OK first of all OMG?!? The plot for this game was soo good! It's honestly like a dream with all these dark troupes haha. Thank you to the development team! This game is an absolute gem! The art was so pretty and the writing!! Even though the mini games literally confused the heck out of me, it was manageable! I realized I have no idea who to talk to about my thoughts about the game so here is my review and thoughts all dumped!
I played as she/her and the female player so I'll be using those pronouns.
Idk if it was programing error but I did notice sometimes the textbox was just blank? Idk if that was intended or an actually error.
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SPOILERS!!!!
I played Dennis --> Johnathan --> Charles
Honestly Dennis hooked me in the game. The plot was so interesting and a the player's thoughts about wanting to end her life? Honestly could relate to it so much.
Anyway I felt like Dennis was the MOST normal out of everyone. He was a little on the cooler side, not that talkative, but his actions spoke LOUD. It was clear he was interested in the player and didn't want to complete his job as a hitman. I loved how player's personality became firm as she wanted to go with him to get revenge together. She wanted him to use her as a chess piece to ruin Kingston and Bianchi. I kind of skimmed through his bad ending, but got the good ending the first time and I am so happy for them. They were able to find a happy ending and just move on in life together. Also Vivienne was so badass I wish she was also there in the other routes. Overall, Dennis felt like a knight troupe to me.
Johnathan was next. Ngl you had me at controlling stepbrother. I totally love the whole obsessed, you are mine troupe buttt he was pretty controlling so that was like meh but totally perfect for this game! I totally love how he and player were playing mind games like they were just using each other. I also love how the story progressed. Initially player is disgusted with him and rightfully so. Then he confesses to her and she's like what? This entire time he wasn't looking down on them but he loved her in his own possessive way? The fact she decides on full revenge against her family by using Johnathan was amazing. Like I was rooting for the player the entire time. I love the option for bad vs good ending we get to ultimately decide as the player, do we choose to stay or not? That was such a good last choice. One of my favorite part is when he shows her his collection of items! Player KNOWS he sees them as some sort of object in his on twisted perspective of love, but they tell him they SEE him and accepts him. Two twisted, broken people meeting? That's the beauty in these dark themes! I love the fact that he provided what player needed and they took it willingly. I also really liked how the good ending felt like a good ending like they were satisfied with their life.
Charles. Idk if he could top Johnathan for me, like yes, I really like his gentleman personality. He really is like a prince charming type of troupe. However, I only really enjoyed his route because of the plot ie. the truth behind what happened to Daniel. Everything else with how player started to stay with him and how he acted was sweet but fake. Once I played through the ending and the hidden ending I knew why it felt like there was no romance between them. And honestly I didn't like that part at all. In Dennis and Johnathan's route it was reading a story of 2 individuals that somehow fit each other like a broken puzzle but with Charles, I felt unsatisfied by the ending. It felt like a one sided love story with him being the mastermind of the chess board the entire time. I wish there was more like player ripping his facade or him being somewhat broken or showing even a glimpse of his true self. Gia mentioned he was a puppeteer and had layers of masks hiding his true self which I guess we saw in the hidden ending but it didn't feel like romance to me. It made me sad to think that after going through his route, everything that he did was fake. I also only did 2 routes for him I think? Was there another one? I got the route where player realizes he's being super kind to a new sculpture and the hidden ending.
I'd rate the plot as Johnathan > Dennis > Charles
When I started the plot was intriguing and I wanted to know more about the player, about the characters, and all the baggage they held. I felt for Charle's background, his story, but it felt like for some reason, there is just a plot hole. The other routes had good endings that felt like okay player can actually move forward even if it's not on a good path and live with their partner. With Charle's it left suspicion. Dennis gave player freedom. Johnathan gave player a glided cage, but one where he showed he was totally obsessed with her and only her to the point where she could call the shots. Charles? He was another cage, but not one crafted for her but for him to watch his latest project.
I honestly have so much more to say and would love to ramble on about the plotline and hear others' thoughts but yeah amazing job! Such a good game. I haven't binged a game in such a long time.