This game had my heart the moment I started playing. I'm in love with both Mandras and Mathias (But Mandras can take my whole heart.) I can play this game more than once and still want to keep playing.
And I had fun trying the different choices I'm looking forward to what's to come in the future!!! 💕
Ahhhh this was so fun. I really liked the game's atmosphere. Interestingly, my favorite character was the main character. At first I wanted to play as a really understanding MC to let the romance go smoothly, but I found myself enjoying it more and more as their feelings and relationship got more and more complicated.
Mandra was so much fun too. The description makes them sound shady but I just can't help but trust them. Their short story made me completely fall in love. And the dynamic betweeen them and MC and Mathias was SO GOOD. So fun. The love-triangle-but-not-really vibes where utterly supreme. I never thought I liked complicated relationships between characters but it seems I do.
The art is super interesting. I've never seen a game with such art before, but I like it. It suits the atmosphere. So much fun overall!!
I really enjoyed the demo. I played a Kinder MC at first who didn't blame Mathias for their past and it was all very sweet. After, I played an MC who whilst still in love with Mathias was also still angry and traumatized by past events and I really like how the (romantic) relationship differed between the two routes. Especially their alone time after the feast. 💕
Mathias was my favourite, but I really liked the side characters we meet and also how your personality can even change how they react to you. I still need to figure out how to unlock some of the CG's as I'm missing a few but I really look forward to the full release.
Also, I've never played something like this in black and white but it really worked for the game and I liked the aesthetics of it.
There's not much more about the world of Five Kingdoms I need to know just yet, the game hints at some things and does make me curious about others - I do hope we get to see more hints of the MC's past, maybe even how Mathias felt about the way they were whipped in his place. (I am a sucker for hurt/comfort and angst, but I do enjoy the soft fluffy parts that makes up for the sadder moments.)
Thank you so, so much for playing and for your comment! I'm really glad you liked it so much and that you enjoyed all the differences between the relationships! ♥
I hope you'll enjoy the next chapters as well! ♥♥♥
I really really really love this game. I discovered it today and literally played 8 hours... all the possibilities, the relationship between the characters.. the WRITING is amazing. (the angst, the romance, the feelings aaaah)
BUT I'm desperate, I unlocked 7 of the 8 CGs and cannot seem to find how to get the 5th (a colored one?) someone help me I'm going crazy ahaha
Oh wow! hahaha Thank you soo much for playing. I'm glad you enjoyed the game so much! ♥♥♥
Oops. CG#5 will be locked until the next chapter because I accidentally removed the line that unlocked it x.x I've already fixed the code, but the CG won't be available until the next update... still, you can see it in this post on my Tumblr, so you won't have to wait. :D
i think i have awake something forbidden inside me. i really like to make people beg. oh well i love this game so muvh.i also bully Mathias so much too.
This game is incredible! Lovely writing and I love the relationships between the characters. I haven't finished quite yet, but I will soon. Mathias is probably my favorite, though I love Mandra as well. I really wish you could have a romantic relationship with Mandra if you're not in one with Mathias. Though I did just notice in the description it said you could have rendezvous with other characters while in the friend route, so I'm definitely going to have to try it! I also didn't think I would like the black and white aesthetic, but I have to say it fits really well with this game and makes it even more unique than it already is. I can't imagine it any other way. Thank you for your lovely work and time and care put into this game!
Mulherrrrrr esse jogo parece ser maravilhoso, mas assim, eu nn tenho computador ent vc planeja fazer ele próprio pra Android ou vc sabe de algum jeito (q talvez alguém na msm situação q eu usou e te contou) pra jogar ele no Android??
I absolutely adore this! I would have never found it if it wasn't for a recommendation in my feed! I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. I adore your writing and characters so much! I don't want it to end, but I'm looking forward to the next update!! Please respond lol
Edit to answer your questions: - Mathias and MC are my favourite for sure! - I've only played one route so far - I LOVE the black and white aesthetic - it's so cool - I still haven't finished the game, but I'll let you know when I do!
This has been on my play later list forever and I've finally got to play the game and let me tell you: I regret I haven't done this sooner! This is so, so lovely! I love how you set up the opportunities to create different dynamics between characters and how convincing and natural all of them feel, even though the vibe is very different!
The story has such a great flow and thought-out feel and I'm really really curious as to how it will end.
Wow! Love the characters, love the wordbuilding here!
Also I really really liked the different ways the relationship between the Dragon Commander and Matthias could go. So far, I've only tried the 3 variations of the romance route. At first I tried a gentle DC, and then I was pleasantly surprised at how Matthias turns out when doing an angrier or more controlling DC. Ahem. *fans self*
Looking forward to future updates and to how all the choices will affect future events. Thanks!
LMAOO PLS I WAS SURPRISED TOO pleasantly,, ahem ANYWAY shit was willllld and im sure every lil diff combination brings out a diff mathias SO I THINK U STILL HAVE MORE VERSIONS OF MATTIE
Where to even start! The way this story is being told is beautifully done, first of all. It flows so naturally from past to present, from anger to sadness, from suffocating pressure to eerie openess.
The use of music and sounds is especially beautifully done. That scene with the whip crack noises made me flinch more than once while I had to ponder options.
That alone is justification enough to love this, but oh, it just gets better! The world building isn't shoved in your face all at once, and nor is it so empty and barely there that it may as well not exist at all. It's just the right amount at just the right times. Then, the cherry on top of the frosting on top of this cake- the characters!!
To say I'm in love with all of them is becoming rapidly true as I write this. Mathias is so interesting to me. The way he views the commander-- me in this case-- and how it plays into how he goes about things is so intriguing. I end up going along with being a tad angry at him, and I believe I ended up on the friendship path (for the time being). You can tell he has so much to say. So much is just in that head of his that he's always considering, always trying to come up with solutions too. He either can't say some of it due to his status, or he won't say it because of his status. I feel like he genuinely cares for me but then the constant reminder of his position, of what he can become, of what he is to become, it just makes me think.....maybe he's not as kind as I think. It leaves me guessing!!!!! It's so fun.
Then there's Mandra. Oh sweet beloved oh so hot and powerful and sexy Mandra. I'm not gonna lie the moment I had any chance to be Mandra I was all over it. Mandra is SO fun. A force to be reckoned with, who dismisses the idiotic nobles and all their weird traditions and hang-ups on appearance. Not to mention, the inherent bond I felt I had with them. The pain we shared, that only we will ever really understand, gives a solid foundation to our relationship, which is close no matter how it ends up being spun I bet. We became comrades in a war that tore me in two, and we continue to be as such, despite not seeing one another for 3 whole years. But.....Mandra knows that they can't protect me. Their force and brute strength does nothing in a battle of papers and words and emotion filled glances. It does nothing to keep me safe from the court that seems so intent on ripping the rug right from beneath my feet. Mandra can protect me physically, but.....nothing can exactly fight off words without dire consequences to such actions. They know this and remind me of this, wanting me to be safe and happy, notably, with someone who isn't their older brother. I have to say I see their point entirely.
