As you may or may not know, both Muv-Luv and Muv-Luv Alternative were released on Steam in their “all-ages” versions, but they were originally released in Japan as adult games.
This is because Steam notoriously doesn’t allow adult content on its platform, requiring game developers to release censored versions of their titles, with some distributing patches independently to restore the original content.
While Muv-Luv received it’s 10+ “Director’s Cut” patch quite a while ago, Muv-Luv Alternative still hasn’t. Yet, those who want to experience the game as it was originally released won’t have much longer to wait.
With an update on Kickstarter publisher Ixtl announced that Muv-Luv Alternative’s “Director Cut” patch is coming this month. At the moment no further information has been revealed about the distribution method and price. The patch for the first game was released via Denpasoft and it currently costs $4.99, so it’s likely that the patch for the sequel will follow a similar route, but we’ll have to wait and see.
While you know that I don’t enjoy censorship in any shape or form (even if the developers have no choice in this case), it’s worth mentioning that the content altered for the all-ages version of Muv-Luv Alternative was minimal in scope, and that the game loses really nothing of its charm in its current form. So those who are waiting for the PS Vita version need not worry, even if the patch will never be released on consoles due to Sony’s certification guidelines. They won’t be losing much in exchange for portability.
Additionally, both Muv-Luv and Muv-Luv Alternative will receive a final text update to correct typos and text errors included in the localization.
If you want to read more about the games, you can check out our recent review of the main trilogy while you wait for the upcoming PS Vita release, of which you can also see the first gameplay. You should also read our interview with creator Koki Yoshimune.