I keep starting and stopping and redoing the beginning of this review, because honestly there is so much to say.
Rabbits Burn Softly is an immaculate game, as far as the demo is out, I wait in utter anticipation and excitement for the continuation of this game.
To begin with, the UI is incredibly unique, with an amount of detail and style to it that automatically put it a cut above the rest in my opinion.
The cursor and the needle and thread based things were adorable, and it gave me a sense that even when Foks wasn't mentioned in the scene at all, he was still there in the MC's mind and heart, because of the way the UI was set up so that stitchings and fabrics were always on screen.
The backgrounds and the detail work on everything is completely awesome, with the fox statue at the school and on the cups, the street names like Vulpine, the way the MC's phone charm was not only there but called out in story and how the MC's phone is very gently cracked, all of those details and more just goes to show how well thought out everything was placed into it is, and I find that so inspiring.
The artwork in this game is something I could not take my eyes off of, and the way it was mixed in with detail was completely and utterly lovely.
How Kian had his face and coloring covered until the MC actually found something to connect with was so well-done, and just designs of the characters is just... amazing.
Kian is exactly the type of person that you would expect to be a business major, with his sharp blue eyes, confidence, and ability to completely steamroll over anyone if he wants to.
In the first introduction, I found him quite brisk, but ultimately his politeness had me passing his behavior off as something going on with his day, and I am pleased to see that seemed to be the case.
I am very interested in seeing more from him, especially as he seems to be the one closest to MC at this point aside from Foks, as he is the only one we actively see a face to (Not counting the faces in the phone/Foks).
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Speaking of faces we can't see, I am very very interested in seeing what exactly is going on with Ashley.
Like, her sprite comes up and shows her in a very mean girl fashion, and yes, the game states multiple times that she is being fake nice and rather back-handed, but there is something about her that just makes me feel like that might not be the whole story??
I may be misreading things- I likely am-, but the way she texts to us and generally talks to us makes it seem like she isn't really all that bad. Like, the MC is putting more maliciousness onto Ashley than what Ashley is really dishing out.
It makes me feel like she's trying to reach out a bit in her own way, but she just doesn't know how to properly connect with the MC, as they are so different from her.
Telling her that you're going to go to the room, she balks a bit, but she smiles and tells them that she was sure that they were going to try and bail, and when she thinks that Kian and MC are on a date, sure she steamrolls a bit, but she also gives an apology, and it makes me wonder if I'm just crazy seeing these things and thinking that she isn't a wholly bad person.
I know that the game stated that she liked playing the peacekeeper, but that just goes to further make me think that she isn't actively trying to be malicious, her and the MC just don't gel super well together, despite best efforts.
I find the other side characters that weren't given a face have their own personalities as well and that's pretty cool.
Professor Hawkwell is a very self-important man, and Tyler is someone who's coasting on life and just wants to get paid more if it can be helped (The fact that he got so aggressive with MC only when they came face to face was crazy).
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When it comes to the MC themselves, I really like the way they are portrayed.
I usually play my first run through of games as close to myself as physically possible, but there were just some things that the MC said that made them quite the refreshing protagonist.
Sure, they may have not had any friends, but the fact that they like their job and the lull that cradles them comfortably through the day was such a nice change of pace. The fact they aren't struggling financially and are going through college on a scholarship is such a nice change of pace too, so often you see MCs that are scrimping and working jobs they hate just to stay in a place they don't even like, that this was just such a nice turnaround.
On average, they seem to view the world through such a softly distant lens.
Whether the softness is in want, bitter and sad or even in irritation doesn't really matter, because ultimately they don't want to rock the boat, and just gently float in a suspension and calm, rather than being carried in the current of other people's tasks or forcefulness, even when that does end up happening.
The things that they are passionate about helps them stand out, like their love for FBB, or how they reacted when Foks was on fire and the sheer panic and determination they had, and it gives them a heart that makes me want them to succeed in happiness, wherever they find it.
The way they cherish Foks just goes to show the deep care and love they have, even if they are rough with everyone else.
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Speaking of, Foks is... I can't even describe how much I love him and the way he is written.
His design is so lovely, in his plushie form and in his human one. The x's in his eyes that allude to button eyes, the darkness at the end of his limbs, his completely real fox ears and tail, his sharp canines, and the fact that his ears are almost constantly twitching even when the rest of him is stationary really just goes to show what he said is true, he's kind of over the sedentary lifestyle, even when he is standing still.
I can't wait to explore the relationship he has with MC, there's something about the way he carries himself with them that I am so hungry to see more of.
That scene where he cuts his own ear? Chills, and I loved it.
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10/10 game, definitely following and excited to see more, thank you!