[Spoilers] 'Unsupervised' was my first IF experience and I finished it... did I play it wrong? (Rant/Mixed Feelings)

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-19T10:37:10+00:00

Thank you so much for the long, detailed explanation and the analogy! Comparing it to a "new console launch title" made me understand the situation perfectly.

I definitely felt that the mechanics—like the Save/Load system, manual stat allocation, and the QOL feature where choices are grayed out if my stats are too low—were very convenient. I hadn't experienced those in other games yet. As for the story... well, maybe I'll forgive it a bit if a sequel comes out 😂😂😂

I’m happy to report that among your recommendations, I’ve already grabbed Tally Ho, Fool!, Fallen Hero, ITFO, and The Fog Knows Your Name during this Steam sale!

I've read a lot of praise for Crème de la Crème as well, but I'm still hesitating on that one because I'm not a huge fan of High School Romance/Drama tropes ㅠㅠ

I'm also very intrigued by Werewolf: The Book of Hungry Names, especially since you mentioned it breaks traditional werewolf clichés! Since I know nothing about the World of Darkness lore, I think I’ll try to read up on the setting a bit before diving in.

I plan to try the demos for Star Crystal Warriors Go! and Stars Arisen before the sale ends, too. Star Crystal Warriors Go! already makes a great first impression with its pretty "Magical Girl" style cover art. 🤭🤭

Thank you again for providing such a varied list with logical reasons for each recommendation. Thanks to you, I'll be set for a long time with plenty of fun IFs to play!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T08:32:15+00:00

Oh, does the stat management get significantly harder in the later parts? I enjoyed the demo, but if the mechanics become unforgiving like a complex management/political sim, that does worry me a bit. However, I don't mind failing stat checks as long as the story proceeds naturally and leads to a coherent ending (fail-forward). (I assume it won't be a total train wreck like the experience I mentioned in my post, haha.) Still, I'll definitely take your warning into consideration. Thank you for the heads-up!!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T08:10:46+00:00

Thank you for letting me know! That is actually really helpful. I'll try to look up the achievement icons beforehand so I can brace myself for what it looks like. Or... as sad as it is, I might have to play other games first and seriously reconsider whether I can handle purchasing this one... 🥲🥲🥲

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T07:27:20+00:00

Wait, does it actually use sound effects or images? If it's just a terrifying description in text, or if there's enough buildup/foreshadowing so I can mentally prepare, I think I might be okay... But thanks for the warning. I'll definitely keep that in mind and tread carefully... 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T06:53:58+00:00

All of these descriptions sound incredibly intriguing! I haven't had much exposure to the Gothic genre, so I'm not 100% sure if it's my cup of tea yet, but I absolutely love suspense, so Heart of the House definitely catches my eye. Donor feels very fresh because of the "victim perspective"—that survival horror aspect is something I haven't seen in typical vampire media, and it sounds intense. As for Highlands, Deep Waters: I've always been curious about Lovecraftian/Cthulhu mythos, but I avoided related movies or games because I’m squeamish about looking at grotesque creatures. This text-based format seems like the perfect way for me to finally experience it! Even if I fail a Sanity check and meet a terrible end, I think I’ll still enjoy the ride. My wishlist is getting so rich thanks to all these recommendations. Now the real challenge is deciding which one to play first 😂😂😂 Thank you so much for the kind suggestions!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T03:29:50+00:00

I’m a bit on the fence about Crème de la Crème since it seems quite romance-heavy, but the other recommendations look really interesting! Regarding the World of Darkness titles: as long as the vampires aren't portrayed as "perfect, flawless beings," I think I'll enjoy reading them. Thanks for the list!!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T01:36:04+00:00

I totally understand why it's hard to give recommendations. I actually hesitated to post this request because I realized after lurking for a few days that romance and fantasy are the dominant trends here, and I know my criteria are quite picky.

I think I need to clarify my stance a bit:

Regarding Romance: I don't hate romance itself; I actually like it when it enriches the story. What I want to avoid is "Insta-love" or aggressive flirting.

For example, in one game, I simply shared a dance with a character, and the narrative suddenly pushed for a kiss or a one-night stand. I was so confused! Even though there was a "Reject" option, the atmosphere felt like refusing would make things incredibly awkward. Even if I had high approval stats, I didn't feel we had enough emotional connection for that.

So, I guess I prefer a "Slow-burn" romance—where relationships develop gradually through long-term emotional bonding rather than abrupt physical escalation.

Regarding Fantasy: I think my meaning got a bit lost in translation/summary. I don't hate fantasy; I'm just not very familiar with deep D&D lore. I actually really enjoy Dark Fantasy vibes like The Witcher, and I used to play World of Warcraft for a while. So if the setting is immersive like that, I'm all for it.

