So...I was initially going to wait until this game is released on Steam before I buy it there but my anticipation got to me and I got the game myself (I will definately replay this game though in Steam because It's that good so far!).I have to say, this game is really in a league above Rose of Segunda, a game I already deeply love. The amount of work and quality the 2 route's writing alone has is simply amazing! And it really has me anticipating (and worried for my faves, heh) for the remaining routes when they are released.
Bastien's route was just as heavy and depressing as the demo made it. I am one of the people who had Bastien as one of my least favourite routes in TROS, but his route really made me pay more attention and appreciate his character so much more. It was painful to see him struggle throughout the route, depressing to know that his father not only regret's his existence but also blames him for his wife's death and that itself caused Bastien so much grief. But it makes his good end all the better especially when he decided to not let people talk him or his relationship with Iolanthe down.
Frankly I was almost guilty to even follow through with the other romance and even the platonic Frederic direction because of how much it hurt to hurt Basien when he was struggling so much but I did and I also enjoyed Pieto's character and the romance it went with it.
Sofia's route...It was something else, it felt more cutthroat and direr than Bastien's but I seriously deeply enjoyed it. The various plots with the nobles where interesting. Also the new characters like Lucette and more of st Rue. God I loved Lucette for what we saw of her.
The main conflict itself was very realistic, it's sad but Sofia's mother never having accepted her daughter as a lesbian because she wants her daughter to be 'normal' is still very common even at our times. I found it hard to have Iolanthe be 'understanding' since I also can understand why she'd be very upset being the one being sligted so badly but alas, I also could't be too angry with Sofia since it's her mother, cutting off family is never easy, especially if you care for them like Sofia does.
Also the whole issue with if you should keep things from Sofia or not. I intentionally hid everything from her first because I wanted the worst outcome over and done with and Oh boy, It was even more painful than Bastien's route because I knew it would come down crashing and it really did. When she was ranting about her father's past actions, how she hated his lying the most out of everything, I knew things where gonna go to hell later on. I felt so bad fo Iolanthe and Sofia.
Now Frederique, god I loved him. In both routes, he is at the very least your most closest confidant and the possible option of him being in a poly relationship with Iolanthe in Sofia's route was just amazing. The way you built up their relationship (if you choose it) was a nice touch, I simply loved it.
Now for the mother herself. She is quite a character, she is very much a love to hate character to me. She is very interesting and ruthless in a way I can appreciate. But damn, I also heavily dislike her, it's no wonder why Iolanthe and Frederick barely cares for her when she is very blunt in just using them as tools.
I will say, I am going to be so much more in pain when Frederique's, Leopond's and Charllotte's route (my top 3) are out because I know I will always wanna get the other ends first and the Good/Best end last so....the angst and complications will kill me. But I will enjoy it because you're writing is really great.
Overall, I'm anticipating for the rest and you're doing an amazing job so far!
EDIT: Also I want to add, Poor Francesca. She is truly a pitiful character, I did not end up liking her but I certainly felt more sympathy for her than the 1st game. She got duped in a crappy situation with people looking down on her. That must hurt..