If it's just suffering for the next 3 chapters I don't think I can keep playing.
Just suffering is boring. Sure it would be more like monthly surprise suffering
So, yeah, things are likely just in the "Petty" phase. It hasn't really gone dark yet. I expect things to get much worse.. especially for Ayane unfortunately.
I'll give this chapter 2 bluejays at max. Maybe 3 if there would be interesting homicide, but I sure that if it would be a homicide, everyone would act like nothing happend which makes it ~ equal to bluejay.
Hovewer, it might get much darker whenever we finaly go to Sana events or if Maya would be reset in the end of chapter (technicaly, drama would be in chapter 4 in this case, but whatever). And there is always a room for something completly unexpected.
Also would be really nice if there would be some kind of trolley problem when player is forced to decide, but it will make development of future stuff extremly hard so Sel would probably not do this until it would be much closer to the end.
Considering that Selly's writing sucked at the first chapter, this is a good change of pace at least.
I still don't get why do you think chapter 1 sucks, especialy when i started playing pre-0.24.0. Nonetheless without chapter 1 there would be much less empathy which definetly amplifies effect
I don't think losing fans is avoidable if you want to switch the vibe of the story. I'll wait untill chapter 4 is out to fully judge. Though there are also 35 endings for all solo paths and as long as everyone lives I think I can deal with the dark stuff.
It is relatively strange for me that guys who love this game even after events like "Bluejay" or "Things that hurt" might be afraid if this game become even darker. It is not like fans are not prepared to real shit
I'm still amazed I originally downloaded this game looking for porn and now i'm emotionally invested. It's like Teaching Feeling all over again.
Game title was a big spoiler, yeah