Thank you very much for the response! I appreciate it immensely. It was my pleasure to leave a review, as I've enjoyed The Remainder very much.
On that note, I decided to play through the new demo today to pick out the errors in the text I may have noticed; help you quash some of those! The newly released demo fixed many of the ones I noticed, but I still found a few. Is there a way I can contact you to better give you the errors I came across?
Let me know and I'd love to lend a hand!
Poignant, touching, and just the right amount of sweet mixed with the horror of slowly-approaching dread.
I came across this page a while ago and decided to follow this project because the premise and unique art style drew me in. I am a fan of fantasy settings, especially dark fantasy rich in story, so this immediately became something I was looking forward to observing. Little did I know how many emotions this would fill me with.
This is a game about working to solve a threatening issue you cannot remember starting; a game about piecing together a life you no longer can remember, captured through glimpses of letters and the few recollections your companion Ilar may share when charitable. The letters were incredibly touching in the way they conveyed what emotions they could. Sadness. Longing. A touch of regret or warmth. Even love.
Throughout, I would often stop to just gaze at one of those letters and listen to the background noise. The music, if I could sum it up in one word, is haunting. Beautiful, but haunting nonetheless. Even in the moments of reprieve, when things didn't seem too grim due to our fellow ritual entity 'Mashed Potatoes' lurking in the background, the soundtrack still managed to give me a sense of sorrow. Like something was broken; there, but not wholly fixable yet. It instilled within me a melancholy I truly still don't have the words for.
The first act, while more than I could have hoped for when initially diving into the demo, left me grasping for more; more answers. More clues to the inevitable of what befell the magus (you) and Ilar. Like a good book, I became absorbed, and found I couldn't look away until the end screen came to greet me and shattered my fixation. Aside from the few small errors I found in the text, it was a refreshing and chilling experience. The world building was one of my favourite aspects of the game, next to the past told between letters and small memories sprinkled here and there from either you or Ilar. Ilar, on that note, is a mysterious character from what I've experienced, at times vague and cryptic with their answers, and I am fascinated to know more about them; who they are at their core, and where they stand in the aftermath of one dark ritual gone very wrong.
Thank you for the wonderful story you've begun to tell, Ze Hai Liu and Valentina Baric. I haven't indulged in something so profound in quite a while. I look forward to what your team has in store next.
I've been following the development from the shadows, but finally thought I'd drop a comment in light of this news. I just want to say that I'm sorry to hear about the health issues. That can be scary, and can take a good while to recover from. I hope everything turns out alright in the end in regards to Sally. I'm rooting for everyone! Please take all the time you guys need and stay safe.
It's been a while, but I finally got caught up and must say - I have enjoyed the updates! The characters look beautiful as always, and the backgrounds just as much. I thought I may have heard a new composition here and there, but even if that was just my ears playing tricks, I cannot help but praise it any less.
The most recent update is fascinating and I can't wait to see where it goes!
All the potential consequences have piqued my curiosity. The results of how prior events played out between the different characters are unique, and I am looking forward to how they continue! I can only imagine the differing outcomes; especially that of Noah's. Not only that, Oscar and Raymond finally seem to be in quite the spot of trouble, something I am a little thrilled over considering how they've been nothing but bullies so far. Hopefully, they will finally get what they are due.
I must admit, that Crawford fellow gives me a sense of unease. I can only wonder about his character.
In any case, thank you for the wonderful updates so far! You guys have done a lot of amazing work in the last few months and I'm glad I've been able to see it progress. Keep up the lovely work, but make sure to take breaks too! Until next time~
I'm pleased to admit I've managed to get five out of six variations on my own, but Nor and Esha still seem to elude me. The twins; tsk tsk, I will do my best to figure it out, but I may have to take up the offer of a walkthrough soon. I am perfectly happy waiting until one is posted anyhow~
All of the scenes are different, and very interesting to see. Laurent's, especially. I don't want to get too ahead of my theories, but something tells me he could make for a good actor...
