I love the concept, the art direction, and the investment put into the voice acting. Unfortunately, outside of that, it’s lacking some punch to give it real lasting appeal. However, I still enjoyed it. If you want something that’ll take you back to Newgrounds as this summer comes to a close, (and there’s absolutely something to be said for playing summer-themed games during the summer), I recommend that you pick this up on sale.
The game is fun. The story is fun. I like the characters a lot, and the gameplay systems have a nice depth to them, while not being overwhelming. However, the game is let down by a variety of smaller flaws: UI issues, translation quirks, and typos that occurred far more often than they should have. I could take or leave the H-scenes, but the game does have some fetish content that could definitely appeal to the right person. If you’re in the market for an H-game with a straightforward story and solid gameplay, I definitely recommend The Alchemist of Ars Magna–but I think you’ll enjoy it more if you purchase it on sale.
Demon Queen Melissa has the most interesting combat of any Acerola game I’ve played so far. But unfortunately, that’s not what most people are playing this for. While it’s certainly still enjoyable, and absolutely worth a play, it’s probably my least favorite of all the Acerola games I’ve played so far. If you do find yourself fancying all three of the main heroines, you may well get more out of it than I did. Otherwise, I can’t recommend this over the other Acerola games on the market right now.
I’d buy this on sale in its current state. Even with all the bugs and issues, I had a great time, but would not be pleased to pay full price. However, provided bugs, typos, and missing translations are fixed, this is a 7/10 game. I had a terrific time with it, but it’s a shame that there are so many issues in the game’s current state. If you are hankering for a nukige, find yourself fancying the art, and don’t mind some serious scuff around the edges, you’ll find yourself with a gem.