The Summit Library

Що ж. Я відкладав цю гру кілька років (перша глава вийшла на ітч в 23му) з простої причини: гра не завершена й це рецензія на перші дві глави з заявлених п'яти. Також зазначу, що через брак інтересу до цієї візуалки (слова розробника, не мої) виходитиме вона ще довго, але ж, але ж. Дуже кортіло потицяти. Колись дуже давно одна (вочевидь вельми розумна) жінка вирішила, що знання не повинні мати обмежень й започаткувала бібліотеку. Минули роки, власники змінювались, політика змінювалась, а бібліотека стояла. Місце, що вважається нейтральною територією й де зібрана величезна купа знань, та потрапити туди без дозволу неможливо (so much for "knowledge for everyone", huh). Ми граємо за Хранителя, людину, що багато вчилася скеровувати магію, якою користуються переважно в бібліотеках й нас викликають до цієї самої величезної бібліотеки посеред гір. Все, що ви оберете під час створення персонажа, враховуватиметься в тексті, це приємний бонус та й загалом в грі багато (а подекуди - забагато) деталей. Я не скажу, що це прям богічна візуалка, але серед безкоштовних (наразі) новел - вище середнього. Тут є проблеми з логікою та світобудовою, на вас вивалюють лор відрами, нічого докладно не пояснюючи й забагато фокусу на "побаченнях\стосунках", тоді як сюжет максимально смикає персонажа в чергову масштабну драму. Але читати приємно й не зовсім потокове однотипне фентезі, хоча й поряд з ним. Я б радив звернути увагу чи принаймні спробувати почитати, позаяк гра все одно безкоштовна.

⠀

As a free intro, I can recommend this, though not without some criticism. I think the best thing this game has going for it is a fairly interesting story that seems in-depth and layered. It has my interest. My criticisms are minor gripes, which may not bother you if you frequently play V/Ns like this one, which is why I didn't mark it as not recommended. For me, however, they were drawbacks. One is that I think there are a lot of missed opportunities for dialogue and game choices. Even if you want to steer the player on a fairly linear path, there is a lot you can do to make the player *feel* more involved. Another is the heavy re-use of backgrounds. As someone who also makes games like this, I feel that if you're going to go through the effort of making one, it's worth going through the effort of making a few more drawings to help the player feel like they are truly experiencing different areas. Having the same hallway used every single time you approach a door or enter a hallway (which is quite a bit in this game) really takes me out of the immersive experience. I also think that this game plays on such a fun premise, exploring a magical center for research and knowledge, and I think it would greatly benefit from the use of a text or image-based map that lets you visit various locations at will. Even if those locations reused backgrounds and often said things like 'You've already explored everything here', it would really improve the game. I'd also really enjoy if we got to *do* more of the actions, instead of simply being told. I'd like to be given the choice 'Study the magic in this bookcase or Leave the bookcase alone?' And then you can't really progress the story until you go to each location and look around and study everything yourself. It's only a handful more coding and written dialogue, but would elevate this game quite a bit. Anyway, just my thoughts.

There is currently only one chapter, but the characters seem well fleshed out and the story has me absolutely hooked. I can't figure out who I like and who I don't, and the diverse cultures are so unique. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter. Update: this is honestly one of those games where it is worth the long wait. If you are on the fence about playing a WIP game, let this be your sign to go for it. I truly don't think you'll regret it.

一款中东风情的免费vn，这个图书馆的设定总让我想起《乌有王子》，但是游戏很无聊。 目前出的两章基本上就是在介绍人物，大家在那里一个一个站桩，说一些干巴的对话，基本上没太多情节。最后好不容易有点剧情了但第二章又草草结束了。 根本没有弹成就，我看到讨论里早就有提出这个问题的帖子了但作者一直没修。还有一些人称方面我不太了解的，有几次在同一个句子里既用they也用he指代了同一个ro，不知道是不是typos。 steamdeck游玩需要在属性里调兼容性。

⠤⣤⣤⣤⣄⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣀⣠⣤⠤⠤⠴⠶⠶⠶⠶ ⢠⣤⣤⡄⣤⣤⣤⠄⣀⠉⣉⣙⠒⠤⣀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣠⠴⠘⣉⢡⣤⡤⠐⣶⡆⢶⠀⣶⣶⡦ ⣄⢻⣿⣧⠻⠇⠋⠀⠋⠀⢘⣿⢳⣦⣌⠳⠄⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠞⣡⣴⣧⠻⣄⢸⣿⣿⡟⢁⡻⣸⣿⡿⠁ ⠈⠃⠙⢿⣧⣙⠶⣿⣿⡷⢘⣡⣿⣿⣿⣷⣄⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢠⣾⣿⣿⣿⣷⣝⡳⠶⠶⠾⣛⣵⡿⠋ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠉⠻⣿⣶⠂⠘⠛⠛⠛⢛⡛⠋⠉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠉⠉⠉⠛⠀⠉⠒⠛ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⠃ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣾ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢻⡁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠘⡇

I enjoyed the first chapter of The Summit Library way more than I thought I would. Intriguing fantasy world, that is distinct enough from you standart generic fantasy to catch your attention, beautiful music and background art, nice prose, and a mystery story that leaves you wanting to see more of it. Some things do not excite me as much, but I'm sure some people will find them to be high points, such as character art style not really vibing with me. But other then small things, such as a lack of sound effects in the menu, the experience is way worth your time. I really hope that the developer will be able to finish the story. It's good work!

There are two chapters right now and I've played NEARLY through (I'm holding off because I don't want it to end - even though I'll replay it with different decisions of course) - I LOVE it so much! It's a very mysterious and suspenseful story with a wonderful cast of characters who all feel realistic and interesting. Art and music is quite good as well, adding to the atmosphere. I hope this story will get MANY chapters more, I'm very much looking forward to it!! As this is a free game: if the next chapters were a paid DLC, I'd buy them in a heartbeat!

Very compelling! Although I wish I would have known we only have 2 chapters so far I love all the characters so far and the story is very compelling. I wish the consequences of actions were a little more clear, I'd also like to know if this is the type of story where I can romance everybody at once or if I have to pick and choose my allegiances In any case wonderful so far! Can't wait for the next installments!