I want to cater why this game has mixed review.
First thing first, this game has been developed for a long time, maybe 8 years.
The early part of the game is really as the bad reviews said.
1. Railroad you at earliest.
2. Empty city
3. 640 x 480 resolution (I have the solution)
4. The current version is 1.10 when the Patreon has 1.13.
1-3 is partially because this game is very old. Like back then the developer were a more bit ameteur-ish if I'm allowed to say that. Also perhaps they using the older version of RPG maker.
4. Well idk how much dono you need to unlock the download patch there. The lowest possible is $1.
1.10 has already have a lot contents, the missing ones are perhaps babysitter ending, and bestiality. Well, i do hope we could get the rest from Kagura, maybe a DLC? But for now it is what it is.
1. Story railroad
At the latter stages, you can have more freedom to roam.
There is an obligatory route you must follow at the earlier stages.
The Melvin (Pub), Gracias, and the Convinience story.
It is like, you must say 'NO' to any of those to get access to the latter branches.
Except you're really want to clear one. Save game are plentiful and sometimes it warns you when to save.
No worries, there's all CG unlock cheat also.
If you delved deep into a particular branch (not counting the obligatory ones except the Garcias), it will railroad you for sure. But it is for the good, because when it does, the story really kicks in.
Pre Melvin- Garcias- Pre Convinience---->Real branches including main Melvin and Convinience branches, also many more.
The obligatory branch also when Ayame's Moral meter matters, when it goes down below 60 at the end of it, it will unlock another low moral branches while locking the opposites.
I don't think this is a spoiler, kinda giving you the bone structure of the branches in the game.
2. Empty city
This is a bit difficult for me to explain, but the game has a lot places, and is quite huge for an RPG maker game.
The city isn't empty per se. BUT, you have to unlock into a certain stages to get more functionality from the said city.
This is when people, well including me, feels the city is empty. Like walking into an unnecessarily huge space without having meaningful interaction with something. Even then some of the new places or endgame places still feels empty because the game is still BETA according to the developer and still ongoing changes for we don't know when it will be finished. Only when you unlocked the necessary condition, you'll feel each corner of the city has more and more something to do with. The city is getting more lively.
It is not like the best decision to design something like that, since the condition to unlock the part of the city is quite obscure, also getting this uneasy feeling of emptiness at the beginning. But I kinda understand why the developer need to restrict a certain interaction to avoid errors in the future, since the game is still under development. And mind you, it isn't like I feel the developer is a pro at beginning, but definitely is getting better. I'm coming from I could see a massive art improvement from the old, obligatory branches, and the true ending, to the newly added ones. Like bruh, what kind of pose is this ? Until wow this is hot. Also better QoL, better crafted scenes, as the game getting closer to the end content.
3. 640x480
Use NIS, Nvidia Image Scaling. I'm using a third party program named Loseless Scaling (from Steam) to scale the game full screen 1440p. I do not endorse Loseless Scaling but it is what i use. IMHO it is a godsend app if you often playing any sort of Japanese classic Game Maker games. If you're using an nVidia card, you can try to hook it into the GeForce experience, define it as a game to enable the NIS. I usually using sharpness 7 or 8. Not a definitive solution but it will look much better than otherwise.
Since 4 is already well explained above, i'll discuss how is the other aspect game .
.The story telling and art definitely loose at the beginning, but getting much better at the latter stages of the game. About more than 80% are the better ones.
.There are some bugs, like the shower bug, it will erase your character sprite. Also 2 other bugs I've found which stuck the character into the wall. Save often, i have like 25 slots used and i've saved 1100 times. They're game breaking bugs but isn't completely necessary at times. I mean you don't have to shower, the wall stuck can be avoided if you pick the other answer, which is a straight up better one.
.Some of the H-scene is animated, and do have a lot of fetishes. Maybe less BDSM, no scat and gore, and no Bestiality if you don't own the DLC. Scenes are leaning to Hardcore in general.
.No wardrobe, so you cannot change your character appearance except for skin tanning and pubic hair... Which is kinda weird since the game has a lot of costume (only available at the right moment).
.The story is mostly NTR, with corruption if you choose to. It was engaging to read. And i do not read that often. The narrative is supported by a craft of scenes. So it conveys more than just reading words.
.No battle of any sort.
.Music is surprisingly has wide and airy feeling...Not the nicest BGM ever but it is above average.
.Download the game patch at Kagura's website first to unlock the most of the content. Just Google Fleeting Iris Kagura.
.I recommend to open the game setting, then set the game walking speed to 4. Set the autosave ON. Also mouse support, it sometimes handy.
.Has basic H-counter
Do i recommend the game? Hell yeah, only perhaps this and Celesphonia has my stamp of approval for the amount of sexiness contained in an eroge. Maybe when discounted if you're not certain.
