Neon Genesis Evangelion: Iron Maiden
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| Neon Genesis Evangelion: Iron Maiden | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Gainax Network Systems |
| Publisher(s) | Bandai |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows, Macintosh |
| Release date | February 1998 (JP) |
| Genre(s) | Visual novel |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Media | CD-ROM |
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Iron Maiden (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン鋼鉄のガールフレンド Shin Seiki Evangerion Kōtetsu no Gārufurendo?, lit. "Neon Genesis Evangelion Girlfriend of Steel") is a video game based on the Gainax anime/manga series Neon Genesis Evangelion, released officially only in Japan.
Some fans also consider it an additional episode of the series because like 1st Impression it was interactive to a small degree but principally played out like a segment of the anime's story, fitting in just before the mood of the series started to get darker. Toji appears in the game normally, placing it before the arrival of the 13th Angel. It is likely set before the appearance of the Eleventh Angel, Iruel, because the simulation bodies that were infected by that angel are shown in use during the early stages of the game.
[edit] Releases
In 2001, a Shockwave version of the game was released, but Gainax shutdown the website which hosted the game file for breach of copyright. In April 2006, a "special" edition was released for the PS2, as part of Evangelion's 10th year anniversary, with additional scenes focusing on the TRIDENT pilots' lives. A PC Microsoft Windows version was released in September 2006.
[edit] Story, gameplay and endings
A shy female character, Mana Kirishima (voice by Megumi Hayashibara, the seiyu of Rei Ayanami), starts at Shinji Ikari's school and immediately admits to finding him cute. Gradually, a relationship unfolds and they end up going on a date. It turns out, however, that she is one of three test pilots for the TRIDENT (alternatively named the "Country Crawler") units, a new competitor to the Evangelions, similar to Jet Alone; thus the name Girlfriend of Steel. Eventually, the TRIDENT goes berserk and the Evas have to destroy it.
Throughout the game, Asuka Langley Soryu is constantly jealous of Shinji and Mana, consistent with her widely-speculated romantic feelings for Shinji. Rei Ayanami is present but plays a rather background role in the story.
The interactivity in most of the game is limited to walking around areas until the next plot event is triggered. However, the one true branch occurs at the end of the game, where the player may choose to focus on Mana, Asuka or Kaji. This choice determines which of the game's three endings are shown.
In the Mana ending, Mana is discovered not to have been killed in the battle. Shinji rescues her and brings her back to his apartment. She showers, emerges wearing only a towel, and teasingly asks Shinji if he would like her to remove it (this is similar to a scene involving Shinji and Asuka in Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's Evangelion manga, in which Asuka actually does remove the towel — revealing that she has on a sleeveless, strapless top and short shorts underneath). In discussion with Misato, however, it is agreed that Mana has to leave Tokyo-3, and she says a teary goodbye to Shinji who has won her heart.
In the Asuka ending, Asuka helps Shinji to get over Mana and the two children grow closer as a result. This ending contains romantic images of Asuka and Shinji together, including a moving scene where Asuka hugs Shinji emotionally.
The third ending with Kaji does not focus on any one character as much as the other endings do. Mana is also discovered not to be killed, and says goodbye, with Shinji replying "I'll be waiting for you".
The ending song is 予感 (Yokan, "Premonition"), sung by Yoko Takahashi.
[edit] External links
- (Japanese) Official site
- (English) Walkthrough in English of the game
- (English) Fan translation of the three endings to Girlfriend of Steel
- (English) Review and further information
- (English) IGN: PC Saturn PS
- (English) Mana Kirishima: Review
- (Japanese) Information on the Special Edition
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