AHHH SYLVAN!!! You replying to my comments always make my day really better. Its okay if your replies arent as long as mine, im just happy that you took time out of your day to show your gratitude!!! Im glad that my reviews make you smile :)) youre my favourite game developer and I cant wait for coalesce!!
AstroStars
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A member registered Dec 21, 2023
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TIME TO REVIEW THIS GAME!!!
Visuals, Story, and then characters.
Spoilers...
Wow. After playing Wttfm just a few hours ago before this one. The game visuals left me SPEECHLESS. Srsly, mouth hung low and open WIDEEE up.
I love how beautiful the game looks, the sound effects of hovering over options, how its not a black box anymore. Not only did the art improve, coding did too. I LOVE THE ARTSTYLE. Like hwow. THAT SHADING AND RENDERING IS INCREDIBLE!! OH MY GOSHHH THE CHARACTERS LOOK SO GOOD. The artist did so well. I love it. The dialogue box is so diverse, i love it.
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I did not expect to end up DEAD right away, that was crazy. The tense scene in the car was really really tense. The story was a little obvious to me when I first started, i was gonna get killed and one of the brothers did it.
I had a gut feeling that it was engel and i was correct!!! THE DIALOGUE IS AS CONSUMABLE AS USUALLLL so nice reading through it. It feels super natural and real, just like all your other games.
I got the ending where Evan kills Engel, I DID NOT EXPECT THAT AT ALL.. I thought they were going to bury the body or crash the car.
I played again obviously. Since I made the first mc a cheater, i made this one have a ton of affections to Evan, bc hes a cutie!!
So I unlocked the second ending... AND ENGEL IS ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN HIS OWN BROTHER? Next time, i should def read tags :skull: MY JAW WAS HUNG LOW AND I MEAN LOW. THAT WAS SOME CRAZY EFFING SHOCK VALUE. But when you do replay it, it still feels natural, it feels like there subtle hints to it already.
But GOD I DID NOT EXPECT THAT AT ALL. DID NOT EXPECT IT A SINGLE BIT. WHEN ENGEL LUNGED ON EVAN?? I WAS FEARING THE WORSE. Thank god home boy didnt die :(
UGHH SEEING ENGEL AFTER THAT WAS SO CREEPY. Its sad to think that Evan is stuck in the basement in that ending.. I really hoped he was gonna get let go.
Evan, he deserves better. Someone get this guy into therapy, a good lawyer, and a loving circle
Engel, throw that man into a psyche ward. AND BRING ME BACK FROM THE DEAD SO I CAN BEAT THAT BOY'S REAR.
Def one of my shorter reviews. I love the amount of details poured into this game and its a treat. I love the contrast between the siblings. For a short game, it still has that beautiful writing I fell inlove with. Its a truly beautiful game. I cant wait to play more of your productions soon... Lovely work Sylvan!!!!!
As expected, the attention to detail is splendid. You can really see the subtle hints of Engel's true feelings for Evan.
It's been a long while since I've gotten the time to play games, time to play this one and then your new one back to back >:)
Okay, time for a change of pace, visuals, story, and then characters.
SPOILERS!!!!!!!
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FIRST OFF. I LOVE THE ART IT IMPROVED SO MUCH COMPARED TO FOR AMERTA ITS INSANE THE LINE WORK AND THE COLORING IS SOO MUCH CLEANER AND I LOVE THE RENDERING SOO SOO SOOO MUCHHHH
The song is really nice to hear in the background and I can see that in some way, youve once again improved in creating a scene. It was breathtaking looking at past aran, he was so ethereal.
The art, the portraits in general. They're mesmerizing. I love the characters and how they look.
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The dialogue is beautiful. Just like the other two games, it feels natural and nice. The story itself was so deep and beautiful. It was incredible. I really took the time to be immersed in the story because it was just beautiful.
Lowkey giggled at Caleb a few times, he's a funny character. The characters in general were diverse and amazing. The banter between Aran and Caleb is just incredible. It really does feel like I'm watching two people fall in love.
