I was saddened when it ended, because I wanted to continue seeing the story unfold! I'm so excited for the drama to come.
So far, this introduction has made me very interested in the story and the characters. Comaetho feels dedicated, but like she's going through the motions of being a priestess, wanting something more. That something more may just be this kind shepherd boy... Exciting!
The art is lovely, you have been improving! I love the painterly style for the colors, it's so soft and dream-like.
Hey Flor, thanks for the feedback! I'm glad the story demo was engaging and made you excited for the rest of the story!
Haha, that's a good framing of Comaetho: she's a person who did everything for her city, but maybe she is longing for something for herself... What would happen if it were taken away from her!
And thanks for the art, I'm glad I have improved (the things training does you hehe)!
I didn’t get to see the plot beyond the demo but I do quite like it so far. I also love how the priest here is not docile or innocent - she is just someone who has been so used to the violence. Which has been the inverse from most medias I see, where they’re depicted either as monsters or as docile creatures.
Hi, thanks for the feedback and the kind words! Comaetho is indeed meant to be some sort of villainous protagonist (especially later in the story), but the golden rule: the villain has to believe they are the hero of their own story. And as a priestess, I supposed there would indeed be a lot resting on her, and that she had to be very knowledgeable!
I am working hard on the extended demo and intend to release it ASAP, I hope it is going to be as enjoyable!
Weep this was so sweet so far! Which is only making me gird myself all the more for what I know you have in store for these two!! LOL
Everything from the overall vibe and aesthetic, to the art, to the music, to the presentation, and the writing felt so delightfully soft, as though purposefully meant to lure us in unwittingly 😆 The art in general is just gorgeous! The soft color palette that ties everything together really gives this a "shoujo" feel, an almost magical kind of vibe that feels quite fitting somehow to the idea of a young priestess falling in love for the first time! (If only it wouldn't go on to have such disastrous effects lskdjfas) I especially love the way you framed the CGs you've included already, really making them stand out.
I'm already in love with the dynamic between Comaetho and Melanippus. Comaetho having a much greater sense of maturity and calm but lacking of any experience in actually have had a childhood and doing things just for fun and for herself. While Melanippus on the other hand has zero idea when it comes to decorum and is just an utter sweetheart in how his emotions control him so much (from his sheer unadulterated joy at how ending up at the lake must have been a gift, to his sadness as the cow's pain). It made their conversations and interactions so delightful to read, especially seeing them both try to figure each other out (with varying success). I'll be really interested in seeing how their relationship progresses as they are both such sweethearts right now so I couldn't imagine anything bad happening to them sob... (I only wish LKDJAFSD)
Nice sense of dread coming in there towards the end with the convo with Comaetho's parents and then the expertly framed CG of Melanippus's face coming in despite everything she'd been told. A great setup for the ANGST and DRAMA that shall come erelong.
Overall just a wonderful demo that's already got me itching for more and wanting to see how this whole thing is going to come tumbling down... 😎
Hey Carrot, thanks for the feedback! I love how your review is overall "this is so cute which makes me worry for them in the future"
I have to thank you for all your kind comments about the art, the music, the writing and the overall presentation. I had a lot of fun with this game, and I'm happy it already feels quite polished so far in terms of vibes! I'm also very happy that you enjoy the dynamic between the characters and their writing! It was fun to contrast them, and yet, it was indeed important to show that they were somehow made for each other! (To be honest for the sense of dread, the whole cow episode is an allegory for what is going to happen in the game... a lot of foreshadowing loool)
I'm working on releasing the extended demo as soon as possible, so I hope you won't be disappointed!
FIRST OF ALL, the formatting of the game page and the game itself is so aesthetic; I love how nice it is to look at the soft color palette.
I'm excited to see more of the story as the demo updates! Tragic romance slays, especially with the synopsis establishing a dramatic irony that Comaetho and Melanippus are going to fight an uphill battle to keep their relationship.
