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(+6)(-2)

Just to briefly add an additional opinion to this discussion... For me, the RNG mechanics were never really questionable. They achieve what they set out to accomplish very well, and it clicked for me almost immediately. 

There is no shortage of games that cater to maximizing fun and pure engagement & progress. This game seeks to be something different. It would seem that this game could be described as, among many other things, an experiment to test how the removal of some quality-of-life features typical of adventure games and rpgs can emulate a particular experience and induce a specific mood and state of mind in the player. 

Not all experiments succeed, of course, and in this case success can hardly be measured empirically, but for me this works perfectly, and only seems to be getting better as the dev tweaks and iterates on the concept.

As has been said, this game does an excellent job of synthesizing aspects of Samsara as the concept has been interpreted in different ways by various Eastern strains of thought. It succeeds in transposing this synthesis into an experience for the player. This was probably difficult for the dev to conceptualize, and the transposition was probably even more of a challenge. It would be a shame for that to be left on the table.

Obviously this is not going to click for everyone. But it is much better for that. This game, even in its current state, leaps well above the lowest common denominator. It's very special and I want the dev to know that there are many people who appreciate what they are creating here. Can't wait for the release, I know many many people who will be interested in playing this. 

RNG mechanics are not that bad, its just that you got lucky with it and got a bit further than someone like me has. That's the issue with a game having this much RNG in it is that everyone's experience is going to be so different. But that also comes with bad that some people are just going to have a horrible time with it. 

(+3)(-1)

You're assuming that I was able to access the scripted content faster than average but that isn't really true. I've played through the game twice at different stages in its development and I had different experiences with pacing. I enjoyed the game during the scripted content, and I enjoyed it when I was wandering the world for long periods of time between scripted sequences. This is why I think it succeeds, even in the traditional RNG "Worst-case scenario", I still found the experience to be engaging. I found value regardless. You might not, and that's fine! But, in my opinion, this game would lose a lot of its impact if a player could brute force rush through the more quiet parts in order to access all scripted content ASAP. I know that would have lessened my experience. 

(+1)(-1)

I feel the same way. Even when I was wandering I was having a good time. It always felt like a dream (which makes sense, it was in LSDJAM 2023). I personally am totally fine with the game being a visual novel and exploration sandbox, I just think some people didn't know that was the experience they were signing up for. I think that's mostly what it comes down to.

I also agree that personally a "skip" button would have made the experience worse for me.

(-2)

Me thinks if the zones were more fun and pretty to look at I wouldn't mind it so much. A lot of the zones just are so bland... and grey... and boring compared to the first game.