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youshiai · 1 year ago

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Lovebrush Chronicles, Thoughs on Story and route ranking type of thingy

~ Disclaimer: These are personal impressions ~

Now that I've completed Eden in its entirety, I've been wanting to compile some of my thoughts about the story, and even rank all the routes, according to my personal preference as well as my opinions about this game's narrative quality.

I'm in no way a professional writer but I would consider myself at least decently knowledgeable about what makes a story memorable, and what does not (Questionable).

So, without any further ado, lesss goo~~

In a general sense, my favorite world was, no doubt, Godheim!

Eden unfortunately became way too formulaic. The first three routes had a very defined pattern between the days going by and how MC's relationship with the particular boy would develop as well as its conclusion. Not much information and perspective was given on the overall plot between these routes, with the exception of maybe, Lars's. Still, I did not particularly enjoy how Alkaid was treated be it on Lars's route or any other in Eden, for that matter. I personally think they failed in showing, in a more engaging manner, his struggles and shortcomings. And I also don't like how in the exposure we would get at the end of each route, he would always be seen and treated in such a nonchalant black or white manner. It made him feel like such a cartoonish villain at times.

Another point I did not particularly enjoy is how MC's personality, drive, decision making, and observation skills would get watered down whenever she had a romantic interest. The relationship or just attachment is developed too fast and from that point onwards she puts way too much focus on the particular boy or group safety/companionship, almost completely disregarding the reason that made her get to that particular planet in the first place. The way she simply forgets or never wonders much about the boy that called her to Eden, personally drives me insane. He is so obviously Alkaid. And if he's not, the Master of Eden should be her priority, as she needs to get closer to people in positions of power in order to understand the truth of the world better.

The prologue and the Final Route gives us more of her seasoned traveler side, which absolutely makes sense, since she's got an absurd amount of experience in Godheim with all the time travel she did in order to fully understand how to resolve everything in that world.

About Eden's final route, I think our big reveal and conflict (Luminary Prefect and Alkaid's price to pay for saving his world by accepting and healing the resentment that came from a world being basically absorbed by another), fell way too short on presentation, logic sense and emotional weight and because of that felt unengaging and boring, mostly. Still, it was very interesting to see more people from The Empire and understand a bit more of their M.O.

All these things said, I enjoyed Eden quite a bit! Looking back at it, I can see it being rushed. I know they have competent writers, but maybe they didn't have enough time to freshen up some ideas and make them more polished, concise and impactful.

Still, I loved everything involving Clarence my beloved or Cael, also my beloved (biased much xD). What can I say? I adore their characters so every chance to see more about them is absurdly engaging and precious to me, even when surrounded by a not as polished of a plot.

On to Godheim!

Godheim is my favorite because everything that happens feels way more connected and rich in that world.

From the Prologue to the Last Route, we are met with incredibly captivating revelations. The existence of different worlds, the possibility of travel between them, the parallel world known faces, MC's unique abilities, Silver Knight's identity and his personal conflict with us, Clarence's past present and future and how we were the one shaping it. Everything is rich, meaningful, connected and not forgotten. Heck, all routes are canon, even, as MC did countless voyages until she could understand what needs to be done. Godheim is just... *chef's kiss* An impeccable first act for an ongoing and ever expanding game!

Now, on to my personal ranking for all routes! (so far)

1- Clarence (Godheim)

I am a sucker for destined love types of narratives, and I also love time travel used as cause and effect for someone's existence and connection with another, be it romantic or otherwise. Their execution of this troupe is absurdly memorable and heart wrenching. The way they involved real world Clarence and showed his trust towards MC is extremely moving and transcendental, in a way, it was really lovely. My favorite! This route has it all. Excellent writing, characterization, revelations, conflicts, conclusion, consequences. I love it tremendously.

2- Lars + Cael Hidden Story + card stories context (Godheim)

I couldn't separate these, they go together in my head. I'm sorry to say the reason Lars's route is my favorite is mostly because of Cael. His conflict with MC and subsequent confusion and heartbreak has been, so far, my favorite and most engaging moment in the entire game. I've written this, during the days I was experiencing these moments:

"There is something about this dynamic (Cael x MC), something I really love.

I believe it is because it involves key characters in the story showing a side we were not familiar at all with, and usually don't expect or wish to see...

It is a conflict between those that even while holding a lot of love and care for one another, and, in a way, acting mostly out of this deep love/care, are forced to confront one another and possibly grow distant. Because they can't agree the way this love might continue to exist while being authentic with very important personal values and vows.

It reminds me of Yuzuru Saeki, mostly, and even Ukyo.

It has those narrative and relationship connections floating around them.

A close relationship with the heroine we at first think nothing of, but begin to question as we explore the different timeline possibilities. The shock, hurt and betrayal we feel, as does the heroine, when we discover a dark and twisted side of someone we have learned to love and trust unconditionally.

When we are finally face to face we don't know who they are or how to feel about them anymore. Is it love still? Hate? Sadness? Despair? Disappointment? Confusion?

It is heartbreaking for both characters, heartbreaking for the readers when they get attached to them... a recipe to a very dramatic and soaked in tragedy relationship.

