History VideoGame / MitsumeteKnight

* StillbornFranchise: ''Mitsumete Knight'' was planned as a ''Tokimeki Memorial''-like CashCowFranchise, and it shows: co-created by the two companies responsible of the two lead DatingSim franchises of the time, a spectacular voice cast, deep storyline, solid gameplay, a line of goods, favourable critics, lots of built hype ''one year before'' the game's actual release in March 1998... Only to meet average-ish good sales, not the expected killer profit (partially due to the public's vaning interest in {{DatingSim}}s which started around that time). Realizing this, and with ''Tokimeki Memorial 2'' around the corner, Konami canned the franchise one year later in 1999.

* SadBattleMusic: "Sorrowful Blade", the battle theme played when fighting [[spoiler:the enemy Eight General Salishuan the Spy, alias Raizze Haimer (one of the winnable main heroines), when she's torn between her duty and her love for the protagonist. You actually need to hear this theme to get her ending: if not, she's [[PermanentlyMissableContent unobtainable]].

* DarkerAndEdgier: Then ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial'', of course, and it's more cynical than said game.

* DarkerAndEdgier: Then ''VisualNovel/Tokimeki Memorial'', of course, and it's more cynical than said game.

* ShowingTheirWork / RealityIsUnrealistic: While the game has often gotten hammered by certain segments for supposedly being unrealistic, those who have studied feudal/royal politics and history will find that the game gets a LOT disturbingly right and most of the major events were probably inspired by either medieval history or the history of Imperial Japan. [[FridgeHorror Yes folks, this stuff actually happened in reality.]]

[[caption-width-right:290:[[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters Ten of the sixteen main heroines of the game]]. Starting from the girl at the very top and clock-wise : [[{{Bokukko}} Hanna]], [[MysteriousWaif Anne]], [[CoolBigSis Noel]], [[EmotionlessGirl Rai]][[EnsembleDarkhorse zze]], [[TokenMiniMoe Laury]], [[TheHero Sop]][[TheWoobie hia]], [[MadScientist Menesys]], [[AlphaBitch Li]][[RichBitch nda]], [[MayDecemberRomance Claire]], and [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses Priscilla.]]]]

The girls' storylines are often rich and story-driven, with regular BreakTheCutie and TearJerker moments, very much unlike ''Tokimemo''; yet, despite all this, the game also has lots of SugarWiki/{{funny|Moments}} and [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments romantic]] moments. [[CharacterDevelopment The characters have developed and complex personalities]], and have a lot more interaction between them than in most ''Tokimeki Memorial'' games.

The girls' storylines are often rich and story-driven, with regular BreakTheCutie and TearJerker moments, very much unlike ''Tokimemo''; yet, despite all this, the game also has lots of [[CrowningMomentOfFunny funny]] and [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming romantic]] moments. [[CharacterDevelopment The characters have developed and complex personalities]], and have a lot more interaction between them than in most ''Tokimeki Memorial'' games.

Fourth, the fighting part is more elaborate than in ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial''. The war battles are divided in two parts : one where you command a battalion made of Cavalry, Infantry and Archers fighting an enemy corps, in a ''FireEmblem'' TacticalRockPaperScissors style ; then, you get to fight one of the enemy Generals in a one-on-one battle. Other one-on-one fights outside the war battles will occur, so make sure to have enough HP at all times, otherwise you'll be good for spending a week at the Hospital!

* AllThereInTheManual: The game does a fine job at giving out a lot of information about the rich universe the story takes place, but just like games like ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Fire Emblem 4]]'', you'll miss out a lot of information if you're not listening the Drama [=CDs=], and / or are not reading [[WordOfGod the author's notes]] published in several Dengeki Playstation Magazine issues. Fortunately, at least the author's notes are compiled [[http://zattalib.yu-nagi.com/game/MitsumeteKnight/MKMain.html in this in-depth Japanese Mitsumete Knight fansite]].

* ShoutOut: One of the Printstation (the in-game Purikura system) pictures displays [[http://www1.odn.ne.jp/arapon/printstation/index.html several characters from Konami franchises]], such as [[VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial Shiori Fujisaki and Saki Nijino]], [[VideoGame/{{Twinbee}} Twinbee and Madoka]], [[GanbareGoemon Goemon and Ebisumaru]], [[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} Vic Viper and a Moai]], [[VideoGame/{{Parodius}} Takosuke and Koitsu]], and [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Alucard]] to cite a few.

* CreepyBasement: [[spoiler: The last floors of the TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon look like the unholy child of ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' 's Cocoon Hive and ''SilentHill'' 's Alternate Hospital, among other horrors. It's an extreme contrast to the town where the dungeon lies, [[{{Arcadia}} a paradisiac land]] populated by [[OurFairiesAreDifferent fairies]]]].

''Mitsumete Knight'' (みつめてナイト, Mitsumete Naito, lit. « Admire Knight », « Gazing Knight ») is a 1997 DatingSim on UsefulNotes/PlayStation 1, made by Creator/{{Konami}} in cooperation with [[Creator/RedEntertainment Red Company]]. SpiritualSuccessor of Konami's smash hit ''[[TokimekiMemorial Tokimeki Memorial : Forever with you]]'', it uses the same game engine and most of its successful mechanics, but with several twists.

Second, while the dating part of the game is basically the same as in ''TokimekiMemorial'' (meet girls, date them, please them, see special events and fight off rumors), ''Mitsumete Knight'' was the precursor of the future ''Tokimeki Memorial'' games (as it was released between ''Tokimemo 1'' and ''Tokimemo 2'') for an easier management of the girls, introducing several prototype ideas, the most notable being the replacement of the bombing system for a much-easier-to-deal-with Uneasiness Gauge and a MUCH lower frequency of rumor spreading. These ideas favor a more girl storyline specific challenge, a type of challenge ''Tokimeki Memorial 2'' would focus on with great success.

Fourth, the fighting part is more elaborate than in ''TokimekiMemorial''. The war battles are divided in two parts : one where you command a battalion made of Cavalry, Infantry and Archers fighting an enemy corps, in a ''FireEmblem'' TacticalRockPaperScissors style ; then, you get to fight one of the enemy Generals in a one-on-one battle. Other one-on-one fights outside the war battles will occur, so make sure to have enough HP at all times, otherwise you'll be good for spending a week at the Hospital!

And fifth and probably the most important aspect of the game, since war is a major part of the storyline, ''Mistumete Knight'' has a radically different mood compared to the TastesLikeDiabetes setting of ''Franchise/TokimekiMemorial''. Indeed, this setting is a CrapsaccharineWorld, with Dolphan Kingdom ruled by xenophobic [[AristocratsAreEvil evil nobles]] who abide by the ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney and WeHaveReserves mottos; war is depicted as gloomy and [[WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife a waste of human lives]], '''and AnyoneCanDie'''. Yes, such an unusual thing for a DatingSim, and this is one of the game's biggest strengths: [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential depending on the player's choices]], down to the type of blood you choose at the beginning of the game, several girls and main characters can die.

For the note, ''Mitsumete Knight'' was followed by '''''Mitsumete Knight R : Daibouken Hen''''', an AlternateUniverse RPG game which bears more similarities with ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' than with ''Franchise/TokimekiMemorial'', where you play as a Captain leading a [[FiveManBand Five Girl Band]] in a quest for a MacGuffin which would cure the King. During the quest, you'll be able to try and win the heart of one of the 5 heroines.

* {{Expy}}: Several characters are obvious [[{{Expy}} Expies]] of characters from ''[[TokimekiMemorial Tokimeki Memorial 1]]'', such as Linda (of Mira Kagami), Lesley (of Ayako Katagiri), or Johan (of Rei Ijuin).

* ShoutOut: One of the Printstation (the in-game Purikura system) pictures displays [[http://www1.odn.ne.jp/arapon/printstation/index.html several characters from Konami franchises]], such as [[TokimekiMemorial Shiori Fujisaki and Saki Nijino]], [[VideoGame/{{Twinbee}} Twinbee and Madoka]], [[GanbareGoemon Goemon and Ebisumaru]], [[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} Vic Viper and a Moai]], [[VideoGame/{{Parodius}} Takosuke and Koitsu]], and [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Alucard]] to cite a few.

* LostForever

* SadBattleMusic: "Sorrowful Blade", the battle theme played when fighting [[spoiler:the enemy Eight General Salishuan the Spy, alias Raizze Haimer (one of the winnable main heroines), when she's torn between her duty and her love for the protagonist. You actually need to hear this theme to get her ending: if not, she's LostForever.]]

* {{Badass}}: The Eight Generals of Valpha-Valaharian definitely all apply.

* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: All eight Generals of Valpha-Valaharian have {{Badass}} and intimidating nicknames. Special mention goes to Wolfgario "The Ravager", leader of the Generals, and Zeelbis "The Bloody".

* UsefulNotes/GeneralGamingGamepads: ''Mitsumete Knight'' is one of the few games compatible with the PS1 Mouse.

''Mitsumete Knight'' (みつめてナイト, Mitsumete Naito, lit. « Admire Knight », « Gazing Knight ») is a 1997 DatingSim on [[{{Playstation}} Playstation 1]], made by Creator/{{Konami}} in cooperation with [[Creator/RedEntertainment Red Company]]. SpiritualSuccessor of Konami's smash hit ''[[TokimekiMemorial Tokimeki Memorial : Forever with you]]'', it uses the same game engine and most of its successful mechanics, but with several twists.

