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.
Implementation of Theme (4):
I thought the MC’s powers slowly expanding was a great use of the theme. I grew up as one of those people obsessed with Earthbound so I always wanted my mind to suddenly expanded with magic and PSI powers. The idea of just this new realm to discover and explore piqued me even if we just needed to take an inter-dimensional plane to it.
Story (3):
I’m a sucker for classic Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest like elements just appearing in modern times as if it was nothing. Unlike my submission… you didn’t bog down your VN with tedious RPG stuff like I did. Nothing dragged on for too or over stayed its welcome.
It’s nice playing a MY WOLF that moreso seems to focus on bromance over romance.
Presentation (3):
The part where Diarmuid is fighting monsters on the road was hilarious and exactly the type of shenanigans I had in mind when we decided that the Pre-Made sprites would be fully body again.
The audio direction was spot on and you did the most that you could with the Pre-Made Assets. I was expecting another power suit on the wolf like with Rogue Star River.
Unfortunately, the missing asset errors at the end, really took me out of the moment. It would have been more funny if you were able to program them as Ren’Py Girl Placeholders but alas.
Creativity (4):
I really wanted this to have some VN/RPG Hybrid elements in it but alas that asking for a lot in a VN Jam. It felt like we were only scraping the surface of this world you crafted.
I still remember the line that Siofra says about how much money it costs to revive her boyfriend.
Total (14):
So quick anecdote. I was watching video about the Substitute Characters from Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War and it talked about Lachesis’s son named Diarmuid. I hadn’t thought of that Fire Emblem character is a while and found it entertaining since Fire Emblem usually doesn’t take naming influence from Irish mythology.
Out of everyone who submitted something Solo, I think you might do the most wonders trying out a Non-Batman approach.
The biggest tragedy in this VN is that the thumbnail you used and continue to use, is so unenticing. Although Rogue Star River suffered the same fate so it might just be your personal style at this point. Whatever you release next, I’ll know to play it despite whatever thumbnail you use. Maybe something that reminds me of Tsukihime which I should be finishing by the time MAY WOLF 2025 is finished.