Ahh, I love it! Keep going hahahah."

3- Common Route (Godheim)

The introduction to the game comes with a bang! Godheim's prologue is very well made, bringing in a sense of adventure, wonder, danger, mystery, curiosity, tragedy, love... It has it all in a condensed manner. Personally I see this one as more of an Alkaid route than his own in Godheim and I love it a lot!

4- Clarence (Eden)

This is my favorite Eden route! As I'm not a big fan of how the plot was developed in Eden, this self contained story ended up being my favorite! As a Clarence enjoyer, there is so much to love here. We have Clarence a bit (!) less traumatized and closed off than his previous counterpart! We can see so much more of his sense of honor, emotional maturity, responsibility, friendship and unconditional respect! We have Naledi/Lin our beloved, being best girl, protecting us and letting us protect her in turn. We have pouty Alkaid being shooed, my poor misunderstood lonely angel. We have Clarence refusing to bow down to the world's established punishments and laws and simply overcoming them, being the first of its kind. A king! A king! In Clarence we trust for maturity, emotional security, respect and real companionship.

5- Common Route (Eden)

The common route to Eden is so engaging! Coming right after Godheim's superb ending, we are eager to see a new world, understand its problems, see our MC's progress, and discover more about Cael and The Empire. So many questions and a renewed sense of adventure! Truly captivating start and an opening with so many possibilities!

6- Ayn (Godheim)

It may not look like it, but I like this route a lot! As the very first one we experience, it helps us understand what this game goes for as far as characterization, interactions and romance goes. Ayn (I call him Ayn-Ayn) is a very good first partner as his character is quite charming and attractive! So it was a joy seeing his relationship developing with MC as they open up and depend more on one another!

From here onwards, I have mixed feelings towards the remaining routes.

7- Alkaid (Eden)

I honestly love the starting phase of this route. We see a more proactive MC, an adorable and protective Ayn-Ayn and finally the meetup between the child asking for help and the one that heard his cries and intended to offer it. MC's interactions with Alkaid are all adorable, even more so at the start, and it is very interesting to uncover more about his desires, the secrets of Eden and the personal inner turmoil and demon he has to constantly deal with. Unfortunately, when we finally get Prefect Luminary's big reveal, the story does fall considerably in its quality, in my view. I get what they intended to do and I believe they had good ideas, but the execution and presentation falls so short it is sad even, I wanted Alkaid from Eden to have more agency. Not even because he needed to do more, I believe he did his best, but at the same time it doesn't feel satisfying enough. One point I can bring up that may help understand my frustrations is the fact they tend to explain with words too much. His motivations, what he is feeling, thinking, what he plans on doing. Instead of showing us as he is going through these difficult times. The lack of visual aid during key moments of his character arc and struggles didn't help either, and they were linked to key plot points such as Eden's creation and rebirth.

I basically don't believe they have done his character justice with what we were shown. He is way more multifaceted and deep than what our interactions and explanations we've gotten would lead us to believe. Justice for Eden Alkaid!

Okay... trying again (what I've written from this point forward in this post has been sent to the void once, rip my time and all the ideas and meticulous observations I've shared then, let's pray the gods of inspiration come back to me sometime).

8- Lars (Eden)

I like the importance this route has on the overall plot, but I'm not a fan of how Lars was characterized, personally. His constantly going back on his word about being with us/guiding us/being our partner... ticked me off. But I can understand the appeal if you have different values and preferences from mine, so I can see it being someone's favorite.

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9- Ayn-Ayn (Eden)

Forgettable. At this point, Eden's formulaic nature was tiring me a bit and seeing as Ayn's personality is not particularly different from what we've been used to so far, I didn't feel much for this route. Although I liked the fact Ayn loves or at the very least feels a connection towards the MC from the very beginning, it is sweet. It is a nice one but held back by following the formulaic nature + not bringing much new/important. Cute for what it is tho, I love Ayn!

10- Alkaid (Godheim)

All last three spots could have been interchangeable. They are my most "mixed feelings" trio.

What I love about this route is my sweet Alkaid but he spends a lot of time unavailable, sleeping. What I dislike about this route is the silly snake man subplot, and he's here for too long. I like how we get Lars and Clarence on board for our naive plan that ends up working. To me, the real Alkaid route is the friends we made along the way Godheim's Commom Route !

So, in the end, I guess what I may want to say I consider important, all things considered, is characterization, case by case.

When characters are engaging and multifaceted, their interactions carry weight and make the moves the plot needs to make and its consequences way more interesting and memorable individually! So, the less the characters are engaging, or the less they are even present, the lower I feel impacted or moved by what is happening.

Ps: I had 35% of what was originally written here sent to the void, so I can't guarantee the quality from Lars's portion ahead, I had said some good things I'm not sure I can explain again the same way Y_Y

I also wrote this more because I wanted to vent out my opinions and have them on my personal archive, not much for sharing. But if anyone finds it, enjoy!

#I've been writing this for hours on my phone and had 35% of it wiped away at the end #otome #my thoughts #lbc

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