View source for Software:Nursery Rhyme (video game)

{{short description|Japanese visual novel}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Nursery Rhyme
| image           = Nursery Rhyme Visual Novel Cover.jpg
| image_size      = 250px
| caption         = Original visual novel cover of ''Nursery Rhyme''
| ja_kanji        = ナーサリィ☆ライム
| ja_romaji       = Nāsaryi Raimu
| genre           = Drama, Fantasy, [[Philosophy:Romance (love)|Romance]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Game
| developer       = Lump of Sugar 
| publisher       = Lump of Sugar (Windows) <br /> Moepli (FOMA)
| genre           = Eroge, visual novel
| platforms       = [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Windows]], FOMA
| released        = {{vgrelease|JP|November 25, 2005}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = light novel
| title           = Nursery Rhyme 1. Watakushi no Ōji-sama
| author          = Sasa Miyachiruda
| illustrator     = Fumitake Moekibara (cover art) <br /> Maru-chan
| publisher       = [[Company:Softgarage|Softgarage]]
| publisher_en    = 
| demographic     = Male
| imprint         = Sofgare Novels
| published       = September 25, 2006
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|'''''Nursery Rhyme'''''|ナーサリィ☆ライム|Nāsaryi Raimu}} is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Lump of Sugar and released on November 25, 2005 for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. The story follows the life of Shizuma Hasekura, who visits his childhood friend Makina Tomoe and her twin sister, Yukina Tomoe. ''Nursery Rhyme'' is set in future, and takes place in the same world of ''[[Software:Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity|Tayutama]]''.

The [[Software:Gameplay|gameplay]] in ''Nursery Rhyme'' follows a [[Software:Nonlinear gameplay#Branching storylines|branching plot line]] which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters by the [[Software:Player character|player character]]. The game ranked at No. 2 in the national top 50 for best-selling PC games sold in Japan. ''Nursery Rhyme'' has made transitions into other media, such as a light novel and audio dramas.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Nursery_Rhyme_Visual_Novel_Gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|Example of what average dialogue and narrative looks like in ''Nursery Rhyme''. From left to right: Tita, Makina, Krile (and Azrael), Yuria, Rin and Yukina.]]
''Nursery Rhyme'' is a [[Philosophy:Romance (love)|romance]] visual novel in which the player assumes the role of Shizuma Hasekura. Much of its [[Software:Gameplay|gameplay]] is spent reading the text that appears on the screen, which represents the story's [[Social:Narrative|narrative]] and [[Philosophy:Dialogue|dialogue]]. The text is accompanied by character [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]], which represent who Shizuma is talking to, over background art. Throughout the game, the player encounters CG artwork at certain points in the story, which take the place of the background art and character sprites.<ref name="VN-PC">{{cite video game|title=Nursery Rhyme|developer=Lump of Sugar|platform=[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|language=ja}}</ref> ''Nursery Rhyme'' follows a [[Software:Nonlinear gameplay#Branching storylines|branching plot line]] with multiple endings, and depending on the decisions that the player makes during the game, the plot will progress in a specific direction.

There are five main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. Throughout gameplay, the player is given multiple options to choose from, and text progression pauses at these points until a choice is made.<ref name="VN-PC" /> Some decisions can lead the game to end prematurely and offer an alternative ending to the plot. To view all plot lines in their entirety, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and choose different choices to further the plot to an alternate direction. Throughout gameplay, there are scenes depicting Shizuma and a given heroine having sex.<ref name="visual-guide-book">{{cite book|publication-date=April 24, 2006|title=Nursery Rhyme Visual Guide Book|date=April 2006|publisher=Jive|isbn=978-486176-294-9}}</ref>

==Plot==
===Setting===
The game, taking place 500 years after the events of ''[[Software:Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity|Tayutama]]'',<ref name="tayutama-visual-fan-book">{{cite book|publication-date=July 11, 2008|title=Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity Official Fan Book|publisher=Lump of Sugar}}</ref> is set in a fictional Japan where the existence of magic has been recognized by society, and thus has been the subject of much research. Magic is also applied to everyday life; for example, stuffed toys are able to talk. Users of magic must wear a special ring which controls their powers, and are urged to blend in with society. Despite ''Nursery Rhyme'' being set in the future, Japan's culture is depicted as unchanged for the most part. Many of the characters attend {{nihongo|Shōsei Gakuen|将星学園}},<ref name="story">{{cite web|url=http://www.lumpofsugar.co.jp/product/nursery_rhyme/story.html|title=''Nursery Rhyme'' official website story|publisher=Lump of Sugar|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> a prestigious all-girls school which provides its students with magic classes, as well as academic courses. Shōsei Gakuen hosts a female-dominated sport event known as {{nihongo|Sophilos|ソフィロス}}.

