationship, although Leraje apparently has a longing for Orchid, and is determined to tear their love apart. Orchid doesn't have any connection to Amon, however, but it is said that her older sister Cherry is a close chum of his.
If Lily goes after Leraje, then this prompts him to forget about interfering with Belyth and Orchid...that is until Orchid begins harboring feelings for Leraje. This can either lead to a love triangle ending, or Orchid casting away her love for Belyth and choosing Leraje over him. Of course, Lily can avoid these two endings by making sure Leraje and Orchid avoid each other, and get his best ending. In Belyth's route, she can choose to interfere with their close relationship, prompting Orchid to either leave him, so that Lily ends up with him in the end, or remain faithful to him and trigger a love triangle. The good news is that there is also an ending where Orchid can stay with him and earn her happy ending. Orchid would've been voiced by Tae Okajima (Soyogi Toono in eroge).
And there you have it, if all of the aforementioned above were used in all four games, Solomon's Ring could've been much, much better. (And it definitely wouldn't have that Worst Otome Game of 2013 possibility, either)
Thoughts and critique are welcome, BTW! ^_^
No. 1: A Better Storyline
Lily would be a Mary Sue of some sorts if her parents were dead, so why not let her mother survive instead? Also, she would've been entrusted with Solomon's ring before her grandfather died. After summoning three of the twelve demons that she can pursue, she'll also encounter one of four half-human half-angels (formerly tennyo aka celestial maidens), all whom are sisters and are the descendants of the four archangels. There would've been love triangles with certain demons, since each of the four sisters has some connection with at least one or two of the three demons in each of the individual games, and could lead to different endings, where either Lily or one of the half-angel sisters ends up with a particular demon. And yes, they would have to face off against Lucifer in the end.
No. 2: RPG Elements FTW!
Instead of just being a plain old ADV, it should've been a ADV / RPG. You could guide Lily and her party into randomly generated dungeons to explore and maybe level themselves up, so that they can tackle tougher enemies. And yes, the twelve demons do have weapons of their own (an example is the three sample CGs of the Fire demons), but so do the four half-angel sisters. Lily, on the other hand, has a lot of MP, which allows her to summon spells to attack certain enemies (fire against water, wind against earth, light against darkness, you know the drill!) And when you finally reach Lucifer, you're gonna have to be super-strong and equipped with the best armor and weapons for your party. Oh, and better CGs.
No. 3: Rival Characters
Now this is the fun part: each of the four half-angels appear in a specific game, and let's start off with Hi no Shou.
First is Rose, the third eldest of the four half-angels. She is described as having long red hair ending at her waist, which she always keeps in a single braid, topped with a rose, and green eyes. Proportion-wise, she's also quite busty ^.^ Known for being a plucky and brave young woman, she's often friendly to others and is often carefree at times, although she can be pretty much of a goofball. She is also the same age as Lily. Rose is also the descendant of Uriel, and as the maiden of the element of fire, she possesses the Fire Ring. Her weapon of choice is a sword. Concerning her relationships with the demons, she appears to have a romantic interest in Glasyas, whom she's well acquainted with. Concerning Asmodeus, he appears to have a thing or two for her, something she's somewhat unaware of. And as for Paimon, they've been at each others's throats for quite some time.
So, if Lily chooses to pursue Asmodeus, Rose begins to understand his feelings for her, which could either lead to a love triangle or Rose ending up with him, but it's possible to have Lily get his best ending with him by not convincing Rose that she also has an interest in him. In Glasyas's route, however, is a different story. Lily can either interfere with Rose and Glasyas's budding romance and end up with him, or let Rose pursue him and end up with him, or even trigger another love triangle. Last but not least, Rose would've been voiced by Harumi Sakurai (Kazene in eroge).
Next is Kaze / Fuu no Shou.
