Play Visual Novel
Labor of Love's itch.io pageResults
Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
Story | #3 | 4.391 | 4.391 |
Presentation | #4 | 4.391 | 4.391 |
Creativity | #9 | 4.217 | 4.217 |
Ranked from 23 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Team Members
Petrichor
Jackson
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Comments
Really loved this one. The writing was great and the story and characters were immediately engaging. I remember feeling so anxious as the main conflict kept brewing and escalating, a sure sign you managed to pull me in the fictional lives of these characters.
My only small gripe with this story is that the resolution did end up feeling a bit too lopsided. While both characters had fair points and perspectives and the solution was in the middle and compromise, it did ended up feeling like Benny took all of the blame while the MC was left with very little soulsearching to do. And while this is consistent with their characterization (the text even calls it out) and I'm pretty was it was done intentionally, it did end up making me feel just a bit unsatisfied with the resolution of these characters' arcs.
In particular, the biggest offender for me is the dining scene, since it's the only one to my memory that doesn't revolve around the MC's writing and inspiration issues. While this is nice to break the monotony by providing a new reason for conflict, it also creates a situation where the MC is pretty unambiguously in the wrong imho (the call didn't really seem to have any urgency to it, that would justified the MC being so inconsiderate towards his husband). (Also who's paying for such long transcontinental calls lol) xD
But again, nitpicks aside, this is definitely one of the highlights of the game jam for me!
I AM RATING THESE ALL THESE JAM SUBMISSIONS RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER. THERE ARE HIGH HIGHS AND LOW LOWS BUT PLEASE DON’T TAKE THIS TOO PERSONALLY, AFTERALL, WE ALL ONLY HAD A MONTH.
Story (4):
I hope that one day, I too can have the kind of deep relationship that Xavier and Benny have. But I want to stay young forever!
You perfectly blended a MY WOLF with an I WOLF but the MY WOLF nullifies the I WOLF.
You wrote a lot but it doesn’t feel like needless fluff.
Out of all the VN’s in the Jam that were SFW, I wish that this one had the sexo.
Presentation (4):
I think redrawing the provided WOLF in your own style is such a dunk on everyone that if I didn’t give you at least 4 Stars then I would be doing the Jam a disservice.
I do hope that Sam and Rossi are at least designed without their mono-colored stylings.
I want to see fanart of them.
Creativity (4):
We’ve always seen MY WOLVES, falling in love with people. I think having us be married to the MY WOLF for decades is a nice twist.
I would’ve been better if they got divorced like that fake spoiler said.
Also a VN about writer’s block is very ingenious.
Total (12):
At fours all around, it’s very balanced meal. licks lips mock-vore-al-ly
I remember when you were first talking about it, that you made it sound like reverse Adastra. Going to Italy with a MY WOLF instead of a MY WOLF taking your from Italy. I’m very glad that this wasn’t an Adastra parody like I thought it was going to be. I do think the Adastra references were a little too on-the-nose but what do I know, Mr. Unagi Hasn’t Actually Play Adastra Yet And Won’t Until Interea Is Finished Because He Wants To See If Interea Holds Up On It’s Own Which It Really Hasn’t At Least Compared To Khemia
I hope that we get to see more of Sam and Rossi. Xavier and Benny have had their time in the limelight. I think it’s time for the lime thembo to get their chance.
It’s pretty long but remember that it is basically two stories one.
Also this reminded me that I still need to visit Venice. It was too far away when I studied abroad in Florence my Sophomore year of University.
This was a great story y'all great work.The runtime is perfect and the pacing is great.Our two protags are very entertaining,and even though we dont spend much time with them their relationship is very believably written.They feel like a couple thats been together for a while.And watching the tension slowly grow was a show.The two noir sprites are an absolute treat visually.The argument scene was nicely done i was very much in the "Benny get his ass" camp but when Xavier said his peace i did step back and go "yeah i can see the frustration of both parties and its not about whos more wrong its about how will they fix this issue" the argument didnt feel one-sided.Althogh my one teeny tiny issue is that i feel Benny threw all the blame on himself all too quickly and without much pushback from Xavier.Like after Xavier shared his feelings all of Bennys valid arguments were thrown down the canals.But like i said its really only a small part and the ending was great.Them learning how to be better partners toward one another is a great way to end it off.Once again y'all fantastic work.You can truly tell this was a labor of love (cue the laugh track!!!!)
Also i laughed when Xavier was like "Benny's put on a few pounds" meanwhile the sprite is jacked and has the flattest stomach known to man.
Thank you Vin!
Pretending the authors didn't already read this heehee
Thank you Shyno <3
One day, I will have the fortitude to read this comment.
Incredible character writing, realistic flaws, and adorable hubby. Enthralling section in venice, and it doesnt feel too fast paced. Oh yeah great art as well, especially rossi and sam hunt, awesome stylization.
As the great martin scorsese once said, "cinema fr"
Thank you b0bby! Glad you liked it.
Phenomenal stuff. The story was expertly paced, every single scene felt like it had a purpose to further the plot and the characters' emotions. The stylized sprites used are extremely charming and flexible, and the writing felt extremely tight and eloquent. Long, flowery descriptions of in-universe environment as well as imaginary scenarios (from the mind of our MC) were given but never crossed into cheesy or excessive. The climactic scene got some tears from me, and the grounded world and characters helped sell the authenticity of the emotional highs. Excellent stuff all around, the time flew by while playing this!
Glad you liked it Yuugen! <3
The writer's block experience, #Relatable
Sometimes too relatable...
Well written, patiently paced, elegantly constructed. The main characters are suitably archetypical – you get what their deal is pretty fast, but the game's gratifying dramatic arc explores their relationship with a sharp eye for interesting details and conflicts. In the end, it felt like a complete, satisfying story. And while there's not a lot of visual flair to the VN, its few tricks it has are used well; the transition to the embedded narrative near the end was pure cinema.
I'm still howling at the "pure cinema" call out. Thank you purkka.