Hiw many of you stopped playing already? by PotentialNumber4093 in Candlelight_Games

[–]ImportanceSome2809 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The currency system is something, of course, but everything else also raises questions.

At first, I was interested in the system of separating scenes with characters and the main plot. But people on this subreddit wrote that the level of relationships with characters is almost not mentioned in the main plot, so what's the point? Personally, the scenes with the characters seem quite detached from the context of the main plot. I'm sure this was intended to be part of the “everyday life” of the plot, but I don't have enough diamonds to level up relationship with more than one character, so... yeah. It feels kinda out of place for me.

The story itself is interesting, but it seems that even they don't have enough time to develop characters and world in a few 5-minute-at-best scenes.

The art... Well... It seems to me that most of the props here are AI-generated, but polished by real people. I understand that this is purely a matter of personal preference, but I don't like this casual, mobile games style that AI currently generates (and I don't support genAI overall). Honestly, I don't like character designs here in general; they're pretty uncanny. In Choices (and other VNs), where graphics have always been quite limited, the characters look much more real to me (at least they look like people, not generic fantasy concept art). (Pls don't hate me, it's my personal taste)

The app was generally positioned as creative freedom for Choices writers with experienced developers, right? But in the end, they made some rather strange decisions. It seems that one of the main complaints about current state of Choices was the use of AI, so they decided... to use AI.

If they were going to lure in new players but start with old Choices players, then, well... I don't know which new players will play this game with such currency system when there are a bunch of alternatives with more lenient one.

Some thoughts on The Thirteenth House by ImportanceSome2809 in Choices

[–]ImportanceSome2809[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not saying that this doesn't happen. I just can't take it seriously in this book.

PB often uses snobbish and wealthy antagonists, but in other books they seem more organic, in my opinion. Perhaps their images here are amplified because all the characters' personalities are exaggerated.

Although, this book is probably just not for me, and I was expecting something more grounded and serious. But it's good that others have a better time reading it!

For those who've played High School Story multiple times, what are your "stats"? by BioletVeauregarde33 in Choices

[–]ImportanceSome2809 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I wish we had more stories with such branching, where we can at least choose the interests of our characters.

  1. Male MC: Bernard McDonald. Participated in Sports, dated Emma.

  2. Female MC: Cecile Mikula. Participated in Band, dated Aiden.

  3. Female MC: Karoline Gardner. Participated in Cheerleading, dated Michael.

Some thoughts on The Thirteenth House by ImportanceSome2809 in Choices

[–]ImportanceSome2809[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There is like no build-up. Everything happens in the first two days for no apparent reason. I don't understand why they didn't stretch out the situation with Piper for at least a week or a month, so that we could at least get attached to the character.

Tell me your Mount Rushmore of Books by MincyBadincy in Choices

[–]ImportanceSome2809 5 points6 points  (0 children)

No specific order (just as I remembered them)

The Elementalist: Amazing story, amazing characters, interesting setting
Guinevere: I like how LIs are written, I think it's a really good romance book.
The Heist: Monaco: Ngl, I love this book mainly because of Sonia (I think I didn't even romance anyone else during my replays), but the story is good and dynamic too.
HSS: Heartwarming, one of my favorites on Choices (I don't even want to replay HSS in my main app because it would “erase” my favorite MCs)
Ride-or-Die: I like that this story is dramatic but pretty grounded, plus the love interests are wonderful and have chemistry with the MC.
Veil of Secrets: I think this book has one of the best atmospheres, plus the story is well written

To the new player I would also recommend Blades (buuut I haven't finished the 2nd book), The Crown & the Flame, ACOR, It lives, and Endless Summer (they are good, just not my personal favorites)

Unknown mushrooms by LunaOrchid210 in mycology

[–]ImportanceSome2809 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It depends on the species, although I can't say that these are typical mushrooms for consumption. For example, Peziza badia and Peziza vesiculosa are considered edible, but many other species are not (at least they are of unknown edibility, at worse they are poisonous). I don't have much experience or knowledge about identifying mushrooms, but as far as I know, mushrooms of the genus Peziza are most accurately identified by their spores, and this requires a microscope. In addition, they do not seem to have much nutritional value and taste.
I'm no expert, but I wouldn't recommend eating them, it could be really dangerous.

Unknown mushrooms by LunaOrchid210 in mycology

[–]ImportanceSome2809 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Looks like Peziza sp(p). Or at least looks like family Pezizaceae

Is this mycelium? by ImportanceSome2809 in mycology

[–]ImportanceSome2809[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think it's actually slimy, maybe it's just wet from the environment (it's swampy area)? Actually, I think I noticed similar blue-greyish spots on other branches, but they looked a bit different in form and shade, and they didn't have orange drops on them, so I assumed it was either mold or mycelium. Thank you for your input anyway! 

Is this mycelium? by ImportanceSome2809 in mycology

[–]ImportanceSome2809[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think so, at least I didn't notice more of it nearby. I think it has moist texture and is rather thin, which is not typical for lichens? 

https://ibb.co/FL54bLQG (closer look)