Hi. Do you still enjoy and recommend this game? The reviews are all over the map. I usually ignore negative reviews about "not enough sex", but in this one the writing and story get a big mix of love and hate. But, you have high standards, so I trust you more than random people
. Thanks.
Yes and no. The characters are good. There is one main Li right from the start, which is refreshing - although there is a harem route as well. And parts of the story are excellent. It can get a little dry and preachy in places though - about the downfall of society, and overconsumption and greed etc. I mean, it places it starts to come off as a lecture complete with power point slides - but if you can make it through that, it's pretty good.Hi. Do you still enjoy and recommend this game? The reviews are all over the map. I usually ignore negative reviews about "not enough sex", but in this one the writing and story get a big mix of love and hate. But, you have high standards, so I trust you more than random people
I played till the end of the main story and I really liked it! As with most VNs, harem was a very stupid idea. It didn't fit narratively, so I avoided it. I stopped at the end of the last proper chapter because the dev said the next 5 will be epilogues of cutesy romance shenanigans, and I don't care about that.
Thanks y'all. It is funny to me that this is basically how the reviews come across. It sounds like I'll check it out.
Just managed to catch up. I like this game so much, and I find it interesting how far apart the two main routes go.
That didn't occur to me at all, but now that you mention it, it could be amazing. Give me a tragedy over comedy every day
This wasn't my thing - although I didn't make it to the new update. I couldn't really get into the characters (including the MC). Alice I liked a lot, all of the others I found irritating - which isn't good since MC's "new friends" are his main reason for caring so much and he brings them up over and over. I ended up taking the "Leave" option with Chloe at the end of Day 3 and am sticking with that ending. I did go back and try the cannon route, but ultimately decided that I'd done the right thing initially and Leave with Chloe is now my ending that I'm sticking with.Thoughts on Zero End's new update? It's out onYou must be registered to see the links.
I absolutely loved it, and it's now one of my favourite VNs, way up there with Corporate Culture.
We finally find out what caused the schism between Marie and Caleb, and it's heart-rending. With all the supernatural background, I didn't expect the cause to be such a human tragedy. On that topic, the only other VN which has been remotely in the same ballpark is Alpha, Omega and here, Zero End outshined even that.
Suddenly, everything falls into place. The events of that day explain everything that came after, and why it couldn't have happened any other way.
I've always preferred a celibate playthrough for Zero End. The game actively rewards it, but with this update, I'm more sure than ever that this is the story of Caleb and Marie. Other LIs, while excellent characters, are only pursuable as a concession to the audience. They work much better narratively as platonic friends.
This lovely little exchange exemplifies the star-crossed lovers arc so well:
It's worth mentioning that there is a BIG HINT in the script that you'll only be able to save Marie if you haven't used the book at the end of chapter 1. Something to keep in mind.
The main plot aside, there was a lot to enjoy in the details:
- Lilith's expanded mythology was lovely. The origins of her curse paint her in a much more... human light. It's wonderfully tragic characterization, especially the game's take on Adam, Eve, and the snake.
- The subway segment is reminiscent of The Trainman and Mobile Avenue in The Matrix. Leah and her compatriots suffer and seek safety, like Rama and his family did.
- I liked both of the early endings. The one where you save Alice was especially poignant. Being alive is not the same as living, and this was a thoughtful reminder. The other one is much darker. I liked that Marie realized, at the very last second, that she had pushed Caleb too far. She tries to say "but I loved you", but it's too late.
It's rare to see a VN author go from strength to strength like this, but it's such a pleasure to read when they do. I really can't wait for the next chapter. It was that good!
So, what did you folks think of it?
The dev is a notorious perfectionist with a terminal case of remasteritis, so the game will never be finished, but it's nice to enjoy these little moments just the same
Interesting. The other day I thought about this one, but the description just seemed to be the standard incest cookie cutter format. And I couldn't understand the high reviews. Seems there is more to it than I thought. Although, it still doesn't sound like a game for me. But, it makes more sense.I've been playing Summer Scent recently after forgetting about it for a few years. My misgivings remain and are around this thread. I'm still uninterested in the (far too numerous) dark paths, nor anything with incest, but it seems I've forgotten the nice bits as well.
Like this exchange with Kelly, so sickly sweet as teenagers are wont to do:
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The dev is a notorious perfectionist with a terminal case of remasteritis, so the game will never be finished, but it's nice to enjoy these little moments just the same
It's not a bad story at all, definitely not cookie cutter writing but it does kinda go downhill. I personally deeply disliked the character Jufot mentioned and was annoyed that she suddenly lives with you and it's not optional (though last I checked, having a relationship with her still is.)
If Jufot puts it in this thread, I have no doubt it is "not a bad story", but if they say "sickly sweet teenagers" I know to run because I'm way to old and jaded to play that
. But, I'm also old enough that when I see it gets updated I'll have forgotten everything about it and may give it a try. Lol.
I'm old enough that a woman can be a MILF and also young enough to be my daughter so I just have to remember what it's like to be a teenager, which isn't too hard (as long as it's only moments and not the entire dialogue of the game).If Jufot puts it in this thread, I have no doubt it is "not a bad story", but if they say "sickly sweet teenagers" I know to run because I'm way to old and jaded to play that
I want a game where the main character is the ugly old bastard trying to NTR the college kid. I want to know what this "immersion" thing is that everyone talks about. Story driven, obviously. Well fleshed out characters and all that.
I don't need things to be about me, or a version of me, to get immersed. I mean, if I can't get immersed in a story, it's not going to work for me. It's true of most things though, there are no movies about people like me, or novels about people like me - or not many. I just have to put myself in a position of someone else and use my imagination. I do run into problems sometimes because I have a substantial amount of life experience, and experience with women and don't always react to things the way the developer wants me to or thinks I should. That includes sometimes refusing the "Call to adventure" (per Joseph Campbell) - and continuing to refuse it.
To be clear, I'm not recommending the game. The vast majority of its content does not appeal to me, as it contains sexually abusive situations and/or incest. The reviews are the usual porn-brained nonsense, nothing out of the ordinary. I just wanted to highlight a single exchange, as it seemed unusually kind and well put together.
