I feel like writing relationships between characters is really one of those things you tend to do well and this wasn't an exception <3 Absolutely love Io, what a huggable guy

loved the visuals in this and the convo flowed very naturally! another heartsync banger  

Loooved the 2000s indie otome vibe this had, especially the main menu and music, so so cute! Idk how to explain it but you captured that floaty dreamy feeling perfectly.
The story was really captivating and motivating. I needed a good reminder of how important it is to not make art for the sake of validation, and to lean into ones own creativity. Super impressed you managed to do this much in such a short time, A DRESS UP GAME EVEN??? Insane.

And lastly “I feel just as lonely in this box as I would outside of one.” is just such a great line, I had to stop and stare for a bit and then write it down lol. Great work!

The raw hope this piece exudes overwhelms me to a certain extent. And omg dress up!!! That was so much fun, ending the story by asking the player to engage in a spontaneous act of creativity was such a fun parallel! 

The themes explored were extremely touching. I love the conversations with Io and Juniper and the layers of things they keep from each other. It creates such dynamic, true-to-life conversations and added so much depth to both characters. Juniper's struggle with being bi racial (bi species?) and not feeling enough or like she belongs hit me so hard...same girl same. And, of course, all the complex feelings about art that's explored was so relatable.

I thought the dress up game was so fun. What a perfect reminder that art can be fun!

Overall, I love how wings were used in this story, and I was so delighted to see Io's winged sprite. The art was very cute, and I enjoyed watching Juniper and Io get closer. I also really like the bigger textbox with the sprite to the side. I thought it was a great use of space. What a thought-provoking game. Thanks for making it!

What a lovely, insightful discussion into potential, wow. I love how this was executed! The dressup doll part was a great surprise as well. I’m wishing the best for Io and Juniper, and revisiting my creative projects with a fresh perspective after this :]

CAN I GET A WAHOO FOR THE RETURN OF A LEGEND??? You cheeky cheeky thing you with the theme, and yet it works so perfectly I can't even argue with it. Gotta say the thoughts articulated on being a creative and fitting yourself into boxes really hit hard with me, and I'll probably be thinking back on this for inspiration next time I hit a rut in my creation process. And ARGH I love the doll maker, was so fun to throw caution to the wind and layer clothes like there's no tomorrow! (ΘεΘ;)

heartsync productions….!! we’ll be twitter mutuals one day oomf of an oomf….!! anyways let’s get right to your game. i have to say omg what a CONCEPT. wings representing potential was already getting me good but there’s just something so delicious about juniper’s internal conflict about being able to see these wings but not having her own – the part about prosperum being talent leeches sticks in my mind the most. it kind of reminds me of the toreador in vtmb, a clan of vampires who love art but can’t produce their own. but, as i think you alluded to towards the end, is it really that they can’t – or that they’ve grown complacent in merely seeing potential and talent and don’t work on their own? juniper’s realization that she’s holding herself is timed perfectly with what i think is the reader’s own realization of this. as a psych major, might i add the theory of stereotype threat? [pushes up glasses]

i feel like a lot of people will resonate with the themes and ideas here (i know everyone in the comments so far do) and i’m no different! creativity is so fluid and unforgiving sometimes, and i can’t even count how many times i’ve lost passion for something. but that’s why i love the way aliferous ended because the competition is not what really matters; it’s that they found a way to revive their own interest in the subject. in psychology btw not that it matters but you could say they made art their primary reinforcer instead of their secondary. but it’s nice that at the very end, having made the decision to pursue what they love, juniper sees her own wings. it’s such a hopeful message – what a great game!

probably one of my favorites so far, i heavily relate to both io and juniper in ways that i felt like this game was holding up a mirror to me HWAHAHA amazing work, loved the cute dress up part as well!!

This was so lovely! I found myself feeling very moved by the story, especially near the end with the discussions about confidence in art. The music choice felt spot-on and the sprites all looked lovely.

The dress-up minigame was also a highlight for me! Here's what I came up with for that one: