Porcelana

[h1] Introduction [/h1] I remember seeing this game on Kickstarter and thinking "this looks like a cute VN, I think I'm gonna back it" and I did. This is why when I finally received it last night and played it I was more than pleasantly surprised to find out this it is so much more than I expected. [h1] Story [/h1] On the surface the story seems like a love story - which it is. As time goes on however, you find that the core of the story is actually Isabella and her inner demons. Pandita Studio did an amazing job making her a mysterious but fascinating character, this aspect didn't falter at all throughout the roughly 2.5 hour length of the game. During the experience I felt happy, angry, sad and curious just as the devs intended. Since it's a VN the narrative is the most important part of this game, and on that front it succeeds. [h1] Gameplay [/h1] In terms of gameplay there isn't much to say, it's a visual novel and it plays like such. The choices you make don't actually matter too much which would usually be a bad thing but I didn't really care since the story was so interesting, plus that lack of control actually goes well with the themes that the story is trying to communicate. I will also say that the game really provides a great amount of content and a really cool use of Ren'Py VN mechanics towards the end of the game and actually gives you direct input for the story in a way that I haven't really seen in many VNs. There are a couple of cons however when it comes to the gameplay. I'm going to try and not spoil anything but the epilogue could have been a lot shorter since it did feel like a lot content was being shown despite already seeing it whilst not adding much to the narrative. The other aspect is that as an english speaker the english translation left a bit to be desired. Frequest misuses of the word "on" instead of "in" kind of bring down the seriousness of the story and can break your immersion. [h1] Conclusion [/h1] In conclusion, although this may not mean much since it's only January but this is my favourite game so far this year and I'm absolutely satisfied as a Kickstarter backer. I would give this game an 8/10, you would be an idiot to not pick it up at its incredibly cheap price if you have even a passing interest in VNs or narrative-driven games in general. Thank you Pandita Studio!

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Al principio, tenía mis dudas sobre "Porcelana", pensé que sería una historia aburrida con personajes y situaciones cliché. De hecho, ni me molesté en leer de qué trataba el juego. Sin embargo, como aspirante a crear novelas visuales y con curiosidad por ver lo que se hacía en México, decidí darle una oportunidad. Después de algunas decepciones previas, este juego fue una grata sorpresa. Al inicio, encontré al protagonista e Isabelle como un par de odiosos y cobardes, lo que dificultaba que me interesara por la trama, ya que prefería historias donde pudiera tomar decisiones y controlar con quién relacionarme. Sin embargo, a medida que avanzaba la historia, algo cambió. "Profesora, ¿por qué la gente se suicida?". Su respuesta, que era una salida fácil cuando los problemas se vuelven abrumadores, me dejó igual e inconforme, hablaban más sus ojos perdidos en la nada y ese tono quebradizo de voz. Aunque no podía entender completamente su punto de vista, me di cuenta de que había personas que lidiaban con una tristeza profunda y una desesperanza inimaginable. En mi ignorancia sobre este tema, incluso intenté escribir sobre el suicidio en un concurso de poemas, pero solo produje una obra bohemia pretenciosa que no capturaba en absoluto la esencia del suicidio, es más, ni siquiera una pequeña parte de "Porcelana". Sin embargo, a medida que crecía, el mundo que veía como un lugar lleno de oportunidades se volvía más oscuro y sombrío. Poco a poco, empecé a comprender la profundidad de la tristeza que algunas personas experimentan. En este contexto, "Porcelana" se convirtió en una obra transformadora para mí. Pocas creaciones han logrado tener un impacto tan profundo y catártico en mí como este videojuego. Es evidente que cada aspecto del juego fue creado con amor y dedicación, con historias reales y auténticas. Los detalles, la evolución de la trama y la capacidad de cambiar la perspectiva del jugador a través de la experiencia son excepcionales. Aunque al principio no logré empatizar con los personajes y la trama, eso cambió cuando la historia dio un giro y comenzó a abordar temas sensibles. La música también contribuyó a esta inmersión emocional, y no recuerdo haber llorado tanto en años. Estoy sinceramente agradecida porque este juego trasciende los límites de un simple entretenimiento y toca el alma y el pensamiento. Definitivamente, recomendaría "Porcelana" sin dudarlo. Ha sido una inversión valiosa en mi tiempo y dinero. Con lágrimas en los ojos y un nudo en la garganta, escribo esta reseña para expresar mi gratitud a quienes han creado este juego. Abordar un tema tan relevante y necesario, especialmente dentro del contexto nacional (México), es admirable, y creo que esta obra lo hace de manera excepcional. Por cierto, quiero compartir una carta de amor que escribí (la que pide el juego), una pieza que brotó de mi corazón sin preocuparme por la rima o el impacto. Está dirigida a mi novia, a quien cariñosamente llamo ahora "mi muñeca de porcelana". Es un pedacito de mi alma y mi pensamiento, y espero que lo disfruten tanto como yo disfruté escribiéndola: Cómo el mar golpea suave la arena fina, o cómo el sol besa con ternura cada rama divina, aullidos a la luna que en el cielo se empina, y lo frágil de la vida abrazando a la muerte peregrina. En una isla, dos amados patinan en danza felina, melodías a la buena vida, risas y euforia genuina, la nieve cubre los lugares secos, su presencia ilumina, y en Navidad, las familias se unen en cálida sintonía. El encuentro de dos conocidos, años sin verse, la esquina, las sectas rinden devoción a dioses con fe peregrina, un regazo de piernas consuela al herido que declina, la brisa delicada acaricia lo lindo, amor que germina. Como una rosa y su tallo, un lazo que se entrelaza y fascina, un amor eterno y efímero, entre seres invisibles, se define, te amo como dos novios bailando bajo la luna que brilla, Así de tanto te amo, mi querida Oriana, dueña de mi alma.

