anime
Hashihime of the Old Book Town
Remaster of 2005 PS2 Game Stealth Released on PC
A remaster of a niche 2005 PS2 visual novel has stealth-released on PC without localization.
A remaster of a niche 2005 PS2 visual novel has stealth-released on PC without localization.
In simple terms, a remaster of the 2005 PS2 game, My Merry May With Be, has quietly made its debut on PC. Announced by Tyler Fischer from ComicBook.com on August 3, 2026, this stealth release comes almost two decades after its original launch, but it remains unlocalized, restricting access for non-Japanese speakers.
What happened is that the remaster is now available via Steam for $40, exclusively in Japanese. This critically acclaimed title was previously released on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5 on June 25, 2026, but still lacks an English localization, leading to speculation about whether this will ever happen.
My Merry May With Be is a compilation that houses two earlier titles: the Sega Dreamcast exclusive My Merry May and its PS2 counterpart My Merry Maybe. Originally only available on the PS2 until 2010, this remaster revives a franchise that has felt dormant in recent years.
The remnants of reported popularity come from the nostalgia surrounding visual novels, especially given their strong hold during the late '90s and early 2000s across various Sega consoles. However, the audience size for this title has diminished due to the competitive nature of today’s gaming market.
With no English localization available, the new PC release primarily caters to Japanese speakers. For those in Western markets hoping to reexperience this niche franchise, the lack of translation is a significant barrier. This remaster's pricing raises eyebrows as well, with many believing that a $30 price point would be more appropriate for what is essentially a bundle of two older niche games.
The stealth release of this remaster highlights an ongoing trend in the gaming industry where developers are mining the extensive catalogs of legacy consoles for remasters and revivals. Often seen as safer investments, these titles require lower development costs due to their existing audience. Nevertheless, this practice could overshadow newer titles and innovations within the gaming space, leaving many classic games in the dust, held by publishers who may have other business priorities.
As of now, there's no word on whether there are plans for localization efforts for this remaster. With visual novels gaining traction again, especially among indie developers and on newer platforms, it remains unclear if My Merry May With Be will eventually receive an English language patch.
This leaves fans of the genre at a crossroads. They have the opportunity to support a remastered game and its creators, but they may be limited in their ability to interact with the content without fluency in Japanese.
If you're interested in gaming trends, check out our article on 5 Iconic RPGs That Deserve a Remake Like Final Fantasy 7 to explore further into the landscape of remasters and revitalized games.
In summary, the stealth release of the remaster of My Merry May With Be on PC reflects both the opportunities and challenges of reviving classic games in today’s gaming landscape. While it brings nostalgia and excitement for some, the continuing lack of localization presents a significant obstacle for wider audience engagement. This move contributes to the ongoing discourse in the industry about how best to bridge the gap between legacy titles and modern expectations.
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The visual novel 'Hashihime of the Old Book Town' is set to receive a manga adaptation titled 'О̄e: Ariake-hen'.
