Stories that left you disappointed for a reason

[Re336]

Aight I'm a little bit worried about the Breach series. It's the best crime IF that's been published but more and more it feels like the authors give too much focus on the Trio that sometimes even the MC is sidelined? The reason MC is there is because Gabriel, everything that's happened is plotted by the Trio, what info we receive always comes from the Trio and rarely (if never at all) do we find it out ourselves. There's also that little problem of how the MC doesn't stand out at all in the story despite being the main protagonist, and it's even more apparent when we play a weird or unhinged character (oh, your MC is crazy? guess what? these other characters are crazier so your MC is not really unique) Idk, the closer I look at it the more it seems to be another case of authors using IFs to showcase their self-insert OCs

I also feel like this throughout the first book. MC feels like those silent protagonists in jrpg (and not the good ones). We do talk, but it's never written in the narrative itself I believe? Please correct me if I'm wrong because my memory is janky. MC only talk through the choices. MC doesn't feel expressive either but that might be my fault for playing as a stoic MC. But even stoic MCs in other books I've played isn't this....I don't know, bland?
Book 2 is better but not by much. Maybe because the demo is still short. I hate that scene where MC tries to break the fight between the trio but it just comes off as awkward to me. MC feels like a pick me girl trying to stop a school fight MC feels like stranger who just inserts themself into someone else's problem.
Also, what is the point of the fbi route? I don't understand their motive. The fbi route just feels like someone who's salty because the mafia is doing much better job than them.
The Archangel is also too perfect. They never cause casualties, all the crimes they did is justified because it actually helps others (I don't really remember the details, but it was the robbery on a bank, I think? One of the bank staff was grateful of the robbery because that company was abusing their employees).
I don't see any reason that can make us sympathize with the FBI and choose to side with them

 

[Fuffff]

I actually like Breach a lot, especially the FBI cover route. If Gabriel's entire character were scrapped it'd be one of my favorite IFs ngl. Isn't that mf comically overpowered and like the second coming of Christ? The FBI route would be so much better if Gabriel didn't know who you were. But if I'm not mistaken he knew you were an undercover cop from the start.

 

[Fuffff]

If I remember correctly, he shot a small target from, like, a continent's distance away, survived being shot and turned into swiss cheese, survives anything thrown at him (including if you choose to shoot at him when it's revealed you're an undercover cop) and more that I'm probably forgetting (it's been a long time since I last read Breach)

The parts where Gabriel meets old acquaintances and talks to them as if he's known them for 100 years make you feel like the side-side-side character. Though for some reason I don't mind it as much as I do in Tale of Heroes where the MC is also the side character (probably because you can get cucked. At least in Breach the mute character that has a crush on Gabriel will start loving you for real if you romance her. AND because the self insert in ATOH is insufferable, Gabriel is at least funny.). At this point I wouldn't be surprised if the author revealed Gabriel is literally archangel gabriel sent by god to be a gangster.

 

[SasariRomanii]

The Archangel is also too perfect. They never cause casualties, all the crimes they did is justified because it actually helps others (I don't really remember the details, but it was the robbery on a bank, I think? One of the bank staff was grateful of the robbery because that company was abusing their employees).
I don't see any reason that can make us sympathize with the FBI and choose to side with them

It will be interesting if the Archangel and FBI relationship is a bit nuanced, and not so one-sided like now where the FBI is treated like spawn of satan and the Archangels litteral god-sent. And yeah... that breaking-up-the-fight scene, I cringed so hard and have never backtracked from a choice so fast (╥﹏╥)

Also I don't think there's much difference between stoic and unhinged MC. I played as an unhinged bloodthirsty maniac but the game never acknowledge that. Not even once. There's a lack of flavor text imo, and the MC is only 'seen' (sry don't know a better word for it) by other characters after we clicked a choice, otherwise MC is just another rover that doesn't feel present in the story.

Gabriel is at least funny

It's his saving grace, but he's definitely a Gary Stu

 

[seneya]

One of the bank staff was grateful of the robbery because that company was abusing their employees

My cynical a$$ can't help but wonder if they were still going to be grateful if they were laid off as a cost-saving measure afterwards. I mean, using a robbery as an excuse to downsize is exactly what an abusive company would do, no?

survived being shot and turned into swiss cheese

*gets shot from a sniper rifle*
"tis but a flesh wound"

But I think it goes for a bit of an action movie angle? In any case, it's at least entertaining to read.

 

[Re336]

My cynical a$$ can't help but wonder if they were still going to be grateful if they were laid off as a cost-saving measure afterwards. I mean, using a robbery as an excuse to downsize is exactly what an abusive company would do, no?

Exactly. I'm not convinced that every crime the Archangels do has zero collateral damage. It's just weird that the people in Breach glaze the Archangels so much

 

[Raijin_01]

Might be unpopular opinion, but there's just very little contents about O side stories. I know that there are several characters that are very famous with the readers. But, the fact that O is getting so very few moments even in the game is just sad. I hope it'll change in the future.

