So... How do I start this...? There were other 3 VNs I played before Socially Awkward...
Disclaimer: nothing here is a cRiTiCaL ReViEw, but just a bunch of opinions from a fan! (probably fanboy)
I've started playing FVNs a few months ago. First one was Echo, with an amazing, intense, horror experience with an awesome writting. I had a roller coaster of emotions... The horror and character relations were nice.
Then, my second one was Nekojishi, which the production surprised me a lot... Amazing soundtrack, characters desing and all. It even had an opening, and gave me a lot of expectations, but... I don't know, their writting just didn't catch me well? Despite all the good things I've played only one route and didn't feel like trying others...
And third, Temptations Ballad... I've got in love with everything there. The soundtrack, the way the sprites move, the writting... It was an experience better than Nekojishi, specially in making the player liking and caring about the characters... I've thought it could be even better than Echo when it finishes...
But then, started playing this one... Which made me create an account on itch.io to write this comment... Socially Awkward.
This VN just feel special to me. By far, my favorite over all the four I've played until now.
Not even Echo or Temptations Ballad made me want to replay the routes over and over again like Socially Awkward makes me.
My days get better from reading their interactions, listening the soundtracks and admire the character's expressions while they speak. The effort and love from the creator for these characters and story is visible.
The humor already got me in the beginning. I laughed hard when I saw the option of making the MC waking up thinking about P E N E. This stupid kind of comedy is my kind.
Jayce is pretty cute, funny and specially relatable when you've dealt with Social Anxiety. I could've keep hours reading his dumb thoughts and actions for hours without getting tired. I love how he is not shy and talks normally when is around his friends too. It's pretty real;
And talking about his friends, John, man... I confess I thought I'd dislike him at the start. This "gremilin character archetype" is something I personally dislike, BUT... John is VERY likeable, his jokes and takes are actually funny, and his personality isn't summed up in being an asshole...
He is an fun bro who helps Jayce a lot of times! (for example, when he stole David's collar to get Jayce's wallet back, or at the shirts testing scenes)... That's something I love on this VN, characters are all more than just one thing, y'know?
John makes the scenes between the characters way better. When John is on screen I already know something unexpectedly absurd and funny will be said or done.
Similar thing happened with Rask. Like, he is an rich dude... But he is so cute and adorable I wanna hug him and squeeze so hard man >////<
Also, Maccon's route was my first one, and when I replayed it I noticed how well the characters introductions were done when all of them get together...
We see Maccon and Tom's dialogue while John's sprite follows David's nonstopping... That scene was just amazing, all characters were interacting with something, and it was just great.
Monchi knows very well how to make the character's faces express what they are feeling and thinking with the sprites... I love a lot when they're thoughtful before giving an reply to something and their eyes like... With an thoughtful expression, duh
And... David's sprite expression's are my favorite, cuz he doesn't speak a lot and we can know easily what is on his mind. He show's perfectly what I say about Monchi's ability in using the sprites moves and character's sprites here...
There is also an scene of Jayce beating Tom that come's up to my mind... His sprite was so big lmao XD
(Remember: I'm just fanboy fanboying over something he loves)
Talking about Tom... Man, WHAT A GREAT HUSBANDO...
I haven't payed much attention on him at first (he was my last route); but he became my favorite love interest! (Fav character is still Jayce... Or John... Or Dav- AAAA INDECISIVE);
His flashback scenes with Jayce, taking care of him as kid made my heart melt... The throwing shoes scene and the cake scene made me cry. And I rarely cry with media for some reason (haven't cried not even in Echo);
These scenes aren't super heavy or super emotional, but I've got so attached to the characters that these scenes hit hard... That's what your VN did to me dude...
Still on Tom, his teasing scenes at gym on the last update made me be sure that he is the best... Like, wow... o///o wasn't expecting Tom to do this and when he did it was so... Hot. Dude knows how to tease.
So, well, this is already pretty long, and I could keep talking about more and more scenes and things that make this VN feels so special to me the more scenes and aspects I remember.
I know there are a few criticism about this show and I'm probably making things look better than they actually are by writting this; but I'm so in love with this job that I just wanted to put on an declaration of love for this author's job.
You're an amazing and talented author dude. It's clear how you care and put everything on John, Tom, Maccon, Rask, David and Jayce's story; never let anyone tell ya otherwise!