VN Ren'Py Pale Carnations [Ch.4 Up.6 Public] [Mutt & Jeff]

[ename144]

Happy new year, everyone. I was hoping the holiday would let me finish my review a lot faster this time, but it's proven to be a difficult one to write. I did not enjoy the update on my first playthrough. I'm still lukewarm on it overall, and it's been hard articulating why. I think at least half my disappointment rests squarely on me and my own expectations. I have... eclectic tastes and this update didn't suit them. That's a little unfair to hold against the update, but it's not like I could review this from someone else's point of view. So before we go any farther, take everything I say here with an industrial-strength grain of salt.

There's a huge amount of stuff in this update, including plenty of tender and/or romantic moments right up my alley, and it's all pretty high quality, at least in a vacuum. I believe my issue stems from the moments that most hold my interest not meshing as well as I would like with the other content around them. That is exacerbated by some structural problems in the way the update is layout out. My initial playthrough of Rosalind's dinner, for example, was surprisingly boring because interesting developments are concealed unless you've made the right choices, rather than being integrated into *making* those choices. The massive extravaganza with all the girls didn't click with me to the point it felt almost like padding, while the dramatic end of the update *over*achieved to such a degree I don't think it realized its own strength. And on top of all that, the new UI irked me by being both less legible and more generic.

In short, this update managed to wrong-foot my expectations with almost surgical precision right up until the finale. On the plus side, that finale was pretty fucking AWESOME!, so it's not like this was anywhere close to being a bad update. But getting to that end was slog (at least for me), and if I'm being honest I'm a little worried that Chapter 4 Update 6 is not all that well positioned to follow up on what I liked. That certainly has me nervous, even if I am still looking forward to the end of Chapter 4.

But enough generalities. We really need to get into the weeds on this one.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - The New UI

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Darius, Andrea et al

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Rosalind

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Marlow

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Kathleen

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Dance Club All Out Love Interest Attack!!

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Victoria

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Other Thoughts

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Bugs and Glitches

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Okay, I think that wraps up my thoughts. Sorry for the length, to say nothing of how subjective they are. I don't think my viewpoint is the best one to judge this update, but I hope it can be of use. I still want more of the game, and I want it to be the best game it can possibly be!

tl;dr A massive update focused heavily on aspects of the game I'm less interested in, as well as some structural issues that weakened parts nearer to my heart. The ending was *very* strong, but I am a little nervous about how well the next update can follow up on it.

 

[sunaboz]

(...)
Honestly, I feel I have more chances in winning Wimbledon next summer than Ian has in winning Mina back. (...)

Hello Novak.

It's not even a question of "if" but WHEN Mina will learn about the club (Rosalind has literally said it's a brothel and while Mina assumed it was a joke this is the same case as with Walt saying the unlikely truth to Hank in Breaking Bad, Mina isn't stupid) and that will change her perspective significantly. Depending on our choices she will see that Edwin is no better than Ian but given her openness to sex I can totally see her coming to terms with Ian's behaviour and giving him a second chance. That Mina fans won't like it is another matter entirely.

I'm well aware of that. And it's my point that seeing them get together at this late stage is very difficult and may be handled in the epilogue but there's already established antagonisms which make them getting together a bit less likely with so much to be focused on as is.

Not antagonism but more like sadness, disappointment and resignation. Recall their conversation in this update:

Edwin: "...by the way, Ian wants to talk to you."
"This was as good of a time as any to bring this up."

Mina: "...he could've approached me all night."

Edwin: "He's ashamed, I think."

Mina: "Good, but I have no desire to speak to him."

Edwin: "Alright, well... I did what he asked. Told you about it. You don't owe him anything, Mina."

Mina: "...what did he want to talk about?"

Edwin: "He wants to apologize."

Mina: "He just wants to screw with my head."

Edwin: "I... I don't think so."

Mina: "...this oughta be good."

There is no antagonism here and that "what did he want to talk about" part is especially glaring suggesting she's not over him yet. Same with:

Killian: "We'll continue this talk some other time?"
Mina: "...sure."

