[v1.10]
I just completely disagree with the description of this game.
It's a roguelite with an integrated card/puzzle mini-game posing as an RPG "skill" element and intervening VN-type cutscenes between the rounds of each level. There's also an active battle timer, from classic games, that dictate when anyone can act; the middle-ground between real-time and turn-based that was originally developed by those classic games to allow for haste/slow/stop mechanics that this game doesn't have. For that matter, none of the implemented features really work together or even serve their own purpose.
Even playing the devil's advocate, I can't make the case for this being simulation; changing clothes makes it a dress up simulator, maybe? You never interact with anyone, or anything, in any meaningful way except for getting your bean flicked, and you can't even do that on purpose. There isn't even a clerk for the "store."
This "simulation" game is grind-heavy for no gameplay reward; which is what all the fucking porn is in, damnit! The skills are so broken and expensive that by the time you unlock them you either realize you want the sabotage ones because you're already tired of playing it and just want to see the corruption, or the skills are keeping you as a prude and therefor blocking yourself from any of the actual content you want.
The demo flowed better, with better functioning mechanics, than the real game; perps would be stuck in "getting arrested" rather than being able to flee, for example, and not wasting your turn because he rolled a low number on his action timer and slipped past you. Hell, it even feels like giving up is harder and more drawn out when, for simulation reasons, perps take [RNG] seconds to try to restrain you when you're already restrained.
I can't help but note, however, that this game looks like it has polish. The UI is nice and sleek and evokes memories of well-made VN's. The art is appealing and intriguing and the voiced lines are well done. Even the writing is pretty good; I especially liked the newly revamped tutorial.
It's just a massive disappointment, compared to the demo, to get no expansion on gameplay and no expansion on art. The train feels empty; your enemies are a list of cards on the right that indicate their targets. Considering the amount of time you're meant to invest to witness the art there just isn't enough art there and the game isn't deep enough to justify it.
For having a functioning gameplay loop, it deserves at least a star bump. The art, which is what we're all here for, pushes the rating further, at least by 2. The lack of any VN QOL features is a huge minus for me because the main loop is interrupted by these confirmation-continue dialogue-fests.
It's a game and it works.
Unfortunately, the easy mode isn't easy enough to bypass the horrible RNG mess that is this roguelite. Those who actually appreciate that type of game might rate it 4, and I recommend this to you; the art is great. If you really hate roguelites then stay away because even should Rina tickle your fancy you are going to hate this. Everyone else, bust a nut.