I finished all three characters’ routes by now (some of them twice) and OH BOY was it a great entertaining experience! Before I jump to the questions I wanted to say that it was seriously really really good! I found all the characters extremely likable, jokes hilarious and writing very pleasant and easy to read. It was a great adventure, never boring for a minute and rather fully packed with FEELS :D. So thank you very much for this awesome treat!
And, okay, this is the reason I do not write feedback often, because if I start...So I am very sorry for the amount of what comes next and I will totally get it if no one has time for this I just have no life and a lot of love to share and I should stop I am making it worse xD.
********** SPOILERS **********
1. Were you satisfied at the end of the route you played?
YES, yes I was! It applies to all three routes, even though some of them were more my cup of tea then the others. But I had fun with all of them and there was something special about all of them.
One thing I noticed though - the very last bit in all of the routes seemed a bit different in pacing comparing to the previous scenes in different locations. It felt just a tiny bit rushed. It was not a deal breaker by any means, just a feeling in the back of my mind.
2. Favorite / least favorite part?
I am not sure if it means the favourite part in the story or favourite part of the game, so I guess I will answer both (but put the game part into general question).
It is hard to say what would be the best part in the story, mostly cause it just works well as a whole. Every moment and scene in it has something good about it and something to look forward to while replaying.
What I really really enjoyed were the twists and such. I am usually a curious reader (also probably an annoying one). I love to look deeper into the narrative to figure out the plot twists and secrets before they are revealed, I guess it’s like solving the puzzle. And as a reader I always appreciate it so much when all the things in narration have meaning and when they are shown rather than told about. I think this is where the game got me, it had a lot of such moments when one could read into characters’ emotions, into what their motivations might be without explicitly saying so. It was possible to speculate and disagree with not always reliable narrator - Ash. It was a pleasure to read through!
I hope it is not disappointing, as it is not a bad thing, that I did figure out the twists quite early. Most of them. It didn’t ruin the single thing for me and I loved it so much that there were enough consistent clues that made it possible! And when I say I figured it out it doesn’t mean that it didn’t have enough room to speculate. I will explain it a bit more, in case it might be helpful as a feedback and also in case I realized those things for all the wrong reasons :D.
For example Braums was an easy one. I mean his origin (and only one particular origin) made the most sense for the story, especially with the conflict that was brought up by Paris on so many occasions. I mean he could theoretically be any spoiled noble, but with the letter from his father (knowing that he had one and addressed him in such specific manner) there was only one option that would make the most sense.
Now Rafael, on the other hand, was tricky! He was a mystery, hidden in a plain sight, mystery that was really interesting to think about. He was contradicting in all the right ways, not very good with socializing, but extremely sharp, starting with him explaining why their Guild got hired. It was a good sign that something wasn’t right with this charming fella.
But I think what actually triggered it was the scene on the ship, that one with the story of the Grim Reaper. It came under pretense of being just a creepy fun immersive story, nothing special right? But it looked suspiciously detailed and yet again brought up the topic of assassins from the beginning of the game.
When I played through it for the first time I took it as a foreshadowing of maybe possible villain that we haven't been introduced to yet. Actually even Rafael’s behaviour wasn’t that suspicious at that moment because they were free for interpretation. I thought he reacted on Paris sh*ting on the king whose son was sitting right there btw (and Rafael is perceptive so he probably knew from the beginning).
But then the scene with the pirates followed and Rafael did something very bad ass, revealing how super skilled he is. And I was thinking about that story still like - if it’s the villain he probably wouldn’t be after Braums, cause that boy is like really goofy seriously, so he would be after King then. And how would that relate him to the characters then, well he might try to get to the King through his son by...HOLY SH**T! And this is pretty much when it hit me xDD But I still wasn’t sure 100 % of course, because with Rafael’s knowledge about Braums he might as well be someone super skilled the King sent to keep an eye on his boy, so there is that.
And one thing that I absolutely didn’t see coming was Paris’s eye, cause well I don’t think something actually implied it was more than his fashion preference :D.
Another thing that I find very very well done - funny moments vs sad ones. And it is a light hearted story, so there are not so many tragic scenes in it, but those that are - they kinda really got me xD. I mentioned that I had enough time to prepare for Rafael’s “oficial” reveal, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the change of the dynamics between the characters and that it was actually quite hurtful.
The scene with Rafael and his tattoos displayed is one of my favourite I think. It was surprisingly dark and it changed something that I didn’t even notice until that moment - how much the characters and their goofiness and building trust made me invested into their friendship and companionship. It was very palpable - that shift after the scene and I loved the FEELS it brought with it! And I also think the way it was positioned in the story was very brilliant! I mean they just made up after the previous rather impactful argument and revelation, which made them stronger as a team and then BAM! Ah it was really good xDD.