If there was antagonism I would expect "don't talk with me again".

And last but not least, their break-up scene ended like this:

Mina "*Sigh* I love you, Ian. You're sweet and funny. You've shared private things about your life that I'm thankful for, but..."
Killian: "...stop."
Killian: "Please, spare me the wishy-washy feely shit."
Mina: "--you're a whole lot more than you give yourself credit for. I really hope you'll see that one day."

There is no antagonism here.

 

[MAsterun]

So if someone wants to unlock the gallery, I am a novice so this needs to be done individually for each character and you have to get your hands dirty a bit. It is quite straight forward.

1. Download this rpa extraction tool (it's just a 7 mb file)

You must be registered to see the links

2. Create a new folder "script" (in the same folder as the script.rpa file) & "move" not "copy" the script.rpa file located in Game Directory/game/script.rpa and the exe file.

3. Drag n drop the script.rpa file onto to the "rpaExtract.exe" file or (

You must be registered to see the links

) Short version showing the clip of the author of rpaex on how to use it.

4. This will create around 71 files with 2 versions each .rpy and .rpyc (Do not touch the .rpyc it is a game engine compilation output) we will only work with .rpy

5. Now in this files you only have to tinker with the "replay****.rpy" for eg: "replayRosalind.rpy", "replayMina.rpy".

6. Open the files one by one and ( see image examples below "This should" -> "Look like this" ) & Change this line of code to

Do not copy paste as syntax might not go well with it. All you are doing in this is "removing" Look at image example

if i[0]:

&

else:
imagebutton:
action NullAction()
idle "images/misc/scene replay/"+i[1]+"_locked.png"
tooltip i[4]

Also try not to "format" the code and if you do DO NOT USE "TAB" keyboard key only use "SPACE BARS" as TAB key WILL result in an error Renpy Engine is not compatible with "TAB" key.

Do this for each file and save remember all this should be done in a folder named "script" inside the "game" folder in the same folder as "cache" "saves" "gui".

Ty, it works for me.

 

[Ottoeight]

Hello Novak.

It's not even a question of "if" but WHEN Mina will learn about the club (Rosalind has literally said it's a brothel and while Mina assumed it was a joke this is the same case as with Walt saying the unlikely truth to Hank in Breaking Bad, Mina isn't stupid) and that will change her perspective significantly. Depending on our choices she will see that Edwin is no better than Ian but given her openness to sex I can totally see her coming to terms with Ian's behaviour and giving him a second chance. That Mina fans won't like it is another matter entirely.

Not antagonism but more like sadness, disappointment and resignation. Recall their conversation in this update:

There is no antagonism here and that "what did he want to talk about" part is especially glaring suggesting she's not over him yet. Same with:

If there was antagonism I would expect "don't talk with me again".

And last but not least, their break-up scene ended like this:

There is no antagonism here.

I think you just forgot that Ian is working at the brothel as well and I think you just forgot that Ian is the nephew's owner as well (and Mina knows that Edwin's working in that place only because of Ian).

You just wish that our MC Edwin gets cucked, just like some dudes here wants to see Victoria having sex with some club patrons and/or Ian (it is never gonna happen since it does NOT make sense at all).

So, as I've already told you: stop trolling us and remember that EDWIN is the main character, not Ian.

Just a reminder as well: the story is ending on 4th week, saturday night - in 8 days.

 

[Ungawa]

Not antagonism but more like sadness, disappointment and resignation. Recall their conversation in this update:

I'm waiting for public release

 

[lustforsex]

(Rosalind has literally said it's a brothel and while Mina assumed it was a joke this is the same case as with Walt saying the unlikely truth to Hank in Breaking Bad, Mina isn't stupid)

Felicia also made a similar “joke” before:

Mina: "What stuff?"
Felicia: "A meeting to discuss the week's theme for a sex club I'm involved in."
Mina: "Uh... um... ahuh...?"
Felicia: "I'm just kidding! I've got some errands!"