===Main characters===
The player assumes the role of {{Nihongo|Shizuma Hasekura|支倉 静真|Hasekura Shizuma}}, a sensible teenager who, while his parents are working overseas,<ref name="story" /> is visiting his energetic childhood friend {{Nihongo|Makina Tomoe|巴 真紀奈|Tomoe Makina|''voiced by'' Mahiru Kaneda}}. She is talented at sports such as Sophilos,<ref name="character">{{cite web|url=http://www.lumpofsugar.co.jp/product/nursery_rhyme/character.html|title=''Nursery Rhyme'' official website character profiles|publisher=Lump of Sugar|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> although her grades are suffering. Makina has an older twin sister called {{Nihongo|Yukina Tomoe|巴 真紀奈|Tomoe Yukina|''voiced by'' Yuki Matsunaga}}, who is more mature than Makina. She enjoys gardening, and is skilled at cooking.<ref name="character" />

Shizuma meets spoiled rich girl {{Nihongo|Tita Flawless Brandt|ティータ・フローレス・ブラント|Tīta Furōresu Buranto|''voiced by'' Kana Yoshikawa}}.<ref name="character" /> She is a tsundere, and is in constant competition with the twins. The last two heroines are {{Nihongo|Krile Shikishima|敷島・クルル|Shikishima Kururu|''voiced by'' Komugi Nishida}}, a genius with dog-like ears and a tail,<ref name="character" /> and {{Nihongo|Rin Lim Venus|凛・リム＝ウェムス|Rin Rimu Vīnasu|''voiced by'' Risa Matsuda}}, a shy and clumsy [[Unsolved:Elf|elf]] who is aiming to become a teacher.<ref name="character" />

==Development and release==
''Nursery Rhyme'' is the first title developed by Lump of Sugar. The visual novel's scenario was written by Seimei Shibusawa, Daisangen, Eiji Takashima and Fuminori Aki.<ref name="staff">{{cite web|url=http://erogamescape.dyndns.org/~ap2/ero/toukei_kaiseki/game.php?game=5918|title=''Nursery Rhyme'' staff information|publisher=ErogameScape|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> The character designs and illustrations for the visual novel were drawn by Fumitake Moekibara.<ref name="staff" /> The game's music was composed and arranged by a.k.a.dRESS (ave;new).<ref name="staff" /> The opening movie was animated by Radiant Impression Prelude.<ref name="staff" />

Self-described as a {{Nihongo|"pure love heartful [[Software:Adventure game|adventure game]]"|ピュアラブは～とふる アドベンチャーゲーム|Pyua Rabu Hātofuru Adobenchā Gēmu}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lumpofsugar.co.jp/product/nursery_rhyme/top.html|title=''Nursery Rhyme'' official website|publisher=Lump of Sugar|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> ''Nursery Rhyme'' was released on November 25, 2005 as a DVD-ROM for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[Engineering:Personal computer|PCs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lumpofsugar.co.jp/product/nursery_rhyme/system.html|title=''Nursery Rhyme'' official website system|publisher=Lump of Sugar|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> A version playable on FOMA mobile phones was released by Moepli on September 8, 2006.<ref name="goods">{{cite web|url=http://Www.Lumpofsugar.Co.Jp/goods/goods01_nursery.html|title=''Nursery Rhyme'' goods on Lump of Sugar's official website|publisher=Lump of Sugar|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> A [[Desk accessory|desk accessory]] package called {{Nihongo|''Itsusora & Nursery Rhyme Desktop Accessory "Sugar Pot!"''|いつ空＆ナーサリィ ライムデスクトップアクセサリー「しゅが☆ぽ！」}} was released on August 17, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.russel.co.jp/hp/adult/shugapo/|title=''"Sugar Pot!"'' on Russel.co.jp|publisher=Russel|access-date=August 9, 2016|language=ja|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003241/http://www.russel.co.jp/hp/adult/shugapo/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Adaptations==
===Printed media===
[[File:Nursery_Rhyme_Light_Novel_Cover.jpg|175px|thumb|right|The cover to ''Nursery Rhyme 1. Watakushi no Ōji-sama''.]]
A 111-page book titled ''Nursery Rhyme Visual Guide Book'' was published by Jive on April 24, 2006.<ref>{{cite book|title=NURSERY RHYME‐ナーサリィ・ライム‐ビジュアル・ガイドブック|id={{ASIN|4861762944|country=jp}}|language=ja}}</ref> The book included content such as [[Computer graphics|computer graphics]], story and character explanations, and rough sketches.<ref name="goods" /> A 234-page light novel titled {{Nihongo|''Nursery Rhyme 1. Watakushi no Ōji-sama''|NURSERY☆RHYME 1.わたくしのおうじさま}}, written by Sasa Miyachiruda and published by [[Company:Softgarage|Softgarage]], was released on September 25, 2006 under the Sofgare Novels imprint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://softgarage.com/books/contents/ani_game/nurseryrhyme/contents.html|title=ナーサリィ☆ライム １・わたくしのおうじさま|publisher=[[Company:Softgarage|Softgarage]]|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> The cover art was drawn by Fumitake Moekibara, and the internal illustrations were drawn by Maru-chan.

