I love this game. This is one of the best VNs I've ever played and I played an embarrassing amount of them. I like all of the characters, their dynamics, the story, the writing, the art. It's all really good which is probably why there's this thing that's been bugging me for a very long time (probably since I've started playing when only five episodes were released), but now even more so as I've replayed the whole game.
It's all happening too fast.
And don't get me wrong, I actually think the pacing of the story is actually quite good going from one plot point to the other, having some breathers in the meantime, that's all well and good. But all of the story has taken a month. A month. The Traveller has learned how to fight, how to be a navigator, connected with all of those people on a very deep emotional level and also has found the love of their life IN A MONTH. Look, in a worse VN I could've turned the blind eye, but everything else about A6 is just so good! But every time I remember that a month has passed I'm just taken out from the story completely, my suspension of disbelief shattered. And the worst part is as I'm trying to gaslight myself into thinking that "no actually it's been half a year since the attack on Goldis!" the game reminds me it's been a month, even acknowledging that it's not that much time. I KNOW, GAME, I KNOW.
In my opinion what the story is lacking is just some flavour text and some more time from episode one to six give or take. I just need a mention that between the episodes the crew has gone on a mission, on a merc job, or something. Maybe give us a choice of how MC has fared during the mission, how did they bond with their crew mates. It would also be nice to sneak in some anecdotes about life on the ship, the conflicts between the characters etc, and how the MC is starting to fit into all of that. Because for me it really feels like the Traveller bonds with the characters waaaay too quickly. They're like "I'd die for you", and I'm like "bro, we barely know each other". Also in the episode 9 there is a scene where the MC does some navigator work, but honestly I haven't seen them learning any of it - just did once or twice, and those were some simple routes. Why not send the A6 on a couple of scouting missions during their stay on Tilaarin? Do some guerilla warfare against the K'Meri? And then mention how the MC had to learn quickly and actually put their new navigator skills to use. And also did some fighting. And also also that's how they could bond with Vexx as well, because he kind of suddenly becomes the part of the crew, idk. Love the carrot head, but I don't know why anyone else would care about him (except for Ryona, but she's special, and Damon obviously).
I know it would require some rewriting, but I think it would really benefit the story overall.
Anyway, that's my take. Besides the "IT'S BEEN A MONTH" issue I still loved episode 9, especially as a Calderon enjoyer. His arc was *chef's kiss*.