| 33bits |
Jon Andoni Ortiz |
80 / 100 |
05-11-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a title that not everyone will like. It’s an interesting mix of genres, but very particular. If you’re into visual novels and action on giant robots, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Flirting with girls has to be fun, too, by the way. |
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| Atomix |
Miguel Reyes |
80 / 100 |
04-29-2020 |
As a soft reboot, this new entry of Sakura Wars works perfect as it offers some fresh ideas and changes to its gameplay mechanics while retaining the essence of the series, as well as most of the key aspects that turned it in one of the most beloved franchises in Japan. However, it is not suited for everyone as its combat controls feels clunky and basic and the combination of genres is unbalanced, so much that it will mostly appeal to those that love dating sims and visual novels. |
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| Chalgyr’s Game Room |
Nick Herber |
7.5 / 10 |
04-29-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a welcome franchise reboot that I hope sees more titles released by SEGA in the future. The mech combat is fun, but could use some more depth. The majority of your time will be spent in the visual novel / dating simulation portions of the game, but the characters help to elevate the overall plot. Wonky camera angles hurt the presentation, but the overall visuals and music make this about as close to an interactive anime as you can get. |
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| Chicas Gamers |
Raúl Pinto |
Recommended |
05-04-2020 |
Sakura Wars is very entertaining game it can give us many hour of game. It is Action-RPG, but it is excessively easy and this break a little the experience. However, the remarkable plot, great characters and epic soundtrack do of this, a game you should play. |
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| COGconnected |
Michael Chow |
68 / 100 |
04-27-2020 |
The soft reboot of Sakura Wars leaves much to be desired but it is an adequate experience that accomplishes what it ultimately set out to do. |
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| Cubed3 |
Sandy Wilson |
8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Fun but limited combat, punctuates a fantastic, character-driven drama about putting on shows and pulling a once beloved group and theatre out of its rut, and into the spotlight on an international level. |
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| Daily Mirror |
Eugene Sowah |
3 / 5 stars |
04-30-2020 |
There’s plenty of replay value, and hardcore fans will relish trying to get all the multiple endings. You shouldn’t expect an high octane action RPG, but rather a real life romantic novel filled with in-depth emotion and over the top scenes. |
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| DASHGAMER.com |
Dan Rizzo |
8.5 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Yes, it may seem like a manifestation of all the quintessential traits seen in many title’s within it’s genre’s nature, but that’s what makes Sakura Wars awesome. Sakura Wars separates itself from being just another typical dungeon crawler; it breaks the mold and creates something unique, fresh and memorable. |
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| Destructoid |
Chris Moyse |
7 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars represents an ambitious new start for the franchise, one that might not be to everyone’s tastes. |
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| Digital Chumps |
Nathaniel Stevens |
8.4 / 10 |
05-22-2018 |
Sakura Wars is a solid game that delivers in a lot of areas, story and dialogue choices to give your players control of their fate, and falls a little short in others, especially action/mech. There is far more positive than negative and I think the re-tooling and reboot of the series might gain more fans than lose them. |
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| Digitally Downloaded |
Matt Sainsbury |
4.5 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
From the perviest moments of fan service through to the most heart-wrenching moments of insecurity that each of the characters displays, Sakura Wars is by turns hilarious and touching, and covers a real emotional gamut. |
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| DualShockers |
Iyane Agossah |
8.5 / 10 |
04-29-2020 |
While it has been a long wait, Sakura Wars is a satisfying blend of everything that the franchise has done well for a new generation on PS4. |
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| Eurogamer |
Malindy Hetfeld |
Recommended |
05-04-2020 |
Eager to please genre fans, Sakura Wars delivers an olds-chool experience with a hefty dose of drama. |
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| Game Informer |
Kimberley Wallace |
8 / 10 |
04-30-2020 |
Sakura Wars is not perfect, but it is a delightfully charming experience. Between the sweet bonding moments and high-stakes battles, there’s plenty to cheer for. |
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| Gameblog |
Romain Mahut |
6 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
SEGA clearly didn’t want to go all out with Sakura Wars. And it’s a shame as the game will probably be most of Western gamers’ first introduction to the series. The game has an interesting main story, fun main characters and and its steampunk backgrounds are beautiful. But the dating sim parts are a chore, there aren’t enough action scenes and the game as a whole looks like a PS3 game. As things stand, Sakura Wars is probably destined to stay a niche franchise in the West. And that’s too bad. |
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| GameCrate |
Angelo M. D’Argenio |
7 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
This just isn’t the grand revival of the Sakura Wars franchise I was hoping for, and I’m sure that most other longtime fans will feel the same. As for newbies, there’s some enjoyment here, but it just doesn’t measure up to other major releases on the market right now. |
