this game is passable. combat is very easy i only died once because i was trying to see what the full extent of the mechanics are but if you take the hit it till it dies approach you will win every fight. there seems to be a bug where the escape button didn't work which made the villain's "were not so different you and i" monologuing frustrating to sit through as it felt like i was forced to not be able to back out of combat just so the villain could have a very tiny point.

 visuals are nice but it is not verry horror and this is coming from someone easily scared by things not even horror labeled. the story is also passable its very standard and by the book these days not because it really leans into the themes but because almost everyone takes this direction when given any theming about responsibility. it was difficult to really relate and understand why the circus was appealing to the main character perhaps because I've personally seen parts of the world with little to no civilization or order (not a very pleasant experience) which made sitting through the villain's philosophy and nihilism for beginners' level of understanding dialog at the last encounter rough to sit through. maybe i am simply noy the target audience for this.

 as for following the theme it dose but it feels like it was added on last minute in order to fit both competitions the game is in. perhaps if the main character had a bit more introspection about his responsibilities, the importance of the sacrifices everyone around him is making not just the ones he's expected to make and the importance being the prince is to people around him it would feel more in line with the theme as the character growth can be boiled down to "this is scary im out of here back to the cozy castle and ill be more responsible from now on  i guess".