I actually like Misplaced. I like that the author is consistent with update. And the story seems promising enough to me.Don’t worry, I didn’t ask what everyone’s playing simply to give my opinion, I just wanted to see if I am the only one unable to pick up any IF lately—I’ve played most of the titles mentioned here too, which is probably inevitable after keeping up with these IFs for 8 years.
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Surprised no one has mentioned Misplaced yet. Am I the only one who feels like the choices fall flat? Interacting with Az'Lean feels more like a child speaking to a parental figure—he’s always right, and only his opinion matters. The MC constantly gets rebuked, and there’s barely any romance. If you don’t romance him, Thianne’s relationship with him gets more attention than anything you get. I chose to reveal that the MC is fae, but it hasn’t led to anything—it hasn’t even been brought up again. Now I kind of regret telling him. Maybe saving that reveal would have had more impact.
I’ve also been replaying Crown of Exile to try Oren’s route. I kept choosing the bold flirt options, but after the third time I got yet another variant of : "Sir Oren gazes at you, a faint blush on his cheeks." / "My duty is to ensure both you and His Highness are safe." And honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to keep reading after that.
Got bored. I enjoy Fae/Faerie stories but there was something weird about the way the fae are portrayed in the story. I couldn't put my finger on it then, but the fair folk just felt too human for me. Also the whole premise was very clearly not for me.Surprised no one has mentioned Misplaced yet.
Aura Clash is ok when you play it the way it's clearly meant to be played, an unhinged marital arts game. I'm only still playing POMA because I want to see exactly how Nicki screws over Ruo's romance since it's supposed to be a slow burn. Every non-Mei romance (that has actually started) has been thoroughly ****ed over so far, special mention to Tigress and Ai romancers on that part so I'm here for the train-crash. Ruo's is author's favourite OC so it's bound to be glorious.* POMA / Aura Clash: I don’t think I’ll be reading anything by these authors again.
At least Bastard of Camelot's writer at least tries especially with their hand/wrist problems (damaged nerves), Wayfarer's writer keeps trying to stick to a schedule that is frustrating everyone, themselves included. Last public story update was in 2022 and Episode 3 still isn't half done yet + the author wants to start Ep 4 before posting 3. It's clear they bit off more than they can chew with Wayfarer but refuses to get help or try to dial down the scale of things. If Ep 3 releases before the end of 2027 at this rate, I'd be shocked.* The Bastard of Camelot: The updates content feels like being fed with a micropipette.
The funny thing about it is that as far as I remember, Aeran isn't listed as a full RO, and the author was pretty open about the fact that *something* is going to happen with him. Does he die? Turn into an enemy? Gets kidnapped by an UFO? Idk, but he sure gets a lot of attention so far.yet another branching route for Aeran
Lustful Desires is very similar, but fantasy.* Lust Odyssey: I made a lot of progress in this one, but realized I didn’t like some of the choices I made. I restarted, intending to do things differently, but ended up dropping it—too lazy to go through it all again. Still, for an NSFW game, the plot is solid, the choices carry weight, and the relationships are surprisingly nuanced. I think it’s doing so well because it escaped criticisms of a certain category simply since all the LIs are male.
Afaik it's exactly what they do? I remember going through the same scene with diferent characters/ROs, and a part of text was shared between them.* Andromeda Six: When I was new to VNs, it felt fresh and exciting. Now, all the routes feel too similar—like they just swap out the sprite and tweak a few lines based on the LI’s background and relationship with the MC.
Imo they work fine if you treat them as martial arts games first, everything second. I prefer AC since it doesn't take itself too seriously tbh.* POMA / Aura Clash: I don’t think I’ll be reading anything by these authors again.
Am I the only one who finds that animations and sounds don't really enhance the atmosphere in this one? Idk, might be because I have trouble reading it as a horror game in the first place, the writing style is more on the joking/light-hearted side most of the time.* One Knight Stand
Agreed, the author started strong with the opening part. That was genuinely scary to meThe funny thing about it is that as far as I remember, Aeran isn't listed as a full RO, and the author was pretty open about the fact that *something* is going to happen with him. Does he die? Turn into an enemy? Gets kidnapped by an UFO? Idk, but he sure gets a lot of attention so far.
