Hello, can you elaborate please, I heard the free version is restricted, but what if I paid the min 3$? or how much should I pay for a fully unblocked version? and do I have to pay for every new update?
The $3 patron tier is for sneak previews of NSFW content and art on the game's Patreon. It offers no in-game benefits. itch.io's button to payment system is a tip jar.
The only things restricted in the free version are features designed for returning players to make returning to the game easier or more interesting but could be overwhelming for a new player.
The features a Patron password provide are (italics is for both $10/month Backers and $20/month Sustainers, bold is only for $20/month Sustainers):
- In-game C.H.E.A.T.S. adjustment.
- The full route jump menu to return to previous content (not just the new and edited stuff for a release, which is always available). This is recommended over loading saves as things can break as I update the game and this menu recreates your saves.
- In-game developer commentary.
- Saving edits from the sprite viewer to appear in-game (such as Zoey's eye color, hair color, hair style, and outfit).
Additionally, the Sustainer tier gets an update right as it releases, the Backers have to wait 1 month, and the public has to wait 2 months.
Outside of the writing in a new update not existing in an older update that isn't available to the public yet, re:Dreamer will never have story content gated off in its public version just because you didn't pay for it (unless you count the expansive developer commentary as such). This means that this visual novel is free (or shareware, if you want to get into a technicality).