I just discovered you and have been playing this game for a while. I want you to have many great ideas and I think your games have much potential to be successful. There aren't that many Western porn games that focus on story and mystery unlike Japanese eroge so to see something with an interesting style and aesthetic among the generic sea of h games is amazing. However, I think there are things you need to improve upon first.
1. MUSIC: The OST isn't bad however the appropriate usage of it on events and locations is questionable. For example, there are many scenes where calm music should be playing but instead have more energetic drums that do not fit the situation. And it can be a bit repetitive hearing the same track repeatedly in the same area. Try using different music for each area to give it more life. I don't know if you're composing your tracks or not but in case you are and you don't want to keep making your tracks don't be afraid to use non-copyright tracks. I have played many great RPG games that use non-copyright music and they still feel natural and great.
2. GAMEPLAY: A lot of the gameplay feels grindy and unnecessary. It's hard to explain but for example the library. To complete many of the quests you have to go to the library all over again back and forth between maps to complete the quest. This is problematic since it feels less like we're solving a puzzle and more like a back-and-forth. Here's a common situation: During the robbery quest we are required to go to the library to find out how to complete the quest. Once we get the bat the player does the normal thing and goes to the store to complete the quest. Then it turns out you need to go to the library again to complete the quest and turn on the event. This isn't just for the library as well. Some situations kind of feel like a hassle to get through and I think it's better to keep things simple.
3. GAME OVER: When you get a game over you are forced to back to the title screen again. This might be fine if the game-over scenarios were rare but on my first date, I was forced to boot up the title screen 10 times. Not only that but players can be softlocked if they make the wrong choice forcing them to go back which can be very annoying. Make sure that losing is the least annoying as possible for the player.
4. WRITING: While not the best it is certainly very unique and quirky. Just try to rewrite and polish as much as possible to make sure the dialogue is natural and engaging. Remember not to drag on the dialogue too long or make things too obvious (show don't tell). I have also noticed there are many grammatical errors although that's nothing a bit of polish can fix. Try using a grammar-checking site like Grammarly or Wordtune.
5. Nitpicks: Most RPG games use another key for the menu like Esc, M, and especially X. So I don't know why you put it as 0. My keyboard doesn't have a numpad so this might apply just to me but it's best to keep the keys simple and accessible. Also, some of the transitions were kind of slow although that might be just for me.
I am sorry if this review seems a bit confusing since I am not good with English nor at reviewing (not to mention this was your first project so you probably already improved lots) but in summary I think that with a bit of polish and studying you could really make something that explodes. Try marketing yourself more often on sites like Newgrounds or YouTube and try to reach out to the target audience you want to appeal to with your games. Anyway, thanks for reading my shitty review and good luck!
Hey, Super!!!!! To clear the park route with Cammy you must get the best ending in the two other dates. It's a little more complicated than I wanted so if you need further help reach me on my discord.
I have played this game a lot. I did all the possible routes. I can say that this game is the best Dating Sim I ever played. It is one of a kind game and I hope that one day we can learn how the story ends in each route because I really enjoyed each one.
Hey, NiikTheFemboy! You're right, lacking in romanceable boys. I'll see what I can do about it, but this version is probably going to stay as it is since the engine is pretty outdated.
Aye this game is great even with safety on but I think the biggest problem other than the puzzle hints and getting soft locked on the Cammy park date would just be you cant go and have more than one girlfriend. I'm just saying this cause it would be so cool if you are lets say in relationship with Sheep and you're on a date with Cammy and she has a show in the bar and then a fight breaks out as sheep goes crazy and lashes out at you for going on a date with another girl. Making you have to set up a show for sheep some other place and go on this secret date with Cammy. Which just would really bring a lot of life into the game giving you another thing to worry about that's also realistic.
Hey, Missing! First, thank you for playing Vespertilio. Your idea sounds great. Never thought about it as you mentioned. I'd surely consider this scenario for upcoming updates. That would be a hilarious event to watch.
And don't worry, I'm already aware of the soft locks and will be looking forward to straightening them.
For now, stay tuned, and if you have more to say feel free to reach me on any social media you feel comfortable to. Stay safe!
Aye Red I just wanna say thanks for responding but I would like to ask you do you have a discord I could message you on, I say this because I cant access twitter my phone isn't working oh and happy late new years and hope you stay safe
I absolutely adore the atmosphere and world of this game! I hope it gets some attention because it deserves it! one thing I was wondering, are the little grammatical mistakes planned to be ironed out since that's one of the only major things in the game lacking wonderful levels of polish.
