The Path of Totality

this might be the last review i write this ifcomp (though ive played some games i haven't reviewed and i hope to still play more), bc im getting really busy, but i wanted to be sure to get to this one after the author's response to my review of fantasy opera.

this game is set in a fantasy world where you are journeying to see an eclipse and be blessed by a goddess. the setting is based on england but felt more like it's own thing compared to the setting of fantasy opera because of the focus on the religion, which i thought was really interesting.

this is the only game ive played that let me choose they/she as my characters pronouns and i was honestly so excited? which is silly maybe but it's nice to be able to match my real life preferences for once. there was a they/he character as well which was also cool to see. i am glad the game introduced the character jade before it asked me to put my name in though, that could have been really confusing (as that is the name i usually go by) 💀

along the way you meet various companions and can romance one of them. this felt much better integrated than in fantasy opera. i liked all the characters a lot and enjoyed romancing the shapeshifter.

there are also lots of opportunities to stop and talk to random people along the way or to take a moment to experience nature. in a lot of ways it felt like this was the real point of the game, like it's not the destination it's the journey, yk? maybe the real blessing of lorell is the friends we made along the way. and seeing an otter. /gen

anyway i don't know if this is like objectively the best or anything - it seems like other people haven't been rating it so high? - but it was just about perfect for me!