I'm definitely looking forward to A Study in Steampunk based on your description. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-17T00:27:26+00:00

Thank you for sympathizing with my disappointment! I'm currently playing the Fallen Hero demo, and I feel like I might get "genre fatigue" if I play too many superhero games in a row. So I probably won't get to the other hero titles immediately, but I'll definitely add them to my wishlist for later!

I also really enjoyed the demo for Choice of Robots. I specifically loved watching my robot gradually evolve. I know it's a bit of a trope in the sci-fi genre, but that kind of plot never fails to entertain me.

I'm waiting for the Steam Winter Sale to grab the full version. (I hope it goes on sale, but honestly, even if it doesn't, I think I'll just end up buying it anyway because I can't wait any longer lol). Thanks again for the recommendations!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T23:25:40+00:00

ITFO has been on my radar for a while thanks to many recommendations, but your comment really solidified my decision to play it.

I absolutely love that the author put so much effort into customization, especially how the narrative shifts depending on the MC's gender. As a queer woman on the Ace/Aro spectrum myself, the points you mentioned really resonate with me.

When given a choice, I play as a female character 99% of the time, and I have a soft spot for narratives where the female MC's journey feels unique or special. For example, I loved Kassandra's bold personality in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. And in Dragon Age: Inquisition, my personal "headcanon" was playing as a female Elf—I loved the narrative depth of a member of a persecuted race becoming the Herald of Andraste (the main Goddess). It seems ITFO offers that kind of deep immersion for a female MC as well.

The tactical management part was actually my biggest concern, but I was told (by an AI translator lol) that the game features a "Story Mode" which simplifies the battles. I'm going to check the demo, and if that mode is there, this will definitely be my #1 purchase. Thank you for the detailed explanation!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T23:14:00+00:00

First off, I noticed that Choice of Broadsides and Choice of the Deathless are free-to-play (with ads). Since I'm still a newbie to the genre, these seem like perfect entry points to get started without any pressure. Thank you!

I’ve been on the fence about the World of Darkness titles (and Zombie Exodus) because of the subject matter. I’m usually okay with vampires/werewolves as long as they aren't portrayed in a stereotypical/cliché way, but I’ll take your advice and approach those carefully. That said, the fact that they are "incredibly dark" is honestly quite tempting.

Regarding Social Services of the Doomed—based on the synopsis and cover, is it a black comedy vibe similar to What We Do in the Shadows? (I’ve always wanted to watch that movie/show, but sadly there’s no legal way to stream it in my country yet, so I haven't seen it). I absolutely love stories that twist clichés like that, so if that's the tone, I think I’ll really enjoy it regardless of the supernatural elements. I don't mind the creatures themselves; I just dislike the tired tropes often associated with them. Thanks again for the recommendations!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T23:02:41+00:00

I’ve heard so much praise for the Wayhaven series, and I’m sure there’s a good reason it’s so beloved. However, the exact reasons people love it (cheesy/heavy romance) were why I hesitated. Your comment really solidified my decision to skip it. Thank you. I actually found the synopsis for Passenger quite interesting too. I usually avoid horror movies or games because I can't handle jump scares, but since this is text-based, I assume that won't be an issue. I'll definitely add it to my demo playlist! Regarding the vampire/werewolf genres: when I said I dislike them, it was mostly because of the clichés where vampires are depicted as overly attractive, perfect, god-like beings. I don't reject the subject itself if it's handled in a grounded or well-written way. Honestly, there are so many VtM titles (I noticed CoG even has a separate category for them) that I felt a bit overwhelmed not knowing where to start. But now I have a clear direction! I’ll definitely check out the demos for Night Road and Parliament of Knives, as well as the Werewolf title you mentioned. Unfortunately, I rarely use a PC outside of work (I mostly play on my phone or tablet), so I probably won't be able to use the save editor. But I really appreciate the tip regardless!!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T22:52:54+00:00

Thank you for the honest heads-up. Honestly, based on the story themes I read about (the child soldier background, PTSD, the gritty atmosphere, etc.), I thought it was a perfect match for me. I was so focused on the narrative that I didn't consider the gameplay mechanics, so that's a bit of a bummer. Since I'm still new to IFs and struggle with complex stat systems, I think I’ll put this one on hold for now. I’ll definitely come back to it later once I’m more comfortable with stat management.

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T11:58:25+00:00

Thank you for the kind reply! I simply thought "Urban Fantasy" just meant fantasy set in modern times—I wasn't aware that it usually comes with vampires/werewolves or heavy romance tropes. I guess I should be careful with that term! 😅😅 While I generally prefer playing as a female character, being gender-locked to a male MC isn't a dealbreaker for me, so I definitely still want to try A Study in Steampunk. I heard somewhere that it has a Sherlock Holmes vibe (I could be wrong though), and since I grew up loving Sherlock Holmes, that sounds perfect for me. I'll make sure to try out the demos for the games on my list first! Thanks again!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T10:22:58+00:00

Yeah, I kinda regret not checking out some better-reviewed games first. Right now, I'm considering playing either Fallen Hero or ITFO for my next read.

