HTML - The Archmage [v0.1.2 Alpha] [Black Dahlia Studios]

the last time i played this game it was on version 0.0.3 and i waited for the update since now we are at 0.0.7 lets see whats new last time it was a very good game in my opinion and i hope no less this time around keep up the work dev and dont give up

A not too revolutionary premise with an interesting execution, which shows hard work an dedication. For the fans of devious world but with less focus on transformation.
Right now the thing is a bit empty, but it shows promise, with lots of branching decisions and good level of detail.

Is the writing good? It's inspired, definitely. Is there an indication of plot? Sort of. It's obvious that the dev wants there to be.

There are indications of characterization, world building, and more. They're all very promising. The problem is that this game is the very definition of Dev Alpha. Not Player Alpha -- Dev Alpha.

Allow me to explain: a player alpha has what one might consider playable content to a reasonable breakpoint. The end of a story arc or character arc, in this case, as either of those elements are core features to this game. Furthermore, the erotic mechanics of the game should be sufficiently present and accessible to the player as well. In short, the core game loop needs to be evident to the player, and effectively all intended game features or mechanics represented in some way.

This game doesn't have that. This game is inspired, indubitably, but it isn't a v-slice. Its core game loop is kind of all over the place and isn't player friendly in what can be experienced and what can't. It's clear the dev is iterating and incrementing, but they're doing so in a variety of areas rather than completing at least one core game path/experience for the player to assess what the completed game would be like. Assuming all mechanics are present, even if they're just stubs, it's Dev Alpha, technically.

But that doesn't mean "the fun" the dev intends for the player can be understood.

The dev created a compelling and complete prologue, but it's largely a passive experience compared to what they intend for the rest of the game.

I'd advise the dev to finish an Act 1 or Act 2 arc with some of the day to day, one Act 1/2 chain discovered during that day to day (e.g. farm), and one Act 1/2 arc with Dahlia or one of the other NPCs. Then it's a player alpha and better bugs as well as user experience feedback will start coming in.

Not a lot to do yet - once you reach a certain point you just have a lot of navigation to do. It's kind of hard to navigate the world using multiple choice options. Without images or anything else to pair this with I do not think this will go very far.

I don't know how this game got 5 stars, it's bloody unplayable. This needs a proper walkthrough. I was playing this game for the past 1 and half hours and didn't reach even a single proper scene. As there is no walkthrough, it felt that most of the things are happening because of some random function. I really wanted to like this game because of the pornstars and writing, but many places don't even have a background yet, it's not even proper v.0.01. Hopefully, the developer will make a proper digram or some sort of technique where we actually know where the NPCs are and where the events are going to take place.