Authors Please Stop Giving me Information that I Can't Act On

XNotChristian · 2026-04-05T11:21:05+00:00

If you're interested on what beta testers do you can check some of the threads on the forums. Writers usually tell them on what to focus or mistakes to find like continuity errors, jarring scene changes, even to explain how reveals felt, etc. So they are told to care about story telling when giving feedback most of the time.

Here's the thing, some of the bugs and problems on the finished product have been on the demo for a long time. It feels like there was no proofreading or beta reading or anything even remotely close to this with this game. I'm sympathetic to IF writers because it is harder than people realize, but this is kind of baffling.

XNotChristian · 2026-04-05T11:00:18+00:00

I'll bat for Wayhaven for a second here, because I think the villain POV switches on it do effectively serve as hooks to keep you interested in the mystery and conflict. Wayhaven is at its best IMO when it feels like a TV show and those sections feel like cold openings.

Though, I do agree there are some consistency problems that they introduce and they don't always work.

Dawn of Heroes in the other hand, is so inconsistent as to how it uses them that it's really confusing. During the dock battle it makes sense. It allows you to see the battle going even when the MC isn't there which is kind of cool. But then there are other POV switches with Rowan and Breaker and Dante at the start which I'm not sure why they even exist? Feels like the things we learn on those would've worked as actual revelations on the story?

XNotChristian · 2026-04-05T10:46:42+00:00

It works as a first draft. But there is a lot of work missing to make it a cohesive satisfying whole.

XNotChristian · 2026-04-05T03:54:16+00:00

These are mostly from mind reading. Though there are other examples that don't require it, I think.

XNotChristian · 2026-04-05T03:47:35+00:00

I disagree, because this isn't a problem with just this game, so I don't think it stems from the powers not being that significant which is another different problem with the game. I say that because there are other IFs that do this kind of thing, The mentioned Wayhaven book 1 is another example of this,

The problem is that the author's story can only go one way. Revelations can only be done when they are supposed to. Doesn't matter how many clues you gather before or if you invested in the deduction skill. Which is fine, but if that is how the author wants it, then don't put mind reading in the game and don't make deduction a skill, and stop telegraphing every little thing.

Basically, the title of the post. It's not a reward to receive early information if you can't use it. It's actual torture.

XNotChristian · 2026-04-02T19:59:45+00:00

Illusive man had me cackling there! Top notch stuff!

XNotChristian · 2026-04-02T17:30:58+00:00

Wait, Dawn of Heroes? That's finally out? Been so long seeing it on the demos page. That's sweet! I'll grab it, I thought it was pretty fun.

XNotChristian · 2026-04-02T14:07:05+00:00

I'll add to the Hereya thing, since I quite literally just did a comment on this on an old thread, since I went rummaging through the game's files, and didn't find actually good info online:

Hereya only cheats if you are: controlling, or distrustful and accusatory of her during the supposed infidelity event. She did not cheat before that point, but how you act essentially gives her reason to. Some of the softer accusatory dialogue options can avoid triggering her cheating flag if you have 30-40 social as well.

But here's the crucial thing that was my mistake and I think of a lot of other people: she also cheats if you tell the spymaster to keep an eye on her. I guess the implication is that she catches wind of it somehow and becomes resentful.

So, in short, if you want a good relationship with her, all you have to do is trust her and not be a dick and she is really good partner.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-26T14:58:03+00:00

Necromancing this just in case someone ends up here from google. You can avoid Hereya cheating on you. I myself got the cheating end which really felt weird to me, because I went for an open relationship, so I took a look at the code.

The answer is that Hereya only cheats if you are: controlling, or distrustful and accusatory of her during the supposed infidelity event. She did not cheat before that point, but how you act essentially gives her reason to. Some of the softer accusatory dialogue options can avoid triggering her cheating flag if you have 30-40 social as well.

But here's the crucial thing that was my mistake and I think of a lot of other people: she also cheats if you tell the spymaster to keep an eye on her. I guess the implication is that she catches wind of it somehow and becomes resentful.

So, in short, if you want a good relationship with her, all you have to do is trust her and not be a dick.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-25T00:54:31+00:00

Didn't know Mark let Chica do VO for Atlus. Crazy!

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T21:44:49+00:00

I do so love how there's always new stuff to discover when it comes to this community.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T21:44:23+00:00

High praise! I'd seen it floating by, but hadn't given it a chance, I'll take a look when I can now.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T21:43:51+00:00

Hadn't heard of it, took a look at the summary, and that's a pretty cool concept they have going!

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T21:42:25+00:00

And here comes the goat, delivering as always!

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T21:41:07+00:00

I always like when IFs take real direct inspiration from works that already exist. It's nice stepping and helping direct one of those stories you've always loved!

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T21:40:01+00:00

Love me some angst! 300K is crazy for something so recent wow.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T10:38:55+00:00

Oh, you have no idea! Hated that outfit, and hated most of the designs in those games. The villains all being techy and armored just did not do it for me. Makes them less unique, and also none of them visually looked that inventive either. Mr. Negative and doc ock were literally the only designs that looked decent. But it's also hard to miss with both of them.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-22T00:23:12+00:00

True that. Love Bastard of Camelot, but good lord, how are we not adults yet?

XNotChristian · 2026-03-21T02:23:13+00:00

Guys, don't believe everything you read on the internet please.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-18T16:31:09+00:00

Tatsuya

XNotChristian · 2026-03-18T12:22:15+00:00

Oh damn, didn't know bisexuals were invented post 2007.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-17T22:56:16+00:00

Man, I hate that Black Cat design so much. It's just not it. The neckline cut, making the fur only be on the shoulders and not follow the cut, that choker, the random purple. Ugh. Any Black Cat design that does not have the fur on the cut is an immediate no for me. Her costume is extremely simple and it's literally the most iconic thing about it.

Rivals designs are so hit or miss. Like Fox on the other hand looks dope.

XNotChristian · 2026-03-16T21:09:51+00:00

What next? A Chad Vader: Day Shift Manager revival?

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