[PSP] コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ Lost Colors

Code Geass: Hangyaku No Lelouch Lost Colors is a galge based on the first season of the hit anime series, featuring full voice overs from the all-star seiyuu cast. Though the storyline remains intact, it's told from the viewpoint of another character who also possesses the power of the Geass. How he will alter the course of the war between Area 11 and the Holy Britannian Empire will be in your hands for once, though it remains to be seen if it can create enough of an impact to prevent the tragic fate of a certain main character. Anyway, let's just focus our attention on the here and now.

Lelouch Lamperouge: Adored by (almost) all, but no lovelife. Suzaku Kururugi: Has trouble fitting in, only talks with Lelouch... see where I'm going with this?

You play as Rai, an injured amnesiac who finds himself wandering aimlessly in Area 11. The poor guy has nothing in his person that gives him even a slightest clue to his past nor lineage, except for vague images that flash in and out of his consciousness. Battered and bewildered, he falls unconscious at the Ashford Academy campus. The Student Council Members come to his aid, and under SC President Milly Ashford's blessing, allow him to seek sanctuary in the academy as a "transfer student" until he figures out his true identity. Like Lelouch, Rai also makes a contract with C.C. that gives him the Geass ability to control the minds of other people.

Aw shoot, blind girl's maid is there... guess I'll have to come back next time. *hides love drug and sex toys*

As with any galge, you will have the opportunity to roam around the established locations within a set schedule and interact with many of the characters from season 1 of the anime (though Rolo makes a cameo appearance later on for some reason). Staying neutral forever isn't an option though. Depending on your actions, Rai will find himself fighting for either the Order Of The Black Knights or the Holy Britannian Army. As such, he will get customized Knightmare Frames (apparently, the definition of "customized" means recolored models of Spinzaku/Kallen units) from either faction if he proves his worth as a skilled pilot.

Nunnally-chan.. if you go out with me, I'll show you things you've never seen before and do lots of unsightly things to you... er, wait...  that last part didn't come out right...

You may be asking why I called Lost Colors a galge... well, the reason is simple enough. Despite lacking memories and a concrete character design, Rai is quite the ladies man, and can easily charm a handful of the girls, with the rest needing special conditions to start. Aside from the faction-based ending, you'll also get special scenes depending on which girl you're pursuing. If you make all the right moves, you'll even be treated to a hot springs scene where everyone can be seen in their birthday suits (convenient censoring is employed to keep CERO from having a field day).

Dammit Prez, I wanted to play the nurse....

Though Rai gets to have the cool Geass power similar to what Lelouch has, you can't use it indiscriminately... when a plot point presents itself, it automatically activates (though sometimes you can opt to stop it), complete with the familiar cutscene wherein Rai's silhouette takes the place of Lelouch. Knightmare Frame battles are also a hit-or-miss affair, running merely on text: You get lucky with your choices, you win the fight; if not, then you'll either run out of power, get incapacitated/killed, or both. People who love to spread saves a lot will run into a bit of a snag here: unlike most galges that have around fifty save slots or even more, Lost Colors only grants you three, so you'd better use them wisely.

Suzaku's totally gonna freak when he finds out I've repainted his precious Lancelot... heh heh.

Fans of the series will no doubt have a total blast with this game, but other people should read up on Code Geass history first before starting to appreciate the game's plot alterations better. Lost Colors can appear rather complicated, but can be a worthwhile gaming experience if you give it enough time.