 

[omega_rugal]

boring update no good scene with my both top tier

kathleen wears heels if debut of this game and always no scene with

 

[Sunedosa]

I love this game <3

 

[SamualHand]

kathleen wears heels if debut of this game and always no scene with

But there are scenes with Kathleen!

 

[TD1900]

Happy new year, everyone. I was hoping the holiday would let me finish my review a lot faster this time, but it's proven to be a difficult one to write. I did not enjoy the update on my first playthrough. I'm still lukewarm on it overall, and it's been hard articulating why. I think at least half my disappointment rests squarely on me and my own expectations. I have... eclectic tastes and this update didn't suit them. That's a little unfair to hold against the update, but it's not like I could review this from someone else's point of view. So before we go any farther, take everything I say here with an industrial-strength grain of salt.

There's a huge amount of stuff in this update, including plenty of tender and/or romantic moments right up my alley, and it's all pretty high quality, at least in a vacuum. I believe my issue stems from the moments that most hold my interest not meshing as well as I would like with the other content around them. That is exacerbated by some structural problems in the way the update is layout out. My initial playthrough of Rosalind's dinner, for example, was surprisingly boring because interesting developments are concealed unless you've made the right choices, rather than being integrated into *making* those choices. The massive extravaganza with all the girls didn't click with me to the point it felt almost like padding, while the dramatic end of the update *over*achieved to such a degree I don't think it realized its own strength. And on top of all that, the new UI irked me by being both less legible and more generic.

In short, this update managed to wrong-foot my expectations with almost surgical precision right up until the finale. On the plus side, that finale was pretty fucking AWESOME!, so it's not like this was anywhere close to being a bad update. But getting to that end was slog (at least for me), and if I'm being honest I'm a little worried that Chapter 4 Update 6 is not all that well positioned to follow up on what I liked. That certainly has me nervous, even if I am still looking forward to the end of Chapter 4.

But enough generalities. We really need to get into the weeds on this one.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - The New UI

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Darius, Andrea et al

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Rosalind

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Marlow

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Kathleen

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Dance Club All Out Love Interest Attack!!

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Victoria

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Other Thoughts

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Bugs and Glitches

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Okay, I think that wraps up my thoughts. Sorry for the length, to say nothing of how subjective they are. I don't think my viewpoint is the best one to judge this update, but I hope it can be of use. I still want more of the game, and I want it to be the best game it can possibly be!

tl;dr A massive update focused heavily on aspects of the game I'm less interested in, as well as some structural issues that weakened parts nearer to my heart. The ending was *very* strong, but I am a little nervous about how well the next update can follow up on it.

As always, I appreciate you taking the time and effort to a write a colossal send up. I never feel like an update is behind us until your analysis of it. That is how highly I think of your feedback. I wish I could say it was as fun to read as usual, but it's all the more worthwhile that it was not.

It will take a few rereads before I fully digest the bulk of it, but you've given me a lot to think about in the postmortem. You actually touched on a few concerns I had but brushed aside in favor of inertia, as well as some stuff I hadn't even considered. There's honestly a lot I agree with there, plus likely a tad more on top of that once the sting of criticism lessens and I can more honestly internalize it.

And even the stuff I don't agree with, reconciling why hones one's perspective. Thanks a ton, ename.

 

[KristopheH]

But there are scenes with Kathleen!

Don't waste your time with this guy. To him, a game is pointless unless it caters to his high heel fetish

 

[Ottoeight]

Happy new year, everyone. I was hoping the holiday would let me finish my review a lot faster this time, but it's proven to be a difficult one to write. I did not enjoy the update on my first playthrough. I'm still lukewarm on it overall, and it's been hard articulating why. I think at least half my disappointment rests squarely on me and my own expectations. I have... eclectic tastes and this update didn't suit them. That's a little unfair to hold against the update, but it's not like I could review this from someone else's point of view. So before we go any farther, take everything I say here with an industrial-strength grain of salt.

