I had wanted to post an update but also wanted to speak about the game (besides the issues) so I deleted the older comment for this, given there’s only one other comment speaking about it.
To those who are having issues (on downloading, mac), use the web version than the itch app.
That aside, it was marvellous. I loved how it switched between a portrait and landscape, making it feel so much more dynamic as I don’t like to stick to just one. The storytelling was fantastic as well. I signed up for the newsletter and honestly didn’t notice so many things…which further makes me appreciate the game more.
Spoilers from here:
My goodness, the characters actually focusing on history, their relationships with others prior to it...I quite love it when MC is their own person but also can be changed somewhat slightly that unlocks different things. All of them seems like it'd lead to one area, which even in story it is--kind of--but the things you unlock, the CGs you get and the way you're looking at some characters and relationships will still GREATLY differ.MC being trans was also used in such a good way. Normally I don’t see it from others but it did stand out for me for this. It wasn’t bashing anyone per se (even Reinfield, for me, because it didn’t feel like it was the point) but focusing on themselves. Cez particularly does make me love it though, because you can seriously and rationally mistake them as a woman until you actually play their route.
I was just wondering if the things the characters (Cez, Ilena, Teodora) consume from the girl betrays their own personality (or are what they’re craving for, from others).
Teodora consumes tendons, which are tough, connect muscles to bones, allowing movement of joints. She seems to be a very tough individual, perhaps the reason why the other two brides are staying and allows the house to be a, well, house. Otherwise I can imagine it being a place where disharmony thrives with everyone being at odds with eachother until a day comes where Dracula takes their life away from them. Or perhaps, that’s what Teodora wants to look like (very tough) whereas she’s very emotional but doesn’t want to be in that state. It shows–when we catch her, her attention never deviates, almost like she wants something all for herself.
Ilena takes the heart’s artery. It carries O2 rich blood, very helpful in sustaining life aswell. Perhaps it’s meant to depict that she is someone who doesn’t back down so easily (despite being a defeated revolutionary…), at least in small measures before Dracula gets to her. Or that she envies that from her victims, how they have a life.
Cez gets the girl’s knees. Like making sure that she breaks completely…or mourns how her own boundaries had been torn apart, how she bended to the society till she nearly broke, join the ’cula and is still miserable.
Replaying through to get other dialogs, Ilena says how he’d break everyone’s minds into obeying. No wonder the ending we got had us nearly murdering our superior and having all of Dracula’s wives (well, 2 wives and a spouse) being disgruntled but still by his side.
I know why we have only Dracula as the main person but idk, feels weird when I’m out here trying to romance anyone but him (eyes deadset on Ghost, whose eyes are transformed into Billiards so I don’t expect it to be reciprocated).