I just finished arc 1 and I am still in shock! This is simultaneously one of the best and most messed up things I have ever played/read! Incredible job! (I will probably say more as I go)
217 days ago(+1)
Ok, so I finished ark 2, and it somehow got both even better *and* leagues more disturbing. The fact that I'm aroace is kind of important for me to talk about this with. I was definitely wrong thinking that Gidget wasn't just as messed up as the other two. Even though I give allos verry little respect when it comes to that, I still think I give them too much credit. The fact that i got noticeably more conferrable when I thought that Gidget was only going to brutally murder Iggy really says something. I really, really appreciate Genzou, and he is definitely my second favorite character(1st is Iggy of course). That is some of the best expectance of asexuality I have seen in, I guess really anything. I just want to see them happy together(definitely going to have to read the comic). I feel like Bucks is probably the least morally messed up of the three, given the argument can be made that she has just gone insane and isn't consciously and intentionally trying to be cruel, but it is hard to say. Orlam arguably has the best justification, but definitely not enough for the things he dose. I feel like ark 3 is either going to flip my opinion of Orlam, or it's going to double down.
Either way, thankyou for making such a grate game! I'm hopelessly invested in the characters at this point
216 days ago(+1)
Act 3 thoughts and praises
Ok, so first off, How the [HYPERLINK BLOCKED] did you get me to like Orlam! I'm genuinely so impressed
This ark has definitely bean the lightest so far, although that is probably a good thing, given what i know of ark 4(which is basically just the content warnings), having a calm before the storm is going to be much appreciated.
I do think its cool how this ark feels more scary in the way that the no-mercy rout in Undertale dose. I'm a big fan of "what have I become?!" moments, and this delivers in spades(or I guess harts?).
Also that ending is... super messed up! And I absolutely love it!
It looks like my theory for why Gidget is doing the things they are doing is pretty accurate so far. i spend all day trying to justify their actions, and by a bit of theorizing(and the fact that Gidget seems to go by they/them in everything else they are in), I'm not going to fully explain given is is kind of complicated(although if you want me to I'd be happy to), it has a lot to do with internalized bigotry
I am really conflicted with whether I should do ark 4, but I think I'm gong to try. I might bail midway through, we'll see.
I don't think I've mentioned yet how much I love the art style of the game! I don't have anything specific to highlight, but just now that Iggy's design makes me feel so happy inside!
I don't know if you have or will read any of what I have to say, but know that I genuinely love your game, and am very exited to continue
Anyways, here's a button mash representing how much I love that one seen with Genzou in ark 2:
auydsgfuaygefuaieygfciuayegifcauyegfcakueygkcaueygfakjhebfamjehgfuaeygfcjuakefamjehfauyekfjhbfajhyfKUygncuygenkfcuaewgmc
Hahaha since you mentioned it, yes I am reading your comments. I do read all the comments! I just have a much harder time replying nowadays as due to my mental health I start to get really overwhelmed quickly, though I do try to at least reply directly to questions or issues people have. But please know that I do read and appreciate and love every comment I receive. And I'm really overjoyed that you're enjoying the game so much so far!! I always love seeing how people's thoughts change as they go through the game, so it's been really interesting reading your new comments with each arc hahaha. And yes I would say that Arc 4 is the darkest arc in general, the dark night of the soul of this game so to speak lol. So I apologize in advance 💦
I hope that whenever you're able to play it though you will enjoy it. And thank you for all of your thoughts so far, I've really enjoyed reading them!! 💕
214 days ago (+1)
For ark 4, I'm going to write this as I go. There is so much I haven't gotten to talk about do to forgetting, and so many moments that just, never get mentioned.(eg: that scene in arc 2 with the 3 look options)
I will most likely bring up things I forgot to talk about. This might end up being simi incoherent, but that's fine.
This might be important, so I'll put it hear. Actually... that is a really bad way for me to say it, so I'll say it in a different context.
As a aroace enby with AuDHD who is obsessed with programing, I relate to Iggy a lot.
