Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2: Everything We Know

Admittedly falling in a very specific niche of sorts, the ‘When They Cry’ series of murder mystery visual novel games, by Japanese indie creator Ryukishi 07, nevertheless boasts a loyal following of fans who appreciate the series’ ability to build suspense and evoke horror while weaving a complex web of narrative intrigue and tension.

The series has also spawned a very successful manga series as well as an anime. However, it all started with 2002’s ‘Higurashi: When They Cry’ visual novel game. The game sold very well for a relatively unknown (at the time) indie project and quickly garnered an avid fan following.

A sequel titled ‘Umineko: When They Cry’ came out five years later in 2007, featuring an entirely new plotline and characters. The game received rave reviews and currently stands at over 97% positive user reviews on Steam. After well over a decade of waiting, fans of the franchise were rewarded for their patience in October of last year when the first episode of the new installment titled ‘Ciconia When They Cry – Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones’ was released. Now, as we head towards the imminent release of ‘Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2’, read on to find out everything we know about the game and its upcoming second episode.

Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2 Gameplay: What to Expect?

In some ways, ‘Ciconia When They Cry’ is a marked departure from the previous entries in the series. While the game still focuses on mystery and intrigue, it is less so compared to its predecessors. This time around, the game also seeks to incorporate more action-oriented elements.

The setting of the new game is also something of a departure. While the previous two games in the franchise took place in the 1980s, while ‘Ciconia When They Cry’ takes place in an alternate future timeline on a world known simply as “A3W”. After a devastating World War III event years ago, humanity has rallied and managed to recover thanks to a potent new fuel – Spiritium.

The webpage for the game describes it as follows:
“Though the world was nearly destroyed during World War III, it was saved from a nuclear winter by cutting-edge technology. One hundred years later, this eventually gave rise to the new ultimate military technology, the Gauntlet, which fascinated children all over the world. In this new era, all existing military forces would become obsolete, except for the small number of boys and girls who have what it takes to become a Gauntlet Knight…”

The nature of warfare in the new world has changed. Instead of aircrafts, warships, and tanks, armies of the world now consist of special warriors that possess powerful devices known as “Gauntlets”. The Gauntlets afford great power to their users, allowing them to fly through the air like a jet and wield more weapons than a warship.

The main protagonist of the story is the Gauntlet Knight Miyao Mitake who, together with her fellow Gauntlet Knights, professes her dedication to maintaining world peace. However, due to severe regional and ideological differences, as well as the malignant influence of a shadowy organization, the world is quickly barrelling towards another World War, something our heroes are keen to avert.

The ‘When They Cry’ games typically release in an episodic format and this is also the case with ‘Ciconia When They Cry’. The first episode titled ‘Ciconia When They Cry – Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones’ debuted on October 4, 2019, and sets up the plot for subsequent episodes. We are introduced to the post-WW III society of A3W, the Gauntlet Knights and other important characters.

‘Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2’ will continue this storyline as the Gauntlet Knights desperately try to fend off World War IV, while several shady entities seek to encourage such an event.

Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2 Developers: Who Are the People Behind the Game?

‘Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2’ is being developed by Japanese indie game development studio 07th Expansion. The studio was founded by ‘When They Cry’ series creator Ryukishi07. 07th Expansion specializes in visual novel games such as ‘Rose Gun Days’ and ‘Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni’.

‘Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2’ is being published in the west by MangaGamer.

Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2 Release Date: When and Where Can I Play It?

Although initially given a release date of May 2020, the launch of ‘Ciconia When They Cry Phase 2’ has since been pushed back to later in 2020.

The first episode ‘Ciconia When They Cry – Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones’ released on October 4, 2019, and is currently available to play.

‘Ciconia When They Cry – Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones’ is available to play exclusively on PC (Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X) via the Steam Storefront. We can expect the same for ‘Ciconia When They Cry  2’.

Ciconia When They Cry Trailer:

You can watch the trailer for ‘Ciconia When They Cry’ right here.

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