Now as to a couple of things that I would love to see more, or maybe needed a bit more to feel for them a bit better. One of such - Rafael’s sister. I may be missing something and maybe I just overlooked some piece of info, but I would enjoy seeing earlier signs of motivations behind Rafael and his one last job. Or maybe they could have been more tied up to the big King conflict? As it is now it feels like a very personal and rather big issue for him - like the whole kinda different story inside the story, that I as a reader not necessary discover or only get a glimpse of. Maybe it would be easier for me to take the story with his sister in if there were some scenes showing that he has someone he is worried for or cares for, someone in his life really important he might go to any extent for. It would add to the satisfaction of learning about it later. But you know, maybe I am just not as attentive as I thought I am (most likely haha) and it was somewhere in the story and went over my head while I was too distracted with a steamy scene :D. I am weak.
I felt it worked smoother with the Reaver MC and Paris’s backstory, because one could understand what their conflict is just by their interactions (which I adored a lot btw). It was always clear that Paris is salty for a reason and there is a story behind. The scene under the rain was still a little bit sudden, and maybe it could have been less so if, for example, there was a moment where Paris would indicate that particular insecurity around her. But it is a small thing and their dynamics and possible backstory was very clear yet still subtly and beautifully done.
3. Favorite love interest/what made him your fav?
I will try to keep it short, I promise, I feel really bad for the amount of letters I produce sometimes xD.
So okay, best part! My absolute favourite was Paris and damn did it hit all the buttons xDD. I mean stupid sexy friend that only doesn’t flirt with you? YES PLEASE! Where do I sign up for more *OOO* I think his romance made me realize what I always wanted and never even knew I did xDD. It was fantastic! When I played it for the first time, it was still a demo and I played as a Shika Ash (and didn’t even know that romances are locked based on backstory). But I started the full version as a Reaver and I think that was the best decision ever! Oh did it add to the delicious suffering and tension. It was just so angsty somehow but also the difference in the dynamics blew me away. I was Shook! I was shook for hours xD. And it really didn’t hurt that his route is so hot, just probably something I really really dig.
I particularly loved the scene when Ash grabs his ears (I mean rude, but) and it was so obvious but Ash was so oblivious, or when they had to sleep together in the forest - just hot! Paris’s efforts to stay subtle in these moments are delicious and what made them especially so is a very good writing.
And while I am at it, I think I loved reaver Ash the most because of how flawed she is compared to her Cubi or Shika self. It is always interesting to see a character that is far from being perfect but still is very likable and it was great to see how her privilege changed her and changed responses on her.
My second fav was Rafael, what a sweety, his awkwardness was nicely done and he really pleasantly surprised me in his more heated moments. I pursued him with a Cubi Ash and liked the small moments when Ash couldn’t really understand the full meaning of some gestures. I was also quite confused with his character at times (really enjoyed the training scene when he came on to Ash suddenly) and it was a nice touch when Ash’s thoughts worked so well with my own. Oh Rafael was an adventure!
Even though Braums is the last for me here, I still think his romance was very nice and worked really well with Shika peasant Ash :D. And I also was a bit confused with ppl always commenting on his femininity because, and maybe it's just me, but I just kinda fail to see it xD. I guess I see where it is coming from but in the end of the day it was good to see him grow more open minded and more comfortable with himself. And he makes a very attractive king by the way :D.
3. What made you decide to play the game?
I don’t really remember, but I think it was because it looked good and had a premise of a fun story with romance. Also the cheeky fem protagonist with her over the top grin <3. So when I saw a demo and read that it also comes out soon I just gave it a try and found it very engaging.
4. Did you find any bugs/typos?
I actually noticed one typo:
5. Overall thoughts/ comments or suggestions
I just really want to say how much I loved the different Ash backgrounds! This is such a sweet feature and really adds to replayability! And the attention to details there is just gorgeous! I was already quite ecstatic from customization option, but so much change from the backgrounds - it’s just amazing! I also enjoyed the responses based on mood icons, makes it easier to pick one. And last but not least, I liked the music, the romance theme (sorry I am not sure about its name, but composition names were hilarious x)) was playing in my head even this very morning. They are catchy but also unique and fit nicely. And all the compliments to the Reaver and Shika designs, some really nice looks, I loved those two in particular!
One thing that I am usually not a great fan of and that was in game to some extent - best choices. I liked the indicator, makes it easier to understand which is what. But the problem with the best choices for me in particular is that it low key turns the game into pick the correct option. It is not necessary so and usually comes from having good and bad endings, rather than different endings. As a non completionist I rarely explore the game further than the best ending (given there is one) and only do so if, for example, I know for sure that it would not influence the romance part or if there are no good or bad endings, but rather endings logically based on consequences of choices. I also think that I might miss some good chunk of game because of this and I apologise if it is so, might make some of the previous feedback irrelevant because of that.
6. Would you consider sharing the game page on Twitter to spread the word?
Absolutely, even though I am not very present there for now.
7. If I made a commercial game would you consider purchasing it?
Definitely and to be fair I am surprised that this game is free, it is just too good!
And this is finally it :D Thank you so very much again for this beautiful game and I will be looking forward to all the next projects if they are to come!