Awakening

Oh wow, what an amazing way to potray the theme! Even someone who's very devoted to their religion can question their belief, i really like this topic! I really love how it's delivered too, very chilling! Amazing work!

Ohh this was a very haunting entry! I liked seeing the portrayal of this dynamic from May's POV, as we mainly got Cassidy's in prior entries. The filtered, less saturated background really creates this eerie feeling, and I love May's expression - the grimness really conveys the inner conflict she faces. The background track really sends chills down my spine, as it's very reminiscent of Church chorus, but twisted and distorted. The use of NOVL mode is very good here, and the black box for the text almost feels like it's "suffocating" May in a way. 

===SPOILERS===

It was a very interesting discussion of religious trauma and, in general, cult-like mentalities and abuse. May struggles between the religion that she has been raised with for her entire life and the sister that she loves dearly - literally forced between the two, as her religion forces her to shun her sister to stay loyal to the cause. It's disturbingly realistic. Teaching your victim to shun the people who might seek to help them/grant them a different perspective is a powerful manipulation tactic to keep them locked in your suffocating ways of thinking. However, May is unable to reconcile the "kindness" of the "Light" with its cruel actions - killing the non-believers, including her sister. Seeing May slowly realize how disturbed the mentality that she has been indoctrinated in is chilling, and I like the two endings - either you lie, labeling May as one of the "defiant" ones that needs to be punished, or you tell the truth. If you tell the truth, admitting that the Light's "love" isn't right, then there are no answers - you are just left with more questions. Either way, the two of you still look to the Light's guidance, unable to break free from it.

Fantastic work!!

Okay, first and foremost, WHAT IS THIS MUSIC TRACK? BANGER, A BANGER, IT SEND CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE!!!!!!!!!!!

I also really loved the game! The story was great and a nice continuation to the relationship established between Cassidy and May and, somehow, it almost feels "satisfying" to finally get to see May's perspective on all this. The discussion was interesting, and it raised good points about the inner conflict of believers seeing people they love not participate in their cult, and bitterly knowing they are going to hell according to their perspectives. In May's case, the bitterness is directed towards her own religion, while it may vary in real life, but it was an interesting game which will make me think, haha!

Also, the presentation (in NVL mode) was great, and the sprite was a great addition (and was well-drawn, haha, it must help!)

Congrats on making this Naarel!!

I'm glad this VN appeared in my feed or else I would have missed it! Coming from a religious family where being of that religion is not even questioned and leaving would bring shame to the family, I... understand. So much was said in less than 1,000 words! New-to-me game dev, I'll check more of your work! That was really good. 

The atmosphere in Awakening is captivating. 

Firstly, well done on the music. It was unsettling and sounded like hearing choir practice going on in the same building. This game hints at the end times and questioning faith and I'm so intrigued to see where it goes (will be checking out your other games soon!) :)

The writing was extremely effective in getting the themes across. The question of the morality of doctrine is one that definitely needs to be explored more in media and your handling of it was excellent.

Well done!

My gosh do I have chills... from the moment that warped choral song started to play, almost like some kind of haunting, cursed dirge... absolutely haunting. I felt like for a moment I was playing one of those messed-up haunted games from the dark web or something lakdjfalsd

Playing this took me right back to playing Shibboleth. And the panicked, ominous vibes that games instilled in me, looking upon the end of times. So while playing I felt like my head was merging them a bit into one experience, which I think really added to it, too. Imagining that horrifying angelic form that May takes to this haunting twisted chorale with the church in the background...

Another powerful piece. I really like how we're given a chance to observe the struggle that May goes through, especially after what we see happen in Shibboleth. And also to see that May isn't the only one with doubts. It was a really excellent build-up to That Question. Loved the use of the NVL here, too. It somehow gave it a... I don't know... religious feel to it. Like reading some religious text almost lakdsjfas which also added to it a lot.

Overall just a haunting and thought-provoking game. Really well done. And now I can't get that freaking disconcerting music out of my head!!!

You always make such thought provoking works. I'd probably agree with May, what use is light if you can't see your sister with warmth>< An epic entry as always! -A

OOF this hit hard (in a good way). Relatable 🥲