Hello,
I'd like to start by saying I picked up the First Strive awhile ago and am loving the game, started playing the second one not to long after I saw there was a sequel.
Things & features I believe should make some sort of return.
Accessibility of roaming through the town, I really loved how in the first game you were able to go through areas of your mansion by selecting different keyboard keys to travel swiftly throughout your home. very efficiently and effectively. Furthering into that idea, using the number keys to roam about the city and areas was very simple yet very effective as it was easy to remember and gave the of actually exploring the town an enjoyable experience. For example going to different districts to find NPC's or going to the marketing district to find a store. It gave off a fun exploration gameplay mechanic that brought a little bit of life to the city. Especially with how well the number traveling just felt perfect.
Traveling, as said before.. I really love how well the numbered travel mechanic worked in the first game. It also blended impeccably with traveling from location to location, asking companions (slaves) to go with you, gearing up and taking supplies then journeying through an area with multiple random encounters, not mention the multiple different options for the encounters gave off a perfect rpg feel , on your way to another place gave exploring this massively enjoyable adventuring experience that I feel the second game kind of misses out on a bit. Like I would have loved to see the stop and rest mechanic from the first one improved where you could interact with companions while resting in the camp and have access to special scenarios depending on the relationships of your companion's with each other, maybe mending through some ruff spots as the journey together makes them appreciate each other more. Having access to different ways to bond or have someone seeking help entering your camp or bandits launch a sneak ambush after your team had rested, random encounters like that would be amazing.
I loved the bonding quests, where you could summon one of them to come talk to you, and you could go about accepting a request in multiple ways, on that topic would have loved to see that kind of feature improved where your mansion residents came up to you to request things like the above or came up to you because they wanted to go on a date or have a 'bed' date. or it could even be that they want to talk to you about your other slaves, complain or ask for help in getting along with them better.
I feel like the enslaving of very young people is a bold move that exposes the grim reality of these kinds of games that isn't usually seen in most games but made the world feel a bit more grim and real. like the kennel option yeesh.. but even though I wasn't fond of that particularly there weren't females... lol. I love the uncensored nature that the first game gave off, heroism and well... terrorism were up to you, pick one? reputations on the nearby area increase, commit horrible crimes and well small reputation decrease or none if no one was left alive to talk or captured or major boost to reputation if everyone was let go, also would have been interesting if companion's reacted more to what you did based on how they felt about you for example if they really loved you or were super loyal horrible actions could be enjoyed by them or overlooked as they trusted you, and good actions praised as again they love and your kind so it boosts their mood
Selecting your first slave's relationship to you really makes their personality feel extra special, and give that character more life.
Things I love about the second game.
I love how you doubled down on the pictures, seeing them wear specific armours, and clothing & how the weapons show up on them was a super spicy touch, on that topic being able to save characters and upload custom portraits and full body images is also a very nice touch, glad that was left in. Love how many more races were added super nice. The community makes some great custom packs to download. I love how can choose different looks and actually see the change on the default pictures, mhmmmm super nice I also enjoy how you can level up certain traits to make their loyalty grow and make them capable of doing new actions wonderful touch that was something the first game needed improved.
Overall, I believe that the first game really benefitted from the random encounters while traveling. Would love to see the first & second game touched up as they both have different systems that could really boost each other, would love to see more default artwork from community member they have some really good detailed artists I'm sure would love to help out officially. Lots more side quests and slave quests would be amazing as those making the game feel super enjoyable along with the multiple different choices you can make, relation to first slave was a great first game feature that made them feel extra specials,
These games are both amazingly fun and I'm glad the homepage recommended them, rare great free game worth buying. These may be development projects but they gave more fun then I ever would have expected. Well done to you and any and all team members!!