spoiler free as always
(ignore hours, i have been mainly playing a copy i got free from the itch bundle, bought it here to support and to leave this review because i want more folks to play this!)
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first playthrough: the more domme route
I loved this... it is so rare to get genuine queer, non-binary and trans representation, so ofc I immediately loved how incredibly queer this game is. it's even more rare to get genuine BDSM representation, so I was stoked when I stumbled across this among the itch queer bundle I got recently.
So, something I've been thinking about a lot lately is the dynamic between character and player agency, and how so often there is too much focus on player agency, making a lot of relationships in games feel strange or out-of-place, and at worst plain bad, like: "do A, B, C, D & then you acquire this person" kinda bad. So, I truly appreciate when game devs try to find ways to balance out these issues in relationship game-ifying.
So in this VN, You play as a non-binary person named Leo. The way they've done dialogue choices, you are usually offered 1-3 choices- however, you don't have to pick a choice! if you click away instead, the dialogue choices might fade, or some may disappear or new ones might appear, and you get lines of inner thoughts each time from Leo. If you keep not making a decision, eventually all options will have faded completely, and Leo will go ahead and either stay quiet, or respond with one of the options, or often with a new response entirely. I LOVE this design choice!! I've never played a game with this, and I love how you can choose how much you want to balance yourself with the MC. so cool.
part of this means that sometimes (in addition to, y'know, it being made by basically 2 ppl so the game can only be so huge hehe), you will not have an option to opt out of something, as Leo does have a lot of agency as a character (though! to be clear, I believe you can opt out of engaging in the kink play scenes, jsyk). for instance, there was a character I didn't trust, but I could only do so much to limit involvement with them due to Leo's agency + the narrative the game wanted to tell. I loved this! it forced me to get uncomfy in a way that felt meaningful.
I also loved the different ways you could relate with several of the characters. You can decide to be super kinky, or vanilla, you can explore dom, sub or switch power dynamics if you want, you can explore polyamory... it's lovely! though do know, a lot of the relationship approaches (at least, initially) are more in a solo-poly or casual style where communication is... not nearly thorough enough, at least for the way I practice relationship anarchy (& also keep in mind that casual kink/sex or play parties aren't something I'm familiar with myself, which made for an intriguing experience to go outside my comfort zone! esp considering I'm aro- & ace-spec). It would have been way better for me if there had been just a liiittle bit of safe-sex talk so consent is, y'know, fully informed, but at the same time it doesn't feel unrealistic... in fact it feels like it is leaning into the messyness. ppl out there bein messy. just would've been nice to have that acknowledged properly.
Otherwise, the individusl BDSM, sensual and sexual scenes are written so well! they manage to capture the dance of consent, and it feels very embodied in a cool way that I have hardly ever come across in a game.
the art is great, the music is luvely (mix of ambient, crunchy chill electronic, dancey stuff- some dreamy, some dark), the characters are sweet (I would protect Vicki with my life!! 😭) & some are quite complex. the writing is very straightforward, & gives me major neurodivergent vibes so ofc I very much clicked with it. the story is interesting... I never quite knew where it was going, and it kept me intrigued. it is dealing with some heavy topics, so pls take care of yourself <3. I believe there are CW on the itch page, and there is one at the beginning of the game as well.
overall, it's a super unapologetically queer experience that captures the messyness of exploring ones self and relationships with others, the good times and the mistakes, and the ways our experiences shape us, for better or for worse.
(also! something I love about this game is the way it made me think & analyze the characters behaviour... and the kind of discussions I imagined it might bring up if u were to talk about it with someone)
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2nd playthrough, this time the more submissive route, which also has some cool relationship anarchy elements that I really liked. The BDSM scenes are just so well done... i loved the discussions around safe-words (or lack there-of) vs check-ins, i've never seen that represented before!
Ya, this game is so great. Just... I want more stuff like this. will definitely do another playthrough for the switch experience. definitely, if you are at all curious about relationship anarchy/non-monogamy/kink/BDSM, and are ok with the games content, i highly recommend.
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third playthrough the switch route
i really like the way they focused on the power-play experimentation, and how each character stayed true to what they were feeling in the moment and played with that as a base. it was also cool to approach the 3 person dynamic primarily through the other person than one on my first playthrough, showed me how well written those interactions are to cover both approaches and make it smooth and seamless.
It really is a bummer you can't go back if you accidentally skip something... pretty essential thing to have in a VN. Buuut doesn't matter, i still love this game so much <3
