- May 3, 2017
- 81
- 87
Well. I've played through the Sandbox V0.05 and the current Visual Novel V0.3.0.
Here are my thoughts:
Review of the Sandbox Version:
Probably would have like the Sandbox version of the game simplified a little and continued. This version of the game was complicated, but still fun. Some game mechanics in that version were a bit odd. However, the freedom of choice in wandering around the house really gave the game a feel of a ton of content. All the while probably plaguing the developer with moving 4 people around a house 24hrs a day. I can see why Super Alex made the choice of a Visual Novel. It is much easier decision tree-wise to do so.
The plus side of the sandbox version is it give the player much more to do throughout the day / night cycle.
The downside of the sandbox version was it was complicated to activate certain "special" events that only occurred at specific times during the week. Also hampered by not really knowing the other people's schedules.
If he were to develop a future version in the sandbox vein. I'd suggest taking a look at LessonOfPassion's Sensual Hauntings and Living with Temptation. Both of those are similar sandboxish games which he could borrow game mechanics from to smooth out the sandbox variant of this game.
Review of the Visual Novel V0.3.0
This version of the game is an amalgam of both a sandbox and a visual novel. So obtaining all events is much easier compared to the sandbox version because in order to progress the main story. Your character always has to make a yes/no answer in his room. It does away with the money mechanic which I wasn't very fond of. I'm not sure if the relationship mechanic was also ditched or simply hidden.
The plus side of the visual novel is that it's very simple to figure things out.
The downside of the visual novel is that once you play it through once, there is little compelling reason to play through this again.
Overall, I'd say the game will be worth playing for the graphical renders, but I'd doubt there be a reason to play though it multiple times in its current form.
Also, would recommend moving the phone icon for contacting the masseur to the bottom of the screen instead of the top right. Since all of room icons are at the bottom of the screen now, there is little reason for players to look at the top of the screen without the sparkle to indicate they should click there. That or just add a sparkle to the phone to indicate a player should click that.
Here are my thoughts:
Review of the Sandbox Version:
Probably would have like the Sandbox version of the game simplified a little and continued. This version of the game was complicated, but still fun. Some game mechanics in that version were a bit odd. However, the freedom of choice in wandering around the house really gave the game a feel of a ton of content. All the while probably plaguing the developer with moving 4 people around a house 24hrs a day. I can see why Super Alex made the choice of a Visual Novel. It is much easier decision tree-wise to do so.
The plus side of the sandbox version is it give the player much more to do throughout the day / night cycle.
The downside of the sandbox version was it was complicated to activate certain "special" events that only occurred at specific times during the week. Also hampered by not really knowing the other people's schedules.
If he were to develop a future version in the sandbox vein. I'd suggest taking a look at LessonOfPassion's Sensual Hauntings and Living with Temptation. Both of those are similar sandboxish games which he could borrow game mechanics from to smooth out the sandbox variant of this game.
Review of the Visual Novel V0.3.0
This version of the game is an amalgam of both a sandbox and a visual novel. So obtaining all events is much easier compared to the sandbox version because in order to progress the main story. Your character always has to make a yes/no answer in his room. It does away with the money mechanic which I wasn't very fond of. I'm not sure if the relationship mechanic was also ditched or simply hidden.
The plus side of the visual novel is that it's very simple to figure things out.
The downside of the visual novel is that once you play it through once, there is little compelling reason to play through this again.
Overall, I'd say the game will be worth playing for the graphical renders, but I'd doubt there be a reason to play though it multiple times in its current form.
Also, would recommend moving the phone icon for contacting the masseur to the bottom of the screen instead of the top right. Since all of room icons are at the bottom of the screen now, there is little reason for players to look at the top of the screen without the sparkle to indicate they should click there. That or just add a sparkle to the phone to indicate a player should click that.