Hi, thanks for your feedback! Designing game pages isn't fun, but I have to admit the result always makes up for it (at least, when it looks good, haha!)
And I'm glad the demo caught your interest! The extended demo planned will keep things rather sweet too (with just a pinch of drama), but the full game is meant to embrace the tragedy. I hope it won't disappoint!
Where's the rest of the game Chim, I was starting to get invested lsdfsdfskdfj (jkjk, take your time 🫶)
I liked the setting! It was interesting to learn a bit about the priestess's duties and rituals! The game feels sweet and cozy thanks to the soft color palette and the budding romance makes it seem almost like the beginning of a shōjo manga (with sparkles and everything fskfldkflsk). And now I'm patiently waiting for the doom to destroy everything 🙏
(also the line about the stepson was too funny fjksdjflskdjfs)
i'll work on it *lowers head, goes back to his cage to work on the game
More seriously, thanks a lot for your feedback, I'm glad you were getting invested and enjoyed learning more about Comaetho's status as a priestess! And yes, the beginning is very shojo-like (I had a LOT of fun with Melanippus' CGs dfvdfg), I hope the rest of the game is up to the expectations!
(I wanted to include some humour in the game, so I'm glad you found at least this line funny!)
I highly enjoyed this Yanette AU, looking forward to seeing chimeriquement's roster of Yanette AUs expand in the future /s
More seriously, the start to this game is absolutely gorgeous! It does a fantastic job of drawing you into the world and setting up future developments.
The start menu is beautiful, with the soft lighting as the leads are cast in purple-hued shadow. The entire aesthetic of the game is gorgeous, and the soft, painterly pastel style used for the CGs and sprites is lovely, dreamlike, and romantic. I also loved the use of particle effects, which contributed to the dreamlike atmosphere. (Considering where this story goes, I'm sure that this "fairytale-like atmosphere" will contrast well with the "doom of Patras" later on!) I really love the purple/peach color palette used for the GUI; it's really romantic and also contrasts well with the pastel colors used for the artwork.
One of the biggest strengths about the writing is how naturally and efficiently information about the characters' backgrounds and motivations are seamlessly integrated into the narrative without seeming out of place. For instance, Comaetho's training of Cassiopeia naturally transitions into her reflecting on her own experience training as a priestess and the heavy expectations laid upon her. Even before Comaetho's interaction with her parents, the player is introduced to the difference between her and Melanippus' social statuses because they meet while Melanippus comes to perform his first sacrifice: his clear lack of experience with the entire affair communicates how relatively impoverished his family is compared to the people Comaetho usually interacts with, while also emphasizing the respect people in this culture hold for the gods. The two leads are also both lacking relationship experience/much experience with the opposite sex - conveyed through Comaetho's job, and Melanippus' complete lack of shame when undressing in front of the priestess.
The demo does a good job of characterizing the leads and establishing their dynamic. While Comaetho appears to be a soft person, there is a hidden "hardness" to her, as she sees nothing wrong with ruthlessly gutting a cow - she has grown up learning to make such sacrifices, after all. At first you might expect Comaetho to be sheltered and naive, having been confined to the role of priestess for her entire life, but as you play you get the impression that she is actually the more worldly one between herself and Melanippus. From the start, it's clear that Melanippus is the softer, more naive of the two. He's a "country" boy, lacking knowledge about the rituals and customs of the city. At the same time, he's kind and compassionate, unable to bear the sight of his loved ones in pain. And, upon seeing the cow, Comaetho hyperfixates on Melanippus' kindness, and not on the cow's suffering - highlighting her own lack of empathy. Still, despite their differences, the two have an adorable dynamic, with a clear mutual interest in one another and a bumbling, awkward chemistry. The demo does a good job of setting them up as a couple that you want to support.
