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About Ciconia When They Cry - Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones
Ciconia When They Cry – Phase 1: For You, the Replaceable Ones is the opening chapter of the newest visual‑novel entry from 07th Expansion. It presents a post‑World‑War III setting where advanced technology created the Gauntlet, turning a handful of youths into the only viable soldiers. The game delivers HD graphics, detailed animation, and new music from Umineko composers. It runs on Windows and macOS via Steam, offering English and Japanese text, and supports cloud saves, remote play, and family sharing for flexible single‑player experiences.
01 / THE GUIDE
Story Premise
The narrative unfolds a century after a near‑apocalyptic World War III, where the Gauntlet technology reshapes warfare. Children become Gauntlet Knights, portrayed as game pieces manipulated by unseen players, raising questions about agency and destiny. The text challenges the player to consider who controls the conflict and what the ultimate goals—peace, war, or annihilation—might be, emphasizing that the pieces are meant to “dance” within tragedy.
- Reflect on the philosophical questions presented; they shape your interpretation of events.
- Observe how the story frames characters as pieces rather than traditional heroes.
02 / THE GUIDE
Visual and Audio Presentation
Phase 1 features high‑definition graphics and more detailed animations than previous entries, enhancing immersion. New songs are contributed by several composers who also worked on Umineko, adding fresh musical themes. These upgrades aim to modernize the visual novel format while preserving the series’ atmospheric storytelling.
- Pay attention to animation cues; they often highlight narrative beats.
- Listen for recurring musical motifs that may signal thematic links.

03 / THE GUIDE
Language Options
The Steam version provides both English and Japanese language support, allowing players to choose their preferred text presentation. This dual‑language offering caters to a broader audience while retaining the original tone. Switching languages does not affect gameplay mechanics, only the displayed text.
- Select the language you are most comfortable reading to fully grasp the story.
- Compare both versions if you are bilingual for nuanced differences.
04 / THE GUIDE
Platform Features
Ciconia supports Steam Cloud, enabling saved progress to be stored online. Remote Play on Phone and Tablet lets you continue the single‑player experience on mobile devices, while Family Sharing permits multiple accounts to access the game. These features are optional and do not alter the core single‑player narrative.
- Enable Steam Cloud to safeguard your save data across installations.
- Use Remote Play to continue reading on the go without losing progress.
05 / THE GUIDE
Single‑Player Mode
The game is designed for a solitary experience, focusing on narrative delivery without multiplayer interaction. All choices and outcomes are confined to the individual player’s journey through the visual novel. There is no indication of multiplayer or competitive elements; the emphasis remains on personal engagement with the story.
- Take your time with each dialogue segment to absorb the plot fully.
- Keep notes on character motivations; they may influence later interpretations.





COMMUNITY
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