Oh my god, Viatica is phenomenal. I just have to say—thank you, for creating this absolute masterpiece. The way you write romance?? INSANE. I’m obsessed. Every single interaction has so much depth and emotion, and I genuinely feel the chemistry between characters. It doesn’t feel forced or rushed—just natural, real, and so heartbreakingly beautiful at times. And the characters??? They feel so alive. Like, they aren’t just NPCs standing around like lifeless ornaments in an IF. They have actual personalities, emotions, motivations—even the minor ones! I found myself getting attached to characters I didn’t even expect to care about. That’s how good your writing is. I can’t even describe how much I love this.

The plot itself is so unique too. It’s not just a romance game—it’s an experience. Every choice feels meaningful, every moment has weight, and I was completely hooked from start to finish. I don’t even know how to put into words how much I love this story.

THANK YOU for sharing this with the world. I am forever grateful. Please never stop writing.

I absolutely love this game! The character customization is top-tier—so many options to truly make the MC feel personal and unique. The writing is immersive, the worldbuilding is rich, and the themes are beautifully explored. I also love how each RO feels distinct and well-developed. The way the story balances mystery, tension, and heartfelt moments is just chef’s kiss. Huge props to the dev for creating such an engaging and thoughtful interactive fiction. Can’t wait to see where this story goes.

Lmao, I thought of that too. Rohan just gives Luka vibes—their appearance is also similar to Luka. 😭

This was such a breathtakingly beautiful experience. This left me absolutely heartbroken in the best way possible—I was in tears while reading this. The atmosphere, the writing, and the emotions woven into the story were so powerful. I miss Elias so much already (Please come back Elias my shayla)… Thank you for creating something so deeply moving and unforgettable.

Thank you so much for preserving this beautiful piece of work! I remember playing the demo back on Dashingdon, and it was such an unforgettable experience. The story was captivating, and the characters were so wonderfully written—they truly stayed with me. Your worldbuilding and narrative style were mesmerizing, and I'm so glad others will still have the chance to enjoy this gem. It’s such a thoughtful decision to migrate it to itch.io, and I deeply appreciate the effort you've put into maintaining it for posterity. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Oh, wow, that’s honestly disappointing to hear but not entirely surprising. It’s such a bad look for an author to respond to legitimate feedback by complaining on their platform instead of actually addressing the concerns in a meaningful way. Like, doubling down and dismissing valid points as just “haters being haters” or using their fanbase to create an echo chamber? That’s not how you grow as a writer or improve your work. It’s especially frustrating because the issues you and others have brought up aren’t nitpicks—they’re fundamental flaws in the way the romances are structured.

The fact that they only recently added the poly-lock disclaimer feels like a band-aid fix rather than taking responsibility for misleading players who don’t enjoy that kind of dynamic. It’s great that they might be slightly more open to criticism now, but if that’s the only noticeable change, it’s hard to feel like they’re genuinely listening to feedback rather than just doing the bare minimum to avoid backlash.

What’s worse is the damage has already been done for so many players who invested time and emotional energy into these romances, only to feel blindsided by how poorly the routes are handled. It’s not like people are saying “Poly bad” here; it’s about how the dynamics are written in a way that actively makes players feel invalidated and secondary, even in the supposedly monogamous routes.

If they’re truly open to criticism now, hopefully, they’ll take a hard look at how these issues affect the player experience instead of brushing it off or just pandering to their most vocal supporters. But yeah, considering how long it took just to put a disclaimer on Steam, I wouldn’t hold my breath for anything substantial. At the end of the day, authors who prioritize echo chambers over constructive feedback are only limiting their own growth—and, honestly, their audience too.

I’m so glad my words helped articulate what you were feeling!

Honestly, it’s kind of wild how the author handled the romance in this game. I get that they were probably trying to explore complex relationship dynamics, but the execution? Well, let's just say it didn’t quite hit the mark. If you’re going to give players the option of a monogamous route, at least actually make it feel like a valid choice, right? Instead, the game sets it up where you’re always secondary to the poly route, even if you’re supposedly on the monogamous path. It's like they said, “Hey, you can romance this character, but also, here's this other person who matters more, and you’re just kind of here for the ride.” That’s not romance; that’s just being the backup dancer to a show you’ll never headline.

Now, I get the whole “trauma and unresolved feelings” thing, but if you're going to have your character wrestle with their past, maybe give the MC a shot at feeling like they’re actually the one in the relationship, not a placeholder while the character works out their issues. In Gabriel’s case, it feels like you’re just... well, waiting for the moment where he turns back to Belladonna, because deep down, that’s where his heart is. And don’t even get me started on the “poly route choice.” It’s one decision that feels more like the game is saying, “Hey, either accept this mess or watch them go back to each other. Your choice!” Except it’s not really a choice when the game practically forces you into that situation, and it leaves you wondering if the author actually understood what the term monogamous means.

And the way it’s all handled with this big dramatic tension—like, yes, we get it, Gabriel and Belladonna have issues—but do we have to be involved in this melodrama, constantly pushed into a corner where we can never win? It’s one thing to explore complex relationships, but it’s another thing entirely to leave the player feeling like an afterthought, like they're just the person standing in the background while the real drama unfolds.

It’s such a shame because the world-building and atmosphere are so immersive, but this handling of the poly and monogamous routes feels like a betrayal. The romance should be empowering, but instead, it feels like the MC is caught in a relationship that they can never truly win. Hopefully, this feedback will get the attention it deserves, and maybe the author can address these issues in a way that makes all routes feel equally valid and fulfilling.

I completely agree with this sentiment, especially regarding Gabe’s route. As someone who has only played Gabe’s solo route, I found the experience deeply disappointing and, frankly, emotionally draining. Going into the story, I expected a romance centered on my MC and Gabe, one that would allow the relationship to develop organically and meaningfully. However, what I encountered felt more like an unspoken waiting game, where I was merely filling the void left by Belladonna rather than being a genuine romantic partner.

The fact that Gabe’s supposed "solo route" feels so heavily influenced by his unresolved feelings for his ex is extremely off-putting. Instead of feeling like a true choice, the route comes across as though the MC is just a placeholder until Gabe and Belladonna eventually reconcile. Even in moments where the tension between them is palpable, there’s an undeniable sense that their connection is too strong to compete with, leaving the MC to feel like an afterthought.

This approach to romance—especially in a game marketed for its romance options—is particularly hurtful for players like me who don’t enjoy or want non-monogamous relationships. It creates a sense of betrayal, as if the choice to pursue Gabe was invalid from the start because the narrative doesn’t fully respect or explore the solo relationship. Instead of fostering a fulfilling connection, it constantly feels like the game is nudging you toward accepting the poly route, even if that’s not what you wanted or signed up for.

I understand that polyamorous relationships can be a central theme in some stories, but the way it’s handled here feels manipulative. If Gabe truly had a preference for polyamory, that should have been made clear from the start rather than giving players the illusion of choice. It’s especially painful to invest time and emotions into building a connection with Gabe, only to repeatedly feel like the MC is second-best or, worse, simply "filling a hole."

For a game that thrives on its immersive world and complex relationships, it’s a shame that the romance dynamics—particularly for players seeking monogamous routes—feel so sidelined and undermined. Hopefully, the author will address these issues moving forward and provide clearer communication about the romantic expectations for each character, so players can make informed decisions about the routes they want to explore.

i hope u won't abandon us 😔🙏 (i'm tired of wips being dropped suddenly or ghosted)