Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kizuna (ひぐらしのなく頃に 絆, When the Cicadas Cry Bonds) is a series of visual novel ports of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni on the Nintendo DS by Alchemist. Four games were released in total, each containing four chapters.

This series introduces the Advanced Story, a saga of four arcs based upon and expanding the Onisarashi-hen manga, consisting of Someutsushi-hen, Kageboushi-hen, Tokihogushi-hen, and an expanded version of Miotsukushi-hen different from its original debut in Matsuri (later ports split the additional content off as Miotsukushi-hen Ura). Each game includes one of them. Another new arc, Kotohogushi-hen, is introduced in the fourth game.

The third game introduces the visual novel adaptation of the Yoigoshi-hen manga. Since Matsuri does not include Matsuribayashi-hen, Saikoroshi-hen, and Hirukowashi-hen, this is their first inclusion in a console game.

Development History

Alchemist planned to only release Matsuri, but due to demand from fans of the original Higurashi who didn't own PS2s, Alchemist decided to port it to the DS since it was popular at the time. New arcs were also added to give old fans incentive to buy the new games. It was split into 4 releases because a single DS rom didn't have enough space to fit everything.

Installments

Volume I: Curse

• Chapter 1: Onikakushi-hen
• Chapter 2: Watanagashi-hen
• Chapter 3: Tatarigoroshi-hen
• Side Story: Someutsushi-hen (new)

Volume II: Idea

• Himatsubushi-hen
• Meakashi-hen
• Alternative Hirukowashi-hen
• Kageboushi-hen (new)

Volume III: Spiral

• Tsumihoroboshi-hen
• Minagoroshi-hen
• Yoigoshi-hen (new)
• Tokihogushi-hen (new)

Volume IV: Bonds

• Miotsukushi-hen
• Matsuribayashi-hen
• Saikoroshi-hen
• Kotohogushi-hen (new)

Structure

An example choice point from Volume III.

Each game features a choice system based on selecting how a character feels in certain situations, with the story changing appropriately.

Adaptation

Vol.	Cover	Release Date	Chapters
1		March 24, 2011	The Elite and Tales of Infidelity (ェリートと浮気話, Erīto to Uwakibanashi) Parental Affection, Filial Ignorance (親心、子知らず, Oyagokoro, koshirazu) Go for it! Uptown Girl (目指せ！都会っ子, Mezase! Tokaikko) The Days Change by (変わりゆく日々, Kawari yuku hibi) Natsumi and Akira. Sometimes, Chisato (夏美と暁。ときどき千紗登, Natsumi to Akira. Tokidoki Chisato) Shadows Draw Closer (忍び寄る影, Shinobiyoru Kage)
2		November 19, 2011	The Daily Life of Tomoe (巴の日常, Tomoe no Nichijou) The Link between the Past and the Future (過去と未来を繋ぐもの, Kako to Mirai wo Tsunagu Mono) Family (家族, Kazoku) Messenger from the Darkness (闇からの使者, Yami kara no Shisha) The Curse of Oyashiro-sama (オヤシロさまの崇り, Oyashiro-sama no Tatari) Future (未来, Mirai)