Well that was bleak... My only gripe is that the branching map is underutilized. If the map shows what the player can get where, then I would be able choose which route to take to make a requested potion, or at least not get duplicate ingredients. The way it is now, the branching map might as well be a straight line. I didn't leave the NPC to die, the game did. That kind of feeling.
The combat takes some time to understand. But once it clicks, it's surprisingly good. It's literally a risk vs reward situation. Especially when I see a 9 on either side: a sure-kill for me or an "if I get hit I'll die" situation. Even the duplicate potions have their use. Having to listen to the enemy before confirming which potion to use is clever, a side dish of emotional damage for the player lol.
I said all that but I never survived past day 5. Good game, but might want to make sure the player know that they can use ALL 3 rock-paper-scissor at the same time, as that is very important.