Really dislike Samantha, the cop character. She magically abducts you in the middle of a cop office, how does no one notice? And why does Maya not give a shit that she was treated like that? She's definitely sensitive to other things in the story.
Yep that was odd. The game is soft fantasy but that was still out of place.
I do like her character though. Hot futa, fights my enemy - which is just about the only certainty my character has when thrown into all this supernatural business. I wish we could team up instantly instead of the 2 annoying brats.
___
A bit of a dilemma because I like choices in theory but I like linear content for practical reasons (game lenght and see everything on single playthrough). But starting with the officer would have been nice as an option. Or at least making the 2 kids dialogue short (partially opt-out).
I like the game (love the art), but I think the protag being so peculiar with their feelings makes it harder to identify with and is a little weakness in the writing.
It would be generally better to write the content with little choices similar to how the dungeon healing has a short version, but for character routes. That way I can decide how my character feels about a situation or person, even if this doesnt lead to a significantly altered story, just a bit of skipped content the game would warn us of. Best example is being attracted to the androgynous character.
In fact the protag acts downright pathetic with those 2 childish and almost-cool characters being forced on us. Opening up to them fully, asking if they are ok with seeing dick (they were when they spied on me having sex), affirming the trans-thing when its uncalled for (though potentially its just to convey social anxiety). I wish suddenly becoming extremely powerful would give our protag a bit of a power-trip and confidence boost.
Approaching the mental health topic in a politically contentious way risks the game being off putting, but luckily its minimal and the more light hearted and sexual tone carries.
e.g. first session with the psychologist. Objectification can merit sympathy as an insecurity - feeling ojbectified as a personal problem, but not as a guiding principle for how not to relate to others. Instead, a positive character would encourage us to accept our hyper-sexuality, perhaps explaining that not having a regular partner but living with a woman may excacerbate it.
Since the encounter can end in sex (we even have choice this time), this topic doesnt really matter and ends up being a parody of itself anyway. Just for the record, there is something very narcissistic and vain about expecting others to not relate according to their sexual drive ("objectify") but be busy figuring out our internal psyhological state regardless of context (their own interest or lack thereof). Both happens naturally, as the game even acknowledges by separating the "2 Lauras" sharply in the protag's head. Classic example of a non-issue being psychologized into existence and making our own insecurities everyone elses responsibility.
Slightly related note: clothing is self expression as well as culturally coded - a cop is allowed to like or dislike it on me. The protag got offended, I wouldnt be, this ties back to the relatability issue. What we dress for should inform others on how to treat us within the sensible limits. This is innate just like "objectification" and it makes no sense to problemitize it. Game treats it sufficiently lightly but reminds us of real life politics unfortunately.
I shouldnt focus on it too much, in my defense the game brings up these topics and does them dirty. Maybe out of some sense of soc-jus mission or maybe the writer just grew up in an environment where thats the default.
Just my own taste but its very fun imagining that gorgeous therapist putting us in teasing hell for 5 sessions without relief. Encouraging us to "accept our feelings" without even explicitly pointing out we have an erection, and training us in self control by teasing.
I'd still give the writing 4/5 because it has solid grammar and pacing and the premise is creative. The game is otherwise 5/5.