"Do you really want to miss out on a storytime?"
It's been an honour and a privilege to have witnessed Passarine Hills grow from an AU of an AU to a multi-game series with multiple love interests.
I still remember the conversation that led to you sharing the first instalment of an old fanfic you wrote for a dead fandom, and how in subsequent days you'd surprise me with new chapters because you just couldn't get those characters out of your head.
What's even more fascinating is seeing how they've grown and changed over time, until the story stood on its own and the characters were brand new entities.
The world of passerine hills is vast, intricate and deeply immersive.
Through JAB and the other games in the series, we get glimpses of its rich lore, its slang and lingo, and character relationships that feel lived-in, grounded in a way that’s rare in romance games.
These character's lives don't seem to hinge on the player's existence. They all have lives, conflicts, and histories that unfold with out without Tiffany. And they're all different and varied. I really appreciate the effort that went into crafting such distinct characters.
And while I don’t typically play games with set protagonists, Tiffany is exactly the kind of rich bitch with a layered, complex inner world that I love dissecting.
She’s like a little bug under a microscope, and I just have to analyze her.
I adore the writing style and how it comes across as Tiffany trying to remain detached as she recounts all the details in her little tale while we can read the little moments of vulnerability that slip through.
It reads like an exclusive slumber party thrown by someone you barely know, where you’re not entirely sure why you were invited-- but the other girls are spilling the absolute juiciest details in an ever-expanding gossip session. And it’s glorious.
On top of that, it’s especially fun to pick up on all the tiny inconsistencies and hints at a bigger mystery lurking beneath the surface.
There’s a real sense of care woven into every little detail. It’s a delight to see this level of thought and craftsmanship go into a wlw game, when so few exist, and I couldn’t be more excited to see where the story goes next!