I made an account just to comment on this page and intend to drop a very small donation when I get the chance (broke college student) because this was such an amazing game to download for free! It feels a bit like stealing somehow; I got so many hours of enjoyment from the game! It's evident that you put a lot of time and care into this project.
First of all, you have 'show and don't tell' down pat which is super refreshing. It puts the player right into the character's shoes because the information is more of a slow trickle or has to be discerned through clues, much like life in the real world often requires of you. Right off the bat, there's also the sense that things can always go terribly wrong and that the main character's position is precarious. You are immediately invested, irritated with, and interested in the main character's plight. Madness, elves, political intrigue, death, the high seas? What's not to like?
The world is well fleshed out and unique. I have to wonder what Ghalaians do for fun after that roller coaster of anxiety we were strapped into together haha. No, seriously, are puppies a thing outside of target practice in this world? Because they need them.
The characters all have clear voices, motivations, and goals. All of the guys are interesting in their own ways and it's honestly nice that they don't unrealistically fall in love right away as can happen in some of these games.
The level of interactivity as well as customization is probably much more complex than what you would find in traditional visual novel games or even ones that are at a much higher price point. There's a range of realistic reactions for every situation and I never felt shoehorned into an option.
The artwork is beautiful!! The characters are all beautiful and so are the backgrounds! I love, love, love the beaches in particular! The waves and sky are just so pretty. They feel very story-book esque to me somehow. I can't believe you drew everything and then wrote the story? And you programmed this, too, right? Just wow.
Here's another stereotypical girly thing that you never get to do in these games - customize your outfits. I freaking loved this! The outfits, the hairstyles, the eye color. I loved being able to buy a colorful outfit after living on emo elf island (I say this lovingly) for so long. And the outfits are actually cute! And the hair options are actually cute!! Take notes, Dragon Age~
Also the possible character progression from scared bystander to powerful woman in control of her destiny who made friends and a home in a strange land despite the odds was immensely satisfying. It was fun to start off as a hostage and then later be the one calling the shots as an equal.
My first and only romance route so far has involved Vadeyn(sweet cinnamon roll that he is. He was hard to ignore and was also the only one clearly anti-kidnapping lol) but Duliae is honestly very intriguing for someone I had pegged as an actual sociopath at the start and was resolved not to trust. He just seemed like he would sell the main character's soul for a cornchip or something but as the story progressed somehow I found myself trusting him and even relying on him. And it would be interesting to get into Lacaega's head or just to tease him the whole game to see what happens. Haron seemed interested in the MC as more of a science experiment but I bet that notion would dissolve if I went down his route any further. Interesting how the narrative changes first impressions like that. There's always more to learn as you go along.
I sat there and agonized about so many decisions. One of the final options in the game at the end (no ensuing spoilers) actually made me feel as though I had been punched in the gut and I found that I felt like crying after choosing it. It may have been the genuine pain and confusion that you managed to evoke and it really did pack a punch. It was genuinely a heartbreaking scenario and the reaction was pretty visceral.
Rarely do I play games where choices are /not/ clear cut and require so much thought. You allow for a lot of nuance and shades of gray. For example. (SPOILER HERE >>) I've never actually seriously mulled over straight up murdering so many people simply because a voice in my head told me to or promised it would leave if I did. See, when you put it like that it sounds like the clearly crazy evil character option to pick, and yet? It didn't seem evil at the time, just a way to survive amid the confusion.
Anyway (phew!) here's hoping that you write more in the future!! This game was absolutely great and you deserve continuous praise for your hard work. You are a talented storyteller and seem like a generally lovely person!