I finished one ending, I will go back on it after reading other for the jam ^^ I like the themes and story telling, I felt more and more curious about MC's story. The mini games are neat, I wanted to explore the dungeon to get MC's memories. Though, I think the fade animation between each screens while exploring were a bit too much and made the exploration longer. Shout out to the artists too, great job :3
I wanted to make a review, I really like the story and characters, and visuals. I would like to review the characters mainly. **VERY SPOILER** Warning.
- Birch: It was really satisfying to see the character break through the very popular trope of the himbo wolf. Few FVN manage to do that actually. And once Birch snapped out, it felt hard, harder than I thought it would be. He's the strong pillar for the reader/MC. Also when he got the disease, it hit a second time. It felt real, like how Birch didn't feel present for MC and probably was trying to process it but couldn't. Really satisfying again to see a "coherent himbo", with flaws, and in the end MC felt stronger than Birch to process the apocalypse, the two having two different ways to process it. Probably his name reminds of that, a birch tree, being a pillar but not amongst the strongest wood. Finally about when he's transformed, it somehow felt like the only romance, but it's normal Birch didn't have the mind to feeling something for MC with his disease. But seeing him writing a recipe and being in the front door, was really beautiful. Like he remembered MC's wish, and Birch could offer a company for MC's end (gosh it's making tearing up, it's the kind of relationship I like the most in medias).
- MC: I'm not really sure if there was an allegory with him named Judah and being Jewish I think I missed it. But about him I think like for Birch I liked him more since the middle of the story. And his story is kinda sad and funny to lose his phone and contact to family. But than just to accept fate. I think one of my fear for an apocalypse would be being unable to contact my loved ones and just be all alone. Hopefully he got Birch. In the last act, I really liked seeing MC trying to cheer up Birch, though he doesn't have the mind to it. And MC really wanting to being with Birch for the last moments, felt real and just genuine need of comfort during this apocalypse.
All in all, I think it's my favorite kind of apocalypse right there, some sort of slice of life, of two random characters trying to get through all of this.
I love this FVN, great setting and character building. It was really satisfying seeing all the gradual apocalypse setup (denial, acception of it) and the changes in the characters.
Good presentation, short but heart whelming story, love the characters ! I had one bug just before the dialog with the "playlist" link but I clicked on ignore and it went good after it.
Really liked it ! VA and animation work makes the story easy to get into. The writing as well. I liked the drama and the setup of an established age couple.
I think making it bilingual is unique and adds up to the atmosphere as an english speaker. It also can help people wanting to learn english or chinese thanks to this game. I haven't tried the game it yet, but from the screenshots, I like it ! Probably the benefits of translating it will come later, bringing a new english audience. I really like the artworks and I'm happy I can understand the story now.
