Visual Novel ‘Sharin no Kuni’ Cancels PlayStation Vita Version; PC Version Still in Development

The Re: Sharin no Kuni Project Team has updated those awaiting the release of Sharin no Kuni in the west with an announcement that the game’s PlayStation Vita version has been canceled due to numerous bugs found during development that required time than the company had.

The timeline of events hasn’t been kind to the localization of Sharin no Kuni, which began in 2016 following a successful Kickstarter. In that time, physical Vita cartridge manufacturing has been reduced globally to one region, which caused a publisher change after the deadline was hit. However, the company shared that they have been working with a developer to speed up the Vita version with an October 2020 deadline. Still, that team suffered progress due to COVID-19 and encountered more bugs, and fatal crashes in the Vita build.

Now, the publishing agreement with Eastasiasoft is coming to a deadline for manufacturing, and the Vita build in limbo. This is why the team has opted to cancel the Vita version of the game.

The company adds, “One thing we would like to make clear is that the schedule and development estimate that we have reported in updates and comments until now were never false: they were always based on the information that was shared with us in our meetings with the development company that we outsourced the project to. We believed that we would be able to deliver the VITA game version to everyone until the very end.”

They add:

As you can see, the direct cause of the cancellation of the development of the VITA game version was the overdue delivery date of the development contractor, but the final responsibility for the situation, including the management of the contractor, lies with the project team, or to be more precise, Frontwing, who is the main organizer of the project and in charge of the development management.

We would like to make clear that AKABEi SOFT2, Eastasiasoft Limited, Limited Run Games, and Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc., which have been mentioned before as project members, have no role or responsibility in the delay or cancellation of the game, including the VITA version. Please refrain from contacting these companies individually with any complaints or inquiries.

Those who backed the Vita version can switch to a PC version currently still in development. However, the company is also offering refunds to those who wish for them. Given that this money was spent five years ago, I’m sure supporters have long forgotten about whatever money they invested into this project and maybe even started a family, moved to another country, stopped gaming entirely, or maybe they are in jail. A lot can happen in five years.

Developed by Akabeisoft2 Sharin no Kuni: The Girl Among the Sunflowers was initially released in 2005 on PC until it received an updated console port in 2010. The game is set in a farming town where players assume Kenichi Morita’s role, who is training to become a member of Special High-Class Individuals (SHCI), an elite group of people. These members are given Obligations, which they must follow or face punishment.

For Kenichi’s final test, he is sent to his childhood home to rehabilitate three students who possess obligations and prepare them to re-enter society.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the development and localization of Sharin no Kuni: The Girl Among the Sunflowers. In case you missed it, you can check out some gameplay shared recently from the English build.