Alas, we come to the adoptive Mother turned tyrant, turned gentle yet wise Queen. The beginning where it described how she played dress with me, how she let herself be vulnerable and more child-like near me, it pained my heart. To think that she had to confide in little ol me, who was probably still reeling from all the things happening in that damned palace, it made me feel deeply for her. I could feel the kindness in her actions, the trust she showed me by being vulnerable to me when I was much younger than her. I do see her as a mother figure, maybe not one who was particularly close with me, but one who could be a shoulder to cry on for me, if the situation called for it. At the same time, I feel distant from her. I know she's not my real mother, I know she busies herself more with Mathias as she wishes him to be kind, and probably worries over Mandra who's always out at battle and who has only just returned. I feel.....shelved, in a sense. The real children before the one she dragged to take punishment for her son in. It hurts, especially when I consider she knew what the late king was like, and still thought it was pertinent that someone take his wrath, when I think she should've overthrown his ass the moment he got violent. Traditions be damned in that sense. It's a rage that I direct silently at her, because I don't know what will happen with her, and I still am fond of her, despite the hand she played in taking my ragdoll body and setting it on fire. I can't imagine what she was like when she was more forceful like the late king, just the thought of someone so nice to me turning in the man who ruined my body and soul makes me wanna scream and cry and throw up. As she gets gentler, and perhaps considers me once again, outside of her cooing to her little harpy, I hope she shows me that everything has been genuine this whole time, and that she knows im a person and now a piece on a board to crown her son king.
Her lover, the great Doctor and spymaster herself, I absolutely adore. A stern and strict woman who takes no one's shit and will absolutely not have a had in dealing the shit unless it's needed. Her constant strong and ever-present personality is comforting in this cast of people who have so much to hide or say, with only so few words to say them. It's nice seeing her driven on healing her lover, seeing her not waver in her duties despite the dire times, and to still make time for the others of the small circle of people she serves and allies herself with. I can't wait to see what all that spymaster magic gets us in the last few parts of this story, honestly. I hope her and the queen can live much longer than what is fated for them.
Then the ever elusive Master Curio! Oh, they baffle me to no end. What does Curio want? Why teach Mathias? Why humor that weirdly timid yet prideful man? Does Curio need something? is this just a whim of their's? I don't even know. I love Curio, despite the unknown motives and possible danger that lurk in those hundreds of years they've seemingly lived. They're kind to me, and helped me not get caught easedropping, so for the time being, I see them as an easygoing and laid-back ally. Perhaps Curio will be integral to what I want done, to what I need to do, or to what becomes of me. I just hope whatever the circumstance, curio is on my side.
Then we've got my loyal second in command, Valencia! Oh, she's drop dead gorgeous, I have to say. I have full faith and trust her. Reading her dialogue just made me feel like I was chatting with a best friend, despite the formal speech and environment. She felt so cozy to be around, different to the Mandra cozy, but similar in how it's formed through fighting alongside one another, I think. She seems like a lantern that will never die out, so long as I ask the lantern to be by my side. She's so quick to aide me and only shows hesitance when it's for my sake. My lovely second-in-command. I want more stuff from her soooo bad.
This game is SO interesting and I hope there's at least a little erotic holding of swords to people who've harmed and healed me so I can release all this welled up emotion I have as the mc of the game. I have SO many feelings. I WANT more of this story soooo bad. I wish it wasn't just gonna be four chapters, I'd play a 3 day long vn of this world. I genuinely would!
Thank you so much for this lovely story, it's sooo good. <3
i don't have it in me to elucidate what this game did for me so i'll just say uhh.. you know what maniepanie52 said? comment right below me? ditto. while that experience is, as i just discovered, unfortunately no longer accessible to me (i now have a brother named mathias and that shouldn't matter but due to some personal baggage it's apparently too fucking weird for me ALSO WHY DID U NAME HIM THAT LMAO i need to know now and im gonna go trawl old posts to see if it comes up somehow. uk he's the patron saint of alcoholics? ik cause my mom. and not bc she's christian... if u catch my drift) i remember it fondly and it deserves commemoration. keep up the good work, my guy (or don't! that's ur prerogative).
omg this has to be the most beautiful game available on this website. i feel like i experienced the full range of human emotion during my playthrough. the characters are amazing - i grew attached to even the smallest side-characters. the writing is absolutely gorgeous, the relationships and feelings around them feel so real. i would die for so many people in this game sklhjlkdhf the plot is so interesting, the world is full and complete. LtGBtK owns my entire soul.
every time i remember this game (i feel like i played it back last year at some point but i cant remember when) im overcome with emotions for at least a day because the pining in this game is so fuckin delicious, i am feasting like a god, bone apple teeth
love this game so much like omg. the art, the story, the music its all so good! love Mathias as well, i think his character is very well written
had a question tho, there are scenes when mc is alone with Mathias and i was just wondering what the music playing is called? ive looked in the about section and looked up all the songs but i cant seem to find it
**SPOILER WARNING**
a scene, with this song playing, that i can remember from the top of my head is
when mc is recovering in their bed after Flitchen discovers the illusion magic and Mathias is visiting them
I'm so glad you like it! Thank you for playing. ♥♥♥
If it's the song right after MC wakes up, it's "Twelve Spanish Dances, Op.37 - Arabesca" (guitar version) But if it's the song playing while MC and Mathias talk, it's "Between Worlds" (Instrumental) by Aussens@iter http://dig.ccmixter.org/people/tobias_weber Ft: (Smiling Cynic).
The music, writing and art are all elements incredibly pretty on this game. I also liked the way the main character is portrayed, I wouldn't use the specifically word "honorous", but it became obvious that there is a heavy sense of duty, to the point of giving up personal desires in order to accomplish tasks. The others characters also are so brilliant! I loved the contrast between Mathias and Mandreis, they are brothers but seems to live each on their own world. While Mathias is a future-to-be-king, Mandreis is more down to earth.
Oh man, I simply adored this game from start to end of chapter 3. The conection you have with the other characters kind of make you feel like you really are there as you read. The fear, hate, love, sense of duty along with other elements, certainly gives life to a more real world, one that does not rest upon the fairytale of "and they lived forever happy". If there's a sequence to this title, I'll love to play it! Thank you so much for making such a beautiful game.
Awwn, thank you so, so much for leaving this beautiful comment! I really hope you'll enjoy the next chapters too... and the next games, because I'll absolutely continue making them, haha!
OMG THIS GAME IS DEFINITELY IN MY FAVORITE LIST RIGHT NOW!!!! this is beyond my expectation. and i loveeeeeee it so much. the words, the story writing, the sexual tension, all of them are exceedingly brilliant. i don't know what I can say more, but I really enjoy this game. thank you for having created such an amazing story <333
OK SO IM BACKKK i literally spent all my time trying different options and lord.. the moment i think i discovered all the routes A NEW ONE UNRAVELS like bruhh.
im honestly in love w this game and mathias, i hope the queen lives and marries helena i'll be devastated if she dies :(((
their expressions and the way everyone's feelings are conveyed is.. arcane
you, my dear creator are INSAAAAAANE how'd you even come up w this?? this is truly terrific i cant get enough of it
i honestly CAAAANNNt wait for matt's coronation i wanna see what a kind king he'll be and ofc.. what a tyrant lmao BUT ANYWAYYY im exCITED
my fav character is obv matt, he's a sweetheart i love him sm
i really was abt mand i hope theyre happy but what they said.. made the hair on my neck STANNND
if you make future games i'll deff play, and im obbbbv gonna check your wattie im sure its amazing<3
i hope youre doing okay!! never push or strain yourself
here i am again!!! i missed this game sm <33 i would SELL MY SOUL for u my beloved dev. i can't even put in words how much i love this game ABKSNBKND IT'S FR MY FAVE GAME <3 i hope that means something lol
I am amazed when MC personality definitely locks out some of the options like!!!! What!!!! Wizardry!!! Is!!! This???? And the way Matt reacts differently to different MC. I am definitely in love with this VN fr.
