Princess Maker 2

The game takes place in a fantasy world roughly modeled after medieval Europe with the starting year is given as 1210 K.D.{{Cite news|last=Coleman|first=Joseph|date=April 7, 1996|title=Where Did I Go Wrong? Virtual Daughter Lets Fathers Test Parenting Skills|page=10A|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/apr/07/where-did-i-go-wrong-virtual-daughter-lets/|url-status=live|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512165718/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/apr/07/where-did-i-go-wrong-virtual-daughter-lets/|archive-date=May 12, 2021}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/apr/07/where-did-i-go-wrong-virtual-daughter-lets/ |title=Where Did I Go Wrong? Virtual Daughter Lets Fathers Test Parenting Skills | the Spokesman-Review |access-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512165718/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/apr/07/where-did-i-go-wrong-virtual-daughter-lets/ |url-status=bot: unknown }} The player's character is a famous warrior who defended the kingdom from an invasion by Lucifon, the Prince of Darkness (a corruption of Lucifer); consequently, he is known throughout the land as a military hero and receives an annual salary from the palace. One night, he receives a communication from a god whose identity is determined by the birth-date the player selects at the beginning of the game. This god bestows upon the mentioned player a child of the heavens, and it is their duty to raise her from the age of 10 to the age of 18, at which point she will enter a line of work; the most desirable outcome is that of a royal princess.

File:Princessmaker2 english.jpgThe daughter has a set of statistics that fluctuate depending on the activities the player assigns to her schedule, including various part-time jobs, schooling, adventure, and free time. It is these statistics that ultimately determine her final occupation, her skill level in her line of work, and her overall happiness in life; her marital fate is also decided, in part, by these statistics. The game also makes use of some invisible statistics to determine the occurrence of certain special events.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} The player can converse with the girl and she will refer to the player as "father".

The god who visits the father is the daughter's patron god. That patron determines her starting statistics in a way that is loosely related to the god's role in the Roman pantheon; for example, a girl born under Mars begins the game with an advantage in fighting reputation.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} The player can purchase a pill from a merchant that increases the bust size of the girl.

The game ends after five and a half hours of gameplay when the girl reaches 18 and chooses a future career. High score are given to jobs such as Queen or general, whereas low scores are given to jobs such as barmaid. The game features 74 possible endings.

{{Quote box

| quote = "There are so many shoot-out games. You kill the bad guys and score points. It's been done, and people expect something totally different. This is a long-term game where you make a commitment and create your own world."

| source = —Takami Akai in 1994 to Wired magazine.{{Cite news|last=Eastham|first=Kim|date=August 1994|title=The Virtual Brat|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/1994/08/the-virtual-brat/|access-date=2021-10-18|archive-date=2016-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222095912/https://www.wired.com/1994/08/the-virtual-brat/|url-status=live}}

| width = 40%

| bgcolor =

}}

The game was developed by Gainax, who are also known for the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion and FLCL.{{Cite news|last=Frank|first=Allegra|date=September 29, 2016|title=The makers of Evangelion will turn you into a princess next month (update)|work=Polygon|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/9/22/13022824/princess-maker-2-steam-english-download|access-date=October 17, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092518/http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/22/13022824/princess-maker-2-steam-english-download|url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/22/13022824/princess-maker-2-steam-english-download |title=The makers of Evangelion will turn you into a princess next month (Update) |website=Polygon |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=October 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092518/http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/22/13022824/princess-maker-2-steam-english-download |url-status=bot: unknown }} The game is part of a trend of idealized real world simulation games in Japan, such as Tokimeki Memorial.{{Cite news|last=Dawkins|first=Will|date=May 6, 1996|title=Game Nerds get hooked on Reality|page=7|work=Financial Times|location=United Kingdom}} In Japan at this time, most child rearing was done by females in the household since the males tended to be more career focused. Designer Takami Akai explained that "To play this game means to do something you want to but can't", adding that a father would not be allowed to manage his daughter's life because they would complain too much. Akai had thought about giving the player an infant to start the game but decided against it.{{Cite news|last=Ernsbercher|first=Richard|date=September 27, 1993|title=It's Tough to Raise a Digital Kid|page=48|work=Newsweek}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Princess Maker 2 Refine