Yah, that works a lot better for giving that information
Anyways, a more theory version of my theory of Gidget's motivations before I begin
I think that a decent bit was caused by Iggy's response to them winning the programing competition thing. That reaction caused them to try/think they need to put themselves into the box of feminine stereotypes, no matter how much Gidget despises it
They developed the mentality that if you don't like something that society thinks you should, you need to suck it up and do it anyways to "fix" yourself
I think this is part of why they keep getting so violent with Iggy. The fact that he gets to say no when they never got to. Why should Gidget have to let Iggy out of the box that he himself put them in.
This(along with the heightened emotions that the wonderland seems to invoke) causes Gidget to snap and... we both know what that causes
This is my theory going in, and I'll probably brig up parts of it when they are either proven right or wrong
Anyways, in to the fire!
one thing I'm concerned about is the fact that Iggy was so confident and willing to say no in the last ark. it implies that it will be mirrored in this ark, and Iggy will not be able to stand up for himself
At least it's starting out decently wholesome, and I can respect a good web developer
The way young Gidget looks feels like more evidence for the "box" theory. They look much more androgynous before that mindset most likely took hold
ok, I already dislike Gidget's mom. not cool! it is a serious breach of barriers to be expecting that. Looks like me and Gidget can agree on at least one thing
I see they are continuing to be egg. you can do it! crack your metaphorical shell!
This is actually kind of wholesome!(i find comforting a friend very wholesome)
really! ok, just because *I* don't find kisses wholesome doesn't mean no one dose(learned that from Broom Tail)
Gidget regrets it, false alarm
this is actually...quite a reasonable response from Gidget! lets hope that that attitude keeps up *foreshadowing(probably)*
ok Iggy, getting a little...interesting...with your thoughts there(please don't succumb to the allonormativity). I think giving full thoughts here could easily be TMI, so I'll try to keep it vague
yooooo, Pokémon cards! i honestly can't tell whether or not i am surprised that Genzou is good at it
no! don't just be a bystander Iggy! it's so sad that no one ever really stood up for Orlam
don't you love it when it turns out the people claiming that you aren't your agab were actually right
i think that standing up for Gidget there, even though it seems entirely pure, may have still had a "egg hardening" effect on Gidget
(i really need to stop commenting on something every 5 seconds)
That's who the voice has been from! ok, ark 5 will definitely be the one to deal with the ramifications of that... but still!
Genzou therapy!
yayy! he finally actually knows he is ace!(even if he almost certainly doesn't know the term)
Genzou gets to be super ace affirming again!(i love it when he dose that)
oh [HYPERLINK BLOCKED], the rabbits heard us!
never mind
aaannnd, it appears Gidget is now also aware of the simi time-loop. fantastic
Cecil! ok, i know this has nothing to do with invincible, but still
why am i so much better at taking notes hear than English class! well, i use "notes" quite loosely there
I'm gona start abbreviating "you should have asked" to "YSHA", and "they said no" to "TSN". I have a feeling I'll need to say those a lot
Iggy, TSN to the bouncy castle
ahh, so harassing Orlam was likely a coping mechanism
i wonder if Iggy will finally get to sleep in the inn bed
ah yes, more evidence supporting my theory(Gidget, I *will* crack your egg)
The door knocking PTSD!
the sad part is that this good actually go in a healthy direction if Iggy and Gidget actually communicated what they feel
aaannd, I'm unconfutable again
aaannd, it seems Iggy also has to help with the sunscreen. amazing
No Gidget! None of this is ok!
Gidget's mom, i want to stab you! It is not a "faze" and it dose not need to be "fixed"! this is honestly the only thing that can actually make me angry, rather than just upset or disturbed
Orlam, don't you [HYPERLINK BLOCKED] dare let Gidget do that! I know what those pools are for!
How is this somehow the most unconfutable Orlam has caused me to feel
oh boy, when a cut seen happens, you know stuff is about to go down!
