NCS Game Notes
» On the island of Lospass, there sits a seaside resort unlike any other.
Flower, Sun and Rain may be more apt as the title of a National Geographic
piece - amidst a tropical paradise, FSaR is the epitome of lavish
surroundings and well-heeled relaxation. Amenities galore, beautiful women,
and modern contrivances are it's other perks.
» Detective Kodai Sumio figures it's be an enjoyable couple of days at
the FSaR resort when he's summoned there on an assignment but a host of
pampered guests and socialites alter his immediate destiny by badgering him
for help. Aided by a multi-purpose device called "Katharine" which is
operated by a "Dial" and "Juck Control," Sumio-san divines the circumstances
surrounding a situation or a problem by using the gadget in conjunction with
the game manual which relates locations of places and relays information
about the people encountered in the game. An additional feature of the
"Katharine" is the ability to determine the nature or purpose of an object.
» Flower, Sun, and Rain (aka Hana to Taiyou to Ame to) was originally
released on the Playstation 2 in 2001 so the game has an old school polygon
bent to the visuals. The character models and locations are rendered in 3-D
which gives Flower, Sun, and Rain an eye pleasing look with it's fluid
animation and stylized graphics. The game play may be likened to standard
detective sims where clues are ferreted, folks questioned, and point A must
be visited before going to point B. All in all, an enjoyable and unique game
brimming with interesting scenarios, characters, and puzzles to solve.
» The moody video introduction that was featured in the PS2 version of
Flower, Sun, Rain has undergone an editing process but the overall game
remains pretty much the same. The quality of the introductory video has also
been degraded from the big console version but the overall theme and stark
images still help to convey a sense of mystery and intrigue.
» Three new characters are featured in the NDS version of Flower, Sun,
and Rain.
» On the title screen, you may select "PLAY START" to begin the adventure
or "MOVIE" to watch the introductory cinema again.
» Three save-slots are available on the game card.
» The game opens up on a beach followed by a motor ride as Sumio makes
his way to the resort in a sporty blue car. Strangely, his is the only
vehicle on the entire stretch of road as he motors along. The long car ride
sequence is meant to convey the distance that Sumio has traveled for his
assignment. We also learn that Sumio has named his Toyota Celica "Giggs."
» There are garbled synthesized sounds when character dialogue pops up.
The sounds are meant to represent human speech although the memory
constraints of the game card stopped the producers from including actual
speed in the adventure. That, or the budget didn't allow for it.
» When Sumio reaches the parking lot, he screeches to a stop and exits
the vehicle. He finds a "lost and found Report" on the floor from the Hotel
"Flower, Sun, and Rain."
