I’ve played truly countless visual novels, including many in the yandere genre. Honestly, even before reaching the first ending in this game, I was already prepared to shake the author’s hand.
SPOILERS ALERT
- First, what immediately caught my eye was the depth of the protagonist. We are presented with a girl who actually analyzes the situation and thinks critically. If there were a "Smart MC" tag, it would definitely apply here. The author gave her a distinct personality and allowed us to understand her, following her perception and analysis—which is vital. She felt alive and real to me.
- Second, the writing of the Male Lead (ML). He is crafted so well that you could practically sit down and diagnose him clinically. You can try to guess which disorder (or group of disorders) the author was leaning toward. I suspect the author is well-versed in psychoanalysis and psychiatry, or perhaps has even worked in those fields. The connection between the ML’s parents, his childhood, and his current behavior is clearly traced, along with subtle traits of his obsession. The author did a brilliant job of fleshing him out.
- Third, the choice system. It’s a small detail but a noticeable one: in other novels, minor choices only change a few lines of dialogue before snapping back to the main branch. Here, quite a lot changes. Choices feel more impactful, and the information revealed depends heavily on them. This feels closer to reality, where a differently phrased question can determine whether you "learn someone’s deepest secret five years down the line" or not.
A Note on Affection Points
I want to dedicate a separate paragraph to the Affection Points. I completely agree with the author’s decision regarding the points required for the True (and healthiest) Ending. I loved this mechanic because it’s not about mindlessly trying to please him or earn his favor—it’s about working toward a healthy relationship. Realism again? Yes. And I’m thrilled. You have to actually think, not just fawn.
Whenever I experience a new piece of work, I always think about the creator. What kind of person are they? What are their interests? How do they see the world? Depending on the work, I develop certain feelings toward the author. Here, it seems obvious: I believe the script was written by a mature person. I am drawn to their vision and how they executed the plot. I think we would have been friends if we knew each other in real life.
Also, I completely lost it at "Tsibulka" (Little Onion). I’m from Ukraine, and... that was the last thing I expected to see, haha
Definitely 5/5. I sincerely enjoyed this novel—not just for the romantic route, but out of pure respect for the author. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that specific sensation of: