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Wow, I was so excited for chapter 6 and certainly it certainly lived up to my hype! It was a really nice change of pace to have some chill and fun time with the cast after the last chapter. I found myself smiling so much during the survival trip just enjoying the character antics and watching them all fool around.  Hobbs is a ton of fun and really great, like all the squires and knights - not a single one feels boring or one-dimensional. The creative and dynamic spritework also does a lot to bring them to life! 

I especially enjoyed Brut this chapter being all awkward and shy, but slowly starting to open up the tiniest bit. He's still an ass, but he's also kinda really cute in his own way. It's clear he's driven by trauma, anxiety, and insecurity, but I will never not love a male tsundere. Can't wait to see more of how his relationship with the MC develops.

I love the character writing in general in this VN, and especially the feeling I get that these characters are layered and complex people who only show parts and aspects of themselves at any times. I especially got that with the ridicuous(ly funny) scene with Fen at the end of the chapter, where it was clear that man has much more depth than I initially recognized.

But the cliffhanger. How could you end it RIGHT THERE? I can't stand to wait 3-4 months to find out what happens!!! Regardless, fantastic update and I'm really looking forward to the next one! Thank you all for sharing your wonderful work with us!

Just found this VN the other day, and I'm so glad that I did - it's always a real treat to find a story with this level of quality, care, and skill put into it. 

There's so many things I want to praise - the natural, subtle, and expansive worldbuilding that keeps me asking questions and wanting to see more; the bright and colorful character writing that makes me want to spend time with and learn about each and every one of them, even ones like Brut and Fen; the powerful and delicate emotions, traumas, and anxieties that bleed through interactions and hang over the people who chose to put themselves in this situation; Cyrox the Mawful anytime he's on screen;  the incredible and expressive art, ESPECIALLY in chapter 5 with the combat sprites and the incredible animation (can't wait to see the finished CGs!); the MC as a distinct, driven, and interesting character in their own right; the surprising funny and hot other scene in Chapter 5 that was such a delightfully complex whirlwind of emotions; and much more. 

You've all done incredible work, and I hope you're proud of what you've created so far. I can't wait for Chapter 6 this weekend, and will continue to eagerly watch and support this project through development! Thanks so much for creating this art and sharing it with the community!

Wow I'm really about 2 minutes into this update but I have to stop and leave a comment because I LOVE CHIBI PHONE MARRUK SO SO SO SO MUCH thank you for this gift

Screaming. So glad to have an update. Can't stand waiting 2 more months. I'm so excited to read it again! 

GET OUT OF THE WATE

I just finished reading through this for the first time in Build 7, and wow—I absolutely loved it. Devil's Gambit is an incredible VN, and everyone involved in its creation should be so proud of what they've achieved so far. I’m eagerly looking forward to future updates, and I highly recommend this to anyone considering giving it a read!

While waiting for the next update, here are a few things I loved:

All the characters feel wonderfully deep and complex. Hector and Cadgan, in particular, left a strong impression on me. Learning about Hector’s motivations and the layers behind his personality over the chapters and through the flashbacks was such a rewarding experience. Both he and Cadgan carry so much baggage, and their messy, contradictory humanity is beautifully written. Honestly, now that I know more about them, I’m tempted to start over from the beginning just to catch all the nuances I might have missed! The character writing in this VN stands out as exceptional—it’s evocative, emotional, authentic, and consistently compelling.

The worldbuilding is another standout feature. It’s subtle yet immersive, offering just enough detail to ground you in the setting without overwhelming you. The way you’ve portrayed the medieval influences—like the medical traditions and the societal relationship with God—is fascinating and feels authentic, yet there’s this unique twist with the elements of magic, nature, order, and dark gods that sets the world apart. It all hints at a broader, richly developed setting and it ignites my curiosity to learn more (even if it’s beyond the scope of this story). You’ve created something distinct and impressive here.

The unfolding mystery as Hector unravels the history of Rannai and its people also has me hooked. Characters like Rani and Ranzkai bring so many layers of intrigue, and I find myself eagerly theorizing about the what and why of this world. I didn’t expect to be so drawn into this element of the story, but it’s captivated me completely. I can’t wait to see how the mystery deepens and resolves in future updates, or to find out what truths are buried in the valley.

And speaking of captivating—there was some real good spice in here. The scenes were not only incredibly hot but also felt deeply tied to character development. I loved how Hector’s desires and kinks illuminated parts of his identity and insecurities, making these moments both fun and meaningful. The way dominant characters like Ranzkai and Cadgan were portrayed really stood out to me, too—they struck this perfect balance between being intense and feeling genuinely safe and caring, which is such a difficult needle to thread in fiction. You absolutely nailed it.

From the start, I thought I’d be firmly Team Cadgan…until Ranzkai showed up and really left me questioning that. But, maybe it’s actually false choice? Either way, Ranzkai is a 12/10 and a pleasure every time he's onscreen. 

