Sharin no Kuni to Finally Release in August After 7 Year Localization Project; Development Delay Update Points to Resolution Switching Bug

The Re: Sharin no Kuni Project Team has updated those awaiting the release of Sharin no Kuni in the West. The publisher has shared a release timeline as well as an explanation of what the issues were that were causing the delay.

Evidently, aside from other bugs encountered during the localization process, the ability to switch between 16:9 and 4:3 resolution within the game’s menu was causing considerable issues. This became the core cause of the delay, and after a while, the publisher and new development team decided to instead release the game in two different clients, a 16:9 version and a 4:3 version. Further, the team has updated the clients to be compatible with current OS platforms.

Now, the team has shared the Digital Standalone version 16:9 All Ages, and 4:3 R-18 will launch in August 2023. The physical version will release in September 2023, with an All-Ages and R-18 version available for the 4:3 release. The Steam release will feature a 4:3 version of the All-Ages and R-18 versions. The 16:9 version will not feature an R-18 version because this is based on the console release.

Since that’s insanely complex, here’s a screenshot:

The publisher also added, Frontwing currently has jurisdiction over the entire project, including the development process and management, and so we hereby state that neither AKABEi SOFT2 (the copyright holder) nor Tokyo Otaku Mode (which created the project page on Kickstarter) are in any way responsible for this delay.

“We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused by the repeated project delays. We are very aware that we are very much not in a position to regain your trust, but we will do our best to continue developing the game and deliver it to all our backers.”

Developed by Akabeisoft2, Sharin no Kuni: The Girl Among the Sunflowers was initially released in 2005 on PC until it received an updated console port in 2010. The game is set in a farming town where players assume Kenichi Morita’s role, who is training to become a member of Special High-Class Individuals (SHCI), an elite group of people. These members are given Obligations that they must follow or face punishment.

For Kenichi’s final test, he is sent to his childhood home to rehabilitate three students who possess obligations and prepare them to re-enter society.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the release.