Post by Naho in In Finite Space comments

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i know this criticism have been called out before but i feel it needs another interation, as it is really important:

This is a military sci-fi VN about trauma, loss, and intergalactic war—so foregrounding body positivity as a core ideal, without contextual anchoring, feels like aesthetic morality slapped on a world where discipline and survival should reign.

I am not mocking body positivity.

I am calling out a misalignment of tone and stakes that I feel.

think of it what you will, but at least take an actual time to think

IFS27 days ago(+9)(-1)

The war is only one part of the story being told.

Before the plague appeared the Finite Galaxy was nearing utopia, and they had reached a place where species of all sorts had come together and formed positive ideals towards sexuality, self, acceptance, among other things.

They are not going to abandon those aspects because of the war, nor should anyone let go of the beauty of their lives even when they fight to protect them.

I am sorry if you think that being able to showcase both in this story doesn't mesh with you, but we won't be removing the core ideals I strive to achieve, and if I fail at doing so, then I shall fail with at least trying.

Naho25 days ago (7 edits) (+4)(-11)

A world “nearing utopia” means nothing if it folds under narrative pressure. You claim they won’t abandon their values during war — but where is that tested? Where is the cost?

If the ideals survive without friction, that’s not hope — it’s insulation. And if body positivity is presented as an untouched truth while death and trauma gut everything else, that’s not healing —that’s moral tourism.

War stories don’t need to erase softness. But they do need to ground it. Beauty matters because of the horror, not in spite of it.

If your utopia survives, show me how it bleeds, and if it doesn’t — it’s not utopia. It’s a delusion with good lighting and cute furry sprites.

And, please, don’t defend tone misalignment as moral purity, when it’s just aesthetic inertia. If your world can hold both slaughter and self-love, then show the friction, not a Pinterest board stapled to a battlefield. Own the clash or get out of the genre.

P.S.

Star Trek: TNG — one of the most optimistic visions of the future — never lets its ideals go untested. Every utopian principle was stress-tested against diplomacy, trauma, loss, and ethical contradiction. That’s what made the hope earnest, not ornamental. Maybe you should take notes.

edit:

> I strive to achieve, and if I fail at doing so, then I shall fail with at least trying.

“Failing while trying” isn’t nobility. It’s evasion.

You’re not under attack for having ideals. You’re being asked whether those ideals fit the world you’ve built. You say the war is just one part—but the stakes shape every part.

Trying doesn’t excuse misalignment. Effort isn’t immunity.

This isn’t about whether your ideals are beautiful. It’s about whether your story earns them.

If you fail without facing that, then you’re not failing by trying.

You’re failing by refusing to listen — while an untrained echo chamber flatters your ego instead of asking the real question:

Are you actually failing yourself?

S4BR425 days ago(+3)(-1)

You're asking whether the ideals fit the world—but why demand this answer now, when the story is still unfolding? Instead of questioning if these values hold up, the real intrigue comes from exploring how they do, which is something that develops as the narrative progresses. Right now, the foundation is being laid, and patience is key to seeing how everything takes shape. The kind of scrutiny you're applying makes more sense for a finished story, where all elements have been stress-tested and fully realized.

If your goal is to contribute meaningfully, focus on being constructive rather than critical for the sake of it. A creator needs space to refine their vision—picking apart their work too early can stifle creativity rather than encourage growth. Premature harshness doesn’t lead to depth; it leads to doubt. Some storytellers stop creating altogether when they feel their work is being dismantled before it has even had the chance to breathe. Thoughtful critique should help shape a narrative, not shut it down before it finds its footing.

And for the record, this story is fantastic so far—Xaria has had me laughing nonstop, and I'm eager to see what comes next!

Naho25 days ago (4 edits) (+1)(-9)

You’re confusing pressure with sabotage. I’m not asking for a final judgment — I’m pointing out a tonal fracture in the premise.

If a story hinges on values surviving trauma, then the starting point needs to reflect the weight of that survival. Right now, it reads like utopia cosplay skimming over stakes — and that’s a valid warning signal, not a hit piece.

You say critique should wait. I say that is cowardice wrapped in concern. If your vision can’t handle early tension, it’s not visionary — it’s brittle.

Creators don’t grow through echo chambers. They grow when someone says, “This doesn’t land—yet.” Calling that premature is just a polite muzzle.

You don’t protect art by shielding it from friction. You protect it by helping it earn the praise you’re throwing around like confetti.

p.s. Xaria *is* a hot mom — thats not even an argument — but, unfortunately, she doesn’t exist in a vacuum. She isn’t a chatbot. She isn’t a drawing from a deviantart — she is a character within the story.

Mr Tibbits8 days ago(+1)(-1)

No one's saying that critique is off-limits because the story is in its early stages. What we're saying is that you need to tone down the attitude.

Being harsh doesn't give you authority, and it doesn't make your points any more valid than the others. Wanting basic respect and open-mindedness in a critique isn't cowardice, it's a reasonable expectation when the goal is to help the story grow. Not every response you receive is an excuse.

Boof116 days ago(+1)(-1)

"Maybe you should take notes" "Are you actually failing yourself" Its a free game dude, the authors putting time and effort for no cost what so ever. If you dont like it, dont read it, but how could you say such things to somebody trying their best at a passion project? Have some shame

Naho16 days ago (2 edits) (-5)

Free doesn’t mean immune. Effort doesn’t mean exempt.

You think “trying your best” shields from critique? Because that’s toddler logic with a Patreon account.

If you can’t handle pushback, maybe you’re the one of the contributers to the project’s moral falling.

Spare me the guilt bait.

Boof115 days ago(+2)(-1)

Are you subscribed to their Patreon? And if you think what you’re saying is critique you seriously need help, your essays you send are 90% straight insults. At this point write your own story dawg, you clearly have the time for it

shea55515 days ago(+3)(-1)

I've seen him make comments like these on multiple visual novels. He acts like he is a main characters everywhere and thinks creators have to work hard just to satisfy him.

itch.io

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