 

[Whooohooo]

thank to long blackout i finally tried the hero rise series.
and now i know why some says it... take an acquired taste.
majority of story are about people making diversity a goddamn daily life struggle.
book1 mc is miserable amateur hero, book2 mc is miserable hero on reality show, only in late book3 i can finally go wild with the power! such a long overdue action
and they still repeat being miserable with new mc in book4... ugh. not sure why i still trying book5

 

[Fuffff]

Are there any interesting new WIPs lately? (I suck at browsing through the cog forum). The latest one I read was Echoes of Olympus, but it was AI-written...

 

[ADB446]

Are there any interesting new WIPs lately? (I suck at browsing through the cog forum). The latest one I read was Echoes of Olympus, but it was AI-written...

Not to be that person, but you should probably ask in another thread. Don't want you to get a warning point .

 

[seneya]

Not to be that person, but you should probably ask in another thread. Don't want you to get a warning point .

I don't think every single thread is being moderated this thoroughly It should be fine?

 

[kecap asin]

Just read weeping gods, and I cannot enjoy the writing. It use curse word in every sentence, its giving 13 yo who just learn how to curse.
It is so out of pocket when you play as a priest lol.

 

[seneya]

It is so out of pocket when you play as a priest lol.

Funny thing is, afaik Ancient Egypt had a concept known as heka. Basically a belief that words/writing had magic. That's why names of evil entities like Apophis could be intentionally defaced when written, so as to harm it/deny it power. And why it was so important to preserve your name after death, written somehow, somewhere: if it went forgotten, your soul basically ceased to exist. And if you wanted to curse someone, you could write their name on the soles of your sandals so that you'd be literally walking on/over them lol
Uh, all that to say that it's difficult for me to imagine an AE priest swearing like a sailor lol Words have power! Especially from a priest.

 

[kecap asin]

Funny thing is, afaik Ancient Egypt had a concept known as heka. Basically a belief that words/writing had magic. That's why names of evil entities like Apophis could be intentionally defaced when written, so as to harm it/deny it power. And why it was so important to preserve your name after death, written somehow, somewhere: if it went forgotten, your soul basically ceased to exist. And if you wanted to curse someone, you could write their name on the soles of your sandals so that you'd be literally walking on/over them lol
Uh, all that to say that it's difficult for me to imagine an AE priest swearing like a sailor lol Words have power! Especially from a priest.

That's interesting. Just know about this, thank u.
But yes, it feel weird to have priest to swear.
Also unless it was set in western modern time, won't it more fitting for the character to have unique/clever swear word rather than dropping F and S bomb so frequently...

 

[bosslady]

Yeah now I've seen the author literally confessed to using AI for the writing. At least he's honest about it so I can respect his decision. AI is also evolving so in the future I bet it'll be harder to notice. There was a game I exposed on COG Forum (Heroes and Heretics - my name there is Caccpix btw) for being AI written, but that one was obvious. Echoes of Olympus isn't as obvious, but if you're familiar with AI you'll notice something's off. I don't mind AI stuff in general but when it comes to writing? Nope.

Speaking of AI, has anyone noticed that the new game by cchill has AI. Spices of the Heart I believe, I don't have proof, but it has some of the tells of AI.
(if this has been discussed, I'm sorry, didn't catch up with the thread yet)

 

[SasariRomanii]

Speaking of AI, has anyone noticed that the new game by cchill has AI. Spices of the Heart I believe, I don't have proof, but it has some of the tells of AI.
(if this has been discussed, I'm sorry, didn't catch up with the thread yet)

That would be kinda disappointing, as it do look like CC's writing has improved on Spices. But if AI has a hand in it then perhaps it's not that she has become better at writing.

 

[God]

I would honestly be very surprised and shocked if she actually used Ai, so won’t say anything until it’s confirmed or denied

 

[seneya]

I don't think she uses AI tbh... I just think she's, not to sound too mean, has a lot to improve in her writing. But also she seems to be trying to improve, so I don't feel like bashing her, even if her works are not my thing.

 

[SasariRomanii]

Sidetracking a bit, some news for those who are reading the new Echoes of Olympus IF (yes, the one that is openly using AI). The author has stated that the final product will be free.

Post by @fableforger

💬 0 🔁 1 ❤️ 36 · HII!! I REALLY LOVED PLAYING THE DEMO VERSION OF THE GAME BUT JUST A QUESTION.. Will the full game be a paid one or will you stick to writing it all on cogdemos? I apologize if yo…

www.tumblr.com

Let's see if she sticks to that statement in the future...

 

[ADB446]

Speaking of AI, has anyone noticed that the new game by cchill has AI. Spices of the Heart I believe, I don't have proof, but it has some of the tells of AI.
(if this has been discussed, I'm sorry, didn't catch up with the thread yet)

Like everyone else is saying, I really don’t think she uses AI. She’s been writing for a long time, well before AI became popular, and English isn’t her first language, so it makes sense if some parts of her writing seem a little off. She’s done fine before. It wasn’t perfect, but it was solid. I just don’t see why she would suddenly risk using AI now with the backlash it brings.