I was theorizing so hard I went from "aran is in a dream and still asleep" to "Caleb has to be lying" to "CALEB ISNT LYING BUT HE'S COVERING THINGS UP AND HE'S THE ONE WHO PUSHED ARAN OFF THE 7 STORY BUILDING AND HE'S HIDING SOMETHING!!" to "oh my gosh aran isn’t even in a hospital he's in a dupe and is stuck in caleb's house and they’re just acting like they’re in the hospital" to "CALEB AND JULIA ARE DEF HIDING SOMETHING AND FRIDA KNOWS ITT!!" Then I started to get even more suspicious of the story. "ooo.. aran is talented and has a ton of friends but out of nowhere he jumps off a building? Howd he lose his arm then.... SO STRANGE!!" I was on edge the whole game. HAHA
Even more so when I was on chapter 4-5 I WAS SCREAMING SO MUCH LIKE "I KNEW CALEB WAS NO GOOD I KNEW IT!!" and then..
I got the first ending. Aran got shot. I stared at the screen with a face of bewilderment just staring at it. I did not expect that. I did not expect that AT ALL. HOW WAS THAT A NORMAL ENDING??? Was the first thought in my head "IF THAT WAS A NORMAL ENDING HOWS THE OTHER ENDINGS???" I was legit having a crisis. Then, finally we got some clarity. I thought. "WHO WAS THE WOMAN IN THE VIDEO?!" was my next crisis. "IS IT FRIDA? IS THAT ARAN'S MOM?! WHO THE HECK IS THAT" then i got ending 2 bc AINT NO WAY I WAS NOT CALLING THAT MAN OUT, AINT NO WAY.
Honestly, that made me sad. Next time Aran will forget how to breathe/j then... chapter five happened.
GOD WHERE DO I START WITH CHAPTER FIVE?? JESUS CHRIST. ROY WAS THERE- CALEB WAS UP TO NO GOOD AS I SUSPECTED AND NOW I KNOW THAT. Then the attire world SHATTERED and I screamed. ARAN HAS BEEN ROY ALL THIS FRICKING TIMEEE OH MY GOSHHHH AND I WAS JUST SO CONFLICTED LIKE "WHO WROTE THIS AND WAS KIND OF DEMONIC ENTITY POSSESSED THEM TO PUT THIS MAN THROUGH ALLLL OF THIS? AAALLL OF THIS." I WAS SPEECHLESS I WAS SHOCKED AND MOST ESPECIALLY I DID NOT LIKE CALEB. CALEB WAS PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE
Route C
and I just felt misery. Chapter 6 was a stab to my heart. I was crying. I couldnt do it. Caleb and Aran were going to be happy if only Caleb's mom hadn't stolen the money if only the house was bought sooner. They would have lived normally or if aran had called sooner... Maybe they would have been okay. You can really see how grief changed caleb.
GODD SEEING ROY ACT LIKE THAT MADE ME FEEL SICK. UGHH ITS SOO.. UGHH I DONT KNOW ITS JUST SOO SAD.
I AM NOT EVEN GONNA TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENED IN CHAPTER SIX. AAHH... godd that hurt a lot.
Chapter 7, feels so eerie. The repetitive dialogue gave me shivers. Everything else felt natural... then we get the first part and all i feel is "oh my god the dialogue is so forced between them I can't function". (IN A GOOD WAY) THEN WHEN CALEB WALKS OUT I GOT GOOSEBOBS. GOOSEBOBS WITH HOW AGGRESSIVE ARAN GOT LIKE IT WAS CRAZY. IT WAS SCARY.
I'm so glad my girl julia got away
ugh............I took route C first bc happy endings last!!! Anyways.. Seeing Roy act like his dead brother always makes me really sad. I'd stare at the screen and just loathe. really sad. :(( It hurt seeing Roy and Caleb in that way.
UGHHH SITTING THROUGH CHAPTER 7 WAS SO UNCOMFY AND SUFFOCATING (in a good way) AAAAAA seeing Aroy (i'll call 07 aroy bc aroy feels like a completely different character from seven. More about that in the character analysis section) still retain features of roy was crazy. Pulling my hair because some moments are just so FRUSTRATING (I loved frida tho, she did a lot wrong but...)
