The Steam port of Higurashi: When They Cry has been much-delayed due to unforeseen problems during development. This visual novel was greenlit back in September of 2013 and since then fans have being consistently teased by a store page that displayed the words “Coming Soon” with no word from publisher Manga Gamer when that might be. At Anime Boston 2015, Manga Gamer took the stage to finally reveal why the game was delayed so often and when we could finally play it.
The official release date has been set to May 15, 2015 and you can already pre-order the first chapter from Manga Gamer’s website for $5.95. Now the really exciting news is that the Steam version will feature material that has never been seen before in the West. Aside from the original four question arcs and the corresponding four answer arcs, we will also receive a translated version of Higurashi: no Naku Koro ni Rei, which are three extra chapters that were included in a fan disc, as well as Hinamizawa Teiryuujyo (the original concept story that inspired Higurashi), Higurashi Outbreak, and a brand-new exclusive chapter.
Manga Gamer also promised that the rest of the chapters would release at a steadier pace, as the problems that haunted chapter 1 have now being resolved. It also announced a new feature that would allow players to switch between the classic and new sprites, as well as Japanese and English languages, with the press of a button. All of this is exciting stuff, but it’s a shame we won’t see a release of the Nintendo DS exclusive Higurashi: no Naku Koro ni Kizuna or Playstation 2 exclusive Higurashi: no Naku Koro ni Matsuri arcs that were designed by developer Alchemist.
[Source] WARNING: Source possibly NSFW
