Farewell, My Childhood Self

Oh man. This was so much nicer to read after that last storygame I just read. (Don't bother looking, it's trash) I really like the way the story was written in flashes of memory, and yet still incorporates everything a good and complete storygame requires.

The writing was very elegant and had a nice flow to it. It rose and fell, each time dragging me in even more until I had to play every path, click every link, and read every word until I had read it all. I did exactly that. It was so effortlessly sad, because it was written in such a way that no other story could meet this natural level of set mood.

It was the perfect length for the writing and the mood so that it lasted and only got stronger near the end. The characters were developed nicely, and were introduced quite impressively. There is an evident plot, even though it was written in such a broken way, and it still felt smooth and effortless. This is still one of my favorite storygames on the site and I hope you can return and create more works of art.

There was no obvious grammar and spelling mistakes, and this wouldn't have take away from the overall rating at all. It was a good use of pictures, but not everyone enjoys the animation style, but still, very good job. 8/8

Many of these types of Choose Your Own Adventures are linear in the sense that the choices throughout the story create specific endings; however, this story is wonderfully different. The choices, to me, felt like the narrator was simply thinking of his many memories with Sophia (which is probably the intention). Each section's choices were not tied into the next section.

I loved the tone of this story as well. It seemed like the happy memories of something tainted by sorrow which is something everybody does. The narrator never became depressed, but I always could feel his melancholiness on the matter (due to the story's end). I also liked the way that you portrayed the two. Their relationship seemed to be simultaneously as friends, as brother/sister (not genetically), and romantic. It is much better than "he likes her 'cuase she's pretty".

The plot was wonderful. I was able to experience these two growing up together which made the endings (I am trying to stay spoiler free) all the more sad. I normally have an ending that I like the most, but this is the only story in which I am unable to do so. They were simply to great to choose from, and each had their own benefits and drawbacks.

Finally, I did notice that people say that the story is blatantly sad... I do not really see it that way. The endings are about to happen, and our narrator has to choose which one he wants. I feel that he was merely sad about his situation which bled into his narration of his and Sophie's past. Furthermore, I LOVED the pictures. I felt they added to the story and looked spectacular, though not everybody likes the style you selected...
This is definitely one of my favorite stories of this genre.

This is the last comment I'll leave on this story. I had to give myself time to cool down, read other comments, and think a little more objectively, so that I could give an intelligent rebuttal.

As for the artwork... I honestly don't like anime/manga style, but I still recognize that talent and effort put into these illustrations. The art matches each scene well and makes the characters and story feel more real. I wish more interactives used illustrations like these.

While this story may have a few clichés, nothing about it feels forced, nothing manipulative. While many parts of the story are sad, many parts are happy. It's not a sob story, but a perfect blend of elements, moments happy and sad. Like life.

The sad ending doesn't come from some cheap plot twist or deus ex machina. It was set up, legitimate, and believable. Rather than sentimentally throwing cheap melodrama at the reader, the action and characters gradually draw the reader into the story, coax the reader into lowering their defenses and set them up for the endings flawlessly.

I also like that when it comes to sex, this story knows how much to show and how much to imply. To have an overt sex scene would have tarnished the story, made it feel like mere wanking material, not something beautiful. The little teases and steamy yet subtle illustrations give the story all the sexual tension a romance requires.

It is, in short a masterpiece. I have only two regrets. The first that the author does not seem to have produced any more of these gems. The second is that this story may have spoiled lesser interactive romances for me, forever. I have yet to find one that could come anywhere close to this.

Hits me right in the feels, it's bittersweet and it tells an intriguing story that all makes sense at the end.

This is a sad story.

Wow... ... I love the sappiness here. And also, the ending I had. This is easy, but not TOO easy to be obvious :) Overall VERY GOOD!

8/8 almost enough sufferings.

This was an amazing story that kept me captivated until the end. You did an amazing job, and I love the artwork. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece.

My heart. Why.

NO, IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS SOPHIA CANT LEAVE NOT NOW NOT WHEN IT WAS JUST GETTING GOOD