This time, it's Iris, the youngest of the four half-angels. She has long brown hair that ends at her hips, kept in twin ponytails secured by green ribbons, topped with an iris, and brown eyes. Naive and childish, she often tries to do things her way, in order to deviate from the norm; she's also a bit of a crybaby. She is also a year younger than Lily. Iris is also the descendant of Raphael, and as the maiden of the element of wind, she possesses the Wind Ring. Her weapon of choice is a mage's staff. Concerning her relationships with the demons, she is very fond of Dantalion, even possessing a super-crush on him, although she also often refers to him as "sensei". Next is Astaroth, and she appears to be unaware of his coercive behavior around others, including Iris herself. She also refers to him as "onii-san", which sometimes gets on his nerves, although she isn't head-over-heels in love with him as she is with Dantalion. Iris also appears to be on good terms with Belial, although she doesn't see any romantic possibilities with him.
If Lily chooses Astaroth, Iris appears to be jealous at first, but immediately starts flaunting her hidden feelings for him in the process. This can lead to a love triangle, or Iris getting things her way and ending up with him. But if Lily gets the best ending possible where she ends up with him instead of her, she needs to ensure that he's just an older-brother-figure to Iris, and not a love interest. In Dantalion's route, Lily can choose to interfere with Iris's pursuit of him and wind up with him in the end, or allow Iris to beat her to him and get her ending, or trigger another love triangle. Iris would've been voiced by Hitomi (Minami Hokuto in eroge).
Next, Mizu no Shou.
The rival character in question is Cherry, eldest of the four half-angels, as well as the head of the half-angels. She is described as having black hair in a bobbed style (also known as okappa), topped with a cherry blossom, and grey eyes. In addition to being the oldest of the four half-angels, she's also the most strong-willed, as well as a bit arrogant. However, she's actually kind to her younger sisters, as well as Lily. She is also two years older than Lily. Cherry is also the descendant of Gabriel, and as the maiden of the element of water, she possesses the Water Ring. Her weapon of choice are a pair of gauntlets on her hands. Concerning her relationships with the demons, it is highly assumed that she and Marchosias are dating, and have been well-acquainted with one another. Andromalius also refers to Cherry as "oneesama", as it appears that he frequently fawns over her, and she in turn refers to him as "Andy". Amy, on the other hand, having a love of sweets, often asks Cherry to make him strawberry shortcake, which she does, and often praises her cooking, and has an interest in her as well.
If Lily pursues Andromalius, it isn't a big deal to Cherry. However, if Lily allows Cherry to get involved, it would lead to either a love triangle, or Cherry winding up with him in the end. Fortunately, Lily can avoid these two endings and get his best ending by growing closer to him. In Marchosias's route, Lily can choose to interfere with his relationship with Cherry, and trigger either Lily ending up with him or a love triangle in the end. Otherwise, she can just let Cherry maintain her relationship with him and get her happy ending. Cherry would've been voiced by Kei Mizusawa (Rino Kawashima in eroge).
Last, but certainly not least, is Chi no Shou.
The last of the rival characters is Orchid, second eldest of the four half-angels. She is described as having long blond hair that ends at her back, topped with an orchid, and blue eyes. Kind-hearted and demure, she is considered the Yamato Nadeshiko of the four half-angels, and is also quite domestic. She is also one year older than Lily. Orchid is also the descendant of Michael, and as the maiden of the element of earth, she possesses the Earth Ring. Her weapon of choice are a bow and arrow. Concerning her relationships with the demons, she and Belyth are said to be in a relationship, although Leraje apparently has a longing for Orchid, and is determined to tear their love apart. Orchid doesn't have any connection to Amon, however, but it is said that her older sister Cherry is a close chum of his.
If Lily goes after Leraje, then this prompts him to forget about interfering with Belyth and Orchid...that is until Orchid begins harboring feelings for Leraje. This can either lead to a love triangle ending, or Orchid casting away her love for Belyth and choosing Leraje over him. Of course, Lily can avoid these two endings by making sure Leraje and Orchid avoid each other, and get his best ending. In Belyth's route, she can choose to interfere with their close relationship, prompting Orchid to either leave him, so that Lily ends up with him in the end, or remain faithful to him and trigger a love triangle. The good news is that there is also an ending where Orchid can stay with him and earn her happy ending. Orchid would've been voiced by Tae Okajima (Soyogi Toono in eroge).
And there you have it, if all of the aforementioned above were used in all four games, Solomon's Ring could've been much, much better. (And it definitely wouldn't have that Worst Otome Game of 2013 possibility, either)
Thoughts and critique are welcome, BTW! ^_^
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