(Copied from the Spooktober jam review page to help this game with Itch.io's algorithm!)
Wow, wow, wow - thank you for making this. The writing and the central thesis of this visual novel struck a chord with me.
Mari is painfully realistic. I've been in her position - especially when I was actively job-hunting right after graduating university. Her browsing r/antiwork, feeling jealous of her successful peers and failing her interview for her dream job by a hair's breadth struck a nerve with me. That said, Mari violently rejecting every genuine offer of help from her friends and especially Goldie really gave me goosebumps - you've really captured the existence of someone who hates her life, but doesn't want to do anything to help herself change it for the better.
And of course, I can't talk Mari without talking about Goldie - her direct counterpart. She's someone who's actively choosing to be kind and genuine about everything - from how she presents herself to maintaining her friendships. It sounds silly on paper, but I really will think about her and how she goes about life when I make decisions in the future. There really is something satisfying about going out and doing something to change your life, versus sitting around and complaining about it.
Again, thank you for making this work - I really enjoyed this. A hearty recommendation from me.