Travis is straight? Never tried tanuki's route. Makes sense then why sprite of him is not shown on the official page of the game.
I thought there was something happening between this enjoyer of the asian culture and the modest writer. :D
catchinsky
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A member registered Apr 18, 2024
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Hello everyone. I would like to share my opinion on the game.
Maybe nothing that mind-blowing is happening in this story, it is a rare example of a realistic novel in the nische of furry visual novels.
What makes me enjoy Dawn Chorus is the cast of plausible characters with absolutely understandable thoughts, motives, fears and expectations.
I also found pretty interesting that at least some characters are making crucial decisions about themselves and their relationships with other students without Arvo's interruptions. And this is a grounding and refreshing message: we are not the centre of the universe and life will go on, regardless of our desires.
Visuals of Dawn Chorus is also solid part of the game. Backgrounds has this mood of clean and colourful PS2 titles and, at the same time, remains somewhat realistic. This resembles me phenomenon of liminal spaces, surreal places of my dreams. And, as for me, surroundings are depicting this whole feeling of coziness of a Scandinavian village. All in all, backrounds of this game certainly have a unique charm.
Speaking of characters' sprites, I think in general they are better after changes and more suiting to the other parts of game's aesthetics. Pastel colors and more detailed features feels more authentic in a story of wholesome relationships and appreciation between antropomorphic (fluffy :3 ) students.
Audio is good as well. Soundtracks are doing great job at representing calmness of the North. They are soothing and giving a sense of an otherworldly serenity.
However, I have one issue with this game. It is replayabillity. Yes, every character has unique scenes, but in every route you have to pretty much skip the same whole segments of the game again and again to reach this unique content. This can be annoying, but all in all, I understand why is that so. Dawn Chorus is also a dating game, rewriting whole story for every guy would be a nightmare for developers. So, it's rather my problem, it seems. Couldn't forget about this, anyway.
And, as I said before, the plot itself is not that breath-taking. Probably, it doesn't need some crazy events happening around, considering it's "cozy student trip" narrative. But, I think, it is a continuation of the previous problem. Could become pretty boring during 3-4th reading.
To sum up, I rate this game 7,5/10. It is a mature and well-written story about people growing up, making decisions and sharing refreshing thoughts. However, game has some problems with replayabillity.
P.S. Lake is the best. Finnish. :3
*—And you are too young to be making these decisions about yourself.
—Decisions?*
WARNING! ACHTUNG! LONGREAD!
This scene is remarkable for me. I think everybody is familiar with unasked, merciless, needless trial of your very existence, carried out by self-righteous people, sometimes even closest, just because you are being you. There were no decisions made, you didn't do anything wrong, still you're judged by people as if you were a criminal.
Toxic cocktail of embarassment, weakness and a complete understanding of injustice that is happening, is running through your vains. You even start to sense guilty, as if all of their accusations were truth. Willing to fight back, not able to prove your innocence.
This maddening situation and following sensations made me, non-queer person, feel direct connection with Riley.
In my opinion, it says a lot how impactful and touching this beautiful novel can be.
Speaking about beauty of Dawntide, it's the most artistycally expressive and authenticly created stories I've ever seen. It looks and sounds exactly how port town should sound and look . And more importantly, the art-direction of this game is doing an amazing job at depicting Riley's worldview and perseption. He is an artist. And that is how we should see the world through his eyes.
Generally, I feel like everything is made on purpose in this novel. No word is thrown to be thrown. And words that are used are very strong. You are intrigued with interesting dialect of the group of friends, with their naturalness (they actually speak like real people!), with this "something" beneath the curtains everybody in this game has to offer. Intrigued from the start till' the end.
9/10 Absolutely wonderful story.
P.S. Sorry for poor English not very suitable for depiction of such a loveliness. It's not my mother language and haven't practiced it a lot. :)
I am new to the world of furry visual novels and glad to say that Lyre is one of the first FVNs I've already read.
NEXT PART CAN CONTAIN DIRECT/INDIRECT SPOILERS, BEWARE!
First and main reason why I'm so fond of this novel is it's plot. Story of a stigmated love amidst hostile environment of courtier games, treachery, deception and hypocracy. It's certainly a trial of will both for Knight and his Lord. And it's fascinating to see that they've chosen happiness, striving to it no matter what. Situation is gloomy for them, but they're certainly not left alone. Good Leif, righteous Eliza, Kadaj (Ambassador Floppa) who is loyal to Tygren and fair blacksmith Edan are amongst their allies as well as something beneath mortal's understanding.
Speaking of characters, they all of them are well-written. I think we all agree how interesting and relatable Richter and Lyall are, how caring and merciful Leif is, etc.
But let's talk about young heir Adrius, who is without any doubt a complete dastard. Yet his character is sort of understandable. Yes, his methods are awfully brutal, he doesn't mind getting rid even of closest people, if they are in the way of achieving goals.
Nonetheless, giving a better look on his personality, we can understand Adrius' motivation and relate to it.
Let's look from his perpective. In the past he was a cute little fawn, playing in royal garden. Everyone loved him and he loved everyone, and there was a person who shared the strongest bond with Adrius. His own mother, which was everything for him. And he lost her to some rascals, a member of royal family, the queen and his world were brutally slayed because politicians can't and seemingly don't even want to reach an agreement.
Everyone are so slow, indifferent and not caring. Even Lyall, so tall, a growing warrior, was so slow, proved to be uncapable of fulfilling his one and only duty, to protect the queen. This wolf doesn't even deserves a name. It's a dog!
That is why Adrius has to be swift, desicive and determined. Even it mean wiping out everyone on his way. He doesn't want to be anything alike this slackers all around him.
I'm not sure if he truly wants peace for the people of Lyre, but a complete change of personality is most certainly connected with his gestalt. And for that Adrius needs MORE POWER (He is the tempest that is approaching, provoking)!
Great character designs, as well as pleasant artstyle, picturesque views and great music creates a truly bewitching experience overall.
Also I find it funny enough that the game and most characters has some sort of parallel parallel with Adastra's cast :D :
Adastra-Lyre (both names given after places where plot is going on)
Parents-Tygren (divine forces playing around main scene)
Amicus—Lyall (Big caring black wolfs, both of noble families. One is himbo, other one is Geralt of Rivia)
Whole fragment where MC being imprisoned by a mad ruler and saved with his Wolf and providence itself.
Virginia—Eliza (Strong women characters, fair and capable of ruling country)
Cassius—Adrius (Vile lads with understandable motivation, both heirs)
etc.
By the way, Lyre is clearly offering us a different story. I am not 100% sure, but the inspiration by Adastra can be seen here, or vice versa.
Nevertheless, I am fond of this epic story and only looking forward for it's continuation in the next books. 8,5 of 10. Which is "Touching piece of art". Absolutely in love with it!
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!