Also
MAND MY LOVE EVERYTHING YOU DO IS SO SO SO PERFECT 😭😭😭 I LOVE YOUUUUUUU. I LOVE YOUUUUU UEUEUEUEUE-
Completely in love with this game! The art is absolutely beautiful and the writing is phenomenal. I'm so glad I found this. Thank you for continuing to develop this amazing game!
It's like in every playthrough, we're actively seeing the growth and change in Mathias depending on our choices.
Since we can only romance him, I decided to go all in, its where Matt kinda falls out of love almost with his Dragon Commander it seems, probably because of that route, I made the D.C. pretty disgusted with him, thought Matt needed disciplining, didn't believe in him, etc. But he still "loved" Matt.
So, this Dragon Commander belatedly realized his toxicity and recognized he wanted Matt for real, no games, but Matt has had enough and was like, basically warning his (ex?) that if he didn't get his act together for real, no bs'ing, they were done. Because he was bored of them childish games. And I was saluting Mathias in that moment, because yes, baby, tell him! I know you're likely gonna be a tyrant Matt, but you won't let anybody push you around anymore haha!
My second favorite playthrough is where the Dragon Commander is once again kinda iffy about Mathias, mainly thinking he's a spoiled prince and too delicate for the hard work. That it'll be tough shaping him up into a respectable king, but he wasn't outright doubting him....mostly. Anywho! I played this character more of a tsundere-ish type kinda, it felt like. He wanted Mathias to stand on his own two feet and be strong but he also really, secretly not so secretly, pined for Mathias. So it was probs more of a one-sided rivalmance. I loved in one scene, Mathias forced the Dragon Commander to kneel when he popped off, and I got flashbacks to the first scene where he says he'll make the Commander kneel, and I was once again was screeching incoherently. This is looking to be the Violent Monarch path.
Wooooo, I think I'll be writing about this couple once the game is complete because the tension between the Dragon Commander and Matthias is glorious.
Aaaa, I loved your comment, haha! Thank you so much for playing! I'm super glad you're enjoying LtGBtK so much. If you do write about them, let me know! *-* I'd love to read it! ♥♥
10/10 unique art. Detail in story. Even an idiot like me understood the story quickly. My cat liked it.
Honestly keep it up buddy it looks good and i think the full version would be perfect for the human eye! Like cmon good storytelling, art and details who doesn't love it!
The angst, the angst! I love how you can customize your relationship with Mattie and simultaneously push him away and have the story react to that. Thank you for this wonderful story!
Hi from france ! I just wanted to leave a review because this game is so cute and wonderful. I really liked the relationship between these characters and honestly can't wait to see the next chapters! also a big thumbs up for the art, it's really beautiful :) you did a great job for this game (and i hope it won't be your last! XD)
Salut! ♥ Aww, thank you so much for playing and for leaving this sweet comment. I'm super happy you enjoyed the game so far. And don't worry, I intend to make many more games after this! hahaha :) ♥♥♥
I am greatly enjoying the game so far! It is beautifully written that it pulled me into playing all the way through in one go. I cannot wait for the next chapter!
Everything about this game is amazing, the art, the writing, and the characters. I want to know what secret Mattias is hiding, it seems so heartbreaking. I especially enjoyed Mandra, and I am super excited to learn more about them!
Hi! I just wanted to say THANK YOU and that I'm enjoying the game SO much. Mandra and Matthias are just my dating-sim types and I finished both rutes so far and omg loved it!
Aww, I'm so glad! Thank you for playing and for leaving this lovely comment! ♥ I'm celebrating 1 year of LtGBtK, so if you'd like to read more about Mandra and Matt, you can check my Tumblr or my Ko-fi. ♥♥♥
Hi there! I stumbled upon this game today by sheer chance, really, and I found myself compelled to play! And wow, I really enjoyed it a lot, and I can't even tell if it's "more than I expected to" or if it is "just as I expected to". I KNEW I would like this game, but at the same time, I really didn't know what to expect from it, so it leaves me so confused (but very pleased regardless!).
Since you made lists of questions to answer, both for the main game and the Extra Story, I will answer these and then complete my feedback with whatever wasn't encompassed by these!
Base questions:
What's your favorite character?
Well, it's hard not to love Mathias, so I guess it would be him. Interestingly enough, I would have expected Mandra to be my favorite, but somehow their brother beats them. It's not Mandra being less to my liking than I thought, though, but Mathias being more to my liking than expected. I also really like Valência, even if she isn't an important character! She may even be my second favorite, somehow. That aside, I like the main character a lot, even if I would have a hard time figuring out where they stand compared to other characters, with how the player shapes their personality to an extent.
Did you try the different options, or did you follow only one path?
Only one path. While (as opposed to strictly text based interactive fiction) I DO play more than one "route" in most visual novels, in this case I couldn't NOT go for Mathias' romantic path, and well, since I want to always have the same main character, regardless of romance, I could not change their personality or outlook on things.
What do you think of the black and white aesthetic?
I love it! But I don't think it's exactly BECAUSE it's black and white, and rather regardless of it. Though that isn't accurate either, since it implies black and white should be worse than fully colored. The truth is I simply don't care either way, as a rule of thumb. I guess it's because I read a lot of mangas, so yeah, black and white is pretty usual for me, and I mostly see the art-style and that kind of stuff rather than the colors or lack thereof. At least, I can say the art-style fits the black and white aesthetic a lot. So the end result is gorgeous!
Is there anything about the world of Five Kingdoms you'd like to know more about while playing?
Not exactly at this point. Like, there are things I'm not sure I understand well, but that seems intended with how the narrative is structured - things to be revealed at a later point, bit by bit... Well, no, maybe just... What IS the "Dragon Commander"? Obviously it's the MC, but that's WHO they are, not WHAT. I'm curious about why that title, and what does it entail exactly.
Extra Story questions:
Did you enjoy having a more intimate look at your Dragon Commander's past? Should I make more of this type of thing or nah?
Yeah, I liked it a lot. It helps in knowing little details about the MC, and how they were before the events that seemed to truly change them. It's a good example of well placed showing instead of telling, basically. A bit of exposition about how they all were back then would work, sure, but seeing it, playing through it... The impact is bigger.
What was your favorite and least favorite thing about this update?
I'm not the best placed person to answer since I played the entire thing in one go, having discovered the game only now. Now, generally speaking, I really like the way you write more intimate scenes. Like, yeah, at this point "nothing" truly happens, even implicitly, but they have... that kind of beauty. Like, they are very delicate and enchanting? These are the best words I can find! Now, I find your style very beautiful overall, anyway. It's hard to put into words, really - beautiful is the best word. I think it has to do with the rythm of the narration. Very slow, very vague, with information coming very slowly, things becoming clearer here and there, new mysteries and question showing up too... It's both very epic and very quiet and appeasing.
