Wow, I am so just conflicted about this game. I first played it when I was first getting into VNs around the time of the previous update and I enjoyed it very much, some roughness here and there aside. I've been really excited for another update for a while now, and I've even had the occasional thought out of nowhere that I'd really like to play this some more, so clearly it left an impression. In particular, the parts I remembered were about the potential relationship between MC and Victoria (I think that was the default name? The girl who got hit?), as I'm kind of a sucker for exploring heavy and sensitive themes, something that also caught my eye with 'Where It All Began'.
But, man... Playing this again, I just can't get over how little I like the main character. Hell, I outright despise him. And Bella too. And their whole dynamic. Just, just, just... Fuck, they frustrate me. How they are portrayed as sympathetic characters, then, on a fucking dime, they turn around and pull some borderline psychotic shit without batting an eye, let along showing any signs of remorse; God, it just makes my blood boil. I mean, they're plotting and scheming to ruin someone's life for the absolutely shittiest of reasons, I have zero sympathy for any of that shit. The whole revenge plot is something I'd rather just not have, but it seems like that's going to be a major part of the (or at least Bella's) story going forward, so I kinda feel like I'm locked into being inside the head of a character I loathe for this one, which isn't all that great for me. I don't think this storyline was avoidable, was it?
And speaking of the MC, it really rubs me the wrong way how he is so manipulative and thoroughly unpleasant, yet has all these girls swooning over him for no apparent reason. I mean, I don't expect some cosmic justice written in, but he just doesn't seem to really have any redeeming qualities, so when everything else about this game feels rather grounded and realistic (in a drama production kind of way) it just makes those moments when every woman you meet drenches their pants on your second encounter feel that much more out of place. I mean, I would say I can count the times I've seen women sploosh at the sight of anti-social and mentally scarred hermits on one hand, but seeing as I wouldn't honestly be able to lift a finger, I feel that would be horribly misrepresentative.
... All that being said. I like this, I really do. I just don't think I've ever seen a cast of characters that is this divisive for me. Even Quinn in 'Being a DIK', being outright evil in her escapades, feels less unpleasant to me than the MC and Bella of this game.