Today I tried playing this game, and I am really glad I did!
I've got just one ending, though I plan or trying out all of them. But, as I finished at least one, I thought I tell you what I think.
First of all, I must tell you I really enjoy your artwork. It's stunning. Beautifull. And it's different. A mix of realism and cartoon, maybe? I don't know, but I know you must have worked hard to make you artstyle perfect. I believe, everyone will recognize your games by it. It really is special.
Secondly, plot.
I almost felt as if somebody was reading me a tale... I've got back to times when I was seven years old, reading about princes, castles, adventures, knights, battles... But, you kept up with realism, with lovely characterization, different personalities, affairs and everything else.
It was marvelous. I couldn't expect anything better, and I felt so caught up in a story, that I just couldn't put it down, until I finished it.
Thirdly, relationship.
I've played some of princexprincess (or knightxprincess) stories and most stereotype is that they both are so angered to have partners chosen for them, they fall deeply in love and ran away or something. Lots of hearts, flowers, passion and stuff.
But, your story had it different way. Probably the most realistic way, in my opinion.
Characters were used to how tradition goes. Of course, they weren't slaves who would do how they are told, but there weren't this usual anger and madness. More like 'I can do that or that, to keep my Tsardom safe, so I'm going to do that'.
Prince Ivan and Princess Elena, solving this problem this way - they showed how composed and grown-up they are.
And even if at first you would say it was more of a... pact between them, then I believe they grew up to love each other.
Not everybody's love must be furious and wild.
They are a calm, lovely couple... And a beautifull one.
And the mini-game is something I really, really enjoyed! *note to herself to check up how to code mini-games*
I was like 'wow, nice, really nice...!'
It wasn't easy, and that was nice as well. So you had to try and think and everything... And, with a bit of russian culture! I live close by Russia (Poland) and I heard bits about them. Beside, we come from the same culture (Slavs) and I was happy to see a bit of that in the game.
One thing I missed though, was a bit more of relationship growth at the end - they kinda just went straight to it, and I felt there could be more to it. (During the gameplay it was coming alone nice, only ending was a little bit... hasty?)
I hope to see more and more games from you
