Not so match off-topic, really. We were talking about the music in this game, named a few good examples and how we handle the sounds in games. Pretty much on-topic, IMHO.
I agree. It's not like we completely derailed the focus of discussion. We were talking about sound management, and
especially so in
Haley's Story.
As you noted there are some good ones that I've been persuaded to turn on the music (Leap of Faith is another one if you haven't tried it).
Exactly. Proof that it
can be done well. I understand that a lot of developers are flying solo, so it's a little ridiculous to expect them to be excellent at: renders; game design; programming; and writing (both dialogue and plot) — and then on top of that also to be excellent at sound management. But if you can't do sound well, you shouldn't do it, then. That was my primary point about its addition to
Haley's Story. Since 90+% of adult VNs don't use sound at all, there's really no reason to feel a need for it, regardless of what patrons say.
Voice acting in these games is terrible without exceptions. I hope that more developers avoid VA in games, especially don't want it in Haley's Story. I already have a "voice" I imagine for her in my head (a pleasant and slightly deeper but melodious voice) and don't need to hear a VA do a high pitched giggly interpretation.
I actually like the VA for Claudia in
Milky Touch, but she's a rare exception; the VA for Karen is atrocious. I hated the VAs in an earlier version of
Picture Perfect; there are way too many giggle, laugh, and pouting sound effects in
Aurora Origins; VA is equally terrible in
Awakening; etc. I actually didn't realize
Haley's Story had VA; it must have been added for scenes early in the game or something. Given the generally bad quality of VA in games in general, and given how poorly the music has been handled here, I feel little hope for VA in this game.
