OHHHHHHH THIS WAS SO DELIGHTFULLY INTERESTING.
I played through, for lack of a better word, the "normal" way first -- as in, without doing any of the mind-reading options. And actually that made me forget entirely for a moment that they were even an option and there was something deeper going on here and so it just felt like a little chance, fleeting convo between them and then I restarted it to try other options and I was like OH YEAH I CAN MIND READ LMAO.
So then I started playing with those, and that's when it went from cute and soft and sweet to HELP MY HEART. Because gosh was I not expecting the sudden incoming dark vibes and outburst of truth from Mark lkdajfldskf. I just want to say first off that it was brilliant how you handled that -- that you can take this on-the-outside chance meeting but then twist it on its head based on the options you choose. It really makes for a fun twist 🤭💕
BUT ON TO THE STORY ITSELF. I've always thought the idea of mind-reading would be super interesting to dive into in a story -- particularly in a VN format since it allows for so many types of player interaction, etc. So it was really neat getting to read a story that dives into this and what it might look like. I also loved the idea of meeting up with an ex -- someone you as the MC have a history with but that you as the player don't know all the history behind -- and getting to learn bits and pieces of their backstory and relationship through the dialogue. It was quite enjoyable getting to learn about the little various moments that happened between them in the past and form an image of what their relationship must have been like as I read. I went from chuckling at their past antics to feeling miserable for them to smiling at the cuteness, especially when Mark started blushing. I also like that there were little hints about what might have been actually going on that you could only really pick up on after you got the fifth ending ldakjflsdf When I was going back and choosing a variety of options to get the in-between endings, I enjoyed picking up on some of them. GOD THOUGH IN THE FIFTH ENDING WHEN IT GOT ALL DARK AND THEN MARK WAS YELLING AT US IN HIS MIND THAT WAS SO SO GOOD. I ACTUALLY SAT BACK IN MY CHAIR A LITTLE BIT AND WAS FREAKING OUT ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ASLDKJFASLD
The art is GORGEOUSSSSSSSSSSSSS GOD. Mark's sprite? HELLO??????? And the BG with the soft blur?? Making it feel like walking straight into a photograph or something? SO GOOD. And I'm in love with the title menu art AHHHH!! The design and composition of it is so good, and the logo, and the UI, GOD JUST EVERYTHING ALKDJFALDSK. Also Julius is very cute OHHHHH! Makes me want to see more art of him in the future too dlkafdsf
GUH. AT ANY RATE. I enjoyed this so so much! I was able to finally get all the endings after playing around with the different options. It was fun to see how different combos led to subtle changes, particularly in Julius's suspicion. Overall just super great and polished and beautifulllll and with a really interesting (and shocking!!) story that made me want to know so much more -- not only about Mark and Julius but also just like, Julius in general and why?? He can read minds??? And how??? Mark was able to guess???? ldkfajldskf I want to know more plz thank you yes.