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| GameGrin |
Simon Brown |
8.5 / 10 |
05-24-2020 |
An extremely polished, well put together sequel in a long running franchise that old fans and newcomers will enjoy. Its slow pace won’t be for everyone but it’s an enjoyable time from start to finish. |
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| GameMAG |
Александр Логинов |
8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars has its drawbacks, and it is not only a weak combat system with forced battles in the championship, but also some templating, the length of some elements and spoilers-announcements between episodes. But all this is offset by deeply developed characters, beautiful animation and good humor. It is one of the best games of the genre in the last few years and the best that could happen to the series. |
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| Gamer Escape |
Michelle Kruse |
7 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Those who already enjoy the series or this style of action-RPG meets dating simulator will still have a fun experience and find a good game to play here. Despite the faults with pacing or mechanics I may have discovered along the way, it won’t be enough to scare away this existing audience. |
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| GameSkinny |
Joshua Broadwell |
8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars’ unique LIPS system, thoroughly charming cast of characters, and great writing more than make up for its less than stellar combat. |
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| GameSpew |
Richard Seagrave |
7 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
A unique combination of genres, Sakura Wars is ultimately a compelling adventure that’s greater than the sum of its parts. |
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| GameSpot |
Heidi Kemps |
7 / 10 |
04-28-2020 |
Sakura Wars’ unique world, fun character interactions, and high-stakes melodrama help it overcome mediocre action sequences. |
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| GameXplain |
Unknown |
Recommended |
04-27-2020 |
Video Review |
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| GamingTrend |
David Flynn |
80 / 100 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a great entry point to a fascinating series. If you wish Persona had a bit more action, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here. While the “sexy misunderstandings” are cringe worthy, the characters are fun to interact with and the giant robots are a joy to pilot. |
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| Geeks Under Grace |
Michael Mendis |
7 / 10 |
05-21-2020 |
Despite its shallow gameplay, Sakura Wars offers plenty of entertainment thanks to its delightful characters, stylish art design, and upbeat tone. |
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| God is a Geek |
Lyle Carr |
8.5 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
An engaging tale full of twists and turns, with an interesting way of interacting with the narrative. If you can handle the slow pace and stomach the perverse moments, you’ll find a stylish adventure with one of the best soundtracks of the year. |
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| GotGame |
David Poole |
8.5 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sega found a great way to bring Sakura Wars back into the world, and it deserves to stay. If you like anime, this one deserves to be on your radar. |
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| GuiltyBit |
Marcos Casal |
6.8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
There were not a few of us who wanted to finally taste an adventure in the conditions of the legendary Sakura Taisen. However, the decision to replace the T-RPG battles with a more musou style has ended up darkening the expectations that we had for him. |
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| Hardcore Gamer |
Chris Shive |
3.5 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a blend of adventure, visual novel, dating sim and action game. |
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| Hey Poor Player |
Francis DiPersio |
4 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
SEGA’s Sakura Wars reboot marks a welcome return for a series that’s gotten criminally little exposure to western audiences since it first released nearly 25 years ago. While the game’s real-time, hack-and-slash approach to its combat left me wanting more, the superb writing and lovable cast of characters kept me glued to my controller right to the very end. And with multiple endings and romance options to unlock, I hope to do it all again very soon. |
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| Hobby Consolas |
Daniel Quesada |
78 / 100 |
04-27-2020 |
It might look too shallow (and it probably is) in a first glimpse, but the representation of the characters is certainly charming. It’s like giving life to a shonen TV show. |
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| IGN Italy |
Biagio Etna |
7 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Made with care and potentially interesting even for those who do not know the mechanics that distinguish it, Sakura Wars has a charm all its own, without undeniable limits. The important thing, if you want to get closer, is to understand the thematic and gameplay that give substance to the whole experience. |
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| IGN Spain |
Luis López Zamorano |
6.2 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars doesn’t finish fulfilling what was expected. Without being a disaster, its story is slow and its battles are too much simple. It builds on the popular LIPS system to deliver conversations that are the backbone of a game that can delight anime fans and no much others. |
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| Impulsegamer |
Abdul Saad |
3 / 5 stars |
05-24-2020 |