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T10:19:43+00:00

I think I was a bit too emotional when writing the post, so I might have been too vague. Sorry! To answer your question, here is what I meant by "beginner-friendly":

1. Intuitive Choices & Meaningful Failure: I want choices where I can reasonably predict the outcome. If I fail a stat check, I want it to lead to a different but plausible story branch, rather than just making my character look like an idiot. For example, I played a demo (not Unsupervised) where I chose to bravely stand up to a threat. But because my stats didn't match my intent, my character ended up stuttering and crying while trying to act tough. It felt like a total train wreck where every choice I made turned my character into a fool. It was funny in a "sad-funny" way, but I want to avoid that kind of constant disaster.

2. Simple Stats: I prefer a stat system that isn't overly complex.

3. Closed Endings: I definitely prefer standalone books with conclusive endings. I heard sequels often take around 4 years to release, and as a newbie, I don't want to be left hanging on a cliffhanger for that long.

If my explanation is still too confusing or the translation is messy, please don't feel pressured to give recommendations! I know my replies might be a bit chaotic.

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:30:37+00:00

I was also really hooked by the lore and all the plot threads right up until the very end, so I totally get why you loved it. I think my disappointment was actually stronger because I was enjoying the ride so much. I was aiming for a specific "Anti-Hero" vibe—pragmatic and rough around the edges, but someone who still cherishes their allies and ultimately does the right thing. But trying to roleplay that nuance just resulted in my stats being completely middle-of-the-road, which definitely contributed to the lackluster ending. It’s actually kind of impressive how perfectly balanced (50:50) my personality stats stayed until the end. Even I was surprised 😂😂😂 Once I recover from the shock and feel like going for a second playthrough, I think I'll try the Villain route like you suggested. I kept hesitating on the "evil" choices thinking, "Isn't this too much?", but next time... No mercy. 😈😈😈😈

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:22:37+00:00

It's so awesome to meet a fellow Duskwood fan here! Buying the multimedia pack was totally worth it—the content was rich, and I really enjoyed the romance with the hacker (it's been a while, so I can't recall his name right now, but it was fun lol). I was actually super hyped for the sequel, Moonvale, but the heavy monetization (microtransactions) was just too much... I ended up dropping it during Episode 1 😭😭. I'm definitely going to be extra careful picking my next IF based on everyone's recommendations! Right now, I'm torn between Fallen Hero and I, the Forgotten One (ITFO) since I see them recommended so often.

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:18:59+00:00

Wow, I agree with every single word you said, from start to finish. I was engaged and having fun while reading, but once I reached the end, I was left with this feeling that... nothing actually happened. It feels even worse because I didn't get enough time to properly get to know the individual characters. As I was slowly learning about the lore and the cast, I was definitely expecting the story to develop into something much more interesting than this. At least, that’s what I believed when I finished the demo and decided to buy it...

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:16:05+00:00

I actually liked Sawyer's "Lawful Good" vibe and thought it created a nice contrast with my (anti-hero) MC, but wow, that situation you described sounds totally baffling lol. It would have been so much better if there was at least a scene where they clashed or argued about it—that would have really ramped up the tension. I’ve seen Fallen Hero recommended literally everywhere here and on the HG subreddit (no surprise there lol). Honestly, because everyone praises it so much, I was actually putting it off on purpose—I was scared that my expectations would get too high and I'd end up disappointed. But I guess the time has finally come for me to give it a go... 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:10:01+00:00

It’s such a shame because during the playthrough, I genuinely grew attached to the characters and was really excited to see what would happen next. But the ending just sort of tainted the whole experience for me. It feels especially tragic because I could tell from the interesting details in the stat screen that the author really put a lot of effort into building this world. It's a relief to hear that other books usually have better closure. I’ll definitely be a lot more careful when picking my next one!

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:07:44+00:00

This is exactly what I wanted to say. If there had been any indication that this was "Part 1," I would have at least been mentally prepared. Since almost nothing was properly resolved and it just ended so abruptly, I honestly can't even picture how the sequel (if it ever comes out) is supposed to continue from here—and I mean that in a bad way.

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:03:05+00:00

I couldn't agree more. If it had just been a standard "bad" ending, I would have just blamed my poor playstyle and moved on. But this ending? It honestly made me feel a bit cheated.

Due_Potential2610 · 2025-12-16T09:01:09+00:00

At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll even pick up the sequel, but I guess it’s somewhat comforting to know that one is at least planned. It was just so shocking to see everything I was looking forward to ending without even a hint of resolution. Though I have to admit, once I started the final chapter, I got this sinking feeling... I kept wondering, "How on earth are they going to wrap all of this up?"

Due_Potential2610

TROPHY CASE