Just finished v0.06, and it's my first time playing a MrDots game. I was initially hesitant given the lower than expected reviews, but boy was I glad I gave it a shot. The characters, the renders, the settings, all excellent. Having played writing-focused AVNs like Chasing Sunsets, Leap of Faith, and Summer's Gone, I don't exactly see the fuss about the writing being slow-paced.
The MC started out as a bit of a douche at the start, but he humbled up really quickly after everything in his life started to get thrown into disarray and in general is written as someone with a good heart. I also actually really like Nicole; you can tell she was a true inspiration for the MC and that she truly cares about him (the video calls when she gives him advice are the perfect window into how even outside romance they really do have a strong emotional bond). But like a real person of her particular high-conscientiousness lower-agreeableness personality type, she is easily frustrated by the MC's uncertain situation, and both of them being romantically inexperienced makes their problems and even their decisions all the more plausible. It will be interesting to see what happens when she finally starts checking in with the MC again; I just hope the dreams don't lead to the too easy cuckquean trope that the harem games all seem to have.
The sister/friend, the cousin (Shortcake?), Kristina and Connie are definitely my favorites. The casual fling characters are okay, but most are too forward for my taste.
While waiting for the next update, I definitely need to check out Melody and DMD.