All in all, I’d say my experience with Sakura Wars was quite mixed. I enjoyed the look and feel of the game as well as spending time with its characters. And save for the repetitive, shallow combat system and tropes, I’d say it’s a solid introduction to the franchise for western audiences. |
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| INDIANTVCZ |
Petr Duppal |
7 / 10 |
06-26-2020 |
Bottom line, surprisingly, I really enjoyed the game to the point where I cried while playing, and even changed the wallpaper on my computer. The mix of well-developed characters and perverted jokes works great, thanks to which you will fall in love with this dating simulator. Even though I was a fan of anime, I’ve never been such a weeb as I was after playing the game. And I’m not ashamed at all, because this game takes a recommendation of 7 points out of 10. Will I play dating simulators from now on? Definitely not. But if you want a unique gaming experience, Sakura Wars will definitely bring it to you. |
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| Luis Alamilla |
Luis Alamilla |
7 / 10 |
04-28-2020 |
Video Review |
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| Metro GameCentral |
Unknown |
5 / 10 |
05-04-2020 |
One of the best attempts at an interactive anime ever, although the nonsensical story, weak combat, and dubious portrayal of female characters will ensure it a limited audience in the West. |
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| Niche Gamer |
Frank Streva |
7.5 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
If you like the idea of an alternate 1940s with steampunk mecha, demons, and a harem of cute anime girls, then you’ll probably find a lot to like in Sakura Wars, despite its flaws. |
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| Noisy Pixel |
Azario Lopez |
8.5 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is an excellent reboot of the series and does right by the fans by subtly tieing in mentions of its predecessors without overburdening new players. The game is fueled by its strong narrative and passionate cast of characters who fight against-all-odds for what they believe in. Sure, some of the arcs don’t totally stick, and the romance can get a little messy, but it accomplishes the goal of giving fans a modernized Sakura Wars experience, without sacrificing what makes it unique. |
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| Pardis Game |
Reza Modaresi |
6.5 / 10 |
06-02-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a JRPG game that sometimes forgets what it is. Maybe if all the components of the game were made like the final part, we would have had a great story and atmosphere right now, along with the graphics and amazing music. Although each of the 5 characters in the game has its own ending, the slowness of the storytelling process does not convince you to re-experience the work |
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| PlayStation LifeStyle |
George Foster |
7.5 / 10 |
05-01-2020 |
Put simply, Sakura Wars isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s oddly paced, character-focused, and anime-inspired, but that’s also some of the best things about it. If even a tiny bit of you is interested in that description, there’s a chance you’ll really enjoy the craziness that Sakura Wars puts on the table. |
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| PlayStation Universe |
Garri Bagdasarov |
8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a great little gem. It’s the perfect title to get into the franchise and see why it’s regarded so highly in Japan. Sakura Wars has some incredible writing and character development, it’s hard not to fall in love with everyone you meet in the world. It’s just a shame the combat isn’t on the same level and at times take the steam away from the fantastic narrative. |
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| PowerUp! |
James Wood |
5 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a serviceable entry point for Western audiences but fails to deliver more than a modest take on what could have been a remarkable game. |
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| Push Square |
Robert Ramsey |
6 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is an entertaining fusion of dating sim elements and button mashing action, but it’s held back by tired anime tropes and some disappointingly underdeveloped characters. The overarching story may be painfully predictable, but there’s still waifu-chasing fun to be had here, and the combat is enough to keep the otherwise relaxed pacing in check. |
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| Rapid Reviews UK |
Mike Hallam |
Recommended |
05-27-2020 |
Bringing a multi-faceted, choice-oriented, full-fat dating sim experience (with creepy warts and all); solid, enduring battle mechanics; lively voice acting; a formulaic-but-effective plotline and a flashy visual showcase, Sakura Wars puts on a stunning display for fans new and old. What’s more, the ease of accessibility should keep those initially on-the-fence engaged enough to see it through. There won’t be an industry-wide standing ovation waiting for Sakura Wars but it’s good enough to prompt a polite round of golf-clapping from even the most jaded pundit. |
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| Reno Gazette-Journal |
Jason Hidalgo |
8.5 / 10 |
04-28-2020 |
Sakura Wars doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights set by its predecessors but it remains a worthy attempt at not only resurrecting the long-dormant franchise but also modernizing it for a new audience. Despite its flaws, there really are no other games like it, and I think the developers should be commended for releasing a game like this one despite the risk it entails, especially when compared to more popular genres. If the idea of fun interactive storytelling mixed with a nice helping of steampunk and robot hijinks sounds good to you, then Sakura Wars just might blossom into your kind of game. |
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| Rice Digital |
