Recent reviews by Cawfein

At first glance, I Wani Hug that Gator!'s premise might seem like a typical dating game, but for furries. The objective is to befriend and romance a character — in this case, a Baryonyx/"Gator." While the depiction of disability is uncommon, it's not entirely unique either, as it's already been explored in another well-written VN from 4chan. So, what makes this one special?

The story centers around the protagonist, Inco, and the "Gator," Olivia. Despite being the main protagonist, Inco G. Nito acts like an NPC, a person who lacks his own opinion due to his addiction to video essays (literally me). He’s an unpopular guy aiming to stand out at his new dino-filled art school through his photography skills. Olivia Halford, his classmate, is the opposite of Inco. She's distant, quiet, and struggling as a painter due to her disability, to the point where she believes everyone praises her talent out of pity and mistrusts anyone around her. But despite their differences, Inco and Olivia share one common goal: to be known and accepted for who they really are.

Their journey reflects the game’s core theme of self-development, which unfolds through the dialogue choices. As a choice-driven game, Wani mostly presents the choices as both significant and hard to make. For instance, prioritizing Olivia over yourself might seem like the right move, but it can unintentionally reinforce her mind's need for dependence on others, thereby hindering her personal growth. While dating sims often focus solely on winning over the romantic interest, this game challenges players to help both themselves as Inco and Olivia grow as individuals.

The choices you make will ultimately determine the ending you get. Wani offers four distinct endings, each having different outcomes for Inco and Olivia's relationship. Despite the presence of a worst-case scenario, I found all the endings satisfying in their own way, as they illustrate that your choices genuinely matter. The most fulfilling ending is the one where both characters find peace and resolution through their own growth. The final ending beautifully showcases this sentiment, highlighting their journey through hardships and mutual support, and most importantly, it's a result of your choices.

The supporting characters in Wani have their own charm as well, even though they might not be as memorable as those in Cavemanon's similar project, Snoot Game. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that the characters in Wani are unimportant. They are still intriguing and worth investing in, because they all have reasonable justifications for their actions that may help Inco and Olivia grow, for better or worse.

Visually, the art style complements the tone of the game really well. The animations surprised me with how good they looked, which effectively visualize the important scenes better than static illustrations. However, some scenes feel a bit lacking and could use more art. This also applies to the backgrounds, as they could be better since most of them were edited stock photos. While the soundtrack is not the game’s strongest point, it still does a good job of supporting the game with some memorable tracks.

That being said, I Wani Hug that Gator! is special, because it's a beautiful, emotional, yet funny dating sim that delves into the idea of existentialism in life and relationships. Its minor flaws don’t detract from the heartfelt storytelling and meaningful choices that make every ending feel earned. So, after spending two days straight writing this long-ass review, do I think this game is worth it? Hell yeah! It was definitely worth the time spent both experiencing the game and writing this essay-esque review. But if you're still feeling reluctant, I recommend you try Snoot Game first as it is free and also has similar themes like this game.

Katawa Shoujo is no ordinary dating game; it's a disabled dating game. It challenges the misconception that some people have, who unironically still think that disabled individuals are "defects" or "completely hopeless." If you have a mindset like this, what's wrong with you?

This game portrays its disabled characters as... well, humans, who each got their own personal struggles and traumas from their respective disabilities. Despite some cringy lines from some characters (like Kenji), the writing shines in its ability to depict how disability impacts their lives without making it their whole identity. Each character's story is unique and deeply personal, making them somehow relatable and impactful.

For me, Rin Tezuka's story hits the hardest. Growing up with a little brother who is autistic taught me that you don’t need to understand someone completely to love and support them, you just need to be patient and be present. Rin’s story reminds me of this sentiment, showing that love and acceptance don’t require total understanding. Sometimes, just being there is enough.

Overall, Katawa Shoujo left me with meaningful messages that have stuck with me since 2020 and reminded me again today. Whether you're a visual novel fan or new to visual novels, this game is an experience you shouldn't miss.

praying for this game's downfall so they can REALLY start listening to their own players

edit: praying for pete's downfall as well

if only there were no tailing missions, this would be one of the games of all time

brasil

Everybody gangsta till goin inside Queen Vanessa's manor.

You can drink your own pee.

"TAKE COVER!"
"MEDIC!"
"TAKE COVER!"
"MEDIC!"
"TAKE COVER!"
"MEDIC!"