Hi!
I downloaded this game on a whim about a week ago, and I felt compelled to share my thoughts. Before diving into the details, I want to clarify that while I’ve played some visual novels, I’m by no means an expert or a fine judge of what makes one truly great or poor. My experience lies more in story- and choice-heavy RPGs when it comes to visual novels, I’m pretty much a fish out of water. So, my feedback may be less viable, possibly bordering on nonsensical.
I decided to start with the Naomi route because, well, that’s really my only kink among the six available options. While I did explore the early stages of the other five routes (as I thought that was the intended approach), I primarily stuck with Naomi and her optional scenes.
To be honest, my initial impression of Naomi wasn’t one of particular interest. She came across as reserved, patient, quiet, and almost stifled by her adherence to etiquette, especially in contrast to the louder, more dramatic personalities of the other characters show sowed seed of interpersonal drama wherever they went. Her early scenes felt short, formal, and reserved. I was searching for some kind of messy habit or quirk to latch onto, but her poised demeanor offered little.
However, as the story progressed and her character began to grow, I noticed the brilliance in her reserved nature. The scenes became longer, the relationship more complex, and Naomi herself became increasingly multifaceted. I began to see the method in the madness—the intentionality behind her quiet and composed demeanor.
Naomi is the perfect character to face the trials of a factor that thrusts her into the spotlight—a situation where her very existence causes discord and peril. Her life path was predetermined by the family she was born into, only for that path to crack and shatter as her status as a “proper” individual or even human starts to slip from her grasp.
She became louder, more forceful and even a bit commanding.
Ultimately, I think her route is well-written and compelling. I especially appreciate the poetic descriptions, which fit Naomi’s character beautifully and make her story stand out. I couldn’t put the game down and can’t wait to see where her route leads.
The game itself feels like a wonderful labor of love, and the fact that it’s free is frankyly insane. Once it’s fully completed, I believe it will be something truly special.
As a suggestion—or rather, something I’d love to see explored—Naomi’s character seems to embody the theme of balance, and I think that could be an intriguing gameplay canvas to work with. There’s a strong underlying tension between safety and passion in her story, and a lot of depth could be drawn from leaning into that dynamic.
Kel, in particular, feels like a pivotal factor who could tip the scales in one direction or another—or help keep them balanced. If Kel encourages Naomi to embrace passion and break from tradition, she might become more loving and free-spirited. However, this newfound passion could also make her less cautious, potentially leading to dangerous consequences for both Kel and the world around her.
On the other hand, if Kel guides Naomi toward tradition and safety, she might become more grounded and secure, but also more dispassionate. This could result in frustration as she grapples with how her circumstances—especially her size—impact her family’s dynasty. In this path, some of the love and emotional warmth might be lost as she prioritizes tradition and control over personal fulfillment.
However, if Kel nudges her toward finding a balance between the two, Naomi might learn to harmonize safety with passion. This middle path could be the most rewarding but also the most complex, as balance is rarely perfect. There’s room for both successes and shortcomings, as Naomi navigates the challenges of being both true to herself and mindful of her responsibilities.
And for a general suggestion I think adding focal events that affect the entire school—like holidays, dances, or other shared activities—would be a great way to give players more exposure to the other characters and make it all feel connected.