I wrote a very long comment whilst reeling from 12-2 but I deleted it haha. This game was great, Ryn. The ending completely blindsided me emotionally haha.
This might sound weird, but I think the game's strength is the obvious love for your characters, and your voice as an author. Human and unstrained. I momentarily bristled at some of the larger plot choices and the scifi cliches, but I never felt let down for caring what a character had to say.
The gameplay was fun enough, just simpler and more linear than I expected!
I'm so glad stuff like this still exists. It took me right back to stumbling onto weird interactive fiction online as a teen. Thank you for the experience!!
**SPOILERS**
Some thoughts; as far as plot, the colonists' choice kind of bothered me! It seems such a damning choice to make as an author. Maybe people in a few centuries would be just as barbaric as us. But I don't know. It was the first time you gave me pause for trust as a reader.
There were lots of times I wished I could have talked it out or thought it out further. I think that's testament to how engrossed I got. From my perspective as the character, there had to be another option.
I think some stuff could've used more development - like the philosophies of each of the factions - but I can see how quickly that would make the scope of the game unmanageable lol. The bits of subtle worldbuilding about Earth society were really nice though.
And I was surprised to end up liking - no, loving - the romantic subplot.
I felt Leon's part towards the end was a little underdeveloped, though.