PRE-REVIEW (not quite finished CH4 ACTII)
There are a LOT of things I really like about this game:
- the models (in general) are interesting and not the same old faces, expressive too. I think the father and Mikaela are extremely well done (character-wise too, interesting)
- the plot, while nothing too fanciful, works fine and maintains immersion
- the MC (weaknesses and strengths; complex)
- the stats and UI are well designed and easy to use and understand. STR/INT/CHA is a nice combo for players customisation and so far the author(s) is implementing player choices well
- a variety of potential LIs each with a good semblance of unique personality and motivations while avoiding some/a lot of the tropes
I do have a few reservations:
- (minor) I would have made the MC financially independant, like a grandparent providing an education fund for the MC [ok mo whatabout the sister?] that bypasses his father's control. It would make much more sense imho, and seriously the part-time IT job is unneccessary again in my eyes
- (minor) the mother looks younger than the 24 year old nurse
- (major) MC's relationship with his mother, his father and the whole 2 month thing. Sorry but that's not working for me. The story behind MC leaving home needs more tension and drama. Give the MC a reason(s) to not have spoken to a single family member. Make the mum either weak and utterly dominated by the father and siding against her son, or have father basically throw out MC, generate that hate, but have MC secretly in contact with mother and sister. But as it is THIS IS THE WEAKEST LINK. The MC has undergone a dramatic life change (the positive crux of the story) but decides to go and spend 2 months with a family he hasn't spoken to in 2 years? UGH?! Completely breaks immersion and it doesn't make any sense. Here's a solution, rewrite and have one of the immediate family members (mom, dad, sis) in hospital or dead or missing; personally I'd make it either the mom or the sis as that would create far more tension, everyone hates the dad already (good job btw). But not 2 months and not because of a single text message. Fix this and your work will be remembered... and don't take them presents.
Another suggestion. I don't like the mother and sister's characters. I think the mother needs some tweaks but needs more depth (like something annoying about her) and the sister is basically dull as dishwater (yaaaawn!). Make the mum bitchy and resentful to her daughter (a younger her)? Make the sis a nerd/intelligent/rebel (smarter-than-mom route) or dumb as a box of rocks/daddy's girl/nasty (mom jealous of relationship); the father-daughter relationship could be an interesting development. I'll provide an example... you made Charlie's aunt more believable and 3D than both the mom and the sis, and she has a cameo performance. Why? Cause and effects. Attention to detail. Uniqueness. Charlie's aunt has all of these BECAUSE the auther created her so. A small role but a well thought-out role. They could do so much better with the mom/sis.
Good luck.
EDIT: the "bad" sister could be a cheerleader and historically antagonised MC bc they were over-weight. Make the sis self-centred, stupid and selfish. Give her life!