| collapsible = yes

| image =

| developer = Gainax/GeneX

| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|CyberFront|WW|CyberFront Korea}}

| designer = Takami Akai

| composer = Masahiro Kajihara

| series = Princess Maker

| engine =

| released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 30, 2004}}

{{vgrelease|WW|September 28, 2016}}

| genre = Life simulation game

| modes = Single player

| platforms = Microsoft Windows

}}

The game was first released for the PC-9801 personal computer.{{Cite magazine|date=September 23, 2016|title=『プリンセスメーカー2 リファイン』がSteamで今秋配信決定、全キャラクターに音声追加も|magazine=Famitsu|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201609/23116639.html|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924162414/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201609/23116639.html|url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201609/23116639.html |title=『プリンセスメーカー2 リファイン』がSteamで今秋配信決定、全キャラクターに音声追加も |date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924162414/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201609/23116639.html |url-status=bot: unknown }} By September 1993, the game had sold 30,000 copies and the company had received 10,000 letters from fans. An English language version of the game for DOS was completed but was cancelled in 1996. The version was completed and review copies had been sent out to magazines, however the company producing the English port, IntraCorp, went bankrupt.{{Cite news|date=April 1999|title=AF's News service|volume=7|page=88|work=Gamefan|issue=4}} That version was then subsequently leaked onto the internet,{{Cite news|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|date=June 2001|title=Import Only: Wonder Project J|pages=58–59|work=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|location=United Kingdom}} and was sometimes referred to as abandonware. It had later been released for multiple personal computers including the FM Towns, Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows Me, as well as many home consoles like the 3DO, PC Engine, Sega Saturn, and PlayStation 2.{{Cite news|last=Manjimaru|date=July–September 2003|title=Nippon Vintage|language=ES|pages=69–71|work=Retro Games|publisher=MegaMultimedia|issue=1|location=Span}}

In 2001, the second and third games in the Princess Maker series were released for the Sega Dreamcast on a compilation titled Princess Maker Collection. It was ported to Japanese mobile phones in 2005.{{Cite news|date=May 16, 2005|title=難易度が下がり「思い通りの娘」になる？ プリンセスメーカー|work=ITmedia|url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0505/16/news082.html|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302110829/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0505/16/news082.html|url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0505/16/news082.html |title=難易度が下がり「思い通りの娘」になる？ プリンセスメーカー |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302110829/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0505/16/news082.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{Cite magazine|date=July 2, 2004|title=育成シミュレーションのヒット作がプレイステーション2で復活！ 『プリンセスメーカー2』|magazine=Famitsu|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2004/07/02/104,1088750225,28160,0,0.html|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=March 10, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050310131028/http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2004/07/02/104,1088750225,28160,0,0.html|url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2004/07/02/104,1088750225,28160,0,0.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=March 10, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050310131028/http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2004/07/02/104,1088750225,28160,0,0.html |url-status=bot: unknown }} Along with the original Princess Maker 1, Princess Maker 2 has received a newer "refined" remake for Windows. The graphics are redrawn sound quality of the game have been changed, along with various other elements.{{Cite news|last=Hawkins|first=Janine|date=March 16, 2017|title=The Art of 'Princess Maker Refine' Tries to Fix Something That Wasn't Broken|work=Vice|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-art-of-princess-maker-refine-tries-to-fix-something-that-wasnt-broken/|url-status=live|access-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221452/https://www.vice.com/en/article/534dbn/the-art-of-princess-maker-refine-tries-to-fix-something-that-wasnt-broken|archive-date=November 11, 2020}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-art-of-princess-maker-refine-tries-to-fix-something-that-wasnt-broken/ |title=The Art of 'Princess Maker Refine' Tries to Fix Something That Wasn't Broken |date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=October 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221452/https://www.vice.com/en/article/534dbn/the-art-of-princess-maker-refine-tries-to-fix-something-that-wasnt-broken |url-status=bot: unknown }} Princess Maker 2 Refine was released via Steam in Fall 2016, published by Korean publisher CFK.{{cite web|title=Princess Maker 2 Refine coming to PC via Steam in English on October 3|date=September 22, 2016|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/09/princess-maker-2-refine-coming-pc-via-steam-english-october-3|publisher=Gematsu|accessdate=September 23, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923174512/http://gematsu.com/2016/09/princess-maker-2-refine-coming-pc-via-steam-english-october-3|url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2016/09/princess-maker-2-refine-coming-pc-via-steam-english-october-3 |title=Princess Maker 2 Refine coming to PC via Steam in English on October 3 |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923174512/http://gematsu.com/2016/09/princess-maker-2-refine-coming-pc-via-steam-english-october-3 |url-status=bot: unknown }} This version has the option for English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language options.