Then, i went back to Aroy for now. Ahhh...... it was painful getting the endless revenge ending. Hurt so much. SO SO MUCH. SEEING CALEB BATTERED AND BRUISED LIKE THAT. AUGHHH hurt me so much. Props on Aroy tho ig.. If that's your concept of justice i wont judge!!! But it also hurts seeing Aroy be a genuinely good person and turn into the monster he is in this ending. This route in general.
Then I got the hydrangea ending and I just burst out sobbing. Seeing the both of them with their cat being reunited made me so emotional. It was so painful. Yet I feel happy. In the picture Caleb looks really peaceful.
I want to assume that Roy most likely also ended up with his family. He most likely saw his wife and daughter again, and in the after life. They all become one big family. All together. Roy and Aran are reunited and both their families come together.
Project Metempsychosis ending. Ahhh.. god.. I forgot the guy's name. Was it Valentino? I don't want to call them by numbers, seems wrong so I'll call this guy Val. Val was so pretty.
I can't help but be curious as to how Val used to be before becoming Aran. I'm at least glad to know that Caleb is keeping his promise of bringing back Roy's daughter. Nothing else to say about this ending.
Route S
I keep imagining Herta's voice as Frida or maybe silver wolf. It suits her, anyways... EUghh..
Chapter 6 , it was really heavy. OFC I ESCAPED WITH THE BAE?? UGH I LOVE JULIA!!
Uncertainty
I loved that ending. Seven got his happy ending and lives with Julia. ITs nice that theyre both spending time with eachother and supporting eachother through everything.
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Over
I lowkey have a love-hate relationship with caleb!!!.... I wanna take that blonde man and run him over with a ten wheeler repeatedly yet i wanna take the same blond man and just take bro to therapy. Poor Seven :( that was not needed caleb!!!
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Banter with Seven and Caleb is nice, I like how Seven is a completely different person. I enjoy how route S is giving the viewer more clarity. Explaining the lore deeper, and its nice and natural. It feels normal to find these things out with Seven because he really seems like the curious type.
When I saw the option to kill Caleb, I did it. No hesitation. I saved, then i clicked "kill him"
Together
I feel like at some point, Caleb was developing feelings for Seven. (also the blood reflection was chef's kiss, you improved a lot) It's ironic how he basically bludgeoned his lover's corpse and died the same way. It felt nice seeing Seven do something about caleb.
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AAAAAAA I love how it turned into a lowkey tense action. Caleb and Seven working together is cool asf. GOSHH THE COOL PORTRAIT OF CALEB AND SEVEN BACK TO BACK IS GORGEUOS ( icant spell it anymore.)
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Fear
It was sad to see Caleb die due to guilt. I really thought they were going to expose it together, but knowing how you write... I already knew that one of them had to die. I'm glad that atleast Seven got to live a somewhat normal life. It's really sad that in the end he backed out and kept quiet.
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Frida's death was satisfying. AHH WHEN I SAW THE EPILOUGE SCREEN I WAS SQUEELING I WAS PRAYING TO MY GOD THAT IT WAS GONNA BE A HAPPY ENDING.
"In fact, you look really fine, 07. That's why I've been staring"
I SCREAMED SO MUCH, lowkey. The route made me ship Seven and Caleb. It's nice to see Caleb move on from and see Seven discover himself as a person. They also make a cool fricking duo. LIKE THE ACTION SCENES ARE STILL FRESH IN MY MIND.
The interaction between the two is beautiful. Incredible. It feels so nice reading over their lines.
Rhododendron was such a beautiful ending. Hearing aran's music made my heart really heavy.
This story is so beautiful. It shows things so beautifully and it hurts so much.
This story is a thousand things, it's a thriller, a psychological horror, a romance, a story of a man battling his struggles. It's a lot of intense things and even with all of that packed in, it doesn't feel suffocating. It feels natural. Things getting worse felt natural. It's a brilliant story with exceptional execution. It was amazing. I can see the amount of love and effort you truly poured into this game. It's a beautiful game. It's incredible.
I won't go too in-depth on how I view the characters since you can probably already tell by the review above.
