Thank you so much for this supremely helpful feedback!! You're not dumb, it Doesn't make much sense (cut to me a week ago on discord w my friend being like "it doesn't make sense wtffff"). There was a whole deeper twist / b plot that probably would make it a more tight story, but I just plain didn't have time to implement it the way I wanted it so I leaned into the weird, haha. Definitely as i was submitting it though I was thinking loudly "I dunno I think it just doesn't make sense", so you're not alone in thinking that. There's a terrifying point in writing where you just gotta lean into the curve or crash haha.
I love what you said about the texture of the art, that's so perfect. You're very kind. I really tried to go for a more traditional rpg look with the smaller sprites and I had a lot of fun leaning into the goofy color palettes haha.
*Spoilers to anyone who cares *
I wanted the twist to be clearer that you the MC were the fortune teller who ran the booth on the end and you had unlocked this ability in the mirror and got caught in a loop, thereby breaking reality and erasing yourself on accident with no way to stop it. I got some of that in? But I fully agree that it's not super clear. There's barely any mention of the fortune teller and the ending already felt like just a lot of text so I cut it down. But I really wanted to tackle this kind of choice based narrative and I'm SO glad I tried. Each of these jams I'm trying to take big risks and learn. Feedback like yours means the world <3
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to be honest, I think that fits well, especially in a type of game or narrative where the player is meant to infer things through subtext or a general implication, based off what is presented visually. I really like media where specifics are definitely intended, but aren't written outright in black and white- giving more of a deeper dive into the exploration of the themes and nuance. I might just be reading too into things, but that's just my opinion on it!
What I mean is; i think it's perfectly fine that you didn't have to spell it out for the players to come to that specific conclusion! I think knowing that you intended things to be or mean a certain thing, really resonates in the fact that all that happens or plays out in the story/game isn't just "there to be quirky/random", and that it makes sense or fits together when you rly think abt it or analyze it!
Again, I look forward to more of your works- I really love your way of storytelling! :>