Post by Sayakachan in All That (Probably) Glitters comments

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Finally got around to make an account to comment on games ^^

I played all games you made (aside from Cake dream, that one lagged too much to play it on my device, sadly X_X) and enjoyed them a lot. I am always excited when you upload because of the unique vibe your games. It's hard to put my finger on it but it reminds me of old PS Vita VNs (DR1 etc). There's still a lot that feels off at first, for example I think you use a lot of very saturated colors and many details that sometimes make the screen look chaotic in your graphics. But tbh? It kinda grew on me because it adds charme and that retro feelings to your work. Most VNs try to add less and less details and become more minimalistic. It's really hard to come across one that kinda feels like fitting into no mold at all. There's the cutesy aesthetic but dark undertone in your works, so it would make one thing that you probably got inspired by Danganronpa (very visible in your sprites), Zero Escape etc, but your games don't fall into the 'deathgame vn' / survival genre, making it an interesting experience.

Overal I enjoyed this game a lot. It wasn't too long or too short. And it was interesting meeting Kyandi outside her shop (or rather see what she did before that) and seeing what happened to Fritz. I like how your universe is connected.

Things that could be worked on: I must be honest I sadly encountered some bugs that made playing through this a bit annoying. So I stopped playing and picked this back up later X_X Somehow the inventory kept popping up when I tried to skip. There were also a handful of hardpauses that messed with my game (atl got funny) when I tried to skip through the game to get all achievements. It's sad that made it a bit frustrating.

Things that I liked a lot: The ui and atl was a huge step-up from your previous works. The inventory was a clever idea and was fitting for Kyandi. It made the story more lively and visually entertaining. I want to learn how to edit BGs like you so that I don't have to draw that stuff myself when really good photo edits fit into a VN just as much. I also liked the music you composed for this. It's very impressive you made all of this in just one month! O_O

Things that I hope will be added if you make an extra: (SPOILER) It was a bit weird that giving Fritz the items at the end only change a bit of dialogue but didn't really have an influence on the game/ending. I expected that for example getting the tiara at the beginning and giving it to Fritz would have a diffrent effect than giving him the the empty container. It changed a bit of dialogue but the outcome was the same. The inventory was a cool addition but it didn't really serve a purpose aside from using one item to get to the other route/ending. It would have been interesting if I would have to take care of my inventory while playing in order to influence the ending. Maybe that's an idea if you ever update this with the extra scene ; )

That's all for now. EDIT: I tried to rate your game 5 stars but somehow the rate button isn't there : O ?? (it's there for your other games)

Can't wait for the final Aq game ^^

MintGlow2 years ago

UwaahhhhHHHH SO KIND > < Thank you so much for commenting and sticking around for the games!!!! This is everything I could ask for in a comment, thank you thank you :D

Ahem--

Thank you for your thoughts on the style!!! ("chaotic", eheh oops) XD
But indeed, I was partially inspired by the DR series!!! My art style does seem to replicate it a little, or a lot actually LOL. Although mostly fun, it was SUCH a pain to draw all these detailed-ish sprites for this tiny game in less than a month, so minimalist VNs are understandable x.x (and yesss, learning how to edit BGs is a must!! I admire those who are able to draw them by hand...)

(I have never played/watched the Zero Escape series, but I have heard about it and do want to at some point!)

- If I may ask, what device and OS are you using to play the games?

I'm really sorry that you ran into bugs, I hate insects D: That's what I get for being experimental... I didn't seem to encounter any of these issues. The only hard pauses are at the beginning and end of the game, so that is strange... I must try this again for myself.
- 10 minutes later: I can't replicate it for some reason... Just curious and to clarify, did you find some of the bugs during the first playthrough? It might have to do with the specific moment you saved or the combination of menu buttons you pressed... I made sure to cancel and reset the ATLs after every single movement so this wouldn't happen x.x

- Thank you for attempting to rate the game XD Perhaps we'd have to wait for the Spooktober Jam to end, then you should be able to rate the game itself in the same top-right spot? Or use a different browser? Ah well.

( Pssssst, you can also follow me and others on itch.io to be more updated if you'd like, but no pressure ;D )

That idea for the extra is honestly great!!! :3
But I agree; for the inventory, I only had enough time to implement tiny choices/endings for the whole game and create the pocket system, so it does seem more like a linear VN. I also wanted to add secrets within! <- THAT, however, was too ambitious for the month...

Thank you again for the awesome words!!!!! I really appreciate it, and I wish you a fantastic day :D

Sayakachan2 years ago(+1)

Aww thank you so much for writing a reply! Ofc I am sticking around for each game you upload. I got really invested in what happens next because you are good at telling stories and you have so much knowledge about the stuff you write about. I know you just make stuff as a hobby and that this is the first game you made basically like 'full time' for a month. And it really shows! It looks much more professional compared to your previous works and with this one I think the little individual works have started connecting to a bigger story. I'm so excited for what's up with Aq in the next game! Your games are super awesome and it's so interesting seeing you get better and better with every game. I can only guess which future upload of yours will suddenly blow up and make the story super popular!

Also I apologise if calling your style 'chaotic' seemed negative Q_Q I don't think it's negative at all, actually I get drawn to stuff that has an aura that feels like it's polished content yet will catch me off-guard. It's hard to describe that style of game. That's why I pulled the DR1 example ^^ I think DR1 might look like a game that makes it hard for you what genre to expect from just the game's style. But once you started playing it you can hardly put it back down!

You should play Zero Escape at some point ^^ I bet it falls right into your alley. Especially Virtue's Last Reward focuses a lot on interactions between characters (trust and distrust) and how to either manipulate others or to be honest with them.

I play the games on my family laptop. It's a very old HP and I rather not download too many games on it. But I downloaded the games that I knew were from creators I can trust, especially Renpy games are fine. Once I had seen the good ending I used the skip button a lot to unlock the achievements, if it helps. I will see if I'm able to replicate the issues I ran into. But it was mostly the inventory popping up at some places where I'm pretty sure that wasn't intended, which might have been due to the ATL issues that I experienced after I used skip. 'Just curious and to clarify, did you find some of the bugs during the first playthrough?' - No, only after I saw the good ending

Oh I figured it out, I just have to rate the game for the jam ^^ I was blind.

You did SO MUCH in just that month! I don't wanna pressure you in adding anything more LOL But if you really intend to expand the game, I am looking forward to what you add to it ^^ Since you already got the character sprites for the three of them, maybe there is a way to add the extra scene without spending too much time on it.

Also pstpst pst....

I think Fritz is a really cool dude. Probably my fav character next to / on the same tierlist as Pippy. Idk if it's due to the exam game that made me feel for him a lot ever since the beginning. I think the pressure of having to succeed in school or you will be marked unsuccessful for the rest of your life is a fear that is universal. I didn't expect him to be a part of the whole (thought the exam game was just a bonus) so it was enjoyable that he was back and that his story was continued ^^ I really hope to see him again soon.