itch.io

As I have worked as a web developer for years and most times on my own or in a very small team - and though with lack of proper testing by others but me - I really appreciate this well prepared feedback. I've learnt that everyone lands in a tunnel view and feedback by others helps a lot when it is as constructive as yours. Even when it feels a bit annoying and painful when your hard work gets criticized - at the end the result becomes much better. 

So honestly - I would appreciate if you could help me with testing my game and - as I see you are a writer? - maybe with some story writing. I cannot contact you privately on bluesky or here on itch.io (honestly - I even don't know if it is possible on each of the platforms 😊) but maybe you contact me on Discord? My username is menoffredsburg there - you can write in German as I am German, too 😄

Regarding your question: My idea with the chat is that you can set the topic AND the goal. Each influence how the NPC will react. If you choose a topic that the NPC is eager to talk about it reduces his reluctance to talk with NPC and the result maybe better. For example when you chose to get to know Zac better Ethan's understanding for Zac may grow and Zac may reveal some more information about himself. If you chose to improve Ethan's relationship with Zac the outcome of the chat maybe a better relationship instead. The goal is what Ethan should try to achieve during the chat, the topic is more or less the tool to achieve that. By now this mechanic is only in the background but it will become more clear in short. And I feel REALLY disturbed that the "Details" button for the reluctance looks the same like the others as you as the player cannot change anything here - it's just some informational hints.