And fifth and probably the most important aspect of the game, since war is a major part of the storyline, ''Mistumete Knight'' has a radically different mood compared to the TastesLikeDiabetes setting of ''TokimekiMemorial''. Indeed, this setting is a CrapsaccharineWorld, with Dolphan Kingdom ruled by xenophobic [[AristocratsAreEvil evil nobles]] who abide by the ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney and WeHaveReserves mottos; war is depicted as gloomy and [[WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife a waste of human lives]], '''and AnyoneCanDie'''. Yes, such an unusual thing for a DatingSim, and this is one of the game's biggest strengths: [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential depending on the player's choices]], down to the type of blood you choose at the beginning of the game, several girls and main characters can die.

The girls' storylines are often rich and story-driven, with regular BreakTheCutie and TearJerker moments, very much unlike Tokimemo; yet, despite all this, the game also has lots of [[CrowningMomentOfFunny funny]] and [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming romantic]] moments. [[CharacterDevelopment The characters have developed and complex personalities]], and have a lot more interaction between them than in most ''Tokimeki Memorial'' games.

For the note, ''Mitsumete Knight'' was followed by '''''Mitsumete Knight R : Daibouken Hen''''', an AlternateUniverse RPG game which bears more similarities with ''SakuraTaisen'' than with ''TokimekiMemorial'', where you play as a Captain leading a [[FiveManBand Five Girl Band]] in a quest for a MacGuffin which would cure the King. During the quest, you'll be able to try and win the heart of one of the 5 heroines.

* NotNamedInOpeningCredits: The names of the Eight Generals' seiyuu are not displayed in the second version of the game's opening, unlike in the first version which presents the heroines. This is probably ('''HEAVY SPOILERS''') [[spoiler: to avoid busting TheReveal about [[AmbiguousGender Salishuan]] [[BonusBoss the Spy]] being [[EmotionlessGirl Raizze]] [[EnsembleDarkhorse Haimer]], by showing their seiyuu's name, YumiTouma]].

* GeneralGamingGamepads: ''Mitsumete Knight'' is one of the few games compatible with the PS1 Mouse.

* HintSystem / PlayerNudge : If you fail to score a girl, after the Bad End's credits, a Hint Screen will show up, giving you slightly veiled hints on elements you could have missed in your playthrough that caused your failure.

* [[HiredGuns Hired Swords]]: Both sides on the war make extensive use of mercenaries to complement their respective regular armies. At Procchia's side is Valpha-Valaharian, known and feared as the strongest mercenary brigade of all the continent ; at Dolphan's side, a bunch of foreign mercenaries recruited en masse, the Asian (the player avatar) being one of them.

* NamesToKnowInAnime: Unlike ''Tokimeki Memorial 1'' which used unknown or starting voice actors for money saving purposes (as it was a low-profile game until it got its sudden and spectacular success), ''Mitsumete Knight'', then aimed to become the next Tokimemo-like CashCowFranchise ([[OvershadowedByAwesome and in the end failed to become such]]), got [[AllStarCast a royal cast]] :
** Creator/YumiTouma as Raizze Haimer and Luna Angelis,
** Creator/MarikoKouda as Anne,
** Creator/KikukoInoue as Claire Majoram,
** Creator/JunkoIwao as Lesley Lopicana,
** Creator/MichikoNeya as Linda Zakroid,
** Creator/YukaImai as Priscilla Dolphan and Rinanore of the Ice and Fire,
** Creator/HoukoKuwashima as Laury Callwell,
** Creator/ShihoNiiyama as Gene Petromolla and Corkilneipha the Swift Thunder,
** Creator/YukoMizutani as Sue Grafton,
** Creator/YukoMinaguchi as Sarah Pixis,
** Creator/WakanaYamazaki as Noel Ashetta and [[spoiler: Piko]],
** Creator/DaisukeGori as Wolfgario the Ravager and Dolphan's King,
** Creator/TakeshiAono as Meehilbis of the Ghosts,
** Creator/NobutoshiCanna as Necselaria of the Gale,
** Creator/HideoIshikawa as Johan Elites.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast / RedBaron: All eight Generals of Valpha-Valaharian have {{Badass}} and intimidating nicknames. Special mention goes to Wolfgario "The Ravager", leader of the Generals, and Zeelbis "The Bloody".