MINOR SPOILERS FOR THE PLOT BEYOND THE DEMO
I also think that the sacrifice of the cow rather brilliantly reflects and foreshadows the events of the story later on, and, in particular, the attitudes of the two leads towards the carnage. Comaetho is the "aggressor" - the one who sows the violence and chaos, who holds no regret or sadness for the violence that she has wrought. Melanippus, on the other hand, is filled with grief, and yet he is also complacent. He is saddened by the violence, but does nothing about it. While Comaetho holds the sword, Melanippus sits, covered in blood, and mourns (and, in the end, accepts the cow's death).
Overall I really enjoyed this introduction to the story, and I'm looking forward to the carna--I mean, the continuation of this love story!
All my protagonists from now on are going to be variations of Yanette, because she is of course the best thing that's happened to humanity.
And thanks, I did try to have more illustrative CGs this time, as I felt it would give the story more weight! And yes, the GUI was a struggle to design, as it had to be a middle-ground between the game in its current state (pastel and sweet) and the later developments of the plot (with a domination of reddish and vibrant tints): and for the main menu illustration, it was the in-between, the moment when everything changes!
I'm glad you found the exposition natural, I know it's something important for me (especially considering this game, in spirit, is closer to all my games, but for TDOTS trilogy, to what I do in classical theatre, in which making the exposition sound natural is one of the challenges!). And the point of this demo, which is the exposition, was to plant the seeds of Comaetho and Melanippus' relationship, set Comaetho's status and how it participated in making her a sociopath, Cassiopeia as a counterpart, Melanippus' innocence and naïvety... I'm glad you found everything was well-done!
(SPOILERS FOR LATER GAME)
Yes, the cow episode was foreshadowing for their future damnation! What you said is absolutely true, but even more, the cow also represents the two of them, trying to escape from the tragedy, but only making their pain bigger in trying to do that ("tragedy", etymologically, is "the goat's ode", as it is referring to the animal being sacrificed against its will, and being unable to do anything about it!).
Thanks for your feedback Chatter, I appreciate it, and you can get your medal!
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I was saddened when it ended, because I wanted to continue seeing the story unfold! I'm so excited for the drama to come.
So far, this introduction has made me very interested in the story and the characters. Comaetho feels dedicated, but like she's going through the motions of being a priestess, wanting something more. That something more may just be this kind shepherd boy... Exciting!
The art is lovely, you have been improving! I love the painterly style for the colors, it's so soft and dream-like.
All in all, can't wait for more!
Hey Flor, thanks for the feedback! I'm glad the story demo was engaging and made you excited for the rest of the story!
Haha, that's a good framing of Comaetho: she's a person who did everything for her city, but maybe she is longing for something for herself... What would happen if it were taken away from her!
And thanks for the art, I'm glad I have improved (the things training does you hehe)!
I didn’t get to see the plot beyond the demo but I do quite like it so far. I also love how the priest here is not docile or innocent - she is just someone who has been so used to the violence. Which has been the inverse from most medias I see, where they’re depicted either as monsters or as docile creatures.
Can’t wait for more!
Hi, thanks for the feedback and the kind words! Comaetho is indeed meant to be some sort of villainous protagonist (especially later in the story), but the golden rule: the villain has to believe they are the hero of their own story. And as a priestess, I supposed there would indeed be a lot resting on her, and that she had to be very knowledgeable!
I am working hard on the extended demo and intend to release it ASAP, I hope it is going to be as enjoyable!
Can't wait for the full game!
Thanks for your interest! I hope the full game doesn't disappoint!
Weep this was so sweet so far! Which is only making me gird myself all the more for what I know you have in store for these two!! LOL
Everything from the overall vibe and aesthetic, to the art, to the music, to the presentation, and the writing felt so delightfully soft, as though purposefully meant to lure us in unwittingly 😆 The art in general is just gorgeous! The soft color palette that ties everything together really gives this a "shoujo" feel, an almost magical kind of vibe that feels quite fitting somehow to the idea of a young priestess falling in love for the first time! (If only it wouldn't go on to have such disastrous effects lskdjfas) I especially love the way you framed the CGs you've included already, really making them stand out.
