This review is directed towards v0.26.3, which is the latest version posted in the site.
So, what to say about this game...
It is honestly a very unique game, all things considered. We take on the role of Claire, which is a common girl living in a common rural area with her mother while her father is out serving the King and it still hasn't come back home
That in itself is already a very unique start that not many games really do. Most games out there are about a heroine, or hero.. or a knight, or someone in a rather high position of power. But it doesn't end there, the character in this game actually gets to experience literal hell as her world literally crumbles when her mother gets captured by the Swine and the invasion begins
Through your choices, the character gets to decide her future. Whether she decides to take refugee in the camp, the easy way out so to speak.. or should she decide to pursue the hard route which leads her to meeting Stella and progressing in a different manner (though it locks you out of some content).
Your choices matter, and that is absolutely great in a game, as it gives you a sense that the things you're doing are meaningful and have a purpose.
The storywriting in this game is very good. I have played Overgrown: Genesis from this creator and the writing quality is on par with that one
Believable writing, grounded, doesn't try too hard to be sexual. I really really like it and it helps create a better sense of immersion and worldbuilding, it is impactful when it needs to, it is light-hearted at the appropiate times. It does what it's meant to do very well
Gameplay mechanics are also pretty polished and well thought out.. through the decisions you make in the game, you build your character out the way you would prefer her to be.. more sexual, more defiant, more submissive, more insightful, etc.
Most of what I have to say about this game is positive, except for one rather big issue that I have with it.. which is, the story itself.
Not because of writing, no no.. none of that, but because it seems like the story is losing it's meaning. What do I mean by this? Let me explain
The world of Claire's Quest is a big one, there are many different places you can go to, many different people to meet.. many different scenes to hunt for, the game really is trying is best at trying to make the world feel alive... which is very commendable and I appreciate it, don't get me wrong..
But it is exactly because of this, that I find myself having trouble with the story. Many places to go, many people to meet, means many different side-quests that you can gather, many different things that you can do outside of the main story
And while this normally wouldn't be bad, it is overdone I believe and the main story is being lost amongst the many many different things you can do in the game that are unrelated to the main story.
I reiterate, I really appreciate that the creator is trying to make this world feel alive by giving us tasks to do in said work, a few side quests, new sexual CG's.. but there's just way too many of them and it needs to be toned down quite a lot in my opinion
The game is nowhere near finished and there still are many many things that the creator likely wants to create, wants to finish the game, but at this point it just feels like there isn't really any meaningful progress to the story whatsoever.
There's many questions that remain to be answered, many lore points to cover.. and at this rate it feels like those are not going to be answered nowhere near the future.
I really with I could get into the game a bit more, everything about it is great.. except for that one big problem.
Hopefully the creator realizes that they might perhaps be a little too ambitious with their game and focus on toning it down a little bit and continuing on the main story.
Side quests are fun until they entirely drown the main story and makes it lose importance.