Understandable, especially since I promised the last save system will be robust. I added the shortcuts to the new cutscenes because of this, but I did not consider people that don't care about the narrative would try and play this version.
I actually found a bug that would sometimes loop the low health dream a second time, and then I assume your health got low enough to trigger a third one. So I'm very sorry about that. Testing fringe cases is incredibly hard, but if it makes you feel better, you're the only reason I've discovered this bug. Will make a hotfix for it when I can.
I'll address your 3 points and suggestions
1.
Sounds good, but I don't know what how to handle the dialog options then. Despite what you say there are choices that do have an effect, both immediate flags and ones for future use. If nothing else, some affect stats.
Why not just disable the story altogether then? Maybe it's time to make an actual title screen with the option to rather than rely on players reading through my notes.
I don't think the skip function is that grating.
2.
I don't like that one. I have a personal aversion to flashbacks and prequels, but I won't get into that.
It's also incompatible with the story I'm trying to tell.
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While the story segments appears to be going in a sequence, that's only because I want people to see them. In a more complete state they will occur once certain aspects are achieved.
3.
Come on, if you say you've been doing gamedev for so long you should understand why this is impossible. "what if I just left?", well maybe you run away and join the circus and have an epic tale of wandering around the country as a knife juggler, but that's a whole other game. I know it's an exaggeration, but you can extrapolate from this on how every little deviation will require a new narrative. I've already deviated gender swap and trap versions and now have to maintain both of them.
I suppose these restrictions can be removed and let the MC just leave, and then what? Create some generic bad end that prematurely ends the game? I hate those. Everyone hates those.
Just disable the narrative? That's actually not half bad an idea. Remove the narrative completely if the player wanders off. They won't have anyone else to blame but themselves if they didn't pay attention to the story. But you know what? They will blame anyone but themselves anyway. In a perfect world, I'd consider this to be the perfect solution.
Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think what you want is for the PC to be more aggressive and assertive. That clashes with the fetish, but I guess it's a viable option.
I understand you don't like the plot and think the characters are generic drivel, which is fine. I've had enough good feedback that it doesn't deter me and I understand it's not for everyone. If I had dollar for every time someone says school setting are overused in Japanese media... why, I might have an actual budget.
But why encourage me to integrate it into the game even more then? Wouldn't your ideal solution be to just disable the story altogether?
Because the way I see it, the people that are unhappy are just that because I'm investing time into making these story elements instead of doing porn/puzzles.
What I mean is you've said that the game is getting worse with each version and a lot of people agreed, but that's objectively untrue. The save system is leagues better than what used to be there, the control scheme keeps getting better, animations, clothes, poses are still getting added, etc. So it's a rather easy conjecture for me to make on why people would claim that.
Try the YYC version. If that doesn't work read the config.ini and do what it says.
I don't think there's enough gameplay to warrant that. Once the other areas are done - sure. I like the idea of adding hints in the real world.
Since I haven't even started making the 4th area yet, it could be a good gimmick for it. i.e having to do thing in the real world to influence the puzzles inside.
I guess I can make it so you can drop it and pick it up. I wanted to fool proof it so people don't throw it away, but I doubt that's necessary. I'm sure someone somewhere will find a way to softlock themselves regardless.
I'll add an inventory sorting system to the feature wish list.