I love how all the characters in the game are really compelling to watch, noone feels annoying whenever they're on screen. It's incredible.
I have a lot to say about Seven, he's my fav. He's my boy! MY BABY BOY! i love how in his happy endings (uncertainty and Rhododendron) he looks like his own person. He doesn't look like aran or roy. He's a completely new person. I love how he has Roy's stubbornness and smartness and Aran's empathy and kindness. It makes him into a truly interesting and compelling character, he wants justice to be served and served properly. He'll do what's right and call anyone out on it, unlike Aran, he's really confrontational and isn't afraid to stand up for what's right. Unlike Roy, he doesn't get involved with gangs or do anything criminal, understanding how that's not the right path.
Aran is such a relatable character. I love how beautifully written he is. He looks so angelic and it suits his personality. I love Aran so much. It's tragic to think that he ended it all in such a manner. Truly, it saddens me.
Julia, she's my second fav!! I was so upset when she died... But at least in other endings she didn't. Despite only appearing a few times she's really developed as a character.
Frida, LOVE HER ENERGY!!! I hate her actions though. Great antagonist. SRSLY SHES AMAZING! I loathe and love her so much.
Caleb, WHERE DO I START WITH HIM??? He's a rollercoaster, he needs a ton of therapy. Though, I love his complexity. He's so blinded by his grief and lost that he participates in something that Aran would be horrified by. It truly hurts seeing how he rolls down hill. I'm glad to see that in route S, he's able to pick himself up a little, and I loved that. It's amazing. SRSLY HOWD I GO FROM HATING TO LOVING TO HATING TO LOVING HIM AGAIN??? I like how even after all these years, Caleb still has the orange tie. I also like how it's not tied properly since he never learned how to tie a tie.
Aroy, I called him Aroy because he's also a combination of Aran and Roy, just without the morals. Aroy tried to act like Aran but deep down was still Roy in a way. Roy's persistence and Aran's kindness got twisted into something monstrous.
In my personal opinion? This is your magnum opus, story wise. It's a beautifully written story and I truly do wish I could have played it sooner.
this isnt really a proper review it's more of a rant kind of review so its really messy and long... I only fixed up a few grammar errors.. lol..
I read the author's notes. "sh!tty production" is crazy. >:(
Extra: Revisited the game today!! You should play Cure by Vivinos for the non route and route C, maybe even villian by stella jang
For route S? DEF BLINK GONE (by vivinos)
spoilers
Don't worry about it! I'm fine with shorter replies. I enjoy writing out reviews and voicing my opinions, I'm glad that you enjoy my reviews. I didn't expect them to be 18, but it does feel better than having literal 13-16 years old getting run over by a car, train, getting stabbed, ect. ect
I'll definitely be back with more, keep up the great work Sylvan! I'm happy to hear that my reviews put a smile on your face :))
watch me write my next review tomorrow hahahaaaa
I cant wait to play this one, starting point the characters are so pretty and beautiful and well made, I love Amerta's design
I'll literally marry her.
Okay, I finished playing the game and I'll type out my review now
Spoilers!!
10/10!
I would recommend listening to Magical Doctor by Maretu, a weird choice for this game but it gives it more of a "I need help, I'm going insane" during playing because the guy IS going insane.
ALSO play it in this route bc I played like that and it was amazing; ending 4, ending 3, ending 2, and ending 1
Let's go on the more detailed parts now
Okay first of all, HOW DARE YOU. Bro, I started balling after getting the 3rd ending and didn't stop even after I finished the game, I literally sat in silence looking at my computer screen. Tears and everything. Literally was going "hurgghh.. huuuhhh urghh... Rendraaaa.... Amertaaaaaa" for a minute before going on itch.io to write this. My eyes are still watering and tears are still flowing, (I expect compensation /j /nsrs)
AS I expected, the writing was top notch and beautiful, and just like sweetest valentine, the dialogue was human, alluring, and surprisingly relatable. All the characters are compelling and interesting, from the main 3 down to the side characters, they all feel like they have their own human life and soul into them, nothing seems forced and it's a very interesting plot, I'm impressed and this surpassed all my expectations
I thought it was going to be "everyone is in the time loop with him and remembers that's why they're so compliant" but damn I was so wrong, the plot twist is even better, I didnt expect me and when I learned everything was a hallucination I started crying
I wont disclose why for personal reasons but let's just say I have issues with the same thing and it hit home too hard.
