itch.io

I've played the first chapters in each half of the demo and now I'm forcing myself to stop so I can experience the rest in the finished game. I've been following this project for a while on Tumblr and it was already my most anticipated upcoming visual novel, but now I'm doubly excited for it. The setting is so rich, the characters are so distinctive (Meissa and Geoffrey have each stolen half my heart already), the writing is so fluid, and the art is some of the best I've seen in a VN. I'm looking forward to your Kickstarter, and my fingers are crossed that it will be a smashing success!

This is hands-down the best visual novel I've played. The story kept me entertained through all five routes, the love interests were all endearing in their different ways, and the side characters had interesting stories and personality quirks of their own. (You know a game has great characters when even the inanimate objects have personality - who knew I could love a broom this much?) Best of all, the protagonist was fascinating in her own right. I have never been so invested in the main character of a visual novel before. Lucette is strikingly original, and watching her grow and change in each of the story routes was incredibly refreshing.

I was pleasantly surprised that there were no love interests or routes that I disliked, even if I didn't love them all equally. My favorite love interest was Karma (I love redheads, pretty boys, and boys with swords, and it doesn't hurt that Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale), but I think Waltz's route was the most satisfying. That was the route that tied up all the loose plot elements, so definitely save Waltz for last. 

There are a few typos here and there, but a lot fewer than I was expecting. When I think about how many commercial visual novels desperately need better editing, that's pretty impressive.

My one complaint about Cinderella Phenomenon is how heteronormative it is. It would have been nice to see at least one female love interest. Or failing that, I would have liked to see even  the possibility of same-sex relationships acknowledged in the game. (For instance, a bisexual woman could have broken Karma's curse by falling in love with the woman he pretends to be and remaining in love once she learns he's a man, but this possibility is never even hinted at.) On the plus side, the writer(s) nimbly side-stepped opportunities for transphobic, homophobic, or misogynistic humor relating to Karma's  cross-dressing, and I commend them for that.

I get an error message every time I try to save the game unless I open it as an administrator. Not sure what's wrong, but it makes the game unplayable.