So far, I've only managed to see the start of Julien and Noah's route - the others elude me, alas, but that will not hamper my attempts in courting the other available students of Mannequin Academy. They shall not escape my grasp; I will suss out the other scenes.
I have, however, enjoyed what I've been able to experience so far (even though it was an incredibly difficult and raw scene, of course, you've managed to capture the tension very well!). It was quite visceral, and hard to read due to its nature. I cannot help but feel terrible for Aura. That is not treatment he, or anyone, deserves.
In any case, I eagerly look forward at trying my hand in finding a way onto the other routes. Have a wonderful day, and thank you very much for the update!
Apologies if this is a frequently asked question, but if I were to purchase this on Itch.io, would it come with a Steam key? I don't mind either way, I just would enjoy knowing since I'm juggling between which platform to purchase it on. Thank you very much, and great job on the release! It looks wonderful.
Thank you very much for the response! I am pleased to hear you did not mind reading through my mountain of thoughts. There was simply so much to put into words. I am, however, glad you found motivation in them. It can be a bit of an uplifting feeling a creator can experience from a reader, or a fan, or what have you. I'm honoured you'd want to hang it up on a wall as well!
The interpretation of the worldspace is very interesting, the way you've defined it as human mind over physical limitation. It truly is a fresh take on the omegaverse subject to depict it as you've done. Most of the media I've seen personally focus strongly on the Omega defined by their heat, the Alpha by their aggressive reactions or instincts, to use your own example. The Omega is depicted as this basic creature whose purpose is succumbing to their body, without much choice on the matter. The same goes for the Alpha, too. But in this take on the genre, there is that emphasis of choice, of fighting against what has been defined of the individual. It is a heartfelt issue, and as you mentioned, relatable.
It's my pleasure to appreciate every little detail, as so much work is put into things like these. It's a story being brought to art form, an interactive novel, and takes time to code and create. I've tried my hand at creating visual novels before myself, but it's daunting, so right there you have my admiration; especially when working with a small group. It's fascinating to hear how you have broken down who works on which parts of the game, and even while you are all new to the process as you mentioned, I'm still blown away. The art, the coding, the story building - it's all wonderful. You all are doing such a great job with all these different aspects. Even if there's been redrawing, rephrasing, and rewriting, it is all part of the process as well!
I am thrilled to hear about the soundtrack as well. Ashesborn sounded familiar to me, but I hadn't realized they had worked on Starfighter: Eclipse. Their compositions were lovely in that game, and they still are now with this one. It would be quite the treat to have a chance to be able to listen to them whenever/if ever there is the opportunity. My compliments go to them and David Fesliyan. Their music creates a whole other layer of emotional depth to the project!
As for the characters, I can't wait to see what unfolds. They are all very unique, and add such different presences to the story. I honestly have no idea where I would want to start when routes become available, but all of them draw me in, in their own way. I'm torn between them. To discover more about these characters will no doubt be satisfying!
No worries about the spoiler as well. I'm looking forward to how it will come together. But much as I am eager to see the continuation of this story, do take your time! You all have already done so much to bring what progress is available. The best we can do is be patient :)
I will start this off by giving a warning: this will be a long review, as I have so many thoughts that I do not know even where to begin. For starters, I do not usually read this sort of genre. I tend to stay away because quite a few different media depict it the same, perhaps being a formula as the previous commentator before me mentioned. The alpha and omega meet, fall in love among certain cliche tropes, and typically have a happier ending. It's stale to me, personally, where I end up expecting similar outcomes. But I was too curious to pass up this game, however, and after a while of mulling over whether I wanted to purchase it or not, I ended up doing so. And, I was not disappointed.
