Frankly, a banger. I know you already know my feelings about this, but to have them in writing: this vn impresses me on all levels. It's got... a pretty insane start. But wow does it set the tone (and filter the audience). The writing is excellent, and I think the two paths make up for each other's faults. On one I am less compelled by the interpersonal aspects, but the mystery of the horror is extremely enticing to me. On the flip side, the other route is... subtle. lmao. i'm waiting for the (supernatural) horror to kick in, but in the meantime I am enjoying the regular horror of being constantly surrounded by freak ass rich people.

I know what some of the inspirations for this work are, and some of them don't even need to be said (like the directly referenced ballets), but something I haven't really brought up is the sort of otherworldly drama that this vn captures in the way it delivers itself. It's something almost akin to Revolutionary Girl Utena, or at least as close as I've seen a vn get to it. As someone who wants to make something up that alley as well, it means Red Ballet is something that I will be taking inspiration from to try and capture that same ethereal dream like film that lays over the sickly sweet drama on stage.

The strengths of being a (capable) solo dev are really on display here. The programming, the music, and the art all really blend well with the writing to keep a consistent and depressing atmosphere. I can feel the creeping dread in the story, the brief flight before a brutal end, and I can't wait for what comes next.