My review for the characters:
Rendra, I have to say one thing. I relate to him so badly, why are your characters so relatable? He's very well written and a compelling character. He really just wants to see Amerta alive and well and feeling like he failed her because he just watched her die so his coping is building a fantasy for himself by thinking Amerta is alive, Amerta IS here, Amerta just needs to be saved by him.
Such a tragic character and I love him, he's an amazing character and I theorize that his new coping method is writing stories (Bc he's just like me and I write stories to cope) I enjoy how he writes edgy things and watches anime. He also cares about people around him especially his close friends but he ends up hurting them and himself because he cant forgive himself for what happened on the 28th of October, It adds more depth to his character and I just love it.
(most of what I say here are assumptions)
Seeing as that he's in college 4 years later he was probably 13-16 at the start of the story and by the end is 17-20. It hurts more because he went through so much shit at such a young age, adds more tragedy to him.
I would love to go into more depth but I might start trauma dumping myself which is uncool
Amerta, I relate to her too. Her character is just as tragic and I can relate to the bullying and name calling and the bad household thing. I can see that she was truly a woman wronged in society.
(most of what I say here are assumptions)
Her ex boyfriend probably leaked some pictures of her (I assume) and seeing as that she's from a catholic school, and probably has a religious mother herself she was shamed and ridiculed, but even with all those bad things she didn't let it bother her, props to her! Also that she's probably also around 13-16, it hurts me more. I have a soft spot for characters that died before adulthood tbh..
Just like Rendra, she's well written and despite being just a hallucination through out the game, she still felt human. Just as how hallucinations are, they always seem real and vivid to the person suffering. Maybe in another universe, her, Kai, and Rendra ended up going to college together </3
Kai, I don't have much to say about him, but He's very well written too, I had a friend like him (I'll literally call that friend after this to recommend this game bc he's a sucker for these types of games) and it just made me cry harder like omg. I've never related to two characters' friendship so badly.
(most of what I say here are assumptions)
He was probably 13-16 when all this happened, and he was also grieving a friend and was watching one go insane must have left a massive scar on him, ending 2 literally broke me, I started crying so hard that I needed a box of tissues so i could blow my nose. (I get a stuffy nose when I cry)
I relate to him to an extent. I've been in his position before and ending 2 hit harder bc he knew his actions where selfish and (I CANT FIND THE WORDSS) not helping (????) his friend get through the lost, i love how it shows that you cant just tell someone to get help and they'll be fine, I love the main three so bad.
Sir Ari, he's a good guy. (Pretty darn attractive too) I like how he's very worried of Rendra and wants to help him, he's nice
Rendra's Parents, (I'm going to assume a little here) I love the detail that Rendra's mom wears a hijab and is probably Muslim, i love the graduation picture after getting ending one, it's very cute
for the art, You improved a ton, I love the colors and tones of the characters it was very visually appealing, character design is top notch. (It made me giggle when I saw a McDonalds in the background, very irrelevant but I want to mention it) I love how the covers changed, like omg I was like "waawwww so amazing" but I was still crying.
That's all I have to say for now, I'll add more after revisiting the game and I plan to talk about the graphics and art, in greater depths bc this was more on the story and characters LOL
OKAY IM HERE AND IM GOING TO GO INTO MORE DEPTH WITH THE ARTT!!
You improved a lot, like your anatomy, perspective, rendering, shading, and hands are sooo much better than sweetest valentine. Not saying sweetest valentine wasn't well drawn, it really was but it's like Sweetest valentine is good and this is better, you know what I mean? I see that you've got a knack for drawing gorey and bloody scenes and I loveee it. Like UGH so prefect and amazing. mwa mwa chef's kiss
you are so talented. Like seriously. Your a solo dev and you programmed, drew, and wrote the story like. APPLAUSE TO YOU!! You are so talented.