The sound design was another standout element of the experience. The tracks you’ve chosen are evocative and do so much to elevate the medieval atmosphere and emotional immersion. Some of the more emotional pieces really got to me in scenes like the dream. That said, I did notice a few moments where the absence of music made scenes feel a little too quiet, which stood out because of how good the other tracks are.

Overall, I had such a great time reading Devil's Gambit. It’s gripping, tragic, hopeful, and unique. The incredible attention to detail makes it clear how much time and care has gone into this project. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, especially for free—it’s such a gift, and I deeply appreciate the chance to enjoy it. I’m so excited to see how the story continues to develop and evolve. Keep up the fantastic work!

Wow, I’m totally floored after reading Soulcreek—what a fantastic ride! That cliffhanger is killing me, but it’s a testament to just how invested I am in this story. Top line: reading this was an unexpectedly amazing experience, and I’m incredibly grateful for the time, care, and craft you’ve poured into Soulcreek, Ryuo. I can’t wait for the next update!

(Minor spoilers below, but nothing too specific or significant!)

When I first booted up the game, I didn’t think I’d love Byte as a character, and I wasn’t immediately sold on the art style. But the sharp dialogue, strong characterization, and intriguing hook in the first hour kept me going—and I’m so glad they did! Characters like Loken and Tahki left really strong first impressions, and I was thrilled to see those relationships evolve and deepen as the novel progressed, often in ways that subverted my expectations.

One of the most impressive tings to me was how distinctive each character feels. Even in big scenes with five or six characters, it’s always clear who’s speaking—not because of nameplates, but because their voices and speaking styles are so unique. Loken, in particular, is masterfully written. I loved unraveling his layers—his line, “You are small,” became a personal favorite as I began to understand the deeper meanings behind it. And the first time Human called himself “small”? That had me smiling and kicking my feet. And when we get big-alpha-hound Loken? Incredible. 10/10. No notes. Keep it coming. Please I need more.

While I’m not usually a fan of horror—especially anything gory or full of jumpscares—you’ve struck a balance in Soulcreek that’s both intense and deeply engaging. The cosmic and psychological horror feels real, but it’s not about random monsters jumping out of nowhere. The fear is rooted in the choices your characters make—their deliberate wading into that black ocean, knowing the answers they find will bring no healing or absolution. It's also well-balanced and punctuated by funny, sweet, and sexy scenes that keep it from being overwhelming to the reader.

Human’s relentless pursuit of answers is like a slow-motion car crash I can’t look away from. On one hand, he could choose to live a quiet, romantic life with Loken outside the Blackzones—but we know he never will. That tension, between what could be and what he’s determined to chase, is beautifully tragic. If it were me, I’d have thrown it all away after the Demon left the “art” while they slept.

Now, back to Byte. Early on, I wasn’t a fan—not because of his sharp wit (which is great), but because it felt like he made things a little too easy or convenient for Human. But as the story progressed, I grew to love that little dickhead (affectionate). More than that, I came to appreciate how he challenges the reader's thoughts around “life” and “souls.” Byte’s journey—and the world around the Human—adds layers of meaning to the setting and masterfully develops themes around knowledge, ignorance, and madness. Everything feels deeply intentional, like the setting isn’t just a backdrop but an integral part of the story’s message.

I’ve been gushing for a while now, but I just want to say again: this is an incredible story I've been privileged to read. It’s consumed my thoughts for the past two days, and I’m dying to see what happens next. Ryuo, I have so much respect for your work and hope you feel immensely proud of what you’ve created and accomplished so far. Thank you for sharing Soulcreek with us, for sticking with it, and for giving us all this amazing story for free. Keep up the fantastic work—I’ll be checking back regularly!

(And now, having finished Build 9 less than an hour ago, I'm considering starting from the beginning again)

Wow, really great VN - I was more than happily surprised once I started reading and was instantly sucked into the premise and writing. There are a lot of elements that feel satisfyingly realistic with Tucker's experiences and how people react to him, and I'm chomping at the bit for more of the esoteric lore drip feed. You've done a fantastic job at stimulating questions and curiosities in the readers, and I can't wait to see how this project develops!

I went with the Marruk route and I gotta say I love my grumpy boy. I enjoy the snark and teasing in his dialogue, and think he and Tucker have one of the most interesting relationships to watch charting from Marruk demon-tackling Tucker at the start to blushing adorably calling the human his friend. Slowly digging past his outwardly hostile demeanor to that gooey sweet center never gets old. Tucker's gay panic realizing he's attracted to big dog boys was also a treat to read. I can't wait to see more of how their relationship develops over the next couple updates! 

Overall, definitely one of the best VNs I've read so far. I'm eagerly awaiting updates and really appreciate all the time, hard work, and care you've obviously put into this story. Keep up the good work, and make sure not to burn yourself out!