WARNING! ACHTUNG! LONGREAD!
What can I say about this visual novel after reading Tom and Maccoon routes? What does it feel like? The best word to describe it, it's lively!
Top-notch quality of animations, clean artstyle of visuals, cringy humor (which I am guilty to be fond of, every interaction with John is simply hilarious), both charming and authentic characters creates a truly dynamic atmosphere of 90's romcom-sitcom.
However, Socially Awkward has is it problems and one of the major is how unbelievably swiftly relationships develops in this FVN. NEXT PART MAY CONTAIN DIRECT/INDIRECT SPOILERS, BEWARE!!!!
Tom route is great. It does a fine job in revealing Jayce (MC) character, showing darkest moments of his past life, him being unloved, mentally attacked by his own father. It explain why Jayce is so conscious about ski hat being put on his head, it is to hide any connection with the pain of the past, with his cruel parent and the very reason he became Socially Awkward.
And in the darkness of past senior boy Tom was a ray of hope for Jayce. He was only person ready to relief our cat friend's inner misery, absolute lack of confidence and self-hatred.
But some events, as it happens in the flow of life, divided this two.
In Tom's route after finding out this events were a complite false made up by Jayce's father, lion and cat finally reunites as friends. And, I mean, even they didn't do that, they still had a lot of memories to share with each other. However... Turning from friends to lovers in 48 hours, then having ZeKs in a public place? I didn't quite get that.
Tom is a brave guy for sure, he seize every opportunity. But this is too much even for him. I am talking about his enormaously fast transformation from "wholesome friend of childhood" to a guy who is doing provoking reciprocating moves in the public gym with his hips to seduce his own friend.
I mean, it is a queer furry visual novel, every characters we have to interact with in it seems to be queer. But even for the world like this, I think it's not really a good idea to joke around this way in the public even if you slightly value your reputation. Such moments makes this story a little more funny and a lot less believable as well.
The only other of routes I've read is Macaroni's. What can I say about? It's considerably less well-written in terms of uncovering Jayce's personality and character than Tom's. It does not explain Jayce's socially awkward nature. I am aware that this novel still in developing and this might change drastically in the future.
However, in my opinion, there is a potential to uncover Mac not only as Jayce's (who seems to the corniest dastard in the Wild West) queer phantasy but something more complicated. Also this route has a lot of John's shenanigans with David, which is just amazing to witness. :)
And finally, talking about Jayce, someone may call him embarassing, I'll call him both cute and socially awkward. He is an embodiment of cute and lively nature of this game, being funny, true to himself and actually socially awkward person. Not always finding right words, sweating in conversations.
My verdict for this novel is 7 Jayce out of 10, which is "Cool read". Certainly looking forward for the next updates and intrigued with possibilities it could offer us.
P.S. I need to make a small revelation here. All my life I seem to enjoy furry content and stuff in any form of it, the very concept of an anthropomorphic animal is very exciting and pleasant for me, since I find animals being so amazing. And most recently, I am fond of reading furry visual novels for the same reason, especially after watching Keith Ballard's essay on Adastra. It is a whole new world for me, so many masterfully-created stories full of artistic spirit!
Although there is not so much of straight furry novels (I am straight or may be bi, yeah. Is there actually a good straight romantic furry novel that exists? Even one where you can date a girl? Saying not to offend queer people out there, you're just want to be appreciated and loved for who you are :D ), it's almost every time a refreshing and cool experience.
I would be happy to interact with furry community more!