Unlike the formula of most visual novels, which are noted for their minimal interaction, Maple Colors is slightly different in that it combines elements of an adventure game with that of interactive fiction. Though reasonably limited, players control chibi versions of characters, able to travel around isometric maps, perform tasks, collect items and even participate in mini-games. In a more recognizable fashion, players watch and listen to sequences of story and then select choosable actions or responses when they are presented. As choices are intricately linked to alternating routes of plot, the direction of the story is changed, leading to erotic scenes between characters and ultimately one of various endings. In order for the player to watch all the possible endings in this regard, he or she will have to effectively replay through the game several times, all the while making different selections.
Plot
Yoshijirou Saku is a young Japanese transfer student of the fictional Kouka Academy, an institution renowned for its theatre. A rebel by virtue of his delinquency, Saku and schoolmate Mirai Aoi are wrongfully held responsible for a fight when they come to the aggressive aid of a defenseless student being bullied; faculty members ruling to expel them and their disorderly class. Yukihito Aizen, the respected though contemptible head of the drama club, with eyes set on Mirai, proposes a commutation requiring the offenders to enlist their entire class in a play or else face expulsion.
Maple Colors was officially announced via its website going live on January 15, 2003; character profiles released same day. On January 29, CrossNet reported that it would be releasing a public, downloadable benchmark of the game on February 1; this was postponed until February 3the day after. Despite this, the trial was actually released on February 4; select participants were additionally awarded game merchandise. After updating the game website with additional screenshots, CrossNet announced that Maple Colors would be released on July 18 on May 22. The site was revamped on May 30, followed by more screenshots, a sample of the opening video and theme "Breakthrough Your Heart" by Yuria, and then additional screenshots from June 6 to 9. On June 11, after announcing the voice actors working on the project, CrossNet stated that Maple Colors had been postponed until July 25. The day after, CrossNet announced that it was hosting a public venue to showcase the game in Akihabara from June 13 to 14. This was followed by subsequent updates to the game site from June 18 to July 1. Two days later, on July 3, CrossNet scheduled another venue for July 11 and 12 in Akihabara and Osaka. With the release date readily approaching, CrossNet announced on July 7 that it would be hosting a celebratory event; confirming that the July 25 date was unchanged. As final commercial endeavors, the complete soundtrack of the game was released on September 26 by Lantis; a radio drama following on October 22.
Patches
On July 24, 2003, the day before Maple Colors was released, a series of debilitating bugs were discovered. That same day, CrossNet announced that it was developing a patch to address the issues in time for the release. The following day the patch went live, downloadable from the official game website, bringing the game up to version 1.11. Despite the effort, two more patches were developed to supplement the previous patches as well as address newly discovered bugs, bringing the game up to a stable version of 1.11β.
Reception
Maple Colors was met with mixed reception, ranking 28 out of 50 on Getchu.com for the year of its release. Maple Colors H, a gaiden released on January 30, 2004, fared better, ranking 4 out of 20 for the month of its release, 16 for the month of February, and 40 out of 50 for the overall year. Maple Colors: Kessen ha Gakuen Matsuri!, according to the July 2004 issue of Famitsu.
