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I am not usually one to comment on projects but this VN has held my attention for some time - loveable characters, fascinating story, clearly some well-read research behind the scenes as well.

I will be vague as to not spoil much for other readers - but the climax of Build 10 is absolutely phenomenal, and there has scarcely been a book or novel that has enraptured me with such a cliffhanger.

The moment where the music changes and the lighting changes - you could feel the tension, the dread, the anticipation. The music rendition was fantastic mix of otherworldly, mechanical and uncanny. The wording and description of the characters and their reactions, their fixation was perfect. It is incredibly the level of atmosphere that written into such a relatively short scene - this is definitely the final straw for any hesitation relating to subscribing to this project. I cannot wait to read the next update.

I don't usually comment on games but I have to say, the way you handled the AI generated content and prior notice of this in your Itch page was incredibly well done. A genuine, committed notice with an exciting promise of what is to come. I'd have played the game regardless, but your awareness and artistic integrity was such a refreshing, kind sight, I couldn't help sliding over to the Kickstarter to give some support. 

Honestly cannot wait to see the final result, I am certain the team are going to do fantastic things together, not only in this game, but hopefully many projects - whether game, art or story - in the future.

Yes, the update was absolutely amazing, story-wise, visually, musically, atmospherically - you name it. But why is no one talking about the one massive thing that (at the very least I cannot find) remains covered in mystery. [Spoiler]

What the hell is Gaia? Something so absurdly massive and monstrous under a lake, potentially a gigantic, horrific demon that we've only seen a smidgen of twice? Please tell me there's lore on it I am missing here, or that there will be more info on it in the next update because my curiosity is killing me! That daunting, gaping mouth in the CG, I did not fully grasp how terrifying it was until I went and looked at the gallery. The artist for its scenes is doing phenomenal work.

Build completely bugged, can't buy or sell anything on starting a new game so you're forced to die due to lack of supplies before you even reach the new content.

Doubt it's abandoned! Echo Project are super good with their projects. I think the lack of updates may be due to the fact that it's just a co-writer working on this VN's story as opposed to the full Echo Project team. One of their popular VNs, Adasta, started similarly to this - slow-updating side project that eventually turned into it's own amazing title backed with popularity. The team's currently working on Glory Hounds and the Smoke Room especially, with 2 projects - Arches and Khemia a little on the backburner. Once one of these projects finish, A Role to Play will likely gain some traction.

So I think my save file is bugged. I did not side with Mirage, and Korg was sent to stay with the Iron Blood village. After updating however, my relationship log says I sided with mirage and that Korg went to be broken - everything else in the game indicates that I didn't side with mirage though. Have I permanently lost Korg?

That's natural. The writer altered the script for the first few days, and also changed the backgrounds. Usually with in progress visual novels, you should aim to start a new save each time if anything was changed in previous days.

Massive props for all the work you’ve done! The human option is a huge plus for me, but even for the people who don’t want to play as a human, I can assure you that everyone is thankful you’ve taken the community’s requests into consideration, truly commendable!

I can understand your point of view but I think some of the criticism is unfair. The novel has had an underlying sense of conflict throughout, there's been a steady stream of conflict through the voice in Caelan's head, the nightmare, the villa scenes, the feasts, all of them are conflicts (not to mention that Caelan has slipped up in a lot of them, it makes sense why the higher up wolves wouldn't want him around). I also don't think there was a "180" in his character. The tone shifted fast, I do agree, but Ranok has been shown to be this massively prideful, defensive wolf before many a time, even a little bit beforehand when talking to the new characters introduced. My biggest nitpick is that you said this betrayal came out of left field yet it has been foreshadowed constantly - Ranok keeps repeating that you might be part of royalty and you are not like the wolves. With the potential war brewing, the only thing that has changed with the forest is you, I can see the logic in how getting rid of you might bring the forest back to its prior peaceful equilibrium (even if it is just a facade). Vithyr and Ranok's father not reminding Ranok might just be a narrative choice in order to not make it even more obvious what the twist is, otherwise it would completely ruin it.

I do 100% agree though that the blowjob where Ranok seems to be quite into it, then quickly gets defensive and the story shifts may be an issue, pacing-wise. It wasn't an entirely unexpected twist though. I know you said you don't want to pick it up again, but I'd recommend coming back maybe when it's finished. Kael is apparently rewriting the early chapters so maybe the narrative will make more sense for you then.

Extreme circumstances often have extreme results. Artemi was incredibly sheltered , full of self-doubts because being the creator was the only thing she really had going for her. Suddenly meeting two people who don't shower her with praise just for being the creator's chosen, and them appreciating Artemi for who she is would change her quite quickly. They found her lightning magic pretty awesome, whereas before, her lightning magic was a source of doubt for her (since the other chosen ones weren't tempest mages).

You guys have some really awesome theories, with some good evidence too. I'd probably believe it if there wasn't one thing throwing me off - Chris' route goal. I'm questioning whether the devs would even consider allowing us to enter a romantic route with a potential rapist. It could be some shock plot twist like other vns having surprise psychotic boyfriends, but I'm very hesitant to say they will.

Like the others have said, it's whenever Kael is ready to release it. Poor guy has stayed up extremely late with no sleep to get some builds out. If you want to follow the progress more closely, you can always check out the Discord

Possibly and possibly not. Echo had very brief NSFW writing, but no CGs to my knowledge but the prequel of Echo, The Smoke Room is full NSFW from the very beginning. We'll just have to wait

I really prefer design A. Not only is it far easier to continue with what has already been drawn but I love how each individual character has their own sort of colour palette that really compliments their personality. I feel like not only will the white fur be too similar to Quinn but the fur design on B is quite reminiscent of Aiden too. Might just be me though! Wouldn't mind either design but A's design and palette really just compliments the group dynamic, if that makes any sense at all?

There is written NSFW content for some routes but I can't remember there being any explicit CGs, has been a while since I last played, however. Not sure if they were used but I remember there being clothless and barely covered sprites in the files too, so they might make an appearance.

Not a problem! Happy to shed some light on the situation since many people are a little in the dark on when the update's coming. Have fun reading, not long now

Just a bit longer guys! Kael says the build is uploading! :)

Well what is happening in the visual novel? Dave's friends are dying, killed by something unknown. A large amount of people being killed... there's a word for that, isn't there?

That password on Day 11... that was absolutely brilliant. It made me think thoroughly and yet the answer was so obvious! The hints were there but it took me about 30 minutes. This game is fantastic and I can't wait for the next build!