AmbivalenZ

AmbivalenZ is an ADV game, but sets itself apart by being one of the more serious/darker titles. It is also the first title to be released on the then new System 3.

The writer of this game, Tori, goes into some detail in the Alice's mansion on how the game came to be. Tori recalls working on the idea of this story when they were working on DALK, but pushed it aside as she felt it did not fit the general mood of an Alicesoft game and would be better of as a book. Around 1993 she took a break (from writing at least) and Imam filled that role instead. She didn't just laze about and instead she started to work this story out further. When she came back she started work on a game (tentative name M.), but it didn't really work. TADA noticed the same and ultimately asked if she didn't have something more substantial. She mentioned the idea and TADA, whilst agreeing that it did not fit the company, said it was a great idea.

It has since become freeware and can be downloaded here.

Story
You follow the knight Shura, who has been cursed with immortality by his mortal enemy, Deirdre, who consumed the soul of his beloved princess Shea hundreds of years ago. As he lives through the ages he fights monsters spawned by that same enemy until he somewhat settles in a certain town. Now various odd things start happening around town and he also runs into a girl who looks very similar to his former princess. What is Deirdre planning and who is this mysterious girl?

Gameplay
The game was designed to be a relatively easy ADV game so you can enjoy the story, so your options tend to be limited and fairly well railroaded.

Battles are more storylike as well. They focus more on countering enemies' abilities either in or outside of battle. There are no clear HP bars or damage indicators either.

Staff
Team: 妃乃車 Project 1: 1993/7-1994/4 From the original story 二律背反Ⅱ (Antinomy II)

Director/Scenario 桜音 梨花​ (An alias of Tori)

Character design and original drawings Mutsumi Masato

Visual CG coloring YOK, K and Pukapi

Original drawing shading Chomoyama

Background CGs Nakajii and Yas

Map CG Nakajii and Kuribayashi

Male Duendy design and CG Orion

Programming Shige, PLUM'F

Music Ikazuchimaru

CG Line correction Akino Kōrogi, Bassun, Kirishima Sen'ya, 三重紙, Chimiroimu and 醍拉祇

Helpers from other projects Hanny King, YUKIMI, Chibo, Gencha, WAO

Debug Moomin and everyone else.

Special thanks Yoshitaka, OKA, Fuu-chan, Musha, Maeda-san, MAKI, Purin, Imam, D.M.=Aleph

Producers YUKIMI and TADA