And there was nothing I disliked, so... If I was actually following updates per se, maybe I could have answered that part but as it is... yep, only positives.
Which character would like to learn more about?
The main character! So yeah, basically, I want to know more about what happened to them, their past, their family... And Valência because she's a very secondary character so we know sooo little about her! Obviously I can't really tell any specific thing I'd like to know about her since I know almost nothing to begin with.... AAAAH WHY DO I LIKE HER SO MUCH???!!!
Do you feel you're having enough space to create your own Dragon Commander?
Hmm yes? But you're talking to a person who largely prefers to have a main character who is their own person, with only some player input into their psyche, behavior and so on. So while this game has the perfect balance to please my tastes, I don't know what other people may have to say. My go-to requirement is: "either have a MC who is a fleshed out character and leave little to player input, or leave EVERYTHING to player input, with dozens of choices to back that up". Basically, I don't like the "in-between" where it feels as if the player should have full agency over the MC, only to be lacking in term of choices afterwards. Since it doesn't fall in this in-between, I'm happy!
Well okay, with both lists of questions answered, I don't think I have a lot to comment on anymore. Good music choices? But that's it I think!
I DO have a question, though!
So, I like the way the choices work - how they either shape the protagonist's outlook on / approach to things, or their dynamics with the various characters, in terms of relationships. Generally speaking, it's all pretty clear and neat.
But with that being said hmm... how to phrase it... Let's say I did play games that actually revolve around a simple system, but where there IS a "good" and a "bad" way to play. Meaning that while the system is simple and the choices easy to interpret, the player actually has to balance their stats and choices, because some playstyles (for example being always as nice as possible or as mean as possible) are not viable - you'd have to balance nice and mean reactions. In these games, you'd get a bad ending (sometimes even a game over) if you don't balance things "correctly".
And, as I'm sure you figured out at this point, I was wondering if that is the case in this game? The setting, style, etc, remind me of some of these games, so I'm naturally wary and I prefer to ask. If it IS the case, that won't deter me from playing, eh! It's just that it's a thing I prefer to know beforehand! Not going to lie though, I DO hope it's not the case and that I'll be able to continue playing selecting the generally nicest / softest answers, because I enjoy this so much! <3
Anyway, I think that's truly it now!
You really created a little gem here, and I'm excited for more!
Oh wow. This is the most detailed feedback I've received for this game, and it gave me such great insight. Thank you for taking the time to write it! ♥♥♥ I'm really really glad you enjoyed the game, and I'm so happy you liked Knight Valência! You'll know more about Val and your Commander's relationship in the next chapter. I hope you'll like her even more! mwahaha >8)
xD
About the Dragon Commander title: September is LtGBtK's first anniversary, and I'm planning a lot of stuff to celebrate. Part of it is to answer the players' questions with the characters in the cast, so I can have Knight Valência answer this one for you if you want. ;) ♥♥♥
And about your question about good/bad endings: Don't worry, there's no right or wrong in this game, and there won't be good/bad endings. ♥ I'm an avid VN player, so I know exactly what you're talking about hahaha! But I always felt sad every time I got a bad ending/game over just for picking the choices that felt more aligned to my play style or to the character in my head, so I left the "wrong" choices out of this one. You can choose and build your Commander in any way you want. :)
What CAN happen is that your choices can unlock hidden/secret scenes that are very hard to get. Sometimes they are sweet (like a soft scene for The Destroyer archetype—the thorny choices in the middle—in CH01), and sometimes they can be dangerous (like a rather violent fight scene with Mand in CH02). But even in this second case, you'll know when it's coming, cause I made sure to add a lot of choices in this scene, so you can stop things before they get too bloody. xD hahaha
Again, thank you so much for your feedback and for playing! I hope you'll continue to enjoy the game and its universe. :* ♥
A lovely game with a great potential. The style is fine too, even if feeling a bit sketchy (which, I assume, because of the early version). There were two problems to me though. First, the presentation. The action is pretty intense, but the way it's presented makes it feel slow, as if the action was always 'too late'. Something should be done about it, I think, because it can become a real pain as the game nears completion. Second, the main character. While the drama is strong and logical, the character isn't that convincing, as a person. Moreover the understanding of the character comes gradually, the player makes assumptions about who he's playing and then those assumptions prove to be totally wrong, the character suddenly does something they weren't supposed. The choices the player makes don't really help to shape the character, they all are about the drama in general, not the person. The same goes to all characters, just to lesser degree: the player has to make assumptions about them, as if he knew them, while in fact knowing nothing about them, this knowledge comes much later, which makes the player stumble every second scene.. All in all it surely needs some work on characters development, particularly introduction.
Hope reading this was worth your time. Keep the good work!
Hi! Thank you for your thorough review. Oh, I agree about the art assets; they are still something I'm working on (in fact, I have a release scheduled for later today that will replace most of the sprites and part of the UI), so the next versions will look a lot better hahaha.
I understand my game won't be the best match for everyone, but the elements in the narrative/pace/the character arcs are what I intended them to be. It's meant to be a more introspective experience of slow discovery of aspects of the plot, characters, and the MC's BG, rather than focusing on action—the whole plot of the game happens in 4 days but takes into account almost 30 years of history, so it's meant to have good chunks of reflection about the past! This is all part of the experience I'd like to offer to my players. As for the choices, I believe the way we decide to look at our past and the events around us helps to shape who we are as much as our actions, and that's one of the concepts behind the game. Introspection and reflection are definitely strong in this one!
Again, thanks for playing and for sharing your thoughts!
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This game had my heart the moment I started playing. I'm in love with both Mandras and Mathias (But Mandras can take my whole heart.) I can play this game more than once and still want to keep playing.
And I had fun trying the different choices I'm looking forward to what's to come in the future!!! 💕
This game was amazing I'm looking forward to the full version.
I love the game. My favourite is Mandras, I just love them
the game will have an translation to portuguese? im a brazilian and i just LOVED this congrats 4the good and hard job
Thank you!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. ♥
MENINE, mas é claro :3 (sou BR tbm, heh ♥) Eu pretendo terminar o jogo todo primeiro, editar o texto e depois fazer a tradução! *3*
Beijão,
Ligia
aahhh tão feliz em saber disso ♥
ansiosa pelos próximos capítulos
também li uma de tuas historias no watt me apaixonei pelo teu estilo de escrita ,
Beijinho da miau ♥
♥♥♥ ahhh você fez meu dia aqui! Muito obrigada por ler meu livro e por jogar LtGBtK! *--* ♥
this was so fun to play! i llve your writing and how realistic the relationship between Mathias and Y/N are!
Ahhhh this was so fun. I really liked the game's atmosphere. Interestingly, my favorite character was the main character. At first I wanted to play as a really understanding MC to let the romance go smoothly, but I found myself enjoying it more and more as their feelings and relationship got more and more complicated.
Mandra was so much fun too. The description makes them sound shady but I just can't help but trust them. Their short story made me completely fall in love. And the dynamic betweeen them and MC and Mathias was SO GOOD. So fun. The love-triangle-but-not-really vibes where utterly supreme. I never thought I liked complicated relationships between characters but it seems I do.
The art is super interesting. I've never seen a game with such art before, but I like it. It suits the atmosphere. So much fun overall!!