I'm already in love with the dynamic between Comaetho and Melanippus. Comaetho having a much greater sense of maturity and calm but lacking of any experience in actually have had a childhood and doing things just for fun and for herself. While Melanippus on the other hand has zero idea when it comes to decorum and is just an utter sweetheart in how his emotions control him so much (from his sheer unadulterated joy at how ending up at the lake must have been a gift, to his sadness as the cow's pain). It made their conversations and interactions so delightful to read, especially seeing them both try to figure each other out (with varying success). I'll be really interested in seeing how their relationship progresses as they are both such sweethearts right now so I couldn't imagine anything bad happening to them sob... (I only wish LKDJAFSD)
Nice sense of dread coming in there towards the end with the convo with Comaetho's parents and then the expertly framed CG of Melanippus's face coming in despite everything she'd been told. A great setup for the ANGST and DRAMA that shall come erelong.
Overall just a wonderful demo that's already got me itching for more and wanting to see how this whole thing is going to come tumbling down... 😎
Hey Carrot, thanks for the feedback! I love how your review is overall "this is so cute which makes me worry for them in the future"
I have to thank you for all your kind comments about the art, the music, the writing and the overall presentation. I had a lot of fun with this game, and I'm happy it already feels quite polished so far in terms of vibes! I'm also very happy that you enjoy the dynamic between the characters and their writing! It was fun to contrast them, and yet, it was indeed important to show that they were somehow made for each other! (To be honest for the sense of dread, the whole cow episode is an allegory for what is going to happen in the game... a lot of foreshadowing loool)
I'm working on releasing the extended demo as soon as possible, so I hope you won't be disappointed!
FIRST OF ALL, the formatting of the game page and the game itself is so aesthetic; I love how nice it is to look at the soft color palette.
I'm excited to see more of the story as the demo updates! Tragic romance slays, especially with the synopsis establishing a dramatic irony that Comaetho and Melanippus are going to fight an uphill battle to keep their relationship.
Hi, thanks for your feedback! Designing game pages isn't fun, but I have to admit the result always makes up for it (at least, when it looks good, haha!)
And I'm glad the demo caught your interest! The extended demo planned will keep things rather sweet too (with just a pinch of drama), but the full game is meant to embrace the tragedy. I hope it won't disappoint!
Where's the rest of the game Chim, I was starting to get invested lsdfsdfskdfj (jkjk, take your time 🫶)
I liked the setting! It was interesting to learn a bit about the priestess's duties and rituals! The game feels sweet and cozy thanks to the soft color palette and the budding romance makes it seem almost like the beginning of a shōjo manga (with sparkles and everything fskfldkflsk). And now I'm patiently waiting for the doom to destroy everything 🙏
(also the line about the stepson was too funny fjksdjflskdjfs)
i'll work on it *lowers head, goes back to his cage to work on the game
More seriously, thanks a lot for your feedback, I'm glad you were getting invested and enjoyed learning more about Comaetho's status as a priestess! And yes, the beginning is very shojo-like (I had a LOT of fun with Melanippus' CGs dfvdfg), I hope the rest of the game is up to the expectations!
(I wanted to include some humour in the game, so I'm glad you found at least this line funny!)
I highly enjoyed this Yanette AU, looking forward to seeing chimeriquement's roster of Yanette AUs expand in the future /s
More seriously, the start to this game is absolutely gorgeous! It does a fantastic job of drawing you into the world and setting up future developments.
The start menu is beautiful, with the soft lighting as the leads are cast in purple-hued shadow. The entire aesthetic of the game is gorgeous, and the soft, painterly pastel style used for the CGs and sprites is lovely, dreamlike, and romantic. I also loved the use of particle effects, which contributed to the dreamlike atmosphere. (Considering where this story goes, I'm sure that this "fairytale-like atmosphere" will contrast well with the "doom of Patras" later on!) I really love the purple/peach color palette used for the GUI; it's really romantic and also contrasts well with the pastel colors used for the artwork.
