So I found the first randomly from youtube, and played pretty much all I can of the first, and played this one. I really do enjoy and love the AU, it isn't perfect sadly and I do have issues, but overall I really loved them.
biggest props: Making characters that were small or just there for background, really be impactful and memorable. While also giving love to the main 2 teams and making them make sense as side characters/important enough to work with JPDE. I also do love you got free reign to decide what your playthrough was like, like you could say "Oh yeah I met Beli and was close with Ruby". I am curious if there is going to be consquences for them, or just to connect from your own playthrough to this, since everything starts anew.
Biggest issues, obviously being super early, gem rewards do nothing that I saw or looked, and also hanging out with characters didn't seem to up their relationship. Plus, if like say there is a Penny scene locked behind say "Booksmarts 3", I do hope there is a thing to mention how to get their next scene.
Also for not spoiling, I do love the decision on Weser and that group too, especially what you feel after the first and the beginning of the game. I am also curious the second David lost his hand, but that can be shown later since I am 99% sure he had bad at the end of JPDE, but of course the fall wasn't just a day and could connect with Penny and her fears atm.
I can easily do huge essay on my thoughts, but I really love the writing and story, though the story still hasn't felt it really has it's teeth on anything especially with David finding a hobby and beginning of the cogs moving.
My real biggest issue is, and it's from the first game, the kind of forced romance. I am all for it, and the first game did sell it to me at the end (felt too quick to get there, but understand how it got there), while here I do really feel for David with Penny, but the Evelyn stuff still...feels iffy for me, like she haven't found her story yet or interest for me, but I am someone who has Jack as their favorite in the JPDE squad and want way way way more stuff with her, so what do I know.