I really enjoyed the demo. I played a Kinder MC at first who didn't blame Mathias for their past and it was all very sweet. After, I played an MC who whilst still in love with Mathias was also still angry and traumatized by past events and I really like how the (romantic) relationship differed between the two routes. Especially their alone time after the feast. 💕
Mathias was my favourite, but I really liked the side characters we meet and also how your personality can even change how they react to you. I still need to figure out how to unlock some of the CG's as I'm missing a few but I really look forward to the full release.
Also, I've never played something like this in black and white but it really worked for the game and I liked the aesthetics of it.
There's not much more about the world of Five Kingdoms I need to know just yet, the game hints at some things and does make me curious about others - I do hope we get to see more hints of the MC's past, maybe even how Mathias felt about the way they were whipped in his place. (I am a sucker for hurt/comfort and angst, but I do enjoy the soft fluffy parts that makes up for the sadder moments.)
Thank you so, so much for playing and for your comment! I'm really glad you liked it so much and that you enjoyed all the differences between the relationships! ♥
I hope you'll enjoy the next chapters as well! ♥♥♥
I really really really love this game. I discovered it today and literally played 8 hours... all the possibilities, the relationship between the characters.. the WRITING is amazing. (the angst, the romance, the feelings aaaah)
BUT I'm desperate, I unlocked 7 of the 8 CGs and cannot seem to find how to get the 5th (a colored one?) someone help me I'm going crazy ahaha
Oh wow! hahaha Thank you soo much for playing. I'm glad you enjoyed the game so much! ♥♥♥
Oops. CG#5 will be locked until the next chapter because I accidentally removed the line that unlocked it x.x I've already fixed the code, but the CG won't be available until the next update... still, you can see it in this post on my Tumblr, so you won't have to wait. :D
Kisses!
Ligia
i think i have awake something forbidden inside me. i really like to make people beg. oh well i love this game so muvh.i also bully Mathias so much too.
This game is incredible! Lovely writing and I love the relationships between the characters. I haven't finished quite yet, but I will soon. Mathias is probably my favorite, though I love Mandra as well. I really wish you could have a romantic relationship with Mandra if you're not in one with Mathias. Though I did just notice in the description it said you could have rendezvous with other characters while in the friend route, so I'm definitely going to have to try it! I also didn't think I would like the black and white aesthetic, but I have to say it fits really well with this game and makes it even more unique than it already is. I can't imagine it any other way. Thank you for your lovely work and time and care put into this game!
Mulherrrrrr esse jogo parece ser maravilhoso, mas assim, eu nn tenho computador ent vc planeja fazer ele próprio pra Android ou vc sabe de algum jeito (q talvez alguém na msm situação q eu usou e te contou) pra jogar ele no Android??
Is there a maybe chance this will be on Android ??😬😬
I absolutely adore this! I would have never found it if it wasn't for a recommendation in my feed! I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. I adore your writing and characters so much! I don't want it to end, but I'm looking forward to the next update!! Please respond lol
Edit to answer your questions:
- Mathias and MC are my favourite for sure!
- I've only played one route so far
- I LOVE the black and white aesthetic - it's so cool
- I still haven't finished the game, but I'll let you know when I do!
This has been on my play later list forever and I've finally got to play the game and let me tell you: I regret I haven't done this sooner! This is so, so lovely! I love how you set up the opportunities to create different dynamics between characters and how convincing and natural all of them feel, even though the vibe is very different!
The story has such a great flow and thought-out feel and I'm really really curious as to how it will end.
Wow! Love the characters, love the wordbuilding here!
Also I really really liked the different ways the relationship between the Dragon Commander and Matthias could go. So far, I've only tried the 3 variations of the romance route. At first I tried a gentle DC, and then I was pleasantly surprised at how Matthias turns out when doing an angrier or more controlling DC. Ahem. *fans self*
Looking forward to future updates and to how all the choices will affect future events. Thanks!
LMAOO PLS I WAS SURPRISED TOO pleasantly,, ahem ANYWAY shit was willllld and im sure every lil diff combination brings out a diff mathias SO I THINK U STILL HAVE MORE VERSIONS OF MATTIE
Now you guys have got me extremely curious lol. Off two do another playthrough. Can't wait for the final product!
I absolutely adored playing this game!!!
WAIT--as a afab nonbinary person I have to say that binding with bandages/tape is very unsafe!! I think thats the only irk I have with the game
yea, im nb too and bind but ig mandra doesnt have any safe binders given their time,, madra's jus like me fr </3
Where to even start! The way this story is being told is beautifully done, first of all. It flows so naturally from past to present, from anger to sadness, from suffocating pressure to eerie openess.
The use of music and sounds is especially beautifully done. That scene with the whip crack noises made me flinch more than once while I had to ponder options.
That alone is justification enough to love this, but oh, it just gets better! The world building isn't shoved in your face all at once, and nor is it so empty and barely there that it may as well not exist at all. It's just the right amount at just the right times. Then, the cherry on top of the frosting on top of this cake- the characters!!
To say I'm in love with all of them is becoming rapidly true as I write this. Mathias is so interesting to me. The way he views the commander-- me in this case-- and how it plays into how he goes about things is so intriguing. I end up going along with being a tad angry at him, and I believe I ended up on the friendship path (for the time being). You can tell he has so much to say. So much is just in that head of his that he's always considering, always trying to come up with solutions too. He either can't say some of it due to his status, or he won't say it because of his status. I feel like he genuinely cares for me but then the constant reminder of his position, of what he can become, of what he is to become, it just makes me think.....maybe he's not as kind as I think. It leaves me guessing!!!!! It's so fun.
Then there's Mandra. Oh sweet beloved oh so hot and powerful and sexy Mandra. I'm not gonna lie the moment I had any chance to be Mandra I was all over it. Mandra is SO fun. A force to be reckoned with, who dismisses the idiotic nobles and all their weird traditions and hang-ups on appearance. Not to mention, the inherent bond I felt I had with them. The pain we shared, that only we will ever really understand, gives a solid foundation to our relationship, which is close no matter how it ends up being spun I bet. We became comrades in a war that tore me in two, and we continue to be as such, despite not seeing one another for 3 whole years. But.....Mandra knows that they can't protect me. Their force and brute strength does nothing in a battle of papers and words and emotion filled glances. It does nothing to keep me safe from the court that seems so intent on ripping the rug right from beneath my feet. Mandra can protect me physically, but.....nothing can exactly fight off words without dire consequences to such actions. They know this and remind me of this, wanting me to be safe and happy, notably, with someone who isn't their older brother. I have to say I see their point entirely.