There's a huge amount of stuff in this update, including plenty of tender and/or romantic moments right up my alley, and it's all pretty high quality, at least in a vacuum. I believe my issue stems from the moments that most hold my interest not meshing as well as I would like with the other content around them. That is exacerbated by some structural problems in the way the update is layout out. My initial playthrough of Rosalind's dinner, for example, was surprisingly boring because interesting developments are concealed unless you've made the right choices, rather than being integrated into *making* those choices. The massive extravaganza with all the girls didn't click with me to the point it felt almost like padding, while the dramatic end of the update *over*achieved to such a degree I don't think it realized its own strength. And on top of all that, the new UI irked me by being both less legible and more generic.

In short, this update managed to wrong-foot my expectations with almost surgical precision right up until the finale. On the plus side, that finale was pretty fucking AWESOME!, so it's not like this was anywhere close to being a bad update. But getting to that end was slog (at least for me), and if I'm being honest I'm a little worried that Chapter 4 Update 6 is not all that well positioned to follow up on what I liked. That certainly has me nervous, even if I am still looking forward to the end of Chapter 4.

But enough generalities. We really need to get into the weeds on this one.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - The New UI

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Darius, Andrea et al

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Rosalind

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Marlow

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Kathleen

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Dance Club All Out Love Interest Attack!!

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Victoria

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Other Thoughts

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Spoiler: Ch4Up6 - Bugs and Glitches

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Okay, I think that wraps up my thoughts. Sorry for the length, to say nothing of how subjective they are. I don't think my viewpoint is the best one to judge this update, but I hope it can be of use. I still want more of the game, and I want it to be the best game it can possibly be!

tl;dr A massive update focused heavily on aspects of the game I'm less interested in, as well as some structural issues that weakened parts nearer to my heart. The ending was *very* strong, but I am a little nervous about how well the next update can follow up on it.

Just a few observations:

- Nicolette is "on loan" as much as Andrea (from Otto, August's fellow gangster);

- what happened to Victoria in this update is so important to me that right now I couldn't care less about the upcoming exhibition night: I should ask myself whether Elias told Felicia the truth and he's going to Tokyo or he's attending the exhibition, but the truth is that I don't care because the only thing I wanna know is what Vic is going to tell Edwin and Ian next morning;

- I agree with you about Vic's secret - it's the movies.

Oh, and remember, guys: this is a tale of motherly love:

As always, I appreciate you taking the time and effort to a write a colossal send up. I never feel like an update is behind us until your analysis of it. That is how highly I think of your feedback. I wish I could say it was as fun to read as usual, but it's all the more worthwhile that it was not.

It will take a few rereads before I fully digest the bulk of it, but you've given me a lot to think about in the postmortem. You actually touched on a few concerns I had but brushed aside in favor of inertia, as well as some stuff I hadn't even considered. There's honestly a lot I agree with there, plus likely a tad more on top of that once the sting of criticism lessens and I can more honestly internalize it.

And even the stuff I don't agree with, reconciling why hones one's perspective. Thanks a ton, ename.

Just let me tell you that I'm not so "underwhelmed" as our ename144 fellow.

I think that the main problem is that we often perceive updates as "chapters" instead of them being just a step forward in the storyline progression (like in this case): this is part 5 of chapter 4 (not the whole chapter), after all.

So, I think that if anyone re-played the whole game from the start instead of playing the latest update only, he/she would appreciate it more.

That's my advice for everybody: after you played the update, just replay the whole game once at least. We have quite a few months ahead, after all.


Anyway, just a question for you Authors: are you considering the possibility of splitting the release of the next update in two halves (therefore 2 updates) - let's say: first half release covering saturday morning and afternoon until the exhibition starts; second half release covering the ehxibition and aftermath night?

I'm telling this because I have the feeling that the next update is going to be even bigger (with a development time even longer than the latest) than this latest update.

Just my 2 cents, of course.