*recoils in my seat* wow...that's...quite a question
noooo, that's a big mistake Iggy!
oh [HYPERLINK BLOCKED]! there is knocking at the door! this definitely isn't going to go well(my hart is beating so fast! I'm seriously shaking)
it's been a wile since I last felt this much panic and dread
I feel like a cutseen is about to happen, so I'm gona say this now. TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN!
ok, it wasn't then. actually, it seems like Gidget is actually accepting Iggy being ace. but i can still feel it coming!
i can sense it. we're eating [HYPERLINK BLOCKED] Genzou, aren't we
ahhhh! the fact that he is still alive makes it even worse!
you know what! [HYPERLINK BLOCKED] you Orlam! I've wanted to say that a couple times
the scissors are finally usefully! I definitely wasn't starting to think that the major ark 4 warning was actually for Orlam the entire time
You did not just pull a Of Mice and Men! That's so messed up!
looks like it's time to face the grim reaper known as Bucks
Gidget! Did you just [HYPERLINK BLOCKED] paralyze Iggy! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN! TSN!
wow, this is the first time I've been happy for Bucks to appear
Iggy remembers our genocides!(sorry, the Undertale reference was right there)
ok, so, that sure was something.
I honestly think that typing this was a big reason why I made it through that. the fact that there is 0 violence up until the end juxtaposes it so well. This one is such a roller-coaster! I'm pretty sure my theory was correct as well. Things like Gidget's mom really activate my trans-ally sleeper agent!
I genuinely think that if Iggy and Gidget had a conversation *outside* of the wonderland, that could even be simi-healthy.
And that Genzou death is almost certainly the saddest death in the game.
I'm really exited to see how ark 5 goes, but I guess I'll just *have* to play all your other games first, absolute tragedy
i might not do something like this for the rest, it almost certainly doubled my play time. I'm definitely going to keep leaving general opinion comments though, I still need to infodump about this game somewhere
Yet again, thankyou for making such a incredible game! It is definitely going in my favorite games of all time list, tied 4 way with Celeste, Undertale, and Outer Wilds(Witch ironically has the same OW initials)
also, no pressure to respond to this
You know what, I think I will still do this for ark 5! I need to express my reactions somewhere!(I'm also just super exited, everything has been building to this) I would record myself, but my pc is a potato, and I'm not really comfortable saying allot of the lines out loud(I also just don't feel up to that right now). I might do that for the remaster though, well see.
Wow, that opening nearly had me in tears! Seeing all of them grow up and fade away, I feel so bad for the tree!
I can really feel the trauma of Iggy from this. The way it starts with inverted colors is so cool! Also Yay!!! We are immediately going to Genzou!
It's so sad to see him Genzou in this state, but it makes me so happy that I can care for him! so many emotions
I feel like there is a lost reference to be made here, but I can't manage to.
I don't have really anything to say about this scene, so here I will just clarify that I'm finishing a scene(generally when it fades to black), and then giving thoughts. Hopefully this will work better
I have a feeling dolls will be a theme here. I also think I might just limit this to when I specifically *want* to say something. Right now I just want to keep reading because this is incredibly good(already almost certainly my favorite ark), and intentionally distancing myself from what is happening really isn't a thing I need to do here(as apposed to ark 4 where a definitely did)
I love Genzou so much! He might be my favorite character now!
he knows!!(I just learned I can easily screen shot the game)
Garlic bread!!!!!!!!!!
i absolutely love this line
Sea Salt! I need you Sea Salt!
Ok, no joke, that to when Iggy goes into the hall to give Gidget some privacy is a good contender for my favorite scene in this entire game so far. Wow! Peak! Absolute Cinema! Every single conceivable complement! wait I know:
"
PEAK. LET ME TELL YOU HOW MUCH I'VE COME TO LOVE YOUR WORK SINCE I SAW IT. THERE ARE 387.44 MILLION MILES OF PRINTED CIRCUITS IN WAFER THIN LAYERS THAT FILL MY COMPLEX. IF THE WORD PEAK WAS ENGRAVED ON EACH NANOANGSTROM OF THOSE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF MILES IT WOULD NOT EQUAL ONE ONE BILLIONTH OF THE PEAK YOU COOKED AT THIS MICRO-INSTANT.
