PlayStation 2
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PlayStation Network (PSP)Overview
Fuuraiki (風雨来記) is a Japanese adventure game made up of hand-drawn characters and real-world photographs of actual locations in Japan. The title was developed by FOG and O-TWO and follows the story of a young reporter traveling across Hokkaido as part of a writing assignment for a travel magazine. For one month he will photograph landmarks and interview residents in order to construct articles for an online blog as part of a competition called the Shinkou Exhibition which his magazine hopes to win. Along the way he will also meet several heroines during his trip which he can potentially develop a relationship with.
The game was initially published in Japan on January 18, 2001 for the PlayStation with an enhanced port later released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, which contained higher resolution graphics, a new voice cast and a newly written bonus scenario. Both versions of the game were later made available as digital downloads on the PlayStation Network with the PlayStation version coming out in 2011 and Nippon Ichi releasing the PS2 edition in 2015. A direct sequel was released in 2005 called Fuuraiki 2 featuring the same protagonist traveling to Okinawa which was later followed by other sequels starring different characters and locations.
Gameplay
Tetsu Soma, the lead character who the player can rename, goes on a road trip across Hokkaido that is presented through three different gameplay styles. These include riding on Tetsu's motorcycle, traditional adventure segments and writing articles.
There are 80 real-world Hokkaido landmarks that can be visited during Tetsu's journey. The way the player travels to these locations is by entering a first-person driving sequence similar in presentation to Google Street View. Each section of road is shown as a single photograph with up to three other corresponding photos appearing at the top of the screen. The camera will slowly zoom in to represent the movement of the motorcycle and if the player selects a photo the motorcycle will move in that direction but if nothing is selected the player will automatically move forward. The game is structured non-linearly so the player is free to go wherever they wish at any time. A map of the region can be viewed while driving which shows where the player is heading and where they have been recently. Red dots on the map highlight the location of various landmarks and a flag can be placed to mark a point of interest. When a flag is placed, an indicator will appear on the compass in the bottom left corner of the screen that shows which direction the flag is located. Additionally, the compass also displays the player's current stamina, which drains as they travel or take any action outside of driving.
When the player parks at a landmark they will enter the game's adventure section. During these segments the player can talk with locals and other travelers while making dialogue choices that will effect what Tetsu can write about. The player can also interact with one of the game's five heroines that they will meet throughout their playthrough. Choices made with the women will build Tetsu's relationship with them and unlock special events which will effect the game's ending. To navigate each location, the player selects large arrows on the screen to move to different areas. At anytime a camera can be taken out to photograph the background, which starts a small mini-game where the picture needs to be taken once it comes into focus. Tetsu can photograph the game's heroines as well by asking them to pose for photos at any of the locations they visit. Certain landmarks will also have camping sites that the player can use to recharge Tetsu's stamina by sleeping. If the player doesn't choose a camping site by choice, Tetsu will automatically set up camp wherever he is once his stamina is fully drained.
While camping, the player can write articles that will be uploaded to Tetsu's travel blog. Tetsu is required to write at least one blog post per week or else the player will get a game over. Depending on what the player did during the day, different subjects will be available to write about and choices can be made about what details to include in the article. The player will also have to choose two photos for the article which are selected from a digital album full of all the pictures Tetsu has taken throughout his journey. After the article is uploaded to the internet, the player can also visit the blog's website to read comments, check their emails and see their articles' current rank in the competition. If the articles all get high rankings the magazine's website could win a popularity contest which can effect how the game ends. Once the player has finished writing they can go to sleep and begin the next day.
After 28 days have passed, the game will come to an end with the player's choices effecting which ending will be obtained. Four of these endings are connected to the game's heroines but despite Fuuraiki being marketed as a "romance adventure game" these endings do not lead to the characters starting a long lasting relationship. Instead the characters say good-bye and go their separate ways, never to see each other again. It is even possible for Tetsu to not interact with the heroines outside of their initial meeting and simply have him go on a road trip by himself where the story focuses more on Tetsu's backstory.
Characters
 | Tetsu Soma
A young man who is a fledgling reporter for a small publication that releases a travel magazine. Previously, he had done a popular story about camping in the Tohoku Region and now he hopes to win first place in the Shinkou Exhibition contest. Tetsu has suffered many loses in his life, experiencing the death of not only both of his parents but also his close childhood friend who he often went on trips with. Following in his father's footsteps, who was a famous photographer, he takes on the Hokkaido writing assignment while riding on the motorcycle that once belonged to his friend. |
 | Natsu Saito
A strong-willed tomboy who meets Tetsu on the ferry to Hokkaido. She has taken a leave of absence from her high school in order to travel to Hokkaido and fulfill some kind of promise. Natsu is also Fuyu's identical twin and shares one of the game's endings with her sister. |
 | Tamae Takizawa
Tamae is an energetic biker that is going on a road trip across Hokkaido similar to Tetsu, although it is her first time doing so and she has only just recently gotten her license. |
 | Fuyu Saito
The polar opposite of Natsu, Fuyu is an feminine young woman who also meets Tetsu aboard the ferry to Hokkaido. She is an avid reader of the travel magazine Tetsu writes for and is actually a big fan of his articles. |
 | Itsuki Tokisaka
A quite woman that Tetsu can meet at Lake Mashu. She belongs to a canoe club and has a sad disposition due to the fact that she recently had an argument with her close friend and fellow club member. |
 | Yumi Morioka
Yumi is a doctor that studies cancer treatments and is a character that originates from FOG's first video game, a title called Michinoku Hisen Koi Monogatari. She is a hidden love interest that can only be met during the final week of the game when Tetsu helps her after she gets into a car accident caused by a cow running into the road. Like the other heroines, Tetsu can take pictures of Yumi at different landmarks. However, in order to get her permission, the player first has to beat Yumi in a game of hanafuda. This is a callback to Michinoku Hisen Koi Monogatari, which had a similar requirement to photograph the heroines in that title. |