I love this game one of if not the best game ive experienced on itchtio! But if you play this game be sure to save often in different save files because i got soft locked like 6 times cause im stupid
and as for something you can change maybe a hint system for some of the puzzles or dates? It doesnt have to tell you exactly what to do but maybe just a little helpful hint
Hey, Mac-N-Cheese Man! First of all, thank you for playing Vespertilio! Also, you're not stupid: Soft locks aren't supposed to happen, and if there is one, it may be a problem. About the hints, you will find some help within the journal logs, and some more help using the PC at Exotic Shop, but again, if they're not helping enough, it may be another problem. I invite you to contact me via private messaging or emailing me via redpinescorp@gmail.com, so we can make this game work better! Thus said... Thank you for such great words, I really appreciate your post! :-)
First off I would like to say sorry for the VERY late reply. Secondly about the soft lock it was on a date with phoebe where you watch a movie and have to memorize the details, I had rewritten my one save and forgotten the details so i had to restart, I also got stuck in the past bit but I think thats just the game not being complete. Besides those very small gripes however I really loved this game (So much where I made a account just so I could comment and rate.). Though I never finished all of the girls routes I did a portion and I am going to replay it from the start so I'll try to write down bugs or typos when i run into them. I hope you keep developing this game and if you could tell me anyway I could help or support that would be great.
EDIT: About the solution to that soft lock maybe like a system where if you fail a date it would restart the date instead of making you load a save however I am not a developer and dont know anything about game design or stuff like that so that may not be a good solution.
Hey, MAC-N-CHEESE MAN, it's good to have news from you again. What you told me is true, soft locks like these are bad for gameplay, I may pay attention to these now. Thank you it was very hopeful, I'd love to hear more from you often. Feel free to talk to me whenever you like to.
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I just discovered you and have been playing this game for a while. I want you to have many great ideas and I think your games have much potential to be successful. There aren't that many Western porn games that focus on story and mystery unlike Japanese eroge so to see something with an interesting style and aesthetic among the generic sea of h games is amazing. However, I think there are things you need to improve upon first.
1. MUSIC: The OST isn't bad however the appropriate usage of it on events and locations is questionable. For example, there are many scenes where calm music should be playing but instead have more energetic drums that do not fit the situation. And it can be a bit repetitive hearing the same track repeatedly in the same area. Try using different music for each area to give it more life. I don't know if you're composing your tracks or not but in case you are and you don't want to keep making your tracks don't be afraid to use non-copyright tracks. I have played many great RPG games that use non-copyright music and they still feel natural and great.
2. GAMEPLAY: A lot of the gameplay feels grindy and unnecessary. It's hard to explain but for example the library. To complete many of the quests you have to go to the library all over again back and forth between maps to complete the quest. This is problematic since it feels less like we're solving a puzzle and more like a back-and-forth. Here's a common situation: During the robbery quest we are required to go to the library to find out how to complete the quest. Once we get the bat the player does the normal thing and goes to the store to complete the quest. Then it turns out you need to go to the library again to complete the quest and turn on the event. This isn't just for the library as well. Some situations kind of feel like a hassle to get through and I think it's better to keep things simple.
3. GAME OVER: When you get a game over you are forced to back to the title screen again. This might be fine if the game-over scenarios were rare but on my first date, I was forced to boot up the title screen 10 times. Not only that but players can be softlocked if they make the wrong choice forcing them to go back which can be very annoying. Make sure that losing is the least annoying as possible for the player.
4. WRITING: While not the best it is certainly very unique and quirky. Just try to rewrite and polish as much as possible to make sure the dialogue is natural and engaging. Remember not to drag on the dialogue too long or make things too obvious (show don't tell). I have also noticed there are many grammatical errors although that's nothing a bit of polish can fix. Try using a grammar-checking site like Grammarly or Wordtune.
5. Nitpicks: Most RPG games use another key for the menu like Esc, M, and especially X. So I don't know why you put it as 0. My keyboard doesn't have a numpad so this might apply just to me but it's best to keep the keys simple and accessible. Also, some of the transitions were kind of slow although that might be just for me.
I am sorry if this review seems a bit confusing since I am not good with English nor at reviewing (not to mention this was your first project so you probably already improved lots) but in summary I think that with a bit of polish and studying you could really make something that explodes. Try marketing yourself more often on sites like Newgrounds or YouTube and try to reach out to the target audience you want to appeal to with your games. Anyway, thanks for reading my shitty review and good luck!
Hey, Unis BS2 Fan!
It's a big review! I thank you for every single word written on it, not to mention the time you took to play the game. I am very glad.