Не смогу порекомендовать эту игру, к сожалению. В большей степени, скорее из-за своеобразного стиля рисовки, технически странной перемотки (она спокойно пролистает вам диалоги мимо основных событий), а также, собственно, из-за истории. Может быть, это моё субъективное мнение, но история слегка избитая... отношения в колледже, безответная любовь, размышления, попытки общения с недоступной дамой сердца, грустная и слегка мерзкая (ну, не люблю я, когда над девочками издеваются, даже в играх, даже в текстовых новеллах таким образом) ближе к концу. Возможность все переписать заново, и обрести Хэппи-энд. Возможно, это как-то должно было скрасить весь мрак первого прохождения... Но мне лично сама история не очень понравилась, поэтому, и счастливый финал тоже не зацепил. История вроде бы неплохая, но в то же самое время струны души не цепляет. Просто сыграл. Просто получил достижения. Просто удалил. И не вспомню на следующий день кого как звали, и зачем я вообще потратил на эту игру время. -------------------------- Unfortunately, I can't recommend this game. To a greater extent, rather because of the peculiar style of drawing, the technically strange rewinding (it will calmly scroll through the dialogues past the main events), as well as, in fact, because of the story. Maybe this is my subjective opinion, but the story is a bit hackneyed... college relationships, unrequited love, reflections, attempts to communicate with an inaccessible lady of the heart, sad and slightly vile (well, I don't like it when girls are bullied, even in games, even in text novels in this way) towards the end. The opportunity to rewrite everything and find a happy ending. Perhaps this was somehow supposed to brighten up the gloom of the first passage... But I personally didn't like the story very much, so I didn't like the happy ending either. The story seems to be quite good, but at the same time it doesn't catch the strings of the soul. I just played. I just got achievements. I just deleted it. And the next day I won't remember who was called, or why I even spent time on this game.

