Yoo! Those before and after pictures look so good! The atmosphere is so much nicer in the after pictures and the light hits just right. Good work on polishing your skills you really hit the next level :)
Sazura
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A member registered Aug 03, 2018
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Happy Birthday! I hope you took some time to relax and celebrate! Maybe eat something delicious? :) I hope your next year brings health and happiness :)
I also love Ghibli movies! Those were my favorite as a child and even now they never lost their magic to me. Keep up the good work! I'm sure your art will feel magical as well! :)
Oh boy it's been some time... hello! Sooooo I played this game for the first time like five years ago I think? And I absolutely fell in love with it... thing is: I am a horrible horrible commenter. I just... I don't do it, ok? I think out this beautiful text I want to write and then I just never get around to actually doing it. So: sorry for that, I'm just your casual lurker.
But here I am five years later. I always wanted to replay the game because it had left quite the impression on me after that first playthrough but, you know, life got in the way and I never found quite enough time. That is until I got sick and bed bound this last week and my brain immediately went: I need to replay that visual novel about the fish people! I loved that back then! So here I am rambling about this absolutely not important backstory about me replaying the game. What I actually just want to say is: I really really loved the theme and the execution of the story and the plot, it left a big mark on me and I went back to it for comfort when I felt sick and quite frankly simply like shit. The way the friendship slowly comes together even though all characters are so very distinct from each other touches my heartstrings every time. They are all so multifaceted and complex with their skills, their fears, their loves and their pet peeves, it makes them feel so real even though they are quite literally aquatic people. And the way the creation myth is handled is so frigging awesome. I love the concept and the idea so much. Is it based on an actual myth? I never heard about one like that before but I do have to say that I am a very white and very western person, so my repertoire is sadly extremly limited, even if I try to broaden my horizons.
I am not even sure anyone is reading this seven years after release, but hell, if you are out there I hope this reaches you! And that you are feeling well! I also thought I just answer your little feedback questions here, because if I already got my ass to comment here, than I might as well do it properly!
--Who is your favorite character and why?
Definitely Groriu. I find the concept of his people extremely interesting especially because I always had a love for anglerfish and the way the matriarchy works with the women being so much bigger than the men is just such a compelling idea. I love how well thought out the hollow societies were and how it reflected in Rius character. How he's standoffish but very much doesn't mind or rather even likes body contact because it is just something he is used to from his Hollow. The way his entire character arc went was just *chefs kiss*. From him just threatening Makani because he is the bigger creature and that is what he has learned to him learning that she's a female and therefore him being distant and snarky to the teasing banter and easy intimacy between the friends. It just melted my heart. His romance ending was also by far my favorite, I feel like it is such a nice ending touch to his character growth, but I am rambling again.
Besides Riu I definitely loved Makani the most. She's such a good protagonist with hopes, dreams and most important a character! I do see the appeal of a blank MC that one can self insert into, but I personally get way more attached to protagonists who have a heart and soul. I just love watching them grow and find their way.
I obviously also love Kameckt and Vane... heck I love the entire group so much! Their banter, the love, they feel so alive and playing the game makes you really feel like you are part of that friend group, it's a very cozy and beautiful feeling. Love my boys and Makani.
--What was your favorite moment from the game?
If I have to choose... I would choose four! hah! I just can't actually decide, I'm sorry. I love the scene where Vane finally stands up for himself! It felt so powerful and so right for his character arc. My sweet baby boy finally has friends that support him! Concerning friends, the second favorite scene is definitely the whale riding scene. That one had my heart jumping from joy. Vane deserves the world and to be happy!
Considering Riu being my absolute fave my two other favorite scenes are the one where you confront his mother and sister. I actually felt small and intimidated by the way they appear on the screen. The friend group just looks so small in comparison to the matriarch and the heiress, but you can clearly see that Rius sister cares for him deeply even though the culture and society of the hollow doesn't really encourage men being valued so much. I do hope she changes things a bit once she becomes matriarch. The other Riu scene is where Makani goes to braid his hair. I love the casual intimacy and how comfortable both characters just look and feel in that scene. The love and care they feel for their respected families ist just so palpable.
--Any advice or critique I should keep in mind for the sequel/other future games? (other than having more reasonable release goals)?
I would love being able to see that world again. I read mentions about a sequel here and there? But I do think real life has probably got a hold on you, so I do understand if that takes priority and we might never see a sequel. I would love to return to the world and learn more about the gods and the rest of the world.
