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Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 (遙かなる時空の中で4) is the fourth installment in the Haruka series. It's the first and so far only title in the series to be on the Wii and to be rendered with 3D models. It was voted as the number one otome game of the year for 2008.

The Ruby Party decided to explore the series's title in ancient Japan, focusing on "forbidden love" and a prequel set in ancient Japan. The Premium Box edition included a still image collection book and art card by Tohko Mizuno, while the Treasure Box edition included new illustrations and a gemstone set representing the Four Gods.

Plot[]

The protagonist, a princess of a prestigious kingdom in parallel world Nakatsu Kuni, is sent to the modern world by a divine power to save her kingdom from destruction. Five years later, she reminisces about her true origins and returns to her home world, determined to save her people and resurrect her dying kingdom.

Gameplay[]

Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 follows a similar RPG dominant format featured in the series's third title:

  • The game's story is divided into distinct chapters, unlike the first two titles, which follow an automated daily progression, allowing players to complete the main story at their own pace.
  • The player can replay any chapter they have completed. Data gained before completing a chapter in progress, however, will be erased.
  • The party navigates through overworld maps, restoring vitality when reached. Players can confirm locations by pressing the confirmation button.
  • Active party members can switched in between battles to form a maximum party of four. The protagonist cannot be removed under normal circumstances.
  • Quick battles rewards a miniature boost of relations for the participants and extra elements.
  • The game's skip feature can be used to fast-forward previously seen story events, battle animations and automated travel on the overworld map.

Though the game shares these similarities with its predecessor, there have been small changes to the system for a quicker and easier presentation.

Players no longer have to hold down the skip button (L2 on PS2) if they wish to breeze through battles or events. The skipping speed can be adjusted to be as slow or as fast as the player desires and is automated with a single button tap (similar to Neo Angelique or Kiniro no Corda). A fast forward icon at the bottom right hand corner of the screen indicates if action is being fast forwarded or not. Skipping can be canceled by tapping the skip button a second time.

Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 required the player to hop back to a particular chapter if they wanted to change the timeline of the entire game. The process erased certain events from occurring and offered fluctuating chapter availability, requiring multiple playthroughs of the game if they wished to see each character's story.

The game catalogs all completed story chapters, allowing players to revisit them without affecting the game's timeline. Main characters have their own sections and endings, while sub characters follow the main storyline. Travel on the overworld map can be automated by opening a sub list of locations, with purple icons for main story areas. The game features 3D graphics, 2D still images, and cut-ins to illustrate the cast.

Combat System[]

The game uses numerical values for health and will power, and combat is turn-based, with normal battles being random encounters on the overworld map. Battles are set in a four versus four formation, with the main party in the center and opposition surrounding the outer edges. Character affinity increases if formation assistance is done within the first turn.

The player is mainly restricted to choosing the protagonist's actions. She can:

  • Attack (攻撃) - selecting this option gains access to two choices:
    • Normal Attack - attacks the opponent directly in front of her with a normal attack.
    • Oath (誓約) - costs 15 Will to use and requires another character in the party. Protagonist shoots an arrow high into the air. The character who shares high relationship ratings with her then offers to lend their strength for the attack. For it to succeed, the player has to correctly input the following special button sequence before the timer runs out. Has the potential to deal massive damage to target.
  • Magic (術) - cast magic while draining Will. Magic available varies on the current party and the protagonist's innate element.
  • Special Move (特技) - selecting this option opens a sub menu with the following choices:
    • Cheer (応援) - words of encouragement to boost a character's attack power for one turn.
    • Concentrate (集中) - uses a turn to restore the protagonist's lost will.
    • Heal (回復) - costs 10 Will to use. Restores lost health for one character.
    • Summon (召喚) - costs 10 Will to use. Asks a selected sub character to replace protagonist's actions for one turn.
    • Escape (避難) - self-explanatory. Has a certain fail rate. May lower bonds with current party members.

Blue circular icons can be spotted near each of her actions in the menu. The amount of icons present indicates an action's efficiency for the current turn (three being best, one being worst). It may prove beneficial for the player to keep an eye on these icons for optimal results.

Before the player confirms the protagonist's actions, they can open a secondary battle menu to re-arrange the AI for ally characters (L1 for PS2). This function is particularly useful for grueling boss battles, as it can encourage party members to better support one another. From right to left, the following commands are:

  • Leave the situation to the character - standard AI functions.
  • Defeat enemies without restraint - selected character will perform their strongest physical attack abilities nonstop.
  • Recover lost Will - the single character will concentrate to regain Will.
  • Focus on healing and spells - character heals allies and performs their support abilities.
  • Don't use any Will - auto-attack function for a single character.
  • Protect (character name) - orders this character to guard one of their three party members.

Elements can be gathered by the party after completing battle. In the menu screen, the player can use allocated elements to strengthen party members with improved stats and special abilities. Unlike the previous title, however, elements are categorized into subsections with the Ten Heavenly Stems and yin-yang properties. Each character has different elemental needs so it's encouraged to fight a variety of battles throughout the game.

