Ciconia When They Cry - Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones
Released Oct 2019
This is the first chapter in newest entry When They Cry visual novel series produced by Ryuukishi07. It features HD graphics, more detailed animations, and newly created songs by many of the composers from Umineko, as well as several new additions.
92% positive · 568 reviews
Not yet
Released, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Not yet
Released, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Where to buy
Steam $39.99
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Evaluation
Ciconia When They Cry launched on October 3, 2019 explicitly as "Phase 1" of a new multi-part visual novel series from creator Ryuukishi07. The title itself signals that this is only the first installment of a larger story, and the narrative ends without a conclusion, clearly expecting future phases to continue the story.
However, since the launch announcement in October 2019, neither developer 07th Expansion nor publisher MangaGamer has posted any updates about this game specifically. All subsequent news from this publisher's Steam page — including releases in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025 — concerns entirely different titles (Higurashi Hou+, Trinoline Genesis, Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows, etc.). As of June 25, 2026, over six years have passed since Phase 1 launched with no communication about Phase 2 or any subsequent phases.
The game is structurally incomplete by design — it is the first chapter of a story that has not been continued on this platform. The prolonged silence from both the developer and publisher, with no roadmap, announcement, or even acknowledgment of the series' future, makes the status of further phases deeply uncertain.
Evidence
Game is explicitly titled 'Phase 1' and is described as 'the first chapter' in the newest When They Cry visual novel series, implying multiple future phases.
As recently as November 2023, publisher news focuses on other series (Higurashi Hou+), with still no mention of Ciconia Phase 2.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
MangaGamer
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
This is the first chapter in newest entry When They Cry visual novel series produced by Ryuukishi07. It features HD graphics, more detailed animations, and newly created songs by many of the composers from Umineko, as well as several new additions. The Steam version is playable in both English and Japanese.
The young are supposed to be the main characters in their own eras. But in reality, they're nothing but game pieces lined up on the board for those who are crafty and more experienced. Must these boys and girls be forced to kill each other as pieces? Who are the pieces, and who are the players? And who does the players' bidding? What victory conditions does each person have? Is it peace? War? Annihilation? Is the foretold tragedy a scheme or a delusion, the future or reality?
No.
There is no need to resist this tragedy. The job of a game piece is to dance about within the tragedy's hand.
What are the rules of the game, you ask? How hard is it? That's for us to decide, so it's none of your concern. All you people need to do is take pieces and get taken yourselves, entertaining us with the range of your emotions.
Are you listening? You don't want to misunderstand your position. You aren't my opponent. You're merely a piece that exists for my amusement. In this next game, I won't give you the privilege of being a player!
*This game includes flashes that can potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Story
Though the world was nearly destroyed during World War III, it was saved from a nuclear winter by cutting-edge technology. One hundred years later, this eventually gave rise to the new ultimate military technology, the Gauntlet, which fascinated children all over the world. In this new era, all existing military forces would become obsolete, except for the small number of boys and girls who have what it takes to become a Gauntlet Knight...The young are supposed to be the main characters in their own eras. But in reality, they're nothing but game pieces lined up on the board for those who are crafty and more experienced. Must these boys and girls be forced to kill each other as pieces? Who are the pieces, and who are the players? And who does the players' bidding? What victory conditions does each person have? Is it peace? War? Annihilation? Is the foretold tragedy a scheme or a delusion, the future or reality?
No.
There is no need to resist this tragedy. The job of a game piece is to dance about within the tragedy's hand.
What are the rules of the game, you ask? How hard is it? That's for us to decide, so it's none of your concern. All you people need to do is take pieces and get taken yourselves, entertaining us with the range of your emotions.
Are you listening? You don't want to misunderstand your position. You aren't my opponent. You're merely a piece that exists for my amusement. In this next game, I won't give you the privilege of being a player!
*This game includes flashes that can potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 25, 2026
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