Greetings,
This is the writer of "The Best Days of Our Lives".
Thank you for sharing all your opinions, support and critique about the game with us. It really helps us a lot.
I'm sorry I could not be active in the thread during the first release and respond to everyone personally. Sadly, unless certain issues are resolved on my end, I will remain inactive for quite some time.
But Jachu (the artist and creator of Underground Studio) has been kind enough to keep me updated on how everyone's response for the game has been (and post this on my behalf.)
On a related note, since this is a fairly new release, there seems to be different types of speculations and expectations about the game.
Which is why, I would like to use this post as a chance to clarify some things about the game - so you can know what to expect from us and thereby, decide whether this game is for you.
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1. At its core, TBDoOL is a simple game. We're not aiming to be a game where there are 20 different story branches. (Though we absolutely love those kind of games) we are just not ready for that level of stuff yet.
2. However, this is not a completely linear game either, as we will have different branching paths based on the player choices. Our aim is to deliver 5-6 COMPLETELY different routes and endings.
3. But, in order to do that effectively, we need to take things slow in terms of the branching - especially in the initial stages of development. Having too many story-branches this early in the game will only affect it negatively and we do not want that to happen. So, we would like to request you to be a little patient about the branching for the first few updates.
4. Which leads to the question about players being able to "truly" choose the routes they want (i.e, not being "forced" into a relationship).
The game will initially try to push the MC towards some characters, but only to a certain extent. It is made that way, so you can get to know these characters better - before deciding whether or not you really want the MC to get into a relationship with them.
For almost every character, there WILL come a point where the MC will be given the choice to truly commit to a relationship or stop it before that happens. So, yes, you do have a say in who the MC gets together with and how the story progresses from thereon.
5. As we have said before, this game is comprised of three major parts - Year One, Year Two and Year Three. So, we do have very long-term plans for TBDoOL.
However, we also understand the risks of such a long undertaking. Which is why we will be treating 'Year One' as a separate game by itself and focus fully on giving a satisfying end to that story first. Once 'Year One' is completed successfully, it will then be expanded to Year Two and then Year Three.
Just to clarify, this doesn't mean we will release separate games for each year. All three years will be one single game, but we will treat it in a way that 'the end of each year' can serve as a good conclusion on its own. (Think "Percy Jackson" books and its sequels "The Heroes of Olympus" and "The Trials of Apollo")
6. (Despite our previous clarifications) A few players still feel vary about the existence of so many male characters in the game - wondering if things will eventually lead to the MC watching something they do not want to.
We understand your concerns. And we have only one solution to that, which is to continue making the game as we planned. And hopefully, as time goes by, we can show you that this game is all about the 'feel-good' factor.
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Finally, to everyone who enjoyed the first update, there is nothing that makes us more happy than seeing our work being appreciated by you. Hearing your kind words helps us stay focused and try to do better and better.
So, thank you. Your support truly means a lot to us
Take care and stay safe.