I'll keep it in mind and try my best to improve my projects! Stay safe
How do I stop the soft lock in cammys park route? Where do I find the person the clown girl has to apoligize to?
Hey, Super!!!!! To clear the park route with Cammy you must get the best ending in the two other dates. It's a little more complicated than I wanted so if you need further help reach me on my discord.
I have played this game a lot. I did all the possible routes. I can say that this game is the best Dating Sim I ever played. It is one of a kind game and I hope that one day we can learn how the story ends in each route because I really enjoyed each one.
Hey, Dretix! Thank you so much for your comment. Your feedback is very important to me to keep working on it!
Best game ever...
SAY YEAH!
Hey, SantosCanelones! Thank you for playing! Say yeah!
...:c why there is no boys here?
Hey, NiikTheFemboy! You're right, lacking in romanceable boys. I'll see what I can do about it, but this version is probably going to stay as it is since the engine is pretty outdated.
thanks :D
Aye this game is great even with safety on but I think the biggest problem other than the puzzle hints and getting soft locked on the Cammy park date would just be you cant go and have more than one girlfriend. I'm just saying this cause it would be so cool if you are lets say in relationship with Sheep and you're on a date with Cammy and she has a show in the bar and then a fight breaks out as sheep goes crazy and lashes out at you for going on a date with another girl. Making you have to set up a show for sheep some other place and go on this secret date with Cammy. Which just would really bring a lot of life into the game giving you another thing to worry about that's also realistic.
Hey, Missing! First, thank you for playing Vespertilio. Your idea sounds great. Never thought about it as you mentioned. I'd surely consider this scenario for upcoming updates. That would be a hilarious event to watch.
And don't worry, I'm already aware of the soft locks and will be looking forward to straightening them.
For now, stay tuned, and if you have more to say feel free to reach me on any social media you feel comfortable to. Stay safe!
Aye Red I just wanna say thanks for responding but I would like to ask you do you have a discord I could message you on, I say this because I cant access twitter my phone isn't working oh and happy late new years and hope you stay safe
Sure, my ID is RedPinesCorp#0747. Waiting for your answer.
Im Lucki#4287 on discord
I absolutely adore the atmosphere and world of this game! I hope it gets some attention because it deserves it! one thing I was wondering, are the little grammatical mistakes planned to be ironed out since that's one of the only major things in the game lacking wonderful levels of polish.
Hey potat man!
Thank you playing Vespertilio! Your comment means a lot and earning your attention is already very nice!
And worry not, there is a hard work to find and slay every little grammar mistake!
Stay safe!
I love this game one of if not the best game ive experienced on itchtio! But if you play this game be sure to save often in different save files because i got soft locked like 6 times cause im stupid
and as for something you can change maybe a hint system for some of the puzzles or dates? It doesnt have to tell you exactly what to do but maybe just a little helpful hint
Hey, Mac-N-Cheese Man! First of all, thank you for playing Vespertilio! Also, you're not stupid: Soft locks aren't supposed to happen, and if there is one, it may be a problem. About the hints, you will find some help within the journal logs, and some more help using the PC at Exotic Shop, but again, if they're not helping enough, it may be another problem. I invite you to contact me via private messaging or emailing me via redpinescorp@gmail.com, so we can make this game work better! Thus said... Thank you for such great words, I really appreciate your post! :-)
First off I would like to say sorry for the VERY late reply. Secondly about the soft lock it was on a date with phoebe where you watch a movie and have to memorize the details, I had rewritten my one save and forgotten the details so i had to restart, I also got stuck in the past bit but I think thats just the game not being complete. Besides those very small gripes however I really loved this game (So much where I made a account just so I could comment and rate.). Though I never finished all of the girls routes I did a portion and I am going to replay it from the start so I'll try to write down bugs or typos when i run into them. I hope you keep developing this game and if you could tell me anyway I could help or support that would be great.
EDIT: About the solution to that soft lock maybe like a system where if you fail a date it would restart the date instead of making you load a save however I am not a developer and dont know anything about game design or stuff like that so that may not be a good solution.
Hey, MAC-N-CHEESE MAN, it's good to have news from you again. What you told me is true, soft locks like these are bad for gameplay, I may pay attention to these now. Thank you it was very hopeful, I'd love to hear more from you often. Feel free to talk to me whenever you like to.
Nice game
I liked the idea of the game
Unfortunately it is not known
Hey, amro1s!
Knowing that the game is nice is already a good start!
Thank you for the comment!
Nice start
good job
Beautiful progress
Good luck with the project, my friend