So, Password.
I cannot overstate how this VN surprised me, let me start talking about presentation: The stock images used for the backgrounds are very well selected for the scenes, heck I would say that drawn background probably won't give the same exact they gave me. Is hard to explain but the amount of times you see it give a sensation of familiarity and the black and white filter used for make it all nostalgic even for me who just played now. The sprites are very amateurish but it does work in favor of the game, the own unique body shapes does give an charm to it and the characters have a lot of expressions and they change a lot even mid sentences which is great to keep attention and also read how the characters are feeling.
Now the OST, man Civ Valian really are one of my favorite composers in the FVN spaces, heck I would say even in non FVN spaces, he already got me surprised in other FVNs like Lustful Desire and RainCheck and once again it's amazing in here too and knowing Grizz also composed some tracks makes me curious to see what is next to hear. The sound track in Password really works because even if loops due the long stretches of dialogue the way is looped it does not have noticeably moments where you can notice the music looping or the music ending and starting again, which is a blessing for my ears.
Now about the actual story I will only comment on the point of view of Dean route which is the one I finished, I will update this after reading the whole thing. So, the story of Password is indeed confusing and I did spend sometimes breaking my head with the puzzles, but I do love it the intricacies the fact that nothing feels like a after thought and the expectancy of attention feels great in a VN. I won't delve much in spoiler territory because of all VNs I played so far this one is the best you experience without any info prior or knowing anything besides bare bones. But what I can say is that the story is very character focused so your enjoyment is tied to how much you like the characters and I can say even the ones I thought I didn't care much by the end I was loving them and already miss them now that I finished the game. That is to say it can be a bit frustrating with some puzzles but they are more an attention test of you, if you really read it you will figure it out pretty easily.
My final thoughts: I really love Password it's one my favorite FVNs of all time, it made me cry so much and laugh so hard, I love every character and every moment written in this game I will do it again and again with the other routes and endings. Now there is one thing I do want to mention which is one my favorite things about the VN which does fit in spoiler category so I suggest not reading from here on if you plan to read it. This is just my biased comments.
So first of all I really loved how the sex scenes were handled and it become one of my favorite depictions of it, sure some might complain of the lack of actual erotic material but for me at least Password managed to extract the emotions of love, vulnerability and proximity of 2 people without the vulgar and horny depictions. I really like it how it was handled it leaving enough to imagination but not too much to distract from what is important. I also loved the romance parts, it really felt natural, it made sense and make me smile a lot seeing Dave and Dean going about, I can't wait to see the other routes,
And the second thing I want to talk about is Dave's dad, David one of the major reasons for tears in this game for me. The reason I want to point this out that is hard to make the reader care for a character who is not present in the story but David influence and the love Dave and Tyson have for him is so real that I couldn't start to be sad when it was brought up the sad parts or smile of the good parts.
But yeah this is my review of Password for now I will edit this later when I finish all routes to point out any changes in opinion.
