Same author as Intertwine, which was released among the Otome Jam 2023 project. 115 min to get through the demo.
There is this concept of an energy aura you can toggle on and off. Don't know if it wouldn't be better if seeing it was more tied to the narrative, but cool that you can control your MC magic sensing eyes.
Story: There is some crisis of the fae that really draws me in (narratively) and that brings you to Kuana's route. When an LI needs me to save their world, it's too hard to turn those puppy eyes down. But I was truly smitten and eye gazing with Fenir by the end of it.
I felt guilty that I had to turn away from him to help Kuana (I was like, I love you. But this man needs me 😤)
Cons: This demo is a bit unpolished, as some choices I made weren't referred to correctly. But it didn't ruin the demo. Some of the sprite art, especially Kayn and Aisa with their one eye- I hope it's updated for the final release. The music should be longer before it loops or have a smoother looping transition. But may all be fixed in the final product.
I'm going to buy it when it's released. Have you tried it?
https://itch.io/jam/otome-jam-2023/entries
If you've read any of the new entries in the link, please leave all thoughts here in this thread. I've read a handful so far and wanted to dive in in the comments. Keep in mind the comments may have spoilers.
To make a spoilers tag, replace the slashes with brackets: /spoiler here/(#spoiler)
If the game isn't below, start a comment thread. Try to keep to that mini thread to avoid accident spoilers maybe?
Standard fantasy fare- the art is pretty but imperfect . The MC is a powerful mage who gets a bit blushy for my taste. There is a fighting mode you can skip by playing story mode which makes it a little abrupt.
"get ready!"
------battle skipped---
"That was crazy!"
They also have only the one love interest, the Prince. He seems okay. The appeal is apparently having that relationship 8 different ways. Is female led an option? Ruling the throne through my adoring husband king would be a thing I'm into. But don't see that they're sharing clues about relationship ending types at the moment. Rated 16+ and planning a Kickstarter?
I've been curious about Galen Games for a few months but not pulled the trigger on anything. Maybe this VN will be the start.
I define emotional engagement as being made to laugh a lot, be anxious in a good way, or straight up bawl my eyes out. If it makes me think about the narrative years later, than it is in my top VN.
Unfinished but author has recent content updates:
The Survival of Sarah Rose 18+ content is constant but avoidable. It's a dark dark world and Sarah can rise above it or wallow in it. So many branches, like, wow. <3 Atilla the orc and wins all around for female representation of healthy masturbation habits.
Happy to elaborate if my blurbs aren't enough in the comments. :) I've read over 100, but these are the ones that made me get attached.
@phorayz
@kbin.social