I stayed up very late pouring through the game, reading Aura's tale of misfortune from a young age, his struggles with what to do with his life, and then his fortunate offer to the Mannequin Academy where he studies to better himself in a world that would take every chance to see him where all other Omegas 'belong'. In a marriage house, or some other demeaning lifestyle. The cruel, biased thoughts are not as prevalent in the academy as they are in the outside world, but there were still times where he was treated poorly due to his social standing and secondary gender (I'm looking at you, Vincent, and the blonde beta woman). I felt for Aura and the mistreatment he was given. He's human too, but people cannot see past the gender he presented with and I felt injustice from the verbal lashing he's given.
My point is, is that this game looks deeper into the societal issues and biases of the A/B/O worldspace and I love it. I love the harshness, the cruelty, and the stigmas. It paints a bleak picture, and even can reflect on issues in our own society as well. This game delves into the problems, all the ugly things about the societal structure that raises Alphas on a pedestal and lowers Omega's to be what their base nature defines them as - 'breeders', as to refer to what was said to Aura. And while they do have their instincts, you have crafted a world - a school for these fictional characters - where that does not define them. They may struggle against themselves, and may not be able to fully push past the limitations their secondary genders instill, but there is an opportunity provided to raise above that and become something so much more. It's a wonderful take on the A/B/O genre - a breath of fresh air to read something that does not focus solely on their instincts, but instead the difficulties and successes on how they can overcome them.
I was truly enthralled from the very beginning, and felt only heartache when I realized I'd come to the end of what is currently available. It was like putting down a good book, and I desire to read more; to submerse myself more in this world. I am in love with everything, and a sucker for the small bits and pieces of worldbuilding thrown in. Those random facts of why an Omega has to cover their neck, why they are so desirable, why doctors cover up their scent to ensure a neutral harmony - I cannot help but want more of it. I want to learn more, I want to know why x does this, or y is because of this. I want to learn of the disparities between the secondary genders and what makes them different; if their academy uniforms are specific to their aforementioned genders. Of how the world is set up, of the rules and nature and everything in between. It is fascinating, and you have done a fascinating job of cultivating a world that is unique within the genre.
Did I mention this was a long review? My apologies. You will have to bear with me for a while longer, as I have not even dived into the other aspects of this visual novel yet. I will try to not ramble so much and keep this relatively brief. Here we go:
The art and the backgrounds - it is all simply stunning. Each character has their own unique, memorable appearances, and every background is gorgeous. The setting reminds me of the Victorian Era with its wallpapers and architecture, and everyone's attire fits very well with the time period; so formal in its design. The academy looks to be a place I would not mind living in, with its charm and its library, and its beautiful grounds. I was pleased with the art. It was simply beautiful and so lovingly crafted. I applaud the artist(s). They have done a wonderful job!
The music - I am in love with the music. When I was going through the story, I would often stop and listen to the tracks that would play; just to feel the emotion within the notes, and the rise and fall of melodies. It gave me a sense of peace, fear, and amusement depending on what was playing in a situation. Forgive me, but I do not completely remember if the scores were original works or not. If they are, my compliments to its composers. I was enthralled. If there is any chance of a released soundtrack at all, or somehow to listen to the OST, I would be thrilled.
The characters - they are all charming, every one of them with their different personalities and quirks. The main cast is absolutely wonderful, reminding me a bit of the friend group Harry Potter had at Hogwarts (forgive the reference, but everyone seems to be able to be the type of person Aura could come to rely on and find a friend in). Side characters are just as lovely (yes, I am even including Vincent, and those two Alphas, Oscar and Raymond). They add so much to the story, whether they be an antagonist pushing Aura or a helpful professor who wants to see him succeed. I have individual thoughts on every character, but this review is already a mountain of text, so I think I'll just touch upon the main cast.
Aura: where can I start? He is such a strong character. Even in the face of opposition, he fights to take his future into his own hands, and show the world he can be so much more. He's faltered in the face of hopeless despair but even then he always seems to find some way to try to be optimistic. I love that part of him; the ability to try to look forwards and use his wits. He has a strong personality despite the injustices he goes up against.