Certain characters in the main party can also convert elemental types if the player has an excess of a single elemental type. Although this feature can become costly, it offers an alternate method for building elements.

Character Routes[]

The game allows players to build affinity ratings between the protagonist and main characters, with bonds represented as floating light green stars. These bonds can be increased by finishing battles, selecting favorable responses, or completing a character's personal events. Characters with personal story routes have "Heart Scales" that can be tipped towards success or failure, and each character has a yin-yang affiliation in elements, affecting the amount of elements earned after battle.

Modes[]

Continue[]

The player has 30 save slots, and after a completed playthrough, they can save their settings, characters' parameters, and abilities from cleared save data.

New Game[]

Self-explanatory.

Extra[]

Includes a gallery and music selection. The gallery shows alternations of the same illustration during story events and doubles as a limited event gallery. As the player views an image, they have the option to revisit a portion of the original event which featured it.

Settings[]

The player can adjust text speed, skipping speed, volume, sound effects, music, voices, muting options, and remove button guides. These settings are automatically applied when starting a new game.

Mobile Joy[]

Cellphone bonuses after inputting passwords given on the Gamecity Fanclub site. Rewards players with images and audio clips for their cellphone.

Game Trailers[]

Promotional videos for Neo Angelique Full Voice and Kiniro no Corda 2 encore.

Characters[]

Main Party[]

Nakatsu Kuni army[]

Tokoyo no Kuni forces[]

Aizouban Changes[]

The PSP re-release (Aizouban) offers the following additions different from the first release.

  • Voice actors from the game's drama CDs return to voice sub-characters in the game. They are only voiced during the extra events for this title.
  • Bonus events and illustrations appear for characters after their ending.
  • A trial version of Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 5 is available in the main menu.

Its Treasure Box edition includes an analog clock voiced by the eight main characters, a book with illustrations from Tohko Mizuno and signatures from the voice actors, a voice actor commentary CD, and a special drama CD. The drama CD entails a what-if scenario of the main characters within the modern world.

Save data from this version of the game can also be used to unlock small bonuses for players in Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 5.

Related Media[]

Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4 was first announced as a new title at Neoromance ♥ Alamode 3. It was promoted at Neoromance ♥ Festa ~ Haruka Festival 2008 and participating voice actors stated their opinions of their characters on stage. It was also one of the titles presented by Ruby Party member, Mayuko Oomori, at the Computer Entertainment Developers Conference 2010. She presented Kazahaya as an example for the character portrait process.

The Aizouban version was simultaneously announced at Tokyo Game Show 2010 and Neoromance ♥ Event "10 Years Love" with Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 5. It was later promoted at Neoromance Starlight ♥ Christmas 2010 and in the radio program Neoroma & Musou. The game's song Tanoshiki Madoi was also used for segments of the radio program.

Several CDs were published for the game. The audio dramas on these discs include scenarios that happen before and during the game's story. Characters from this IP crossover into other character image songs in a CD called Neoromance Friends. Three Haruka 4 character image songs were included in the first Neoromance Christmas CD, ~Seiya ni Love Song wo~. A Futsuhiko and Michiomi character image CD was offered exclusively at Neoromance Starlight ♥ Christmas and Neoromance Starlight ♥ Christmas 2012. Nasatya and Ernest Satow were available for Neoromance ♥ Halloween Party. Neoromance ♥ Festa Alamode 4 had Kazuhiko Inoue (Kazahaya) record an exclusive character monologue and image song for its event CD, Neo Romance Ondo.

Various publications have also been made for the game. Free samples of the fan made four panel comics can be read online at Gamecity. The March 27, 2008 issue of Dengeki Girl's Style included coverage for the game and a special book for the series up at the point. The game also received coverage in the August 2008 issue of Sweet Princess.

A short prelude comic for the game was illustrated by Tohko Mizuno and published in LaLa. The stories were then compiled into a single volume. Two light novels were authored by Yui Tokiumi with illustrations by Chiyoko. Interested fans can read samples of these novels at Gamecity Bunko.

A limited edition Chihiro themed pouch by Cospa was also offered for purchase. Cospatio re-created Chihiro's costume, but it is currently sold out.

In celebration of the series' fifteenth anniversary, players of the social game can obtain avatar parts for the main party members, Michiomi, Karigane, Nasatya, Shani, and Ribhu in April 2015. It includes their outfits and accessories. Voice actors of the series up to this IP will be stars for Harukanaru Tokinonakade ♥ Fan Kansha Matsuri and Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 & 4 Premium Tour.

Image Song[]

Performed by Yukihiro Takiguchi

*used as game's ending song.

Allusions[]

  • The ballroom music featured in the Kiniro no Corda series is reused during Mudgala's bonus event in Aizouban.

Gallery[]

External Links[]

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