Post by Snek in If:Then jam comments

Viewing post in If:Then jam comments

This was a really sweet experience. Seeing the dialogue evolve and coalesce into the final story beats was cool, even if some scenes were very repetitive. maybe that was intentional to compell the player to push forward?

From a writing standpoint, I'd advise you to not allude to things that are not there but could be very closely. I picked 2x flexibility first and the doll explicitly says "get upgrades so you don't see something you're not supposed to see." - which of course I'd want to, but I didn't have a choice in the matter.

However! It also serves to tell a different story. The ultimate choicelessness of the story structure conveys the protagonist's inner drive. and the hidden wish to shape the doll in the imagine of his vision of Iris - despite her own determination als Galatea existing contra to that

I'm really glad you created this game, as complex story structures like this are a kind of beast that can be difficult to wrap your head around, and it worked really well for that. All the writing was consistent and that's not always a given - good job :3

I also really liked the doll toying with the plant. That was an adorable touch :3

Like Reply

LemonInk15 hours ago

Yep! Let's call it a mix of actual intention and also the karma I get for not wanting to write that weekend LMAO. I totally get where you're coming from. Orignally there was way more exploration of that quote depending on what upgrades you then proceeded to get/your actions in other runs, but such is the nature of game jams having you squish your ambitions into a semi-serviceable sample size... >M<

But just like you said--There's also this slice of the story where you have to consider how different Elliot really is from Galatea, seemingly having certain conversations that ultimately end and diverge with very little consequence because of what was written. He always comes back, no matter what, until you get to the end. And in the end, he gets a slice of what he sees, which is just what he wanted to see, and what Galatea learned to deliver...

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! I'd definitely love to tackle this sort of structure with more time and inspiration, but I'm glad that what I once saw as a mess (we're our own worst haters it seems) has still come across as fairly consistent and meaningful :,)) Here's to hoping I can get said plant in an update after this jam is over LOL

Like Reply

itch.io

Viewing post in If:Then jam comments