The game is more of an RPG in a text format, so the author would indeed benefit from some outside help.
Lustful Desires is very similar, but fantasy.
Afaik it's exactly what they do? I remember going through the same scene with diferent characters/ROs, and a part of text was shared between them.
Imo they work fine if you treat them as martial arts games first, everything second. I prefer AC since it doesn't take itself too seriously tbh.
Am I the only one who finds that animations and sounds don't really enhance the atmosphere in this one? Idk, might be because I have trouble reading it as a horror game in the first place, the writing style is more on the joking/light-hearted side most of the time.
The funny thing about it is that as far as I remember, Aeran isn't listed as a full RO, and the author was pretty open about the fact that *something* is going to happen with him. Does he die? Turn into an enemy? Gets kidnapped by an UFO? Idk, but he sure gets a lot of attention so far.
Given the structure of the game (a ton of branching), I don't think he isn't listed just because it depends on this one choice (or not antagonizing him, which will probably be true for others you can romance as well). I think the reason his romance is so well-hidden might be partly to dissuade people from going down that path easily (lol) in case I'm right and something does take him out of the picture later on.Otherwise, the whole not actually a full RO is because romancing him is dependent on making one choice in the beginning. If you don't pick it, you don't get his route at all.
This is so true... And its not like i am against this, its fine, when it's written well of course. But its getting kind of exhausting. I really need some more palate cleanser if's.Feels like new IF authors are competing to make the most tortured MC
I’m sorry, I’m guilty of this but I love tortured MCs and dark themes.This is so true... And its not like i am against this, its fine, when it's written well of course. But its getting kind of exhausting. I really need some more palate cleanser if's.
Generally, there's so much depressing stuff, and something wholesome/light - i can count on the fingers of one hand.
I think she would've benefitted greatly from having someone doing the code for her. I know a good chunk of struggles came from the game having a ton of branching that is hard to account for.The game is more of an RPG in a text format, so the author would indeed benefit from some outside help
Nah, the main fish guy is the one you meet in ch.2, and he's unkillable. The other half-fiish guy that is killable is a fling or smth.the fish guy is listed as a romance
Yeah I meant this one, he's still listed as a secondary romance on the blog.The other half-fiish guy that is killable is a fling or smth.
Yes, the game changes scenery too often. Also has the side-effect of making it feel like the demon lords are a tad too easy to deal with...I enjoy it a lot and is one of my all time favorites, but i can't help but feel that there's a lot of plot but not enough time to explore it?
Too late, this has already ruined Blade for me >->people sometimes ask pretty good questions but it's mostly the author having some fun toying with her characters ^–^"
the only RO's I've seen where the author straight up said wouldn't be into an emotional mess of an MC are Rosy from Mind Blind and Riel from ShOHthe answer is never "will tell them to get over it" or "wouldn't be intetested in someone like that" x)
I understand, I like them too. I play a lot of yandere vn's, murder sims, horror's, etc. Sometimes it's just too much for my mental state. My irl life not daisy's and rainbows at the end of the day. I need something to balance it all from time to time. And it would've been nice to have more chill options that I didn't read/played/watched million times already. (And it doesn't need to be absolutely dramaless too)I’m sorry, I’m guilty of this but I love tortured MCs and dark themes.I just find it more compelling to read about, don’t know why.
the only one I felt some tension was with Jarkyth during the gladiator arc, kinda anticlimatic how easy he went down with the power of friendshipYes, the game changes scenery too often. Also has the side-effect of making it feel like the demon lords are a tad too easy to deal with...
No problem at all with tortured MCs. God knows how obsessed I am with the Ronin from SoH, Sidestep, the Marshal from ItFO, the Corruptant from the Corruptant, Virtue's End, Greenwarden, and many more. The problem is when those tortured characters aren't treated with the gravity they deserve. How are we supposed to sympathize and take these tortured MC seriously if the author treats their suffering as if it was just a cute quirky little trait to fawn over and generate cheap angst?I’m sorry, I’m guilty of this but I love tortured MCs and dark themes.I just find it more compelling to read about, don’t know why.