Number of Reviews: 2
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Reflection in cycling sonnets, July 31, 2022The gameplay is extremely simple. Each turn, or "act," you choose two qualities from an action list and a manner list. For example, I could choose "fast" from the action list and "eagerly" from the manner list. The game then combines these two factors into a sonnet. The whole process repeats itself. You can make as many sonnets as you want and there is no ending. It ends when you no longer feel like playing.
The authors seem to take a reflective approach in the notes section of their game by explaining the process of cycling sonnets to tell a story. In this case, stories are produced gradually, and emerge through patient reiterations of sonnets formed by the player. According to the notes, an individual story cycle can easily involve the creation of a hundred sonnets (although less will work as well), and that the process of this would hopefully provide a centered and meditative experience. But from a practical standpoint, players are likely to only give this game a go for a few rounds, possibly not as much as the game intended. The sonnets are quite similar to each other at first glance. Carefully reading them reveals their differences, and within that, paints a story, but you have to feel compelled approach it slowly. I am not sure if players are going to stick with it. I tried for a bit, but it is easy to experiment with different word combinations without focusing on the sonnets that are produced from them.
The notes continue on and leave things open-ended. If you are curious to know more, read them and test the game out to see what you think.
Final thought: I liked the peach colour scheme with the pink links. It made things feel more stylized and complete.