Hi there! I decided to play another random game off the LemmaSoft forums as I like to do every once in a while, and I'm glad I did.
This game was fun and entertaining. I definitely like the direction it went
with its reveal - somewhat like a much more positive version of The Others (though this game and that film are VERY different)
I had no special feelings towards any of the guys at the start, so I decided to take the first playthrough in whatever direction. Getting the bad ends along the way is pretty amusing. Eventually I decided I absolutely didn't want to romance Vonn first - then I accidentally ended up with him anyway. He turned out to be my favourite! The only endings I haven't gotten yet are the normal endings, if there are any (I might have gotten at least one, not sure anymore).
Viktor's "good" ending in which Lee accepts living in the mansion forever as a ghost seemed the most like a normal ending!
Feedback:
I like that the main character matters in the story.
Lee entering the house and her subsequent actions are what help or hinder the brothers' ability to overcome their fear and hesitance to take the risk of 'coming back'... The fear is especially apparent in how protective Viktor is of his brothers, and even Vonn trying to help Viktor protect Vern. Both Viktor and Vonn have made decisions than can roughly be described as 'taking a risk', and their actions have had very clear consequences. On that note, Lee's first decision is whether or not to "take the risk!" and that decision really reflects the game and its thematic point. Nothing happens (she ends up at the mansion again or eventually gets caught by the flames) until she chooses to take the risk. The fact that she decides to do it (right away or otherwise) is what immediately sets her apart from the brothers, who woke up already at the mansion and have been too afraid to take anymore risks because of their fear of obscurity and the unknown. The brothers definitely act as a support for Lee as well, but she has a bigger influence on them in that they actually follow after her and wake up (I'm going to assume all three of them wake up in all of the good ends where she wakes up....or...I'll hope so...it makes sense thematically)
After getting several different endings, I feel like the most effort went into writing Vonn and his route. It seemed like there was more development in the characters and in their relationship while playing his route. That plays a part in why Vonn is my favourite, but it's also because I genuinely grew fond of him as a character, too.
Viktor's route was the weakest to me
(possibly in part because if there is a way to start his route earlier than walking back from the forest with him and helping him clean, I haven't found it yet).
The time that is spent with him is nice; I just wish there was more of it.
Vonn and Vern both had significant, personal conversations about their own dreams and insecurities, but I don't feel like Viktor had as much of an opportunity for that. I feel like you get to spend much more time with Vonn than with any other guy.
I enjoy the details put into the game! A few examples:
Not only are they in middle of a mountain, but the mansion is huge and only emphasizes the feeling of loneliness and seclusion. The constant rain makes you feel only more trapped and lost, especially within the flow of time. When the brothers talk about the voices of their loved ones eventually fading away, it was sad to think about how long they must have been in the hospital for friends and family to stop visiting them...or worse, if the family completely lost hope in their recovery. It's more obvious in other endings, but in one of the endings Lee wakes up from a coma and the nurses apologize for taking so long to get to the room, mentioning something about another patient flatlining....... : )
Lee can't bleed from a cut in the kitchen but her leg is probably healing because she's in the hospital and time is passing. The magically infinite food supply is probably just the four of them receiving nutrients in the hospital as well. I love how unsettling the mysterious occurrences are to the characters (and by extension, the player); the voices are familiar, but it's still something unknown, and it's scary to feel so lost, confused and helpless for so long.
I know it's a small thing, but having the sprites blink is something I really appreciate! Sprites always feel more alive when they have blinking animations, and it adds more immersion.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention how nice it is to play an MC who doesn't have the personality of a doormat. I don't know what it is with commercial Japanese otome games, but they seem to have this recurring problem.
That's all the feedback I can think of at the moment. Other than that, I'm glad I experienced this game and my heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes out to everyone for their hard work put into this project!
Now I have to make my roommate play the game. >:)