Thank you so much! I really wanted to make a game that centered my narrative ability first, since it was the biggest regret I had for both of my previous jam entries. The pendulum swung a bit too far the other way in some ways - I do wish I’d had times for even just ending illustrations, or some basic music/SFX work beyond the typing - but I don’t regret finally committing to a story-first game like this.
Definitely agree with the cumbersome nature of interaction - there’s a slightly awkward edge to it that I could never quite find the source of. With it being the first “walk around and interact” game I’ve done it’s hard to tell whether it’s because I’m redirecting the player’s focus in a way that isn’t usual for the genre (the blue orb rather than the item highlighting in some way) or because of something deeper. It’s something to tinker with, for sure - making good better, rather than un-functional functional.
I’m glad the idea of an art pass is that interesting to you! I might have to consider it when the crunch of it all’s worn off; with that narrative being that engaging though my main goal’s succeeded on. Appreciate the comment!