Hi, how are you? Okay, let me address each question one by one.
1. Episode 5 felt short mainly because we added too many branching routes. Some other phone games might feel longer simply because they’re almost kinetic (with very few choices). We're going to try to make future episodes feel longer and more balanced.
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Honest question
Do you think each route in the game (not just this update, but overall) offers a unique and different experience, to the point that the average player would want to try multiple routes?
If the answer is yes, maybe that should be more transparent to the players, openly recommending multiple playthroughs
If the answer is no, you are doing a lot of work that most players won't even notice
There is also another point to consider
If there are many multiple routes, where a specific combination of choices would determine the path you take, would force players to basically play with a guide in order to see all content in the game, thereby removing the actual game from the game
I'm seeing this for example with NTR Mobile, a game that I would actively have to follow a guide if I want to see a specific route of the game, which is the least fun way to play the game
The overall point is that, assuming an average player will do a single run through your game, having more but shorter routes would make the game seem rather short, whereas having fewer but longer routes would make the game feel longer, even if overall you've created the same amount of content
The real difficulty is in finding the correct balance of offering choices to the player, while also giving them actual content to pursue (unless you find a way to promote replayability in a way that would convince people to do that)
But these are just my thoughts, after reflecting on the many games I've tried on this site, their successes and failings (at least, my opinion of them)
Would be really curious to hear your takes on this