Alas, we come to the adoptive Mother turned tyrant, turned gentle yet wise Queen. The beginning where it described how she played dress with me, how she let herself be vulnerable and more child-like near me, it pained my heart. To think that she had to confide in little ol me, who was probably still reeling from all the things happening in that damned palace, it made me feel deeply for her. I could feel the kindness in her actions, the trust she showed me by being vulnerable to me when I was much younger than her. I do see her as a mother figure, maybe not one who was particularly close with me, but one who could be a shoulder to cry on for me, if the situation called for it. At the same time, I feel distant from her. I know she's not my real mother, I know she busies herself more with Mathias as she wishes him to be kind, and probably worries over Mandra who's always out at battle and who has only just returned. I feel.....shelved, in a sense. The real children before the one she dragged to take punishment for her son in. It hurts, especially when I consider she knew what the late king was like, and still thought it was pertinent that someone take his wrath, when I think she should've overthrown his ass the moment he got violent. Traditions be damned in that sense. It's a rage that I direct silently at her, because I don't know what will happen with her, and I still am fond of her, despite the hand she played in taking my ragdoll body and setting it on fire. I can't imagine what she was like when she was more forceful like the late king, just the thought of someone so nice to me turning in the man who ruined my body and soul makes me wanna scream and cry and throw up. As she gets gentler, and perhaps considers me once again, outside of her cooing to her little harpy, I hope she shows me that everything has been genuine this whole time, and that she knows im a person and now a piece on a board to crown her son king.
Her lover, the great Doctor and spymaster herself, I absolutely adore. A stern and strict woman who takes no one's shit and will absolutely not have a had in dealing the shit unless it's needed. Her constant strong and ever-present personality is comforting in this cast of people who have so much to hide or say, with only so few words to say them. It's nice seeing her driven on healing her lover, seeing her not waver in her duties despite the dire times, and to still make time for the others of the small circle of people she serves and allies herself with. I can't wait to see what all that spymaster magic gets us in the last few parts of this story, honestly. I hope her and the queen can live much longer than what is fated for them.
Then the ever elusive Master Curio! Oh, they baffle me to no end. What does Curio want? Why teach Mathias? Why humor that weirdly timid yet prideful man? Does Curio need something? is this just a whim of their's? I don't even know. I love Curio, despite the unknown motives and possible danger that lurk in those hundreds of years they've seemingly lived. They're kind to me, and helped me not get caught easedropping, so for the time being, I see them as an easygoing and laid-back ally. Perhaps Curio will be integral to what I want done, to what I need to do, or to what becomes of me. I just hope whatever the circumstance, curio is on my side.
Then we've got my loyal second in command, Valencia! Oh, she's drop dead gorgeous, I have to say. I have full faith and trust her. Reading her dialogue just made me feel like I was chatting with a best friend, despite the formal speech and environment. She felt so cozy to be around, different to the Mandra cozy, but similar in how it's formed through fighting alongside one another, I think. She seems like a lantern that will never die out, so long as I ask the lantern to be by my side. She's so quick to aide me and only shows hesitance when it's for my sake. My lovely second-in-command. I want more stuff from her soooo bad.
This game is SO interesting and I hope there's at least a little erotic holding of swords to people who've harmed and healed me so I can release all this welled up emotion I have as the mc of the game. I have SO many feelings. I WANT more of this story soooo bad. I wish it wasn't just gonna be four chapters, I'd play a 3 day long vn of this world. I genuinely would!
Thank you so much for this lovely story, it's sooo good. <3
i don't have it in me to elucidate what this game did for me so i'll just say uhh.. you know what maniepanie52 said? comment right below me? ditto. while that experience is, as i just discovered, unfortunately no longer accessible to me (i now have a brother named mathias and that shouldn't matter but due to some personal baggage it's apparently too fucking weird for me ALSO WHY DID U NAME HIM THAT LMAO i need to know now and im gonna go trawl old posts to see if it comes up somehow. uk he's the patron saint of alcoholics? ik cause my mom. and not bc she's christian... if u catch my drift) i remember it fondly and it deserves commemoration. keep up the good work, my guy (or don't! that's ur prerogative).
omg this has to be the most beautiful game available on this website. i feel like i experienced the full range of human emotion during my playthrough. the characters are amazing - i grew attached to even the smallest side-characters. the writing is absolutely gorgeous, the relationships and feelings around them feel so real. i would die for so many people in this game sklhjlkdhf the plot is so interesting, the world is full and complete. LtGBtK owns my entire soul.
I loved everything with a burning passion omg.
every time i remember this game (i feel like i played it back last year at some point but i cant remember when) im overcome with emotions for at least a day because the pining in this game is so fuckin delicious, i am feasting like a god, bone apple teeth
love this game so much like omg. the art, the story, the music its all so good! love Mathias as well, i think his character is very well written
had a question tho, there are scenes when mc is alone with Mathias and i was just wondering what the music playing is called? ive looked in the about section and looked up all the songs but i cant seem to find it
**SPOILER WARNING**
a scene, with this song playing, that i can remember from the top of my head is
when mc is recovering in their bed after Flitchen discovers the illusion magic and Mathias is visiting themif anyone knows the name pls let me know :)
Hello there! ♥
I'm so glad you like it! Thank you for playing. ♥♥♥
If it's the song right after MC wakes up, it's "Twelve Spanish Dances, Op.37 - Arabesca" (guitar version)
But if it's the song playing while MC and Mathias talk, it's "Between Worlds" (Instrumental) by Aussens@iter http://dig.ccmixter.org/people/tobias_weber Ft: (Smiling Cynic).
Both are amazing, you have great taste haha :))
thank you so much!!
The music, writing and art are all elements incredibly pretty on this game. I also liked the way the main character is portrayed, I wouldn't use the specifically word "honorous", but it became obvious that there is a heavy sense of duty, to the point of giving up personal desires in order to accomplish tasks. The others characters also are so brilliant! I loved the contrast between Mathias and Mandreis, they are brothers but seems to live each on their own world. While Mathias is a future-to-be-king, Mandreis is more down to earth.
Oh man, I simply adored this game from start to end of chapter 3. The conection you have with the other characters kind of make you feel like you really are there as you read. The fear, hate, love, sense of duty along with other elements, certainly gives life to a more real world, one that does not rest upon the fairytale of "and they lived forever happy". If there's a sequence to this title, I'll love to play it! Thank you so much for making such a beautiful game.
Awwn, thank you so, so much for leaving this beautiful comment! I really hope you'll enjoy the next chapters too... and the next games, because I'll absolutely continue making them, haha!
Thank you for playing!
OMG THIS GAME IS DEFINITELY IN MY FAVORITE LIST RIGHT NOW!!!! this is beyond my expectation. and i loveeeeeee it so much. the words, the story writing, the sexual tension, all of them are exceedingly brilliant. i don't know what I can say more, but I really enjoy this game. thank you for having created such an amazing story <333
Aaaaa! Thank you so muuch! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. ç-ç Thank you for playing!
OK SO IM BACKKK i literally spent all my time trying different options and lord.. the moment i think i discovered all the routes A NEW ONE UNRAVELS like bruhh.
im honestly in love w this game and mathias, i hope the queen lives and marries helena i'll be devastated if she dies :(((
their expressions and the way everyone's feelings are conveyed is.. arcane
you, my dear creator are INSAAAAAANE how'd you even come up w this?? this is truly terrific i cant get enough of it
i honestly CAAAANNNt wait for matt's coronation i wanna see what a kind king he'll be and ofc.. what a tyrant lmao BUT ANYWAYYY im exCITED
my fav character is obv matt, he's a sweetheart i love him sm
i really was abt mand i hope theyre happy but what they said.. made the hair on my neck STANNND
if you make future games i'll deff play, and im obbbbv gonna check your wattie im sure its amazing<3
i hope youre doing okay!! never push or strain yourself
happy pride<333
Thank you sooooo muuuuch! ç-ç This is such a beautiful comment, I ç-ç
I'm super glad you enjoyed my game, I'll work hard to make the next chapters (and games) even better. Thank you for playing! ♥♥♥
here i am again!!! i missed this game sm <33 i would SELL MY SOUL for u my beloved dev. i can't even put in words how much i love this game ABKSNBKND IT'S FR MY FAVE GAME <3 i hope that means something lol
vfxdkghrbfliuh You're the sweetest, aaa ç-ç Thank you so much for playing and for this beautiful comment!
It means the world to me ♥ and I hope you'll enjoy the next chapters too!
I am amazed when MC personality definitely locks out some of the options like!!!! What!!!! Wizardry!!! Is!!! This???? And the way Matt reacts differently to different MC. I am definitely in love with this VN fr.
Also
MAND MY LOVE EVERYTHING YOU DO IS SO SO SO PERFECT 😭😭😭 I LOVE YOUUUUUUU. I LOVE YOUUUUU UEUEUEUEUE-
SAhiueha! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And if you like Mand that much, you might enjoy the next chapter... *evil grin*
hahaha thank you for playing! ♥
Completely in love with this game! The art is absolutely beautiful and the writing is phenomenal. I'm so glad I found this. Thank you for continuing to develop this amazing game!
Thank you soo much for playing and for your comment! I'm so glad you're enjoying the game ♥♥♥
I really like this game.
It's like in every playthrough, we're actively seeing the growth and change in Mathias depending on our choices.
Since we can only romance him, I decided to go all in, its where Matt kinda falls out of love almost with his Dragon Commander it seems, probably because of that route, I made the D.C. pretty disgusted with him, thought Matt needed disciplining, didn't believe in him, etc. But he still "loved" Matt.
So, this Dragon Commander belatedly realized his toxicity and recognized he wanted Matt for real, no games, but Matt has had enough and was like, basically warning his (ex?) that if he didn't get his act together for real, no bs'ing, they were done. Because he was bored of them childish games. And I was saluting Mathias in that moment, because yes, baby, tell him! I know you're likely gonna be a tyrant Matt, but you won't let anybody push you around anymore haha!
My second favorite playthrough is where the Dragon Commander is once again kinda iffy about Mathias, mainly thinking he's a spoiled prince and too delicate for the hard work. That it'll be tough shaping him up into a respectable king, but he wasn't outright doubting him....mostly. Anywho! I played this character more of a tsundere-ish type kinda, it felt like. He wanted Mathias to stand on his own two feet and be strong but he also really, secretly not so secretly, pined for Mathias. So it was probs more of a one-sided rivalmance. I loved in one scene, Mathias forced the Dragon Commander to kneel when he popped off, and I got flashbacks to the first scene where he says he'll make the Commander kneel, and I was once again was screeching incoherently. This is looking to be the Violent Monarch path.
Wooooo, I think I'll be writing about this couple once the game is complete because the tension between the Dragon Commander and Matthias is glorious.
Aaaa, I loved your comment, haha! Thank you so much for playing! I'm super glad you're enjoying LtGBtK so much. If you do write about them, let me know! *-* I'd love to read it! ♥♥
Pspspsps game cmon go to the amazing collection.
10/10 unique art. Detail in story. Even an idiot like me understood the story quickly. My cat liked it.
Honestly keep it up buddy it looks good and i think the full version would be perfect for the human eye! Like cmon good storytelling, art and details who doesn't love it!
Aww, thank you so much! I'm super glad you and your cat enjoyed it haha! :3 Thank you for playing. ♥
The angst, the angst! I love how you can customize your relationship with Mattie and simultaneously push him away and have the story react to that. Thank you for this wonderful story!
I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thank you for your kind comment and for playing. ♥
The writing is superb
Thank you! ♥
OMG this game is wonderful! 10/10!
Reading, music, drawings ... ♥♥♥
I just finished Mathias's romance (kindness) route and he's so sweet (and he needs a bear hug urgently ^^)
Greetings from Spain
Aww, thank you so much for playing! ♥ I'm so, so glad you enjoyed it. 8D I hope you'll like the new chapter as well! ♥
Please just keep writing it. So beautiful... Not just a game, a masterpiece of work.
Aww. Oh my, your comment just brightened my pretty complicated day, so thank you! :')) I'll definitely keep writing!
BTW, if you want to read a short excerpt of the next chapter, you can check it in my ko-fi here! https://ko-fi.com/A354LPQ/posts
Glad to her it! (´ω｀♡)
Oh, I visited your Ko-fi already, but didn't see it! Thank you, thank you! This story impact me greatly and deeply.
Wishing you good day!
Hi from france ! I just wanted to leave a review because this game is so cute and wonderful. I really liked the relationship between these characters and honestly can't wait to see the next chapters! also a big thumbs up for the art, it's really beautiful :) you did a great job for this game (and i hope it won't be your last! XD)
Salut! ♥ Aww, thank you so much for playing and for leaving this sweet comment. I'm super happy you enjoyed the game so far. And don't worry, I intend to make many more games after this! hahaha :) ♥♥♥
I enjoyed the demo. I look forward to get more updates about the game
I'm so glad! Thank you for playing. ♥♥♥
I am greatly enjoying the game so far! It is beautifully written that it pulled me into playing all the way through in one go. I cannot wait for the next chapter!
Everything about this game is amazing, the art, the writing, and the characters. I want to know what secret Mattias is hiding, it seems so heartbreaking. I especially enjoyed Mandra, and I am super excited to learn more about them!
Hello there! Thank you so much for playing and for leaving this lovely comment. I'm really glad you're enjoying the game! ♥♥♥
Hi! I just wanted to say THANK YOU and that I'm enjoying the game SO much. Mandra and Matthias are just my dating-sim types and I finished both rutes so far and omg loved it!
Aww, I'm so glad! Thank you for playing and for leaving this lovely comment! ♥ I'm celebrating 1 year of LtGBtK, so if you'd like to read more about Mandra and Matt, you can check my Tumblr or my Ko-fi. ♥♥♥
Hi there! I stumbled upon this game today by sheer chance, really, and I found myself compelled to play! And wow, I really enjoyed it a lot, and I can't even tell if it's "more than I expected to" or if it is "just as I expected to". I KNEW I would like this game, but at the same time, I really didn't know what to expect from it, so it leaves me so confused (but very pleased regardless!).
Since you made lists of questions to answer, both for the main game and the Extra Story, I will answer these and then complete my feedback with whatever wasn't encompassed by these!
Base questions:
Well, it's hard not to love Mathias, so I guess it would be him. Interestingly enough, I would have expected Mandra to be my favorite, but somehow their brother beats them. It's not Mandra being less to my liking than I thought, though, but Mathias being more to my liking than expected. I also really like Valência, even if she isn't an important character! She may even be my second favorite, somehow. That aside, I like the main character a lot, even if I would have a hard time figuring out where they stand compared to other characters, with how the player shapes their personality to an extent.
Only one path. While (as opposed to strictly text based interactive fiction) I DO play more than one "route" in most visual novels, in this case I couldn't NOT go for Mathias' romantic path, and well, since I want to always have the same main character, regardless of romance, I could not change their personality or outlook on things.
