Re: CUPID [Gothic/Romance] [Non-Commercial]
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 4:48 pm
I remember playing the demo for this a while ago, and I just spent hours on end playing the full game. Visually, it was a pleasure to behold. The art was so beautiful I found myself taken aback by some of the CGs, and the costume design (especially Catherine's) was downright gorgeous. What really helped capture the atmosphere and immerse me into the story was the music. It felt very fitting for the time period and summed up the emotions of some pivotal moments clearly; I also very much enjoyed the sound effects. You must have put a lot of time and effort into making this a wonderful visual experience!
Story-wise, the dark and sinister undercurrent running throughout the plot created wonderful tension, even during the more light-hearted scenes. I found myself constantly questioning Guilleme's actions, even when he was doing seemingly kind deeds, and the fact that I felt mild trepidation at every moment meant that you were doing something right. I almost gasped at some of the endings and overall did really like this VN.
However, I do have some questions:
Story-wise, the dark and sinister undercurrent running throughout the plot created wonderful tension, even during the more light-hearted scenes. I found myself constantly questioning Guilleme's actions, even when he was doing seemingly kind deeds, and the fact that I felt mild trepidation at every moment meant that you were doing something right. I almost gasped at some of the endings and overall did really like this VN.
However, I do have some questions:
Rosa is, apparently, a witch, but the origin of her powers are not described in the story. Of course, the author does not have to explain every nuance, but I felt this was a very big aspect of the story which was sorely lacking in explanation and delivery. What exactly do the candles accomplish? Why is Guilleme more vulnerable/able to killed when striking the candles? Why/how do they work? How is Rosa both a witch and a "cupid"?
Likewise, how exactly does Guilleme/Rosa's ability work? In the beginning of the VN, Emilie (Catherine's sister) has an affair with Guilleme. She originally expresses indifference or even distaste for him, but over the course of one interaction, her opinion completely changes. How is that possible? Is what she feels simply lust, or does Guilleme have some sort of ability to change the emotions of his victims? He does mention that love is not something that can simply be given; it must be earned. Moreover, Guilleme spends a lot of time with his victims, making sure that they love him before feeding. Surely Emilie did not grow to love him over one dinner. He also mentions other lovers in his journal, some of whom were one-night stands or purely lovers in the physical sense. Can Guilleme (and therefore Rosa by extension) manipulate emotions or simply feed off lust? Is it just a preference; as in, does pure love like Catherine's taste better?
This is nit-picky, but how does no one notice that Guilleme doesn't age? If he looks the same over a ten-year period, I'm sure at least some people would show concern.
Lastly, this isn't a question, but Guilleme is damn creepy, especially if he was basically "grooming" Catherine since the beginning for her to become someone he could feed off. That makes him a pedophile and, in some of the endings, an incestuous one. He's also damn hot, so I don't know whether I'm repulsed or aroused by him. (I admit I preferred the darker endings, but the secret ending was also great. Thank you for the bonus content!)
I'm looking forward to whatever projects you will be working on in the future!Likewise, how exactly does Guilleme/Rosa's ability work? In the beginning of the VN, Emilie (Catherine's sister) has an affair with Guilleme. She originally expresses indifference or even distaste for him, but over the course of one interaction, her opinion completely changes. How is that possible? Is what she feels simply lust, or does Guilleme have some sort of ability to change the emotions of his victims? He does mention that love is not something that can simply be given; it must be earned. Moreover, Guilleme spends a lot of time with his victims, making sure that they love him before feeding. Surely Emilie did not grow to love him over one dinner. He also mentions other lovers in his journal, some of whom were one-night stands or purely lovers in the physical sense. Can Guilleme (and therefore Rosa by extension) manipulate emotions or simply feed off lust? Is it just a preference; as in, does pure love like Catherine's taste better?
This is nit-picky, but how does no one notice that Guilleme doesn't age? If he looks the same over a ten-year period, I'm sure at least some people would show concern.
Lastly, this isn't a question, but Guilleme is damn creepy, especially if he was basically "grooming" Catherine since the beginning for her to become someone he could feed off. That makes him a pedophile and, in some of the endings, an incestuous one. He's also damn hot, so I don't know whether I'm repulsed or aroused by him. (I admit I preferred the darker endings, but the secret ending was also great. Thank you for the bonus content!)