I've never written a game review before, but after playing this game, I knew I had to because if theres even a 1% chance the game's creator will see this, I'm going to take it.
This game is phenomenal, period. I usually don't enjoy visual novels that don't have many differences story wise depending on the players actions, however this game was so intriguing, heartwarming, and well written that I now see it *had* to be that way, because this is such an important story, it needed to be presented in a specific way. I'm not saying this game was "groundbreaking" or anything, however I am saying that it is amazing, and I genuinely think more people need to play it.
From here on out, I will be reviewing the game, so if you don't want minor spoilers PLEASE stop now. This story is very well paced and its much better if you go into it blind. Just remember to interact with everything, because even the small details offer great insights into the characters.
Technically, this game was flawless, The art was gorgeous and charming, the sound effects were perfect, and the music was great for setting the mood of each individual scene. This, coupled with the game's easy to navigate interface made it very smooth and enjoyable, unlike some other "clunky" visual novels I've read.
Every character in this game is well written, with maybe the exception of some of the more minor characters on the team, but even they were unique, likable, and endearing. The main characters, such as Min and Diya are very multidimensional, having deep thoughts and character complexities that compliment their more exaggerated and comedic character quirks very nicely. And the lesser explored characters, such as Jun and Hayden, are still given unique traits that leave readers wanting to know more about them. Characters you may hate at the beginning of the story (as I did with Noelle), you will learn to love and admire by the end of the story, wanting nothing more than for them to be happy.
The detail and care that went into this game is what really made it stand out for me. My favorite character was Akarsha, the friendly, aloof, class clown of the friend group. While the persona she presents is certainly charming in and of itself, the glimpses we get into her own insecurities make her very relatable, especially for me. One moment that stuck out to me was when you are playing her section, you are given the opportunity to "look at your reflection". Hearing Akarsha joke about how much she hates her looks and blatantly stating that she thinks she'll never be as pretty as Diya broke my heart, and it amazed me that this was something you could entirely skip if you wanted to. This game never forces "teenage angst" on you too badly, but it is deeply emotional and endearing. All of these characters can have you crying in one moment, and laughing in the next, which is something I find very difficult to achieve without it seeming forced.
The relationship dynamics between all the characters are amazing: the chaotic duo that is Akarsha and Min, the budding romance between Min and Diya, the false nemeses of Noelle and Min, the love-hate relationship of Akarsha and Noelle, the dependable friendship between Diya and Noelle, all of them have their own unique interaction styles that makes every conversation entertaining and intriguing.
This is just a wonderful coming of age story overall. The modern pop culture/meme references are hilarious and help the player to connect more with the in-game world emotionally. The development of Diya and Min's relationship is very gradual, but it never seems like its dragging on. Their friendship reminded me exactly of how I felt about my first best friend, thinking I was her protector and wanting her in every aspect of my life. Their love is so pure and sincere (side note, I also nearly CRIED when I saw that Min had been teaching Diya to say "I love you". I knew it was going to be something romantic, but the fact that it was literally just how Min felt made it so much cuter. ) I also loved how the game tackled the concept of being queer. The way Diya slowly realized she liked Min back brought me back to my own first real "girl crush" memories, and all the internal gay panic that ensued as a result.
Finally, this game resonated with me the most in the final scene before the "future sequence" in which the meaning of the games title is revealed. I'd come to know and love these characters, and hearing them say things like "You're going to be okay" and "its alright to change" made it feel like they were old friends, talking to me, the player. As someone who is also struggling with growing up and self identity and all that shit, it really resonated with me, and I didn't realize how much I needed to hear it until then.
Overall, this game is heartwarming, hilarious, and above all, real. So to the creators of this game, thank you. Thank you for giving us this hopeful story about queer gals learning to love both each other ;), but more importantly, themselves. I look forward to seeing whatever you create in the future. Sorry for the rambling, I just found this game super charming and I wanted you all to know that. And to anyone who might be reading this review,
1) This game is worth your time I PROMISE.
And
2) Its okay if you're feel like you've fallen apart. You're just in the soup stage. You'll become your own butterfly soon enough. <3
Thanks for reading my shitty review. Take care!