I love it! But I don't think it's exactly BECAUSE it's black and white, and rather regardless of it. Though that isn't accurate either, since it implies black and white should be worse than fully colored. The truth is I simply don't care either way, as a rule of thumb. I guess it's because I read a lot of mangas, so yeah, black and white is pretty usual for me, and I mostly see the art-style and that kind of stuff rather than the colors or lack thereof. At least, I can say the art-style fits the black and white aesthetic a lot. So the end result is gorgeous!
Not exactly at this point. Like, there are things I'm not sure I understand well, but that seems intended with how the narrative is structured - things to be revealed at a later point, bit by bit... Well, no, maybe just... What IS the "Dragon Commander"? Obviously it's the MC, but that's WHO they are, not WHAT. I'm curious about why that title, and what does it entail exactly.
Extra Story questions:
Yeah, I liked it a lot. It helps in knowing little details about the MC, and how they were before the events that seemed to truly change them. It's a good example of well placed showing instead of telling, basically. A bit of exposition about how they all were back then would work, sure, but seeing it, playing through it... The impact is bigger.
I'm not the best placed person to answer since I played the entire thing in one go, having discovered the game only now. Now, generally speaking, I really like the way you write more intimate scenes. Like, yeah, at this point "nothing" truly happens, even implicitly, but they have... that kind of beauty. Like, they are very delicate and enchanting? These are the best words I can find! Now, I find your style very beautiful overall, anyway. It's hard to put into words, really - beautiful is the best word. I think it has to do with the rythm of the narration. Very slow, very vague, with information coming very slowly, things becoming clearer here and there, new mysteries and question showing up too... It's both very epic and very quiet and appeasing.
And there was nothing I disliked, so... If I was actually following updates per se, maybe I could have answered that part but as it is... yep, only positives.
The main character! So yeah, basically, I want to know more about what happened to them, their past, their family... And Valência because she's a very secondary character so we know sooo little about her! Obviously I can't really tell any specific thing I'd like to know about her since I know almost nothing to begin with.... AAAAH WHY DO I LIKE HER SO MUCH???!!!
Hmm yes? But you're talking to a person who largely prefers to have a main character who is their own person, with only some player input into their psyche, behavior and so on. So while this game has the perfect balance to please my tastes, I don't know what other people may have to say. My go-to requirement is: "either have a MC who is a fleshed out character and leave little to player input, or leave EVERYTHING to player input, with dozens of choices to back that up". Basically, I don't like the "in-between" where it feels as if the player should have full agency over the MC, only to be lacking in term of choices afterwards. Since it doesn't fall in this in-between, I'm happy!
Well okay, with both lists of questions answered, I don't think I have a lot to comment on anymore. Good music choices? But that's it I think!
I DO have a question, though!
So, I like the way the choices work - how they either shape the protagonist's outlook on / approach to things, or their dynamics with the various characters, in terms of relationships. Generally speaking, it's all pretty clear and neat.
But with that being said hmm... how to phrase it... Let's say I did play games that actually revolve around a simple system, but where there IS a "good" and a "bad" way to play. Meaning that while the system is simple and the choices easy to interpret, the player actually has to balance their stats and choices, because some playstyles (for example being always as nice as possible or as mean as possible) are not viable - you'd have to balance nice and mean reactions. In these games, you'd get a bad ending (sometimes even a game over) if you don't balance things "correctly".
And, as I'm sure you figured out at this point, I was wondering if that is the case in this game? The setting, style, etc, remind me of some of these games, so I'm naturally wary and I prefer to ask. If it IS the case, that won't deter me from playing, eh! It's just that it's a thing I prefer to know beforehand! Not going to lie though, I DO hope it's not the case and that I'll be able to continue playing selecting the generally nicest / softest answers, because I enjoy this so much! <3
Anyway, I think that's truly it now!
You really created a little gem here, and I'm excited for more!
Hi, Konoi!
Oh wow. This is the most detailed feedback I've received for this game, and it gave me such great insight. Thank you for taking the time to write it! ♥♥♥ I'm really really glad you enjoyed the game, and I'm so happy you liked Knight Valência! You'll know more about Val and your Commander's relationship in the next chapter. I hope you'll like her even more! mwahaha >8)
xD
About the Dragon Commander title: September is LtGBtK's first anniversary, and I'm planning a lot of stuff to celebrate. Part of it is to answer the players' questions with the characters in the cast, so I can have Knight Valência answer this one for you if you want. ;) ♥♥♥
And about your question about good/bad endings: Don't worry, there's no right or wrong in this game, and there won't be good/bad endings. ♥ I'm an avid VN player, so I know exactly what you're talking about hahaha! But I always felt sad every time I got a bad ending/game over just for picking the choices that felt more aligned to my play style or to the character in my head, so I left the "wrong" choices out of this one. You can choose and build your Commander in any way you want. :)
What CAN happen is that your choices can unlock hidden/secret scenes that are very hard to get. Sometimes they are sweet (like a soft scene for The Destroyer archetype—the thorny choices in the middle—in CH01), and sometimes they can be dangerous (like a rather violent fight scene with Mand in CH02). But even in this second case, you'll know when it's coming, cause I made sure to add a lot of choices in this scene, so you can stop things before they get too bloody. xD hahaha
Again, thank you so much for your feedback and for playing! I hope you'll continue to enjoy the game and its universe. :* ♥
Thanks for your answer! Glad to hear any playstyle is "valid"!
And about that - "so I can have Knight Valência answer this one for you if you want." - sure! Thanks! <3
And glad my feedback was helpful! It's always fun to write my thoughts about a game!
A lovely game with a great potential. The style is fine too, even if feeling a bit sketchy (which, I assume, because of the early version). There were two problems to me though. First, the presentation. The action is pretty intense, but the way it's presented makes it feel slow, as if the action was always 'too late'. Something should be done about it, I think, because it can become a real pain as the game nears completion. Second, the main character. While the drama is strong and logical, the character isn't that convincing, as a person. Moreover the understanding of the character comes gradually, the player makes assumptions about who he's playing and then those assumptions prove to be totally wrong, the character suddenly does something they weren't supposed. The choices the player makes don't really help to shape the character, they all are about the drama in general, not the person. The same goes to all characters, just to lesser degree: the player has to make assumptions about them, as if he knew them, while in fact knowing nothing about them, this knowledge comes much later, which makes the player stumble every second scene.. All in all it surely needs some work on characters development, particularly introduction.
Hope reading this was worth your time. Keep the good work!
Hi! Thank you for your thorough review. Oh, I agree about the art assets; they are still something I'm working on (in fact, I have a release scheduled for later today that will replace most of the sprites and part of the UI), so the next versions will look a lot better hahaha.
I understand my game won't be the best match for everyone, but the elements in the narrative/pace/the character arcs are what I intended them to be. It's meant to be a more introspective experience of slow discovery of aspects of the plot, characters, and the MC's BG, rather than focusing on action—the whole plot of the game happens in 4 days but takes into account almost 30 years of history, so it's meant to have good chunks of reflection about the past! This is all part of the experience I'd like to offer to my players. As for the choices, I believe the way we decide to look at our past and the events around us helps to shape who we are as much as our actions, and that's one of the concepts behind the game. Introspection and reflection are definitely strong in this one!
Again, thanks for playing and for sharing your thoughts!