 

[bonerland]

Man, the game has never looked better; you can tell where most of the time is spent on the development, as the girls actually look like they've been motion captured with how expressive their faces are, and the background details actually make the world look lived in, like characters going about their business in the background, or just cars passing by when characters are by or on a road. Even when you skip through a scene, it's like you're fast forwarding a movie rather than rapidly flipping through a bunch of static images. This really is one of the best looking games out there and it doesn't get enough credit in that area I feel like.

 

[helo138]

Just a few observations:

- Nicolette is "on loan" as much as Andrea (from Otto, August's fellow gangster);

- what happened to Victoria in this update is so important to me that right now I couldn't care less about the upcoming exhibition night: I should ask myself whether Elias told Felicia the truth and he's going to Tokyo or he's attending the exhibition, but the truth is that I don't care because the only thing I wanna know is what Vic is going to tell Edwin and Ian next morning;

- I agree with you about Vic's secret - it's the movies.





Just let me tell you that I'm not so "underwhelmed" as our ename144 fellow.

I think that the main problem is that we often perceive updates as "chapters" instead of them being just a step forward in the storyline progression (like in this case): this is part 5 of chapter 4 (not the whole chapter), after all.

So, I think that if anyone re-played the whole game from the start instead of playing the latest update only, he/she would appreciate it more.

That's my advice for everybody: after you played the update, just replay the whole game once at least. We have quite a few months ahead, after all.


Anyway, just a question for you Authors: are you considering the possibility of splitting the release of the next update in two halves (therefore 2 updates) - let's say: first half release covering saturday morning and afternoon until the exhibition starts; second half release covering the ehxibition and aftermath night?

I'm telling this because I have the feeling that the next update is going to be even bigger (with a development time even longer than the latest) than this latest update.

Just my 2 cents, of course.

Although I suspect the authors to be against it we are starting to exceed the dreaded 9 month period for "only" one update. Since the narrative has to be split anyhow I agree to splitting it even more in favour of more regular releases. For example, the exhibition can be split into the introduction and the mandatory free roam in the first half (with a dramatic cliffhanger at the start of the exhibition) and a second update containing the show itself and the aftermath. Evenly split in 2000x2 renders. TD and GIL, please make it so.

 

[TD1900]

Just let me tell you that I'm not so "underwhelmed" as our ename144 fellow.

I think that the main problem is that we often perceive updates as "chapters" instead of them being just a step forward in the storyline progression (like in this case): this is part 5 of chapter 4 (not the whole chapter), after all.

So, I think that if anyone re-played the whole game from the start instead of playing the latest update only, he/she would appreciate it more.

That's my advice for everybody: after you played the update, just replay the whole game once at least. We have quite a few months ahead, after all.

Honestly, judging the pacing of a serialized release against the big picture is something I don't feel very adept at. I feel like I'm just hoping for the best most of the time. I mean, I try to base each update around some central theme or scenario (this one was Victoria, and there's the through line about "truth" that filters down from that to the other characters), but it's hard to say what moments should be dwelled on or sped past from the perspective of someone sequentially playing through the scenes without hitting a thanks for playing brick wall. There's probably a lot of unneeded repetition in Edwin's thoughts and narration because of that. If it happens to all bleed together in satisfying manner, I consider myself lucky as the focus is usually on making a single update have a rise and fall that is satisfying.

Still, episodic releases both keep things fresh as a developer, but it also kinda skews your perspective. So, yeah, I'm happy that you think everything's fitting.

I do think ename brings up some good points. Mainly because some of the stuff he highlights (like the contrivance of the rock show) also crossed my mind. The tricky thing is a lot of doubt crosses your mind as an author. How I manage that is taking note when (enough) people pick up on those sore spots. There's actually a ton of things I'm unhappy with that never get mentioned, so I usually file those away as "being my own biggest critic."

(And when people pick on something I'm happy with, I usually just ignore it.)

Anyway, just a question for you Authors: are you considering the possibility of splitting the release of the next update in two halves (therefore 2 updates) - let's say: first half release covering saturday morning and afternoon until the exhibition starts; second half release covering the ehxibition and aftermath night?