If you do create another game I just hope you keep on creating such deep, complex, lovable and relatable characters with interesting stories and character growth!
Now.... I do think I have definitely written enough, probs to you if you even read all of my gushing! I do hope you are well whatever you are doing out there and even if your path never brings you back to creating another amazing game, I do hope it leads you down a path of happiness and joy! And that maybe sometimes you feel that some people are out there enjoying your story and feeling less lonely for it! <3
UPDATE 6/1/2025! Saving Grace Early Production comments · Posted in UPDATE 6/1/2025! Saving Grace Early Production comments
The mind map looks soo cool! Even though I can't read anything on it hehe. I am always interested to see how people plan their stories and make notes and all of that. I do think you can just update us on whatever you want every week! Or maybe you can also switch it up and write an update every two weeks while you are still in the early stages? Not that I don't want to read your updates every week! Not at all, I love seeing your updates weekly! But maybe it would be a nice break for you and give you a bit more time to put into the thought process? Just do whatever you are comfortable with!
I would always love to see more of Indonesian culture considering that I really don't know a lot of it and it makes your visual novels really unique and distinct! But if you want to venture out into newer things, I do have to say that my first thought for saving grace was some kind of Victorian maybe even steampunk-ish setting...? but maybe you could connect more western ideas with Indonesian ones? I am sure you'll figure out something great!
Win exclusive keys to all of my games! comments · Posted in Win exclusive keys to all of my games! comments
Ahhh I didn't expect this at all! This is so cool! Congratulations on the release! I hope everything is going just the way you want it and everybody is happy with the game :)
I'm so looking forward to finally playing the game after following it for all this time. I'm sure it'll be great!
Take care of yourself and your doggos and maybe reward yourself a day or weekend to relax and decompress after all this work <3
It's so good to hear that you are back on your feet and healthy again! Just don't over do it now and take it slow with your recovery, drinking lots of water and staying cool! I hope Casper didn't miss you too much while you were away in hospital, but I'm sure he's happy just like we are that you are getting better :)
Aww this was really sweet <3 It was such a cute little visual novel, perfect for the start! I loved seeing all the characters in your art style, it makes them all look so soft and a little bit ethereal.
Derek is the best boy and deserves all the happiness, so playing your little birthday addition for him quenched some of the nostalgia need I have for replaying the whole game. Thank you for that :)
Keep up the good work! I'll definitely be playing again when you update and maybe even in between. I'm sure you'll go on to do great things and I am excited to see them :)
Of course you should take a break for your birthday!! And celebrate yourself in the way you want whether that's a party with family/friends or just taking some time to relax and maybe play a game instead of making one for once :)
I hope you enjoy your birthday week! Stay healthy and happy, we'll be waiting for you to be back :)
Our Life: Beginnings & Always - Baxter's Story comments · Posted in Our Life: Beginnings & Always - Baxter's Story comments
I really love the entire game. I don't know how best to put it, but Cove Holden has been a comfort character, Sunset Bird and the whole gang my family for difficult times and really didn't think anyone could ever give my best boy a run for his money - (his 20 Dollars if you know what I mean). I liked the Derek DLC, he was nice, I already loved him in the base game and I had a good time with it, but I was not prepared for the thunder storm that would be Baxter Ward.
Jesus Christ. Hallelujah.
I love the monochrome man. He's been living rent free in my head ever since I played the DLC for the first time, I can't stop thinking about him. I find myself going back to the game time and time again. The DLC is pure perfection with the only flaw being that I really, really would've liked to spend more time with Baxter, Xavier, Jude, Scott and the gang.
Everyone was so authentic even with Baxter being a pompous precious ass he felt like a real person with real problems and so so relateable. While playing the base game I didn't really click with him, but ho boy was that different in his DLC. Everyone on this team deserves a huge congratulations for the story writing, the art, the voice acting, literally everything.
I can't recommend playing this enough. You are in for a wild, but beautiful ride my friend. Allow the autumn storm that is this man to sweep you away for a little bit, you won't regret it.
Heyy, it's always hard to lose family and we all know that our dogs are exactly that, part of our family and whoever denies it is a damn fool... I feel so much for you <3 My dog passed away 5 years ago, but I miss her everyday... damn has it already been 5 years? Time passes so quickly. I grew up with her and she was my everything, so I know what you are going through and honestly, take your time to grieve and give yourself some peace, we all understand :)
It must've been hard to have her pass away in your arms, but at least she knew you were there and that you cared for her until the end. She'll always be in your heart and one day remembering her will fill you with more joy than sadness :) I can tell you that from experience.