Zur Geschichte selbst möchte ich kaum was schreiben, aber ...: Depressionen gehören zu den am häufigsten unterschätzten Erkrankungen. Falls jemand sich so fühlt wie zum Beispiel in diesem Spiel.. , machst dich um jemanden Sorgen oder hast einen Menschen aufgrund eines Suizidtodesfalls verloren...Es gibt Hilfe: Die Telefonseelsorge ist rund um die Uhr kostenfrei und anonym erreichbar unter der bundeseinheitlichen Telefonnummer: 0800 - 111 0 111 oder 0800 - 111 0 222. Fühlt euch gedrückt und passt auf euch auf ... Porcelana ist ein schönes und sehr trauriges Spiel. Die Musik untermalt passend gewisse Situationen.. so sehr das bei mir sehr starke Emotionen hervor kamen. Ich wusste zwar, dass es traurig wird.. aber nicht das ich bisschen weine. Animation und Zeichnung sind liebevoll gestaltet und viele Sachen sind so gut beschrieben, dass man weiß wie es riecht.. schmeckt.. fühlt. Deutsche Übersetzung ist leider nicht vollständig und ein paar sogar Fehlerhaft. (Man wird aber auch darauf hingewiesen, dass es noch nicht vollständig ist) Man kann es aber jederzeit auf Englisch umändern. Ein Disclaimer wäre auch gut gewesen..villt. wird es ja noch eingebaut.

[h1]Spoiler-free[/h1] Porcelana is a short and very sweet-looking but very depressing story that will most likely make you tear up. The pastel UI and the music box make a very good job of giving a false sense of security to the player; and even though I knew what was in store for me, "that" scene still really hit me. The story that unraveled afterwards was very depressing and a good reminder to take care of the people we love, and to seek help if needs be. This game was obviously made with a lot of love. Definitely recommend. [h1]Spoilers[/h1] [spoiler]I did not expect having to write a letter to Isabella at the end, and expected even less an alternate ending. Reading what I had written in my notepad to Isabella directly in-game felt a little embarrassing, but at the same time so gratifying. The game had hinted since the beginning that the protagonist was in love with her and simply couldn't muster the courage to confess. Him giving her a love letter did not feel undeserved, like a time-travel alternate ending put there for the sake of a happy ending. It really felt natural, and seeing the differences between the two routes as I was progressing really brought a smile to my face. Saving Isabella felt deserved, and I was happy that she, too, could be happy this time around. Dear readers, if you know people around you who seem a bit less happy than usual, go talk to them. Show them that you care. And if you are yourself struggling with depression, go find professional help, or someone trustworthy if you can't afford it. Mental health is a serious matter.[/spoiler]

ENG: Depression visual novel that can be replayed once, which took me a little less than 3 hours. Quite acceptable. ESP: Visual novel de corte "depresión" que se puede rejugar 1 vez, lo cual me tomo poco menos de 3 horas. Bastante aceptable.

I went into this game thinking it was going to be sad but not heart wrenching. I read the description of the game and thought that it wouldn't be too bad. This game is much better then it may seem though as it has such an amazing story and amazing art and animations. This game will put you through so many emotions that it starts to not feel like a game anymore and it's such a beautiful masterpiece that I will love. It made me cry and I never really cry which should say something. Nonetheless I give this game an 11/10 just for the story and how good the game actually is. For this being a small team making this as well they did a very very good job and I applaud them for what they did with this. I'm hoping that his game and team goes very far with their work

Sad and short visual novel with a neat one-time mechanic. Disclaimer: since most visual novels use the same engine, I won't go into detail about the technical aspects. All you need to know is that you can save the game at any moment and that you can skip every piece of text right from the start. There’s also a gallery that unlocks new images as you progress through the story. There’s not a lot to say about the game. It’s a sad love story between you and a girl. She suddenly stops attending the school, so you decide to go find out why. The brief game length allows you to quickly discover the secret. You make some decisions, but they are not really important. There is just one option that results in a premature ending, but you can simply avoid having to replay the game by saving before choosing. The interesting part is when you reach the end and try to start a new game. You're prevented from playing until you perform an action outside the game. It's a cool feature that eventually leads to the true ending.