I have to confess. I was motivated to download and play the game just because I also own a Dream of Doll "Lahoo".
XDDDD
The game was surprisingly great! I wasn't expecting much from freeware that was short in length and made by one person. But I really started to believe in this fictional world and characters.
Honestly I thought the obviously "cut-paste-edited" assets for the game were kind of endearing. I like the mood set by low-budget renai games, if that makes any sense. But it would really be interesting to see some better photography/editing using bjds for the cast. The filter on Dylan's sprite was really nice too.
As for specific things I liked, that would be when Ash first peeked around the corner, without warning. and just watching everything animate from there. I really enjoyed watching them!! And the bg's like for the phone calls was a nice touch.
As for what to improve, that would be not just getting higher quality assets, but the backgrounds seemed a bit off-kilter. I know they are dolls so the perspective would be different than talking to a human at eye-level, but just poses and placement in general gave a sense of "being slapped on" without regard to what the natural perspective would be. Also light sources on one object being different than another (in the same screen) makes things look distorted as well. Everyday, without thinking about it, we, in real life, notice how light affects things. How something appears to be shaped is defined by light and shadow. So it's easy to notice when light sources and perspective are odd and unnatural. I personally think those issues are more important than "low resolution/detailed photos or artwork".
Also, some script errors. Right after Ash falls down the stairs, Reece is talking to Caleb. There is a line that is labeled as Reece being the speaker, but I'm thinking it is supposed to have Caleb's name instead.
"Of course I care, they're my brothers and I can't help them!"
Also, a few lines later in the same scene:
"I didn't like his tone or the snicker of condescension I sensed from him."
should be:
"I didn't like his tone
nor the snicker of condescension I sensed from him."
Anyways I really enjoyed this little story!!! I will surely play it again. Good luck with any future projects