One of the biggest strengths about the writing is how naturally and efficiently information about the characters' backgrounds and motivations are seamlessly integrated into the narrative without seeming out of place. For instance, Comaetho's training of Cassiopeia naturally transitions into her reflecting on her own experience training as a priestess and the heavy expectations laid upon her. Even before Comaetho's interaction with her parents, the player is introduced to the difference between her and Melanippus' social statuses because they meet while Melanippus comes to perform his first sacrifice: his clear lack of experience with the entire affair communicates how relatively impoverished his family is compared to the people Comaetho usually interacts with, while also emphasizing the respect people in this culture hold for the gods. The two leads are also both lacking relationship experience/much experience with the opposite sex - conveyed through Comaetho's job, and Melanippus' complete lack of shame when undressing in front of the priestess.
The demo does a good job of characterizing the leads and establishing their dynamic. While Comaetho appears to be a soft person, there is a hidden "hardness" to her, as she sees nothing wrong with ruthlessly gutting a cow - she has grown up learning to make such sacrifices, after all. At first you might expect Comaetho to be sheltered and naive, having been confined to the role of priestess for her entire life, but as you play you get the impression that she is actually the more worldly one between herself and Melanippus. From the start, it's clear that Melanippus is the softer, more naive of the two. He's a "country" boy, lacking knowledge about the rituals and customs of the city. At the same time, he's kind and compassionate, unable to bear the sight of his loved ones in pain. And, upon seeing the cow, Comaetho hyperfixates on Melanippus' kindness, and not on the cow's suffering - highlighting her own lack of empathy. Still, despite their differences, the two have an adorable dynamic, with a clear mutual interest in one another and a bumbling, awkward chemistry. The demo does a good job of setting them up as a couple that you want to support.
MINOR SPOILERS FOR THE PLOT BEYOND THE DEMO
I also think that the sacrifice of the cow rather brilliantly reflects and foreshadows the events of the story later on, and, in particular, the attitudes of the two leads towards the carnage. Comaetho is the "aggressor" - the one who sows the violence and chaos, who holds no regret or sadness for the violence that she has wrought. Melanippus, on the other hand, is filled with grief, and yet he is also complacent. He is saddened by the violence, but does nothing about it. While Comaetho holds the sword, Melanippus sits, covered in blood, and mourns (and, in the end, accepts the cow's death).
Overall I really enjoyed this introduction to the story, and I'm looking forward to the carna--I mean, the continuation of this love story!
All my protagonists from now on are going to be variations of Yanette, because she is of course the best thing that's happened to humanity.
And thanks, I did try to have more illustrative CGs this time, as I felt it would give the story more weight! And yes, the GUI was a struggle to design, as it had to be a middle-ground between the game in its current state (pastel and sweet) and the later developments of the plot (with a domination of reddish and vibrant tints): and for the main menu illustration, it was the in-between, the moment when everything changes!
I'm glad you found the exposition natural, I know it's something important for me (especially considering this game, in spirit, is closer to all my games, but for TDOTS trilogy, to what I do in classical theatre, in which making the exposition sound natural is one of the challenges!). And the point of this demo, which is the exposition, was to plant the seeds of Comaetho and Melanippus' relationship, set Comaetho's status and how it participated in making her a sociopath, Cassiopeia as a counterpart, Melanippus' innocence and naïvety... I'm glad you found everything was well-done!
(SPOILERS FOR LATER GAME)
Yes, the cow episode was foreshadowing for their future damnation! What you said is absolutely true, but even more, the cow also represents the two of them, trying to escape from the tragedy, but only making their pain bigger in trying to do that ("tragedy", etymologically, is "the goat's ode", as it is referring to the animal being sacrificed against its will, and being unable to do anything about it!).
Thanks for your feedback Chatter, I appreciate it, and you can get your medal!