===Music and audio CDs===
''Nursery Rhyme'' features music by Saori Sakura, who performs the opening theme, "true my heart", and ending theme, "Dearness". The original soundtrack was released with the visual novel as a reservation bonus, titled ''Nursery Rhyme Memories original sound track''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/9105|title=Nursery Rhyme Memories original sound track|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> A maxi single by Saori Sakura was released on September 3, 2007 containing remixes of the opening theme and another song called "kiss my lips".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/6431|title=True My Heart c/w kiss my lips / ave;new feat. Saori Sakura|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> A character song single was released on December 29, 2007 at Comic Market 73.<ref name="comiket">{{cite web|url=http://www.russel.co.jp/hp/event/comic73/comic73.html|title=Comiket 73 exhibit information|publisher=Russel|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=ja|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204004800/http://www.russel.co.jp/hp/event/comic73/comic73.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A drama CD was released with the visual novel as a reservation bonus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/9104|title=Nursery Rhyme Drama CD|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> The first track focuses on the twins Makina and Yukina; the second track focuses on Tita and Rin; the third and final track focuses on Krile and her pet, Azrael. A second drama CD, titled ''Nursery Rhyme Drama CD "Life is sweet"'', was released by Rio on June 30, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/9103|title=Nursery Rhyme Drama CD "Life is sweet"|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
According to a national ranking of how well bishōjo games sold nationally in Japan, ''Nursery Rhyme'' was the No. 2 best-selling bishōjo game at the time of its release.<ref name="rank2">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060221024037/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank184.html|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank184.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.184（11/16〜11/30）|archive-date=February 21, 2006|access-date=July 29, 2016|publisher=Peaks Publishing|language=ja|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Software:Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life|Tomoyo After]]'', released on the same day, took the No. 1 spot.<ref name="rank2" /> ''Nursery Rhyme'' was the 18th most widely sold game of 2005 on Getchu.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking2005.html|title=Highest selling games of 2005 on Getchu.com ranking|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=July 29, 2016|language=ja}}</ref>

The opening theme, "true my heart", has become an [[Social:Internet meme|internet meme]]. This is due to the misheard lyric {{nihongo|"kishimen"|きしめん}}, which spawned a series of remix parodies on Nico Nico Douga.<ref name="fan-book">{{cite book|publication-date=August 20, 2007|title=Nico Nico Douga Fan Book|year=2007|publisher=Shinyūsha|isbn=978-488380-663-8}}</ref> "true my heart"'s melody has also appeared in the [[Social:Kumikyoku Nico Nico Douga|Kumikyoku Nico Nico Douga]] videos, as has "kiss my lips".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm500873|title=Kumikyoku Nico Nico Douga|date=23 June 2007|publisher=Nico Nico Douga|access-date=July 29, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> Some of the ''Nursery Rhyme'' characters feature in ''Megami Engage!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/178/G017898/20150122050/|title=News regarding ''Nursery Rhyme''<nowiki />'s appearance in ''Megami Engage!''|publisher=4Gamer.net|access-date=August 9, 2016|date=January 22, 2015|language=ja}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.lumpofsugar.co.jp/product/nursery_rhyme/index.html Official website] {{in lang|ja}}
*{{vndb|310}}

[[Category:Mobile games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Nursery Rhyme (video game)}}