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mitsumete_knight.png
[[caption-width:290:[[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters Ten of the sixteen main heroines of the game]]. Starting from the girl at the very top and clock-wise : [[{{Bokukko}} Hanna]], [[MysteriousWaif Anne]], [[CoolBigSis Noel]], [[EmotionlessGirl Rai]][[EnsembleDarkhorse zze]], [[TokenMiniMoe Laury]], [[TheHero Sop]][[TheWoobie hia]], [[MadScientist Menesys]], [[AlphaBitch Li]][[RichBitch nda]], [[MayDecemberRomance Claire]], and [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses Priscilla.]]]]

Second, while the dating part of the game is basically the same as in ''TokimekiMemorial'' (meet girls, date them, please them, see special events and fight off rumors), ''Mitsumete Knight'' was the precursor of the future ''Tokimeki Memorial'' games (as it was released between ''Tokimemo 1'' and ''Tokimemo 2'') for an easier management of the girls, introducing several prototype ideas, the most notable being the replacement of the bombing system for a much-easier-to-deal-with Uneasiness Gauge and a MUCH lower frequency of rumor spreading. These ideas favour a more girl storyline specific challenge, a type of challenge ''Tokimeki Memorial 2'' would focus on with great success.

* FragileSpeedster: Quite a number of your opponents in one-on-one duels will be of this type.

* ShownTheirWork / RealityIsUnrealistic: While the game has often gotten hammered by certain segments for supposedly being unrealistic, those who have studied feudal/royal politics and history will find that the game gets a LOT disturbingly right and most of the major events were probably inspired by either medieval history or the history of Imperial Japan. [[FridgeHorror Yes folks, this stuff actually happened in reality.]]

* TheReveal: ('''HEAVY SPOILERS''') [[spoiler: TheHero and Captain of Orcadia's Royal Guards, Christopher [=MacLeod=], is actually revealed upon a second playthrough, as [[TheMole one of the O2 terrorist organisation's Big Four, acting as a mole]] waiting for the right time to strike and destroy Orcadia from within. He does this because he's thirsting for {{revenge}}, being [[FallenPrincess the Prince of the fallen Kingdom Parmet]], destroyed by Orcadia's schemes, and having seen his cute and beloved little sister Melinda slowly and horribly tortured to death by Orcadia]].

* [[spoiler: YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters]]: The true nature of the terrorist organisation O2 (short for "The Opposition to Orcadia"), [[NewGamePlus revealed upon a second playthrough]].

* TheCameo: Sparkster of the ''RocketKnightAdventures'' series appears in this game, as a one-on-one random opponent. If you manage to meet and defeat him, not only you can gain [[LimitBreak his Special Attack]] and the Title "Rocket Knight", but also once your file is complete, you'll gain access to the Secret Shop held by him.

* ShoutOut: One of the Printstation (the in-game Purikura system) pictures displays [[http://www1.odn.ne.jp/arapon/printstation/index.html several characters from Konami franchises]], such as [[TokimekiMemorial Shiori Fujisaki and Saki Nijino]], [[VideoGame/{{Twinbee}} Twinbee and Madoka]], [[GanbareGoemon Goemon and Ebisumaru]], [[{{Gradius}} Vic Viper and a Moai]], [[VideoGame/{{Parodius}} Takosuke and Koitsu]], and [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Alucard]] to cite a few.

** YumiTouma as Raizze Haimer and Luna Angelis,

* SchizoTech: Dolphan has a very advanced medecine level for a medieval country: blood transfusion is a common technique, plastic surgery seems to exist and to be effective as [[spoiler: Hanna]] manages to heal a deep claw wound on the face without a single scar in an Event, and researches on heart diseases are already ongoing.

* ShownTheirWork / RealityIsUnrealistic: While the game has often gotten hammered by certain segments for supposedly being unrealistic, those who have studied feudal/royal politics and history will find tha the game gets a LOT disturbingly right and most of the major events were probably inspired by either medieval history or the history of Imperial Japan. [[FridgeHorror Yes folks, this stuff actually happened in reality.]]

And fifth and probably the most important aspect of the game, since war is a major part of the storyline, ''Mistumete Knight'' has a radically different mood compared to the TastesLikeDiabetes setting of ''TokimekiMemorial''. Indeed, this setting is a CrapsaccharineWorld, with Dolphan Kingdom ruled by xenophobic [[AristocratsAreEvil evil nobles]] who abide by the ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney and WeHaveReserves mottos; war is depicted as gloomy and [[WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife a waste of human lives]], '''and AnyoneCanDie'''. Yes, such an usual thing for a DatingSim, and this is one of the game's biggest strengths: [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential depending on the player's choices]], down to the type of blood you choose at the beginning of the game, several girls and main characters can die.

** DaisukeGouri as Wolfgario the Ravager and Dolphan's King,

** WakanaYamazaki as Noel Ashetta and [[spoiler: Piko]],