{{Infobox video game

| title = Princess Maker 2 Regeneration

| collapsible = yes

| image =

| developer = Gainax/Bliss Brain

| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Bliss Brain|US|Bliss Brain|EU|Bliss Brain|AS|CyberFront Korea}}

| designer = Takami Akai

| composer = Masahiro Kajihara

| series = Princess Maker

| engine =

| released = {{vgrelease|WW|July 11, 2024}}Nintendo Switch,Steam{{vgrelease|WW|August 8, 2024}}PS4, PS5

| genre = Life simulation game

| modes = Single player

| platforms = PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Steam

}}

{{nihongo foot|Princess Maker 2 Regeneration|プリンセスメーカー２　リジェネレーション|||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a remaster of Refine released for the Nintendo Switch and Steam on July 11, 2024, and later the PS4 and PS5 on August 8, 2024 with physical copies for the Switch and PS5 released on December 21, 2024 to celebrate the franchise's 30th year anniversary. This remaster features most of the same content as the above since one in game item and two endings were taken out of the PS4 and PS5 while the Switch and Steam versions remain untouched.{{cite web|url=https://blissbrain.co.jp/pm2rg-e/#section_a14428e1|title=Princess Maker 2 Regeneration webpage|website=Bliss Brain|access-date=August 10, 2024}} An opening movie produced by Yonago GAINAX has been added. The animation, which was made by a team led by Takami, allows new players to get a sense of what a future raising their “daughter” is going to be like. Graphics have been redrawn by Takami also in a style that closely resembles the original PC-9801 version. Additionally, the game is upscaled to high resolution for modern games consoles and PCs.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/games/princess-maker-2-regeneration|title=Princess Maker 2 Regeneration|website=Gematsu|access-date=August 10, 2024}}

{{Video game reviews

| Fam = 28

| rev1 = Ultra Gameplayers

| rev1Score = 9 /10

| NGen = 3 stars

| rev2 = Hardcore Gamers

| rev2Score = 4 /5

| rev3 = Sega Saturn Magazine

| rev3Score = 8 /10

|rev4 = Famitsu DC

|rev4Score = 18 /30

}}

The game was released to largely critical praise.{{Cite news|date=November 1995|title=Sega Saturn Soft Review|language=JA|page=192|work=Sega Saturn Magazine|location=Japan}} Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "This is the strangest game to hit the U.S. PC market in years, and on a certain level, Ignite should be commended for taking the chance to release it. Whether it can, or maybe even should, find an audience is another matter."

Several reviewers commented on the gender issues of the game. Francesca Reyes writing in Ultra Gameplayers said that while the game does include "thinly veiled sexist allusions", and that it might not be for everyone, she said the game was highly entertaining and praised the game. In contrast, Etsuko Yamashita, a Women's studies professor at Japan Women's University was critical of the game and likening the content of the game to incest. In regards to the game being popular among college and high school males, she remarked "You might think that the younger generation has a better sense of gender equality, but this game proves it's not necessarily true."

