Ratings and Reviews by LoquySSS46

Easily deserving at least a 9/10 in IFComp metrics, it VERY strongly executed its plot. Though fairly easy relative to the level I'm more used to with IF, the puzzles and riddles provided just the right amount of challenge to be rewarding (and sometimes quite humorous) and not hamper the flow of the plot and worldbuilding in any way! It really felt immersive with how everything seemed to happen at the same (namely your tasks and intrigue springing up quite dynamically). As well, everything was very well thought out and meticulously planned with foreshadowing and hints were very well integrated into the text itself! (Spoiler - click to show)I especially liked how you needing to write "quit", a common command in IF, to stip using the compass made it extremely natural for the player to quit their job as valet at the end after fiddling with complass for the last time.

I thoroughly enjoyed; It was right up my alley with the likes of Zork. In contrast with its predecessor, however, narrative elements, aside from the obviously "plot-heavy" prologue, are even sprinkled here and there throughout your exploration of the site, itself pleasantly interlaced with decent atmospheric descriptions that sucks you in. The game also offers a great sense of purpose and has quite the enjoyable personality.
One thing I will lament is that, given the short nature of this game, I felt that the very abrupt ending leaves the player out to dry, with no satisfactory resolution and leaving several elements and objects unexplained. The latter rings particularly true in regard to the glowing sphere and the relic-glasses, which were not explained and hardly used, if at all. At once, there was an intriguing battle mechanic only used for a single short-lived occasion. Still fun, though, and deserves to be elaborated upon!

This game finally opened my eyes to what Twine IF is all about. Until now, I had mostly ignored anything not parser-based as it just didn't seem like my cup of tea or didn't feel as interactive as I would like. However, this game just stepped it up to a whole new level! It finds a way to make you thoroughly and wholeheartedly invested in the wellbeing of the community and its members. Indeed, as you get to know and befriend a few, you quickly get quite attached to them and yearn to learn more about their life stories, which are given out very naturally and charmingly whilst exploring different facets of identity and grief. YET, it's ALSO a friggin' cooking game, and it's a blast making up and planning out different meal combinations for each community supper and exploring all the small things to do. The game itself was somewhat easy and I only managed to finish the last side character's story line in the nick of time before the end of the game. It was just marvelous all throughout and made me stay up 'til almost 3am! Truly, the endearing way everything is presented makes you grow very fond of it all!