I finally got my lazy butt up to review.
Anyways.
Storyline - Intriguing. My first time seeing bits of RPG/Adventure elements in a VN - which I absolutely love (Insert Less Than Three) and
adore. A pot of political intrigue - mixed with romance, adventure and endless possibilities of what could and can happen. It's totally down-to-earth and realistic, able to reflect reality in so many ways. Torn between duty and honour, responsibilities and standing up for what is right - you've outdone yourself~
Graphics - Tis' pretty lovely. I loved the CGs, by the way. The character sprites are well-done, though from what I've seen from your Memoirs remake that you've gone above and beyond this for that one - haha. But still, amazing ^^
Just one thing, though - the times when the cut-scenes came - the art didn't seem to really...fit. Zuleika looked like a child in a couple of them, something which made me go "Aww" but also like "Awkward" to me. So, yeah. Just my two cents.
Soundtracks/Music - Very fitting. The music for whichever place they went, whatever situations they were in - were blended into a nice, harmonious symphony. Simply put, very lovely
Dialogue/Gifts - IHEARTTHIS. You managed to avoid the usual cliché-ish and pretentious situations, and simply make your own way. I was quite amused when the option to toss a coin came up. Reminded me of the times where my brother/cousins/friends and I had to flip coins to decide whose turn it was to start off our round of Pokemon Trading Cards as well as how much damage our Pokemon dealt.
For the gifts, I was also amused by the flowers thing. I attempted to imagine Chael receiving flowers from Zuleika and I think my family thought I went mad, cause I was laughing so hard until my cheeks hurt.
I'm so sorry, Chael xD
Characters (In no specific order. Used Spoiler Tag ^^;;)
Chael - Seeing an assassin with angel wings (like woah) appearing in the MC's (who I was playing as) room was not creepy at all. Nope. IWASNOTSCARED. Just. Uh. Confused and stuff. Yep. >.> I DENY ALL CLAIMS OF MY BEING SCARED.
Anyway, his personality was aloof and reclusive. Reminded me of Byakuya from Bleach (
D'aw *ahem*) with a tad of...hmm.. Sasuke from Naruto. Byakuya's emotionless facade (but he's still good-looking >.>) and Sasuke's indifference. And yet, as you get to know him, he's gentle. And sweet. Like a guardian
Kirile - Definitely reminded me of Naruto. Friendly, occasionally loud (unlike Naruto who was always loud as a kid) and optimistic. But of course, he can be serious at times. Charming, engaging and friendly with a dash of seriousness. Though I have to admit, when the line of '...came across as innuendos' came in, I was like thinking "Ohgawd, that's
so Kakashi..." And his eye-patch thing, I don't know what the heck why, but what came to my mind was: "Holy crap, that's a Kakashi/Jack Sparrow kinda winged angel!"
You combined two of my absolute favourite male chars ever. Plus, he has WINGS. My virtual self can die happy now.
Duren - D'aw, poor guy. Having to serve a king who's a sociopath and ascended after the brother's death - ouch. He's a prince, and yet he can't take over the throne because of
You-Know-Who. His friendliness and protectiveness of Zuleika is charming to see. But, I do wish that more of his fierceness and confidence had been shown. His character development and personality together with the dialogue could have been more in-depth. Still, great job
Nefferon - ...Evil fella. But an evil mastermind who's cunning and able to plot various nefarious schemes, that I'll give him >.> Yet, there's so much more to him shown in the story. His ending made me wanna cry and at the same time rage at the PC. *cough* Immensely simple, yet complex...Nefferon is most definitely an enigma
(*eyes suspiciously* Did you do it on purpose?) and a tough one to figure out. He's like a rubik's cube...with lots and lots of layers to be sorted out.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
I've played the demo of your remake, and it far surpasses this one. Aim high, never give up, and keep going
Remember that you have people who support you.
Sincerely and eagerly anticipating your works ^_^
Here's a gift
Tentatively titled, "Excerpt from Zuleika".
Torn between duty and honour
These complexities and situations
Leave my mind in a state of
Bewilderment and confusion
I lie against a wall of white
And gaze out the window, at the sky
As the remnants, the vestiges of light
Disintegrated into the dusk of night
I close my eyes, and my mind wanders
If I will be able to survive
The inevitable encounters
Which will leap into real life
Whether I will be able to
Find myself, and live on
It is unknown, as the future is
And always unpredictable
Only one will be left alive
The other has no choice but to die
And my heart whispers, with my mind
"Do you, will you, be able to fight?"