Player Comments on Imprint

First let me start off by saying that your artwork is incredible. It really looks like it was done by a professional, and really complimented the story well.

As for the story itself, I found it quite thought provoking. A lot of "it was all just a dream" type stories are frowned upon because they pretty much don't have any real effect on the characters in the end, but this one is different. For one thing, I'm not quite sure that this even really was a normal dream, seeing as some of the endings lead to a strange, inexplicable demise at the hands of some kind of black goop. But even if it was just a dream, it still had an effect on reality, as the protagonist actually does take the opportunity to try and turn his life around. It feels less like a horror game and more like a guy contemplating his life disguised as a horror game. The real story, in my opinion, is in the flashbacks, which I quite liked.

I know you said this was more of a interactive short story, but it really is still an interesting read. Maybe it bothered some people, but I felt like it didn't really need any other fancy bells and whistles, as anything more would probably serve only to distract from the point. It works how it is, even if it's not a traditional CYOA.

Great work on this, I hope to read more from you soon.

I really enjoyed this, actually. Even if the story wasn't very branched, it was a nice work that had a really good message about overcoming your past and realizing your mistakes. The artwork and writing also really helped create a silent, imposing, and slightly creepy atmosphere.

The character change was also very satisfying throughout the story. The beginning character before the "dream" starts honestly had me slightly worried as a protagonist- a character with an overall shitty personality is hard to make work in a game where the player makes the choices. However, he really grew on me as he started to remember his past and really started regretting it: of course, he only took a positive mindset on life after that "switch" in reading the papers.

One final positive note I'd like to point out is that the "dream world" is never actually explained. Neither the narrator or the player really knows if it was some sort of Purgatory, a bad dream, some sort of spell his former victims placed on him, etc. etc. It's sometimes frustrating to see someone try to bring out all the mysteries in their story when something like the setting doesn't really need to be explained in that type of story, especially since it's not a normal setting. So, props for leaving it ambiguous.

Even if this isn't really a storygame, your writing still works well with it (this would be very promising as an actual game, especially with your art design).

The atmosphere was well done. It's easy to form a connection to the narrator; The voice and character is clear from the beginning, which interested me in seeing how they would develop. Amazing work with the art, pixel art is impressive. I think you promised and delivered from the first page, and the experience being on the shorter end allows the message to shine through.

This was overall a very enjoyable game, although I didn't manage to get any other end than the True one, I'll definitely go back when I have time.

This is a very satisfying read. Environmental description is passable, character thoughts are insightful and the artwork lends itself to the game experience. It's a bite-sized and somewhat linear game, from what I can tell by comparing my one playthrough to the overall wordcount, but I think that fits it well. The interactivity and branching paths are secondary to the conveyance of the story's theme, and I think that's appropriate for this piece.

Imprint is a short story that is in most respects very well written and is certainly worth reading. It is, however, a linear story, which should be kept in mind while reading.

Imprint's strongest point was its settings and use of detail. Most places were significant to the plot, which unraveled even more as the story passes, up to the climax, when you truly realize why you are where you are.

The plot itself was written beyond decently, although certain questions remained by the story's end. As a linear story, the plot follows a straight path and ends on a strong note--regardless of the ending.

The characters were, for the most part, realistic and relatable. The protagonist complemented the plot--which is fitting for a plot built around the protagonist. Certain emotions seemed out of place at times, however.

*1ST PAGE SPOILER (Read: Not really a spoiler)*
This is me being nitpicky and has no effect on my overall rating, but the effects induced by the use of tobacco and alcohol does not really work like that in real life--or rather, not without additional effects that would conflict with the protagonist's words and actions.
*1st PAGE SPOILER END*

All in all, this story is great--and with a length of 3, there is no excuse not to give this a read. The attention to detail is amazing, and its plot is somewhat thought-provoking. The art (read: item sprites for literally 2 items) is also good.

It is needless to say that I recommend reading this.

I commented on this on the forum before it was released, and most of that still stands. It's a good effort from a new author with some nice writing and a message I quite liked about not being a bystander, acknowledging responsibility for past actions even when they can't be changed, and moving on.

There were some nicely spooky bits, and I thought everything here was well done for what it was, it just needed to be longer and have more choices to properly be called a branching story. Ultimately even with a second ending tacked on this was still too linear, and in fact the newly added page is something I'd consider a weak point; it's noticeably a bit rushed and sloppy compared to the rest of the story and in need of proofreading.

But looking at this as sort of a proof of concept of what the author is capable of even on her first outing, I'm impressed and looking forward to future stories.

It goes without saying the art is a really nice touch as well, there's definitely some talent there.

This was a good experience, with a nice underlying message of trying to let go. I liked the lucid dream idea, it was kind of like the protag's own sub-conscious mind always had this feeling of guilt in him about what he did in high school with his friends. The story, does a great job in using the school environment as a sort of open map to relive little snippets of the main character's high school life. Though, the true ending gives the feeling of the phase of maturity that all students go through once they graduate from high school, and I feel that the author did a great job in trying to emulate those feelings onto the reader. I would, in fact probably recommend anyone who has just finished high school and is about to start their journey into the "real world" for the first time, to read this story game. So, great job and being very clear in the description of the events, and of the final conclusion.

The pictures shown now and then during key moments was a nice little addition too.

I had a problem with the visual descriptions though. While they were adequate enough, and managed to create an environment in my mind, I always felt that the descriptions were not realistic enough to draw me in, and to immerse me. I feel that in this type of a story game, where you have to interact with a lot of things, that sense of being immersed and submerged; i.e. becoming one with the protagonist is really important to add to the overall experience, but that felt a bit lacking here, in my opinion. Another criticism I have is with the lack of branching, as some of the other comments mentioned before too. In this "open map puzzle" type of story game especially, there are a lot of opportunities to add more choices and puzzle elements to the game play, like instead of just trying to imply that the bathroom was sinister, what if you actually put something that was sinister in there? Like, maybe give an option to the player to foray deeper into their mind for memories, and remember something so drastic that you actually go insane. Then when you wake up in the beach house, you start to hysterically scream and shout before your "friends" knock you out and you're admitted in the mental hospital.

Different endings and descriptions like these, and a few more puzzle mechanics would've been a good addition to make your story a bit more non-linear and more interactive.

Anyway, this was a very good first story from a promising author, and I eagerly await for what else you have in store for the site.

This was kind of an "escape the room" puzzle with a well-written story hidden inside. It is a bit of an odd one, it is more puzzle than cyoa (there are not so much "branches" as "stubs") but the writing quality is far higher than you would usually find in these sorts of things. I think the quality of writing is worthy of a better medium and should be used in a genuine branching story or something similar. For a first effort this isn't bad and it'll be interesting to see what you write in the future :D

You have quality as a writer. But this has no choices is a boring and linear corridor game that only you do is going back and forth. Don't get me wrong, You are a good writer but you can't make a choose If game with no tangible choices . Take the game add different outcomes and choices I will gladly change the score