HELLO???
WHAT WAS???
THAT???
THE MUSIC GOT SO OMINOUS AND EVERYTHING JUST LIKE TOOK A TURN DAKFJALDSKFAD
What a fascinating turn. I knew you would hit me with at least some kind of foreboding existential question at the end 🤣💦 And now I have to sit here writing this while listening to this creepy semi-atonal-arrhythmic music continue to play...
BUT I DIGRESS.
[SOME SPOILERS HERE AS I CAN'T REALLY NOT TALK ABOUT THEM]
I enjoyed this a lot!!! I had no real idea what I was getting into beforehand despite your ominous posts leading up to it, so my mind was relatively Fresh. The first two "cycles" for lack of a better word were wonderfully sweet and I was extremely touched. I loved how positively understanding and loving Arcturus is??? Like??? As an ace person, it felt very cathartic to me to hear something like that, and even though I assume Araceli is not ace but more just not quite ready yet, it still had a lot of the same overarching themes of literally just... sexual boundaries. And loving your partner no matter what and focusing on their needs above all else. And I found that incredibly sweet and moving and My Heart Stirred 😭
In the first cycle, they simply end up cuddling. HHHHH. It was very cute. And was just such a soft moment. I enjoyed how Arcturus really kinda took it upon himself to ask Araceli straight out, her thoughts and feelings about everything, rather than just assuming??? And also the soft and heart-warming way he responded to everything that Araceli said. GUHHHH MADE MY HEART SQUISH.
Then in the second cycle, a cycle which I assume is not actually the "second" but probably the next of many cycles that we just haven't seen as the audience, we see Araceli's comfort (and confidence) levels grow a bit, even taking her her own cues from things that Arcturus has said in the past. It was a sweet and gradual build-up that really solidified how deep their relationship and feelings are. Also I loved how we got little glimpses of Araceli questioning the Arcturus "of this timeline" as though assuming he will somehow change when given the (albeit unknown) chance and yet every time, he's still the same, there's nothing hidden there, must Arcturus's pure and unconditional love and resolution to be there for her no matter what.
The first two cycles left me feeling very warm and fuzzy. Also helped by the fact that the visuals are so soft and magical??? From the GUI to the bright and warm colors to the soft style of your beautiful artwork, everything just felt like it was straight out of a fairy tale (OUAT anyone alskdjfalsd), which helped to amplify the soft warm yet somehow ephemeral feeling of the whole game. Also the music!!
OK BUT THEN THE THIRD CYCLE CAME AND I WAS LIKE UMMMMMM.
The change in the music?? The sudden desaturation?? WHO IS THIS SPEAKING??? WHY ARE THEY TURNING ARACELI AND ARCTURUS INTO STARDUST??? WHAT IS HAPPENING???????
So ominous. It was such a flip-the-switch moment that I had to go back and read that cycle again a bit more carefully to see if I had missed any potentially important key hidden within it or something ldkjfasd It was just such a good juxtaposition of style and feeling, and the use of timing and pacing of the final bit at the end was so good and impactful. GUHHHH. Ok now I have to assume this is the leadup to something else yes?? LIKE??? YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE US WITH THAT?? I have so many questions LOLOL I really want to know who this other being is and what exactly is going on because it feels like despite the warm fuzzy feelings of this game as a whole, it seems like the overarching premise is leading into ominosity AND I NEED TO KNOW.
Sob. Ok. I will stop rambling now. But I really enjoyed this! From the writing, to the soft magical art and vibes, to the interesting time-travel mechanic, TO THE OMINOUS FINAL CYCLE. You always leave me with a deluge of feelings and questions when I get done with your games and this was no exception!! A really fantastic job 😍