I just want to say that I absolutely loved this game! ⋆˃ v ˂⋆ ( Though I doubt my reason for that was intentional :'D ) I just played and got Geist's ending , and I adored it (•˕ •マ .ᐟ (I was so happy and this honestly might've just become a comfort game for me now ꒰ა(/ˊᵕˋ)/✩‧₊˖°✮)
From what I can tell, Geist is supposed to be quite manipulative? (which is certainly obvious from the start, he was also quite rude lmao-)
However, as an Aplatonic person (Aplatonic means lacking platonic attraction or not being able to form strong platonic bonds, preferring to pursue relationships rather than friendships.), the fact that the kinder interactions from him were very romance coded ( like he didn't seem like he saw the MC as a friend, and he didn't show any signs of lust either, I'm also Ace lol, so more romance focused scenes were nice to see! As opposed to anything focused on lust), made him feel like a really safe person/character, save for when he was putting the MC down emotionally :/ Taking their phone was also a bit much. (compared to the other love interest Kalei, who, while he was very kind, he was also very clingy in a way that felt very friendship orientated, mind u I did chose to see him as a friend due to him not being my type tbf so that may be on me x])
Kalei reminds me a bit of acquaintances who've ignored my boundaries when I explain I don't feel comfortable spending extra time with them. I feel guilty that I can't return their friendship, but it's not healthy for me to spend time with those people when I'd rather spend it by myself or with a partner ^^'
What I'm saying is, some of the dialogue from Geist, that I assume was meant to be read as manipulative, ended up being a summary of my lack of interest in friendship said in a very clear and concise way (I understand him assuming the mc also feels like that without letting them say it themselves or disagree was manipulative and rude of him, though as I do also share his sentiment it came across to me more like being understood lol), and having a character seemingly respect that and treat the mc in a more romantic way, not expecting them to be best friends first or anything, was just so comforting and a breath of fresh air from how I've often been treated irl :']
So thank u, even tho it's likely that Geist's behaviour wasn't intended to be received that way, I still appreciate finally seeing a dynamic between a MC and a love interest that feels healthier to an Aplatonic individual like myself then what's often portrayed in visual novels (I still do not forgive him for how rude he was at the start tho lol, when I say healthy I mean when he treats the MC better and treats them as a partner)
This was a really good game and gave me a lot to think about! /gen Again I'm sorry if this review was difficult to understand ≽^◞ ˕ ◟^≼
While ik my interpretation of the game likely isn't shared by most people, nor is it likely intentional, it's awesome to see a bit of accidental representation for a part of my identity that I never see even discussions about online or irl. I also appreciated the option to make the MC's pronouns He/Him (I only made an account so I could post this comment, but it's so cool to see so many games on here that're LGBTQ+ friendly ! :3)