I love the tiny details in your art like the cracks on on phone in the new cover after completing the game, the lines are so much smoother now too, along with the colors that don't overlap or have missing spots. As much I love the messy line art in sweetest valentine, I love the smoother lines here. The way you draw clothes improved tremendously.
Also a pattern I just realize Aimi and Rendra (the mcs in those games) hallucinate/living in delusions, should have known it was a hallucination all along!!!
Graphics are amazing, I love the colors and the shading, very well made, the dialogue was nice to read, nothing felt forced or cringey, this is one of the other biggest factors because unlike other games I don't get irked, cringe, or yawn at the dialogue. You'll definitely see me playing your 3rd game by next week and then reviewing it. Kudos to you, developer!
(sorry if the grammer seems poor in some parts)
OMG I cant believe you actually responded, sorry for the late reply btw, I had exams and projects that prevented me from being online that much and I'm so happy that my comment made your day. Keep up the great work, its an amazing game! I cant wait to play more of your works when I have the time :)
I would write something longer but I don't have the energy honestly... LOL I'll make a second reply soon though :DD
Spoilers, I made an account just to leave a comment
My review for the characters, story, and game
I WAS LITERALLY SO DISTRAUGHT AT THE YUZUKI ENDINGS (I relate to him as a character) I dont like the mc for what she did, but she's a fun character, I knew something was up when the text glitched when MC confessed to Yuzuki, and after getting my hand chopped I was like "damn. Okay I have a feeling MC did something to Yuzuki last night" and then made it the book reading scene and seeing the argument between them, it confirmed my theory. I giggled when MC fell out of the window (deserved for doing Yuzuki like that grr)
THEN SEEING THE BACK STORY LITERALLY BROKE ME. AHHHH!!!! Horuto and Yuzuki should have had an ending where they ended up safe together. (totally biased bc they have a similar dynamic as me and my lover)
For Ichigo, I literally LOVED each ending! (let's disregard that he killed Huruto. I hate him for it but you gotta do what you gotta do) Him and MC are really made for eachother I can see that. I have a love-hate relationship with him, he's insane, smart, funny, and very sneaky too! I love him for it, but I will NEVER forgive him for killing Horuto, but I still love him. My fav ending with him has to be the part where MC and Him do end up together but he gets arrested (bc I like to think in this ending he didnt kill Horuto and him and Yuzuki ran to Toyko)
I LOVED AIMI (the MC), I like how she isnt just the "quirky relatable character LOLz" and actually had actual personality and spice into her. I love how she's crazy in her own way but just like Ichigo... I WILL NEVER. EVERRR FORGIVE HER FOR KILLING HORUTO AND YUZUKI! My favorite ending is for her has to be the following: she fell out of the window, she got her arm cut off, and her true ending.
And then last but not the least, Horuto. I wish I saw him more. He was a very interesting character and I love how he's really just average... (Even his name is basic that I had to play the game again bc I forgot it) I liked how he genuinely cares as Yuzuki and wants the best for him unlike Aimi had a sort of infatuation with him. I cried seeing that he was decapitated and screamed into my pillow... I like how he really has a lot of potential.
For the story, I really liked the premise and vibes, It's very well made as a story writer myself and the characters are very compelling and interesting. I can see the amount of time and effort put into the lore in general and it's a 10/10. Each character has very unique traits and aren't in any way flat. The dialogue is captivating and not too wordy, it's also not cringe inducing or plays so much on the "They're all insane but quirky!" kind of tropes I usually see in this kind of media. Everything felt natural and human. Usually I skim through dialogues or skip them to go to the next option.
Though, this game was different. I took my time reading and theorizing rather than just sitting on my chair and sighing while I cringe at the interactions between the characters. I enjoyed narration, inner-monologue, the interactions, bc I'll say it again. Everything felt Natural and human.
For the game and graphics, the art was BEAUTIFUL! And the theme and music were on point. I have no critics, I love the character designs, the pink-cutesy pastel theme the menu went for, I love the artstyle. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS GAMEE!
That's all I have to say, this game is amazing, you're a very skilled and talented individual, like it's crazy how you did almost everything by yourself! It's a good game, I love it, I'm definitely play it again.