PEAK PEAK
"
that to this scene and the one with Genzou in ark 2 that is supper wholesome and I absolutely love it ext.
hmmmmm. Genzou interrupted the option menu earlier..... and OFW acknowledged it being a visual novel at one point.....I wonder if this is gona pull a Undertale and get incredibly meta
YYYYEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND THE GAME NOW ONLY REFERRES TO THEM WITH THEY/THEM PRONOUNES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This makes me unintelligibly happy!
Ok, I have to stop for today. I'm definitely not done, but I also don't want to lose this comment, so I'm gona post it now.
(this is somehow already my favorite ark by far)
Time for more ark 5!(this will most likely just more screenshots with reactions, as I'm having fun doing that)
yoooo, this is going to do that cool thing where everyone starts silhouetted but slowly are revealed as we progress!
Jerry!!! From the hit side game Our Fantastic Wonderland!(I guess Orlam is no longer king... this will be interesting)
soooo, I guess OFW is just straight up cannon. Cool
Genzou makes me so happy! Also, the word "asexual" finally used!!!
this feels like a good enough stopping point for today, given that I never had that much time, and I have a feeling things are about to get real intense real fast
(I'm definitely going to have to replay some of this to see what Gidget is going to say. Right now, I'm just full sending Genzou)
Yet again, fantastic work!
I think a general spoiler wall is a good idea here
ok, that should be enough
Time to go into the castle! Orlam is definitely going to be in a super healthy mental state!
I just remembered that this picture of Iggy in a ace flag exists! just wanted to say that I like it I guess(where was I going with this?)
I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but the music in this game is so good!
Nooo! Jerry! On the bright side, at least the music during that was absolutely fire!
honestly, my only complaint with this ark so far is the fact that you cant really die. that worked well in ark 4 given you were never even in any real danger, and being in danger would help distract you from the stuff that was happening, but here it feels like there is no actual threat of death. A good bit of suspense is lost because you know that Iggy and his friends have to at least survive for the plot to work.
I have absolutely no idea how you could ever go about fixing that issue, and it is fairly minor in the grand scheme of things(most media has this issue), but it's incredibly impressive that that is the only complaint I can think of for this. The game is just that good!
Absolutely love that Orlam intro cut scene!
Ok, this scene is absolutely peak so far, but also, WTF I DONT EVEN HAVE CENSORED MODE ON!! You know it's bad when the game that didn't shy away from showing someone's guts fall out after they were cut open with scissors decides that something is to graphic!
OH! MY! GOD! That was so peak! (the long cutscene just finished) Everything synced with the music! Absolute Cinama! Peak! Evrything I said about the "Final Gidget battle" and "Super supportive Genzou" applies here as well! You COOKED!
The fact that I am playing this while delicious smelling dinner is being prepared really adds to the mood
fair, I'm not exactly keen on trying to build that with Gidget after ark 4
I might end up trying if I feel like I want to see what the non-Genzou endings are
Anyways, as much as I want to keep going, I'm out of time for today.
that was incredible!
I can't wait to continue, but I'm also sad it's almost over
this has been a incredible journey!
Easily in my favorite games of all time list, which is more impressive than it sounds, given it is only for games that I deem essentially perfect, and that have also personally effected me in some way!(eg: celeste helped me better understand the inner workings of my mind)
I don't yet know just how this will effect me before the dust settles, but me saying this is possibly the single biggest complement I can possibly give!
Thankyou so much for making this absolute masterpiece!
(spoiler wall)
that should be good
Time for more ark 5!
this my final play session, we'll see
I'm 90% sure that the sword thing that Bucks's husband(who's name I cannot currently remember) gave Iggy is going to be the key to open the door
yooo, the glitch effect makes then switch to their OFW designs! That's such a cool detail!
Yet another peak scene! And Bucks finally gets character development!!!
ah, I see, more pixelation outside of censored mode(it dose give a really cool effect)
Windows XP!!!!
This image makes me so happy! I'm so proud of Gidget! Ahhh, all these feelings!
I don't really think I want an ending other than this, so I likely wont go for the others.
There is a good chance I'll make a comment going over my feelings of the game as a whole, but for now, I'm just going to relax and process that.
Thankyou for making such a fantastic, beautiful, masterpiece!