Shining Song Starnova
Drama, Romance, Comedy · by Love in Space · published by Sekai Project (all-ages edition); Denpasoft (18+ content) · 2018
Seven idols nobody wanted get one last chance as the group Starnova, and you are the producer who has to carry them through a cutthroat industry.
Who it's for: Adults who want a long, character-driven drama about the entertainment business, with romance and adult scenes as part of the story rather than the point.
The story (spoiler-free)
The seven members of Starnova have each been written off by the entertainment business: too old, too awkward, too difficult, too much baggage. You play their new producer at a struggling agency, tasked with turning a group of misfits into a working idol act.
What starts as a backstage comedy turns into a long drama about what the idol industry does to the people inside it. Each member has her own route, with her own past to deal with, and the story is not shy about its darker turns. The heroines are all adults, aged 18 to 25 according to VNDB.
Which version to get: Steam and GOG sell an all-ages edition. On Steam, the official 18+ Adult Only Content DLC is free and restores the adult scenes; Denpasoft offers the same patch for the GOG version. Nutaku sells the uncensored edition directly. A free Steam demo covers the opening.
A spin-off idol-management sim, Shining Song Starnova: Idol Empire, is sold separately and is not needed for the story.
Where to play
Steam (all-ages + free 18+ DLC)
Steam ↗All-ages by default. The official 18+ Adult Only Content DLC (free, by Denpasoft) restores the adult scenes.
GOG (all-ages, DRM-free)
GOG ↗GOG sells the censored edition (DRM-free). Denpasoft's free 18+ patch also applies to this version. A Limited Edition with the soundtrack is a separate GOG listing.
Nutaku (18+ edition)
nutaku.net ↗Uncensored edition published by Denpasoft; the listing says it has over 25 uncensored sex scenes.
JAST Store
jaststore.com ↗The store page does not say whether this is the 18+ or the all-ages build.
Guides & resources
Why play it
- +Long, finished story with seven distinct routes
- +Takes the idol industry seriously, with satire and real drama
- +Official 18+ content is free on Steam, so no third-party patching
- +Cast is stated as adults throughout
Keep in mind
- −Heavier than the art suggests: suicide, abuse and sexual threats come up
- −One heroine's route opens only after the others are finished
- −No official mobile release
- −English only; no official translations
Main characters
Content warnings
Show 7 content warnings
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