Oh wow, I happened to get the only correct path on my first attempt. I assumed that the darker route would lead to a different tone and CG scene where at the very least the context will be darker for how the character views you. They could have even done the same scene but changed a few lines of dialogue to make it fit with your choice and how it effects the narrative. Illusion of choice done correctly.
Nope apparently its just a false choice with a pointless game over screen based on nothing but trial and error concept. Its really silly to think that this will ever be polished or changed, because of how the update system works and the demand for the constantly progressing narrative. So at what point will the author ever have time to go back and polish and would you ever want him too over future progression of content.
This exact same dilemma occurred during the locker scene with the principles daughter. There was only one correct path the other choices were just trail and error game over screens. What exactly is the point of that especially in a renpy game where you can just scroll mouse wheel and pick a different choice? Its the absolute worst possible way to handle illusion of choice narrative. The only time its successful if you happened to get the correct path on the first attempt. But then out of curiosity to see what would happen with the other path, replaying it finding out you were deceived, being a false choice trying to present itself as illusion of choice..
The proper way to do illusion of choice, is both paths branching back to the same spot but now you have a different narrative context. Look at mass effect for example, there are only 3 choices that actually matter when you port your save file to ME2, but the entire context of the narrative is driven by the choices you make because it does illusion of choice right. Branching back to the same place for both choices but now with a different context, of how the characters might feel and your attitude towards the situation.
For example whether you save the racchni queen or not, you are encountering the racchni queen either way and the only thing that effectively changes is a few lines of dialogue and now you are back on the same path regardless of which option you selected. If you did save, in ME2 there is a small convo informing you about the racchni queen that doesnt interrupt or deter from the main story.
So as you can see in order to do illusion of choice correctly, you dont need a big budget, you just need common sense and a few lines of dialogue. This author does not seem to be capable or understand this concept at all yet is trying to write a choice driven narrative in renpy. He is white knighted and defended from his fanbase for the fact that it does have parody elements in the game, which somehow is supposed to excuse his incompetence.
So in short
~You should never have a game over screen. This is illusion of choice done wrong and a lot of games here do this.
~When you do have a choice, the main differences should be a few lines of dialogue, changing the context of the narrative. This saves time and budget. Its actually impossible even with massive budgets to complex branching paths. The most successful narrative driven games are actually linear with each path branching back in on themselves towards the main path and now the only difference is the context of the narrative.
~Dont expect this game to be polished or changed, because of the demand for ever progressing content in each update supported by his monthly milk machine platform. Patreon style systems do not encourage finished products with a well rounded narrative.
