itch.io Spring Selects Series A
On Sale: GamesAssetsToolsTabletopComics
Indie game storeFree gamesFun gamesHorror games
Game developmentAssetsComics
SalesBundles
Jobs
Tags

A lovely little game

A topic by Konoi created Feb 24, 2018 Views: 255 Replies: 2
Viewing posts 1 to 2

Haha, I usually write comments, not topics. I hope it wont come out too weird, but oh well, I felt like I had to write about this game after playing it!

 

First off though, I need to say that this will be mainly directed as a feedback to the devs, sooo, if you're not one of them...

--------------------SPOILER WARNING!!!--------------------

Well, first things first, I must admit this is a game I almost didn't play, and it would have been a shame, truly. Why? Well, the art style isn't really appealing to my tastes (please don't think I'm saying it's bad - it's simply not my cup of tea), and more than that, I'm not fond of romance games with only one route - what can I say, I like my choices haha. Fortunately, it wasn't a kinetic one (that's a huge no to me, usually), and well... I tend to play all the BL games I come across, so I've still decided to read the entire store page. And I came across the notice. When I saw one of the main themes was post-traumatic stress I knew I needed to play this game. I’m always VERY interested in the subject and how is it depicted. Funny how the notice’s purpose is to avoid people getting triggered by the subject and prevent them from purchasing if they can’t handle themes like that, but that’s precisely what convinced me the game was worth purchasing!

So yeah, now onto the meat of my thoughts… I. LOVED. THIS. GAME.

Seriously, it made me so so happy in so many ways. The subject is very hard, and I think it’s treated very well – better than most depictions I’ve seen so far. And the fact that the characters are so damn cute and lovable helps getting invested a lot. Honestly I liked all of them, even the side characters, but Sachiel and Luca sure are something – I may have wished for choices before playing, but once I’ve started, I knew I wouldn’t have chosen anyone but Luca even if the game had multiple routes, so congrats on making him so appealing to the player – well, at least to me haha. It’s also nice that he wasn’t all glum and depression and stoic face – it was cool to see him smile and joke and do or think stupid things too. And Sachiel… well, he may outright be one of my favorite (male) MCs in romantic visual novels. He’s incredibly cute and mellow, but also proactive and persistent, and I like that mix of traits. Plus, he made me laugh so much each time he started tripping over himself and freaking out when talking to Luca – the guy is so sweet, absurd and hilarious at the same time. I feel like most of the time Luca’s thinking the same thing about him heh…

So yeah, the characters are lovely, and the story is well paced too. It’s not an extravagant scenario different from anything that has be made before, but it works perfectly and actually makes the character’s backgrounds and relationships stick out even more and be so more impactful.

I feel like the choices could have been more numerous and trickier, but that’s because I’m a hardcore visual novel player – I can understand not everyone likes those games to be too challenging, and I feel like making it hard to “win” wasn’t the purpose either, so that’s fine. On the other hand, surprisingly, I think the fact that the mini-games are so easy is a good thing. I believe you can’t loose in the “regular” mini-games, am I right? I see them not as a challenge per se, but as a way for the player to “feel” first-handedly the work the characters are doing and how the time is passing for them. It adds a lot to the immersion. And then there is the really important mini-game of the anxiety attack, and I love how this one is unforgiving and an instant game over. Since the other ones are so nice, peaceful and easy, it makes this one really dreadful, in a good way. Though I’ll admit that I’d have liked to see some story around it – consequences to your failure, if I may put it that way. But well, it’s still fine the way it is.

Now, more about the artistic side. I’ve said before that the art style wasn’t really suited to my tastes, but funny thing is that while playing, I ended up liking it more and more simply because it fits the story so well. And the CGs are genuinely lovely on another hand, so that helps. And I must say, I’m in LOVE with the GUI. Seriously, this game has one of the prettiest menu designs I’ve ever seen – both the visuals and the sounds effects. I could just stare at it and hover over the buttons to hear the sound effects. So precious.  The music is also pretty and fitting, by the way.

As for problems or bugs I may have spotted… I didn’t catch any typo, but then again, English isn’t my language, so it’s easy for me to miss. I had a bit of trouble with the mini-game where you’re decorating the arch, and you have to put the nails. For some reason, once you choose to use the nails and on which part of the structure, then when you pick the hammer it won’t highlight the right part of the structure. Or rather, it will highlight it along with one of the side boards, and the characters will say it’s the wrong one. To make it work you only need to click on the actual part you put the nails on, and click when it’s not highlighted. Ugh, I feel like I’m not very clear, but I can’t really explain it better… And also, small inconsistencies or questions… At some point, I think it was shortly after or before decorating too, Luca put on his hat, and then in some of the conversations along he didn’t have it anymore, and then he did again in the next scene. Maybe it was intentional since he could have taken it off, but it felt a bit odd. Also, when he cries by the end, I see tears on both sides of his face, but depending on how badly was his left eye damaged (and from what they’re saying it seems pretty awful), I’m not sure if the nasolacrimal duct is actually working on this side either. Nitpicking here, but I tend to pay too much attention to things like that. Well, it might not be damaged enough for it not to work, anyway… Oh well, I need to stop rambling!

 

On a side note, I didn’t try the neutral and bad endings, but… basically, I’d say I’m too coward, or rather, I wouldn’t want to do that to the characters. Meh, that’s okay though - sometimes I simply don’t need or want to see how things could go wrong, and I’m happy with the  good ending alone.

 

Well, I’ve been going on for really long, so I’ll end it now. But overall, I must thank you for making such a lovely game. It’s heartwarming to see how you could make such a beautiful thing from not so beautiful past experiences, as it seems, and it fits the game’s message so perfectly!

Developer

Konoi, thank you very much for purchasing, playing, and leaving a topic here!

First of all, wow, I didn't expect anything this long, thank you for sparing your time. I'm honoured that you love this game! It's quite personal to me because it has the anxiety theme and all, so it brings me immense joy that someone out there was entertained. Thank you for loving Luca's character so much that you won't have anyone else for Sachiel ^^

I think you managed to get all the points I meant. Indeed, the mini games were designed for "immersion" and not to make it fail-able except the anxiety attack mini game. I'm glad you also love the GUI because yeah... I spent too much time on that lol.

As for the bugs, I think you're right about the nails part, it doesn't highlight the structure... Ah also about the hat part, I really tried to keep track of that but apparently I missed a little. Thank you for noticing me. But... I probably won't correct it since the game is still play-able ^^;

About the eye, actually I meant for the damage only on the eye ball so that it takes his vision, but not on the supporting structures. You are a great observer, indeed I didn't specify it in the game.

Again, thank you very much for having been entertained by this little game. Please recommend it to your friends if you see it fit! Thank you ♡

You're welcome! I really hope the game will be popular, it deserves it. And of course I've recommended it!

Well, the little errors/bugs are not that bad, so I don't think it'll cause any problems to leave them. But at least, if at some point you want to make an update or something, you'll be able to do it at the same time  if you'd want to