Ayanami Raising Project

Broccoli Best Quality cover for the Playstation 2 version of the game.

Ayanami Raising Project is an Evangelion-based simulation-style video game released in 2001. The game revolves around a Second Lieutenant (San'i) who's ordered to bring up Rei Ayanami. This is done by devising a schedule for her each Sunday: choosing between daily school life, duties at Nerv, and special training at that takes place at home. Supposedly spanning the course of an entire year, the events of the TV series happen in the background, and Angel battles are heavily scripted with minimal input from the player. One of the many different endings you can receive depends on how you raise or lower the various stats Rei has.

Original cover for the PS2 version of the game.

Sega Dreamcast Version

The Sega Dreamcast version of the game came in a heavy box including extras. Some of the items included were 3 Rei Ayanami 'puffy' pins, a Rei Ayanami mouse pad, and a NERV mouse for play on the Dreamcast system. A keyboard connector was also required to play the game on the Dreamcast.

Playstation 2 Version

The Playstation 2 version of Ayanami Raising Project, released in 2003, also includes a version where you can raise Asuka Langley Soryu after unlocking certain events in Rei's scenario. The gameplay is basically the same as in Rei's story, with the exception of a few minor details. (For instance, you can't pick the type of wallpaper and such for Asuka's room because she's living with San'i. Rei, however, lives in her own apartment.) San'i's voice (provided by voice actor Kenichi Suzumura) isn't included in the Playstation 2 Version, whereas his voice is heard in previous versions (Windows and Dreamcast) of the game.

Nintendo Dual Screen Version

A Nintendo DS version of the PS2 version will soon be released. More information can be found [here] (Japanese) [and here].

Romance

The romantic competition for Rei's affections is between San'i, Nerv Commander Gendo Ikari, and Third Children Shinji Ikari. In Asuka's story, the competition is between San'i, Triple Agent Ryoji Kaji, and Shinji.

Note

• The video game's storyline is supposed to follow Rei (and Asuka) while she works at Nerv for an entire year. However, Episode 01 of the TV series takes place some time in August, 2015, and it is still 2015 towards the very end of the series.

• The game is very similar to in style to Gainax's Princess Maker series.

• As with other Evangelion games, the voice actors from the series reprise their roles.

• The Opening Song for the Dreamcast and Windows version the game is Shiawase wa Tsumi no Nioi ("Happiness is the Smell of Sin") sung by Yoko Takahashi. However, the Playstation 2 version of the game has the Opening Theme song instead. (The Ending Song for all versions is an Instrumental version of Fly Me to the Moon heard in the game.)

• The character Dejiko from the anime and manga series Di Gi Charat makes an appearance as a clerk for the store Gamers (which is a real video game chain in Japan). Dejiko's voice is also heard when the Broccoli Logo appears during the game's startup.