Nicole 0.8.1 (demo preview)

[jack1974]

Yes that's what I plan to do, have an optional tutorial at the beginning which will explain everything, including the stat values needed

[Jackrabbit]

I actually liked it was in the dialogue, like Ted ranting about the importance of diligence. Makes it seem like the stats are a part of the character, rather than arbitrary numbers. So I would like there to be some hints in the game, if you don't want it spelled out for you in the tutorial (since it does take some of the joy of discovery out).

[Svanhildr]

^ That sounds neat

[jack1974]

Yes need to check if the others give hints the same way, not sure. Anyway I don't think would be hard to guess which is the main stat for each boy, but the secondary would be more difficult, so probably will need to explain it clearly somehow

[biscuit]

Ooh, end of September. *fingers crossed*

So far, I am most intrigued by Ted and Darren, even though I know they are complete opposites, they are very well written! So are the other two (whose names I forget at the moment...) but they just don't appeal as much to my personal preferences.

The dialogue revealing which stats are important to them was useful, and while I'm sure I could later look it up with a guide or something similar, it gives a more refreshing in-game feel to it; makes the stat raising seem more natural, instead of just trying to reach arbitrary numbers, as Jackrabbit said.

I know this might delay things, but... at least in the tutorial, I felt like I was sort of randomly clicking and hoping that eventually scenes would trigger. (I realize stat-raising is still important, but it can be boring once you figure out the gaming aspects!) Even little bits of flavor text would be fun, beyond the 'class was terrible!' or 'I really learned a lot today!'. Flavor text like "Wow, I never thought about it that way before!" or "I think it's lousy how Watson and Crick totally stomped all over Rosalind Franklin!"

[jack1974]

I know this might delay things, but... at least in the tutorial, I felt like I was sort of randomly clicking and hoping that eventually scenes would trigger. (I realize stat-raising is still important, but it can be boring once you figure out the gaming aspects!) Even little bits of flavor text would be fun, beyond the 'class was terrible!' or 'I really learned a lot today!'. Flavor text like "Wow, I never thought about it that way before!" or "I think it's lousy how Watson and Crick totally stomped all over Rosalind Franklin!"

Yes, I plan to add a lot of flavor texts with the help of the yuri writer so main writer can work hard to finish the remaining parts. In general the gameplay will be like that, if you don't follow the mystery (there'll be also the mystery scenes in the final game to break the stats-raising gameplay monotony).

[Valorous_Roland]

Oh wow, I finally played the demo and I am hooked! It's fantastic! Granted, without a guide, I'll probably really mess up, but... I was really great! I can't wait to get it.

So far, I love Nicole (she's a great heroine!) and the boys are very different and interesting. I guess I'll spoiler this?
Jeff:

Spoiler:

I knew there was something off about Jeff when I first met him, but I, like Nicole, got a little wrapped up in the perfect-ness of him (not like Mary-Sue perfect-ness, but just being one of those really cool guys that kind and sweet and friendly)... But his reveal! I need to see more! I imagine the romance with him will be really, really interesting. He seems almost like a villain, and I love having romances with villains/former villains. Jeff really interests me. I like Ted a bit more, but I think I'll romance him first!

Ted:

Spoiler:

This isn't really spoiler-y, but since I did it for Jeff... He's probably my favorite guy. I think he's really cute (Ted: "No man wants to be called 'cute'!" ). And I love his determination and even if he's a little... Tactless, he tries. He makes a good pair with Nicole.

Kurt:

Spoiler:

Normally, I like the confident guy in games like this, but when they're the arrogant and perverted type... Meh. I thought I wasn't going to like him, but, over the course of the demo, I started liking him more and more. Imagine what the game will do!

Darren:

Spoiler:

Eh, I don't dislike him, but... He's just not my guy. The shyness is cute, but him online bugs me. Also, maybe a suggestion: perhaps don't show the romanceable guys until you meet them? Because talking to Voix online and having Darren's affection go up... I know it's revealed early, but I knew who he was before I met him...

All in all, super excited! I can't want to see more of this game. This is the first demo I played, and now I see why they're so effective!
Keep up the great work!

[jack1974]

Glad you liked it about showing the affection, indeed I'll change it so it doesn't show an increase until you met each boy, so it's not too obvious who Voix is.

[Nightsnow]

The Voix thing was a secret, I thought it was meant to be obvious.

[Sparky]

Yeah, it's not supposed to be too big of a secret, and it is pretty obvious for the most part, haha.