When considering the true ending, the experience is quite remarkable how it ties everything together while providing a satisfying conclusion and strong message. While I was concerned with its handling of dark themes (sexual assault, misgendering and the whole lot), it does make it meaningful and worthwhile although this could be a point of discussion.
However, this is not without its faults. The worst is how uninteresting it can be during its initial hours. Since it tells four unrelated stories centering around the house and a girl, it can be hard to see the game's direction and appeal where it feels like wallowing in misery. Even then the early stories themselves are not as interesting or insightful on their own without the bigger context. Making the wrong choices early on can lock players out of most of the story with the bad endings which feels like a wrong design decision.
Past the early hours, the game still feels somewhat unclear since every main character tells their own story including the ones that already did as well as a true version. It does make sense, but it can really add to the fatigue. The dialogue writing is not particularly interesting which is not a problem but would appreciate it to keep me from reading too fast. I do like how the last act resolves, but starting it made me sigh knowing how much I have to go through. A problem of expectation perhaps, but I feel clear chapter separations like with title cards would make it easier for the player to pace themselves. All this to say, I feel the story and structure could have been tighter and better.
Aside from the story, this only really lacks a skip to choice option as the bad ends are surprising past the early stories. I do suggest at least manual saving at the start and end of each story. I do think the art could be better too but I do not really mind here. The menu animations are a tad bit long or can be skippable which may be a remnant of being an older game.
When the story truly makes me empathize with everyone to some degree specially with the antagonist, I think this is one of the better stories if one does make it through the end.
However, this is not without its faults. The worst is how uninteresting it can be during its initial hours. Since it tells four unrelated stories centering around the house and a girl, it can be hard to see the game's direction and appeal where it feels like wallowing in misery. Even then the early stories themselves are not as interesting or insightful on their own without the bigger context. Making the wrong choices early on can lock players out of most of the story with the bad endings which feels like a wrong design decision.
Past the early hours, the game still feels somewhat unclear since every main character tells their own story including the ones that already did as well as a true version. It does make sense, but it can really add to the fatigue. The dialogue writing is not particularly interesting which is not a problem but would appreciate it to keep me from reading too fast. I do like how the last act resolves, but starting it made me sigh knowing how much I have to go through. A problem of expectation perhaps, but I feel clear chapter separations like with title cards would make it easier for the player to pace themselves. All this to say, I feel the story and structure could have been tighter and better.
Aside from the story, this only really lacks a skip to choice option as the bad ends are surprising past the early stories. I do suggest at least manual saving at the start and end of each story. I do think the art could be better too but I do not really mind here. The menu animations are a tad bit long or can be skippable which may be a remnant of being an older game.
When the story truly makes me empathize with everyone to some degree specially with the antagonist, I think this is one of the better stories if one does make it through the end.