Noah: a strong silent type, he seems to be an Alpha with little he cannot do. As he's described, he is a model student of his make. There is so much more I want to know about him, however. His character seems to run deeper than his aloof, isolated personality, and the scene with him and Aura in the library makes me wonder about his take on Omegas. And not only that, but why does he not have any friends? It is a factor of wanting to focus more on studies, or something else? I can only guess, and that makes me more curious about him.
Julien: now that is a hard-working character. He is a Beta, but seems to be on a higher level with his method of work. As the Student Council President, he takes everyone, even Aura, into consideration, and comes off as the kind of guy you would want as a friend. It might just be his job, but Julien seems to truly care. He treats everyone with equality. And, even when he is busy or swamped with work, he puts aside time to help his friends with their own issues. Like Gilbert, for example, with chemistry (It was Gilbert, right? My apologies if I got it wrong).
Nor & Esha: I get the feeling Nor is something of a charmer. He seems to be a little more abrasive with his words than Esha, but that makes for a dynamic that compliments each other. As an Alpha raised with equality, he gives off the impression of a protector, extending some of that concern even onto Aura. 'Shortie' is definitely a nickname I found to be very amusing. On the other hand, there is Esha - more docile and mannered than Nor. Overall, he comes off as a graceful individual, an opposite to his twin. There is something about him that is calming, but I cannot quite find the words to describe it. The two of them are an interesting pair for certain, and I am more than curious about who they are. How does their story play out together, and, how do they develop around the academy and our main character, Aura.
Cami: a frail Omega, sickly and ill. He has something of a sharp tongue, and I love the banter that he and Aura get into. Despite bearing his own insecurities with the limitations of his body, however, he is a character that comes off as a fighter. Even if he's faltered, he seems to try to make the best of what he can do for a situation. I fear for his heat, however. It seems to put such much strain on his body, and for his mentioning of not wanting to attend the heat rooms anymore (for maybe his mind's sake, perhaps), I worry there may be trouble brewing.
Laurent: I am yet unsure if he is a main character, given we have seen little of him up to this point, but I am throwing him on the list anyway. He is, in short, an enigma. Something about him is off, as he certainly knows more than he lets on. There is a strange connection between him and Aura, and I cannot tell if that has anything to do with the Rose Theatre, or Sasha and Louis (bless those characters, they are having one hell of a hard time). There is so little known about him, and it is driving me up the wall with theories. Who is Laurent? Is he a student, or something else entirely? Is he related to the theatre? I suppose only time will tell.
And, that is a wrap. You have my deepest, sincerest apologies for this incredibly large review, but there was so much on my mind, I simply had to put it down into words here. I wanted to give recognition where it was due, and to thank you for the incredible experience you have created so far. I am anxiously awaiting the next update, and to continue with this fascinating story. Aside from a few spelling errors, the game was wonderful.
I do have one question, however, if you will humour me one last time. What frame of time can we expect for the story? I know when the game starts, it is the first semester, but I was wondering over what span of time the events would unfold.
And with that, thank you, and have a wonderful day.
Congratulations on the release! I've been looking forward to playing this for, well, years now ever since it was first in development. Couldn't believe my joy when I'd finally played the demo, and now I am absolutely thrilled to begin the full experience. You've put so much work into this, and so much time, and I can't imagine how long of a road it has been for you, but you've made it to the end.
Give yourself a pat on the back. Thank you so very much for bringing something so artistically intriguing. I look forward to leaving a review sometime in the future, but until then, I'm going to take my time and enjoy it.
Again - congratulations!!
I came across your project here a few days ago and immediately fell in love with the characters and the concept. All of them are very different - I can't tell which one is more intriguing!! I'm rooting for you, and looking forward to any (and all) updates! Keep up the good work. It looks like it's going to be very interesting!
Thank you so much for all of your hard work! I am so excited for the release date as I've been following your project since it began, and am happy to hear you guys are close to the finish line! Making games is no joke; a lot of time is required. In the end, I hope you guys are proud of what you've accomplished - it looks amazing! Best of luck to you, and you're almost there :)