I'm telling this because I have the feeling that the next update is going to be even bigger (with a development time even longer than the latest) than this latest update.

Just my 2 cents, of course.

Splitting a single day into two updates... ugh, that sounds like a nightmare. We already stress out about spending 3 years on a single week and what's gonna go into the last remaining one. Honestly, it might not be a bad idea. They'll be some lead up into the event of course, what with the aftermath of Ch4Up5's ending and the pre-exhibiti0on stuff. I could see how you could build a cliffhanger on the event starting, but we'll see.

It'd feel kinda backwards finally getting back to a multi day update to doing our first "half day" update, but... I dunno. More frequent releases have always been our goal and we just get worse at it.

Man, the game has never looked better; you can tell where most of the time is spent on the development, as the girls actually look like they've been motion captured with how expressive their faces are, and the background details actually make the world look lived in, like characters going about their business in the background, or just cars passing by when characters are by or on a road. Even when you skip through a scene, it's like you're fast forwarding a movie rather than rapidly flipping through a bunch of static images. This really is one of the best looking games out there and it doesn't get enough credit in that area I feel like.

This x1000000.

GIL's the fucking backbone of the project. He sells and elevates my inanity as fell as I'm concerned.

 

[Ottoeight]

Although I suspect the authors to be against it we are starting to exceed the dreaded 9 month period for "only" one update. Since the narrative has to be split anyhow I agree to splitting it even more in favour of more regular releases. For example, the exhibition can be split into the introduction and the mandatory free roam in the first half (with a dramatic cliffhanger at the start of the exhibition) and a second update containing the show itself and the aftermath. Evenly split in 2000x2 renders. TD and GIL, please make it so.

Well, I wouldn't go that far...

 

[ffive]

In fact, I'd say the only real revelation we got was learning that she helped her husband cheat old folks out of their retirement and she feels extremely guilty about it.

Hey, we also learned that Edwin is literally second guy ever Rose has had sex with in her life, which is highly unexpected but potentially very pleasing development to some players.

 

[ProtoJoto]

Using that audition tape as a metaphor for the MC's mindset was an excellent idea, but I feel like it clashes with the earlier use of those scenes as straight up exposition. Weaving the interview clips into his day with Victoria implies that the MC is remembering them, that these snippets are parts that have stuck with him through the years and come to mind in similar circumstances.

I also felt the way it was handled was a little awkward: the blurry memories after what had seemed clear memories didn’t make much sense.

Imagine, if instead of having flashbacks scattered through the day, the MC, while waiting in Donavan’s studio, had spotted a picture of his mother on an old movie poster: triggering a flashback to the video he had found online. Interrupted shortly by “Mr. Donavan will see you now....” Scattering the rest of the flashbacks into the following conversation would have been an intense way for the scene to play out.

 

[UmbralKnight]

The transitions afterward, however, are so jarring it honestly took me a little while to work out exactly what was happening. It goes from the two trash talking each other, to them making out in public, to them quietly cuddling alone in the VIP room.

for a veronica fan like me
yeah that was a bit disappointing especially considering how great the previous dance scene between the 2 was in the previous update
i was waiting for something great like that to happen again but they suddenly cut to the next scene
i had to double check to see if my game had bugged but hey any i will take any MORE veronica content over NO veronica content

 

[ffive]

It's also possible for the MC to transition his relationship with Mina from casual sex to something more meaningful, but it counterintuitively requires the MC being jealous of her, so I'm not sure if it's a genuine branch in her development or just a small diversion.

MC being jealous of Mina sets a flag that's then referenced quite a bit so yes, i'd expect this to be start of "Mina as exclusive gf" branch. I also don't think MC feeling possessive as the switch towards exclusive relationship with Mina is in any way counterintuitive..? Mina telegraphs almost openly during the threesome with Felicia that she wants MC to feel jealous and possessive about her, and she's nearly elated when he chooses to act like that during their threesome scene.