Many reviewers praised the game for its originality. Guillermo Vacas of Minami 2000 praised it for being a "manga" style gamed, but was non-violent and educational.{{Cite news|last=Vacas|first=Guillermo|date=January 1999|title=PC Games: Princess Maker 2|language=ES|page=55|work=Minami 2000|publisher=Ares Multimedia|location=Spain}} Chris Hudak writing in Wired magazine, praised the game for breaking the mold of violent video games on PC at the time. Saying that he had grown attached to his virtual daughter, and that the unique gameplay rewards sensitive paternal players.{{Cite magazine|last=Hudak|first=Chris|date=September 1997|title=Paternal Pride|page=162|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/1997/09/street-cred-paternal-pride/|url-status=live|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018131853/https://www.wired.com/1997/09/street-cred-paternal-pride/|archive-date=October 18, 2021}} {{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/1997/09/street-cred-paternal-pride/ |title=Street Cred: Paternal Pride |magazine=Wired |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018131853/https://www.wired.com/1997/09/street-cred-paternal-pride/ |url-status=bot: unknown |last1=Hudak |first1=Chris }} Both Next Generation and Reyes praised the publisher for publishing such a unique game.{{cite magazine|date=August 1997|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=32|pages=119, 124}}{{Cite news|last=Reyes|first=Francesca|date=September 1997|title=Review: Princess Maker 2|page=94|work=Ultra Gameplayers|issue=101}} Reviewers also praised the visuals. PC Zone magazine called the anime styled art as "eye-catching".

Reviewers also praised the number of endings in the game, saying that it encouraged playing through the game multiple times.

Although most critics praised the game, some were more critical. While Vacas praised the game as addictive and enjoyable, one downside they noted was its sheer complexity, something that could be daunting for first time players. Three reviewers from Famitsu DC were more critical of the Princess Maker Collection, giving it a low score. They said that the games were simply ports, and that while they were new and innovative at the time, they have since become dated. They said that perhaps Princess Maker: Faery Tales Come True might be an easier to game to play instead.{{Cite news|date=July 2001|title=New Game Cross Review|page=19|work=Famitsu DC}} Janine Hawkins, writing in Vice was critical of the look of the Refine version of the game, including the lack of dithering in artwork.

Retrospective reviews of the game were also positive.{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Graham|date=May 11, 2012|title=Now Playing: The trials of fatherhood in Princess Maker 2|language=en|work=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/now-playing-the-trials-of-fatherhood-in-princess-maker-2/|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217070511/https://www.pcgamer.com/now-playing-the-trials-of-fatherhood-in-princess-maker-2/|url-status=live}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/now-playing-the-trials-of-fatherhood-in-princess-maker-2/ |title=Now Playing: The trials of fatherhood in Princess Maker 2 |website=PC Gamer |date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217070511/https://www.pcgamer.com/now-playing-the-trials-of-fatherhood-in-princess-maker-2/ |url-status=bot: unknown |last1=Smith |first1=Graham }}{{Cite news|last=Krauth|first=Kosta|date=November 2005|title=Abandonware: Princess Maker 2|work=PC Zone|issue=160}} Reviewing the 2016 English Refine release, Hardcore Gamer gave the game a score of 4 out of 5 and called it "absolutely a blast all these years later", although criticizing the translation, which at times said the opposite of what actually happened or left the endings voiced in Japanese without subtitles.{{Cite web |last=Estrada |first=Marcus |date=October 14, 2016 |title=Review: Princess Maker 2 Refine – Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2016/10/14/review-princess-maker-2-refine/230827/ |access-date=May 15, 2021 |website=Hardcore Gamer |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515115847/https://hardcoregamer.com/2016/10/14/review-princess-maker-2-refine/230827/ |url-status=live }} {{Cite web |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2016/10/14/review-princess-maker-2-refine/230827/ |title=Review: Princess Maker 2 Refine - Hardcore Gamer |date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515115847/https://hardcoregamer.com/2016/10/14/review-princess-maker-2-refine/230827/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/princess-maker-2 Princess Maker 2] at MobyGames
• [http://www.softegg.com/products/pm2/pm2.php SoftEgg Official Site – Princess Maker 2]
• {{Webarchive| url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209010636/http://www.gainax.co.jp/soft/primas/pmaker2.html| title=Gainax (official page for the game)}}
• {{Webarchive| url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423210540/http://www.vector.co.jp/swreg/catalogue/sr019902/index.html| title=GeneX}}

Category:1993 video games

Category:DOS games

Category:Fantasy video games

Category:Microcabin games

Category:Raising sims

Category:Sega Saturn games

Category:Video game sequels

Category:Video games about princesses

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games featuring non-playable protagonists

Category:TurboGrafx-CD games

Category:FM Towns games

Category:NEC PC-9801 games

Category:Windows games

Category:Single-player video games