Glenn Shiraishi |
4 / 5 stars |
07-30-2020 |
I really recommend fans of Sakura Wars or people who are into anime and visual novels to check this one out! |
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| RPGamer |
Joshua Carpenter |
3.5 / 5 stars |
04-29-2020 |
Sakura Wars has always been about the characters, interacting via L.I.P.S., and experiencing some insane, over-the-top anime antics. In that respect, the new Sakura Wars recaptures the spirit of the earlier entries and is a perfect bit of RPG comfort food to brighten your soul. |
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| Saudi Gamer |
عصام الشهوان |
7 / 10 |
05-14-2020 |
The plot and battle system might be simplistic, but it does its job in giving the game a driving force. This is an overall engrossing experience and the closest thing to playing an anime. |
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| Screen Rant |
Cody Peterson |
2 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
Combat is repetitive and romance options are unsettling. |
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| SECTOR.sk |
Michal Korec |
8 / 10 |
07-06-2020 |
Sakura Wars will take you to a steampunk version of Tokyo to protect the city from danger and demons. |
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| SpazioGames |
Gianluca Arena |
7.4 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
As far as soft reboots go, Sakura Wars exceeded at semplifying too much its gameplay and streamlined the experience, cutting any RPG system and leaving just the dialogues to take the highlight. |
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| The Games Machine |
Danilo Dellafrana |
6.7 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
From a certain point of view Sakura Wars is an anachronistic game, made for a specific audience that has evolved over time. The ease and repetitiveness of the title’s gameplay overwhelms the overall quality, despite good art direction. |
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| The Outerhaven Productions |
Henry Buehler |
3.5 / 5 stars |
05-11-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a flawed action game but incredibly satisfying visual novel. It warmed my heart and compelled me to keep playing despite its shortcomings as an action game. |
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| TheSixthAxis |
Miguel Moran |
8 / 10 |
05-01-2020 |
Sakura Wars may be a crisp, fully 3D modern release, but every inch of the story, characters, and sound feels like it’s straight out of the 90s. This soft-reboot may not revolutionise gaming as the original game did, but it still manages to deliver an expertly crafted love letter to those old-school stories and characters that will put a smile on anyone’s face. The combat scenes may lack the same depth and intrigue as the story beats of the game, but they’re a minor part of an otherwise unforgettable anime adventure. |
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| ThisGenGaming |
Justin Oneil |
8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
When I went in to review this game I didn’t know what to really expect out of it but I came out of it as a fan and as someone who hopes to see more Sakura Wars in the future. The combat is kind of mindless but I feel like the strong story and character development along with a great visual style and audio work makes up for it. There is room to improve but this Sakura Wars reboot left a great impression on me. |
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| Twinfinite |
Keenan McCall |
3.5 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
It won’t make many new die-hard fans of the property, but for those willing to give it a chance, there’s enough to give them hope that good things might be in the series’ future. |
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| Use a Potion |
Unknown |
8 / 10 |
05-01-2020 |
Sakura Wars is an undeniably quirky game, but its charming blend of stylish mech action and visual novel-style storytelling kept me completely invested in its adventure. Sure, the combat mechanics were a bit simple and some of the game’s lewder content felt a little cringey in places, but neither stopped me from having a blast whilst restoring the Imperial Combat Revue’s Flower Division to its former glory. |
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| USgamer |
Hirun Cryer |
3.5 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
It’s not going to be a memorable tale, but this Sakura Wars is an enjoyable adventure while it lasts. |
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| VGChartz |
Thomas Froehlicher |
6 / 10 |
04-10-2020 |
Sakura Wars is a welcome, pleasant comeback, but a somewhat failed modernization. |
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| Video Chums |
A.J. Maciejewski |
7.3 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars is an easy title to recommend to anyone looking for a layered game world populated by a cast of memorable characters. However, those who prefer a more immediately rewarding adventure will likely get exhausted by its story-heavy setup. |
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| Wccftech |
Nathan Birch |
8 / 10 |
04-27-2020 |
Sakura Wars isn’t for everyone, but fans of quirky Japanese imports or those simply looking for something a bit outside their comfort zone ought to give it a shot. The game’s action is run-of-the-mill, but its heartfelt character-driven story and polished anime-infused presentation largely make up for that. Sakura Wars may not win every battle, but it stands tall in the end. |
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| We Got This Covered |
Todd Rigney |
3.5 / 5 stars |
04-27-2020 |
When it wants, the Sakura Wars reboot can deliver excellent combat and a story that’s both compelling and emotionally sound. Unfortunately, the game spends way too much time wallowing in cheap sophomoric humor to truly make the most of its strengths. |
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