Hi Nave,
Thanks a lot for taking the time to write such a detailed review. I really appreciate you sticking with the game even though the opening was slow and confusing, and I’m glad the later parts made the experience worthwhile!
I agree with many of the issues you pointed out. The beginning doesn’t explain things clearly enough, the early mining sections can feel too slow and repetitive, and there are definitely problems with the audio mix, the AI dialogue, and the performance when the text appears. I’ve noticed these things myself, and other players have brought up similar points as well, so these are clearly areas I need to improve.
I was also really glad to hear that the setting and story stood out to you. The relationship between the miner, the AI, and the world beyond the cart is a big part of what I wanted Charon to explore. Your decision to trust the AI and follow its instructions was especially interesting to me, because it fits the themes of the game surprisingly well. At the same time, I agree that the lore and important story clues could be presented in a more natural and engaging way, rather than asking players to stop and read several pages of text.
Your detailed feedback is incredibly valuable and will help me improve the game. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’ll do my best to keep working on Charon and gradually make it better!