- Apr 17, 2022
- 136
- 900
I like the game. My main gripe with it is probably that it cannot really decide if it wants to be slice of life or a mystery adventure. The plot indicates depth that isn't quite there while at the same time there are slice of life dating sim elements that dilute the vampire plot. It's one of those cases where I felt the author lost focus because of the need to include relationship themes and I think this can be done much better in terms of writing.
But it's still one of the best vampire AVNs I have played. I loved both Malady and Ash even though I would have expected more tension following the events in the novel. And I also thought that the initial noir detective mystery was a nice premise, even though it was somewhat abandoned along the way. My impression is that this happened due to the fact that in the beginning Malady was driving the plot with her investigation. Her choices decided where we went as viewers. But later and also due to some 'tell and don't show' this approach was abandoned and the plot was pretty much driven by decisions of vampires because they knew how the game was being played. It's an understandable turn of events but I also think it was kind of a self-inflicted trap in terms of storytelling. Malady was written into a corner in which she was completely clueless and she lost agency as a result of it.
I think one of the most interesting aspects of good vampire novels is that humans prevail because vampires have weaknesses too. They are not superheroes which you have to join in order to survive. Instead, they have unique strengths and weaknesses that can be played by humans and other races. And that is something many VNs don't seem to value as a storytelling opportunity. You get the impression that becoming a vampire is always an upgrade with the slight downside of blood-addiction, but they don't see it as the curse that it was in original literature. For instance, the fact that some vampires only could walk in the dark never seemed to limit or hinder the villains in their pursuit. So it was a weakness without consequence.
Anyway it's still a 4/5 game for me. I appreciate the effort and the fact that you made a female protag AVN with a very relatable MC and in my favorite fantasy genre. There is a lot I like about this VN and maybe (hopefully?) there will be more stories in this world.
But it's still one of the best vampire AVNs I have played. I loved both Malady and Ash even though I would have expected more tension following the events in the novel. And I also thought that the initial noir detective mystery was a nice premise, even though it was somewhat abandoned along the way. My impression is that this happened due to the fact that in the beginning Malady was driving the plot with her investigation. Her choices decided where we went as viewers. But later and also due to some 'tell and don't show' this approach was abandoned and the plot was pretty much driven by decisions of vampires because they knew how the game was being played. It's an understandable turn of events but I also think it was kind of a self-inflicted trap in terms of storytelling. Malady was written into a corner in which she was completely clueless and she lost agency as a result of it.
I think one of the most interesting aspects of good vampire novels is that humans prevail because vampires have weaknesses too. They are not superheroes which you have to join in order to survive. Instead, they have unique strengths and weaknesses that can be played by humans and other races. And that is something many VNs don't seem to value as a storytelling opportunity. You get the impression that becoming a vampire is always an upgrade with the slight downside of blood-addiction, but they don't see it as the curse that it was in original literature. For instance, the fact that some vampires only could walk in the dark never seemed to limit or hinder the villains in their pursuit. So it was a weakness without consequence.
Anyway it's still a 4/5 game for me. I appreciate the effort and the fact that you made a female protag AVN with a very relatable MC and in my favorite fantasy genre. There is a lot I like about this VN and maybe (hopefully?) there will be more stories in this world.
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