Take your time, take care of yourself and allow yourself to be sad, we'll be here supporting you <3
Fantasia : At Regime's End [Full Game] comments · Posted in Fantasia : At Regime's End [Full Game] comments
Keep up the good work! :) I am glad to see, that things are getting along so smoothly, and don't worry too much about the good things! Just enjoy them wholeheartedly :) because even if bad things are coming (and I mean, there are always some bad things in life), at least you enjoyed the good things and you have the power to endure the bad things. But you certainly do deserve the good things coming to you :3
Congratulations on your day job! That's so cool! And I know a lot of people that really like being able to play visual novels on their phone - myself included, nothing quite like a lazy morning in bed with a good vidual novel :D - so I am sure people will appreciate it coming out on Google Play. I know I am excited :)
I don't celebrate Chinese New Year (being European and all), but it looks like a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time :D I hope you enjoy it, but that you also get to relax and take time for yourself :)
Hey, hun, I am so sorry to hear that it got worse, but should know that you are not a disappointment. Don't ever allow someone else to make you believe you are. Your mom is definitely so mad at him because she sees the fault in him and not you, you tried so hard to talk, compromise, find solutions and you are still trying to find the fault in yourself - you are so so compassionate.
This is not your fault. And it's okay to feel empty and it's absolutely ok that you maybe don't know how to feel about all of this. The man you thought you would spend your life with turned out to be someone very different from who you believed him to be, that's incredibly hard. Take your time to figure everything out. Take time with your mom, the dogs and maybe talk to some friends, even if it's hard, but don't worry about us, we will be here, the entire time, patiently waiting and rooting for you! Like the comments before me already beautifully pointed out, we are here for you and we hope that you will do, what is best for you. If it is already such a relief to not having to face your mother-in-law then something is definitely wrong and you shouldn't be forced to deal with that forever.
Ultimately a marriage is between two partners who need to compromise and if it doesn't work out for whatever reason, that is also between those two people. Everyone that cares about you and your well-being and understands your struggle would never even think to consider you a disappointment. You are just protecting yourself and that's so so important!
However, I do have to say, if you find a way to compromise, a way to reconcile this whole mess after all, we'll be behind you as well, of course. But in that case, make sure you can trust your husband and trust in your communication. We just want you to be happy, remember that <3
xoxo Sazura
I really have to thank you for your weekly updates, I always look forward to reading them and seeing how far you've come. I really hope you and your husband can figure out your differences, I always feel like communication is the biggest and most important part of every relationship, but sometimes it can be hard. Maybe the time apart will actually help you and give both of you different perspectives or maybe you could include a third uninvolved person for more perspective? (Not like your in-laws or family, someone who is not involved in the problem at all?)
I wish you the best of luck with resolving the conflict as well as your continued process on bermuda! And of course, stay healthy! :)
Chapter 2 of the Public version is released! comments · Posted in Chapter 2 of the Public version is released! comments
I don't even know what to say. I downloaded this game because I thought it was going to be short, fun and a bit whacky and sure enough it turned out to be hillarious. But also heartbreaking, warm, relatable and absolutely lovely.
First of all: Jazz is the best. Hands down. Best protagonist I've ever witnessed in such a game. She has so much personality and I think I might have found some of my new favorite swear words, ooopsie-freaking-macy-daisy. I love her. And her backstory broke my heart. I honestly cried during my first playthrough on Carol's route. Especially the scene where Jin is comforting her made me bawl my eyes out.
I also really loved Laby and his crying. Actually all of the family interactions were great, I could really feel the love between all of the families, Noct's and Carol's. It's amazing how well you captured family dynamics. The characters in general felt so fleshed out and each of them was interesting in their own way. I find myself wondering how their lives go on after the story and that is an amazing feat for a storyteller. I read every single bonus story and I'm usually not one for extra stuff.
The last thing that really got me was the representation of mental health problems. Oh my gosh, you did it really well. It was an integral part of the story while not having the whole focus just on how bad it is to have either depression or anxiety. Carol might have been a bit over the top with his furious blushing, but then again that is his character and I love him, but Noct's depression was just so spot on, I'm honestly impressed.
So overall I simply have to say good job. On one hand you made me cry very hard, on the other I never laughed out loud while playing a visual novel before and I have played my fair share. I really like your humour and story telling. So keep it up! I'm excited to see what you are up to next.
(Also if you behind the screen read this whole text now, this is a definite recommendation to play this game, if you haven't figured that out yourself by now!)