I just finished Sissels Route and I got somethings I want to share: (Spoiler Alert for those who haven't played the game yet.)
First off, this is the very first furry VN I've ever played and I really enjoyed it. Until I hit a wall; an older build that stopped me on day 12 of Sissel B route. Right as Euca needed to dry the damp class photo to show Sissel. So I had to wait a while until the game was developed further. It was well worth the wait to continue, and I remained spoiler free in the meantime. It was quite a rollercoaster ride with moments of joy, intense situations and tear-jerking scenes. Although I wasn't prepared for those tear-jerking scenes to reduce me to tears. One aspect I really enjoyed about this game; is the excellent selection of soundtracks.
They make a great addition to every moment of the game, which is truly remarkable. From moments that make you laugh, be put on edge during tense situations. Or become emotional during moments that are tear-jerkers. I just want to say, the soundtrack titled hanahaki-slow-piano is so beautiful. I can actually listen to it on a loop and never get tired of it. As for the one titled mother, every time I hear it. I always think of Cecilia being killed and being robbed of watching her only son growing-up to be the young man he is right now. (If you chose his route.) Also that is one of the many tear-jerking moments in his route. But towards the end of his route is when the waterfalls came in strongly.
After all the bumps and intensity on the road, with Sissel winning the big culinary tournament. With his heartfelt and thoughtful dish, along with his speech about love. I felt overjoyed and beyond happy for him. But then everyone suddenly forgets Jinny overnight. That was incredibly cruel and heart-breaking. I get that she's suffering from a fatal illness and she's essentially come to terms with it. Also she's not good with goodbyes. But come on!!! Jinny is part of the reason that Sissel is in the place he's in right now, she deserves to be part of the happy ending. Then later we come to the two options Move Forward and Repeat. Which honestly feels like a deliberate gut-punch and I got upset about it. Let me explain myself.
The Move Forward option feels right, after everything that has happened in Sissels route. Also with the bit of evidence, which was subtly mentioned. That Euca grew-up in an awful household. He deserves to be happy with Sissel and everyone else. But at the cost of Jinny being lost to time and nobody will remember her, not even her own grandmother or Sissel, which sucks. But the Repeat option broke my heart. I mean Euca, you think Sissel is going to be fine without you, you're wrong you absolute twat. Just because he's grown so much and gained confidence, doesn't mean he doesn't need you or Jinny. Both of you are part of his family. So of course he'd need you both, especially since you both matter to him. That said, I do understand the implication: We all want to save Jinny somehow, so she can live and be a part of the happy ending with everyone.
I think (and this me just hypothesizing here) in the future builds. We'll get to go through both Owen and Phillips routes and give them their happy endings, like we did with Sissel. But afterwards, considering what the Edelweiss mentioned on day 8. Once their stories are done we could see Eucas route. Perhaps it would be about him overcoming his own issues or saving Jinny from the 'Repeating Nightmare' or both. Which would give us a 'True Happy Ending', which does sound ideal. But I am concerned about something. What if, as part of the 'True Happy Ending', we could only chose one of the three guys for Euca to be with at the end? Just like we could only chose one of them on day 9. If that were to happen, and I'm just going to say it right now, I'm going to chose Sissel. I've grown quite fond of him.
Overall, Repeat is a truly remarkable VN and I'm so glad I played it. Also I'm looking forward to future builds, when they come up. On a side-note, I feel as though this game should come with a warning or a heads-up. Something like; 'Yo twats, just so you know. This game will be a tear-jerker. So you better keep a box of tissues close-by. In case any of you get mushy, you saps'. Something like that maybe.
P.S I thought of taking a look at the replay to see the easter eggs/lore drops. But just as I came back to the clockwork realm. The voice (strongly believed to be Jinny) told Euca that he deserved his happy ending with Sissel. As well as begging him to turn back, I burst into tears at that. Because she's both right and wrong. Yeah, after everything Euca does deserve a happy ending. But at the same time, she deserves one too. One where she's alive and in good health, not a forgotten memory. Which is why Euca made the choice to repeat anew, so she could be saved somehow. (Hopefully that will come in a future build.) *fingers crossed*
Shiro; thank you so much for the time, effort and dedication you've put into this VN. This has truly been an amazing experience.