Tone of the Game

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Hello, fellow CYOA enthusiasts, I have been wondering if I should get this game. I read the reviews & while it's pretty obvious the game is excellently written (and I don't doubt that) the thing I miss is some information on the actual tone of the game.

While I can appreciate great writing skills even when not enjoying a story I don't think I'm up to sit through a incomparably lengthy story that is mostly fueling misery and depression, which is something I think the first game already was leaning towards to & from the game's description it sounds to me as if this has become even more of a main aspect of the game in this sequel.

Thanks in advance for any replies & especially any information on how much control the player actually has in these matters. I've been thoroughly burned by basically each and every Choice of... release the past years (since they mostly had no player control at all) so I would even prefer spoilers over going in blind and then ending up feeling ♥♥♥♥ from reading the story. x.x

[Wyrtt]

Probably not for you. Most other CYOA are short shallow animu isekai style fantasies with zero character development and story ending before it even started.
This one is kinda dark, MC has a very heavy trauma and it affects his mental state and social interactions.

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Originally posted by Wyrtt:

Probably not for you. Most other CYOA are short shallow animu isekai style fantasies with zero character development and story ending before it even started.
This one is kinda dark, MC has a very heavy trauma and it affects his mental state and social interactions.

Yeah, that is the dilemma, I dislike most CYOA for the exact reason you mention, plus the lack of actual player agenda, it's usually just a railroaded, very mediocre reading experience.

My all-time favorites are games like Tin Star, Wayhaven Chronicles, the Infinity series, A study in Steampunk and similar stuff.

I think that the 1st Fallen Hero was an objectively great game, just something I struggled with fully enjoying on a personal level cause I struggle enough with real life issues, I'm not too keen to have similar experiences in a fictional story that I'd like to immerse myself in to escape reality for a while.

Hm, might have to give this a pass then, I guess. :c I can deal with dark stuff but not when there's no chance for some happiness and especially a happy ending.

[fieryace]

There is at least one ending I would call a happy ending to this one, but it does depend on how you play the first one and the choices you make. And it does get... dark before it gets there. A lot of this one is about whether the MC tries to deal with their trauma or not, which can at least lead to an ending where things are getting better and they are happier.
That said, the tone is essentially the same as the first.

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Originally posted by fieryace:

There is at least one ending I would call a happy ending to this one, but it does depend on how you play the first one and the choices you make. And it does get... dark before it gets there. A lot of this one is about whether the MC tries to deal with their trauma or not, which can at least lead to an ending where things are getting better and they are happier.
That said, the tone is essentially the same as the first.

If it's the same I think I will actually give it a go. The first game was so well written...and this is just the longest CYOA thus far I think, coupled with the fact how competent the writer is it makes it really, really hard to pass it.

Thank you very much, you give me the hope I'll be able to enjoy the game all things considered, since I was already going for a much less extreme approach in the 1st game (I assume the path you hint at is trying to find a humane way of dealing with things instead of giving in to anger and despair(?) If you would elaborate a bit I'd be glad but thanks no matter what, I feel quite a bit more optimistic. Thought this game would basically go a ^10 in regards to being depressing.

[fieryace]

I don't think the game is that long, it's not really 1.5 million words it's more like 200k with a *ton* of variation and some significant branching at the ending. Took me maybe 7 hours over 2 days and I'm a slow reader.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS:
The ending I'm referring to was romancing Ortega, no killing, actively saving people, participating in therapy, and being honest whenever possible. That lead to the possibility to explain the MCs entire backstory to Ortega and them being receptive and understanding. Still on the "inevitable" path to being a villain, and still lying about who they are, but really just being an anti-villain with a code and legitimate grievances rather than an outright monster.

The MC does have trauma. All the trauma. And depending on how you play, that will all come out and be discussed. But IMO that's what actually leads to the good ending.

BUT I have read on some of the forums that other people have had difficulty getting this ending, even when trying to. From what I've read though, fighting back against being a villain and actively seeking to help others and to overcome trauma whenever possible should at least lead to a somewhat positive ending.

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Originally posted by fieryace:

I don't think the game is that long, it's not really 1.5 million words it's more like 200k with a *ton* of variation and some significant branching at the ending. Took me maybe 7 hours over 2 days and I'm a slow reader.

Thank you, that is on 1 hand kinda motivating but on the other I'm not really into the Ortega romance, the romance was the thing I didn't enjoy much in the 1st game, despite the quality of how it was written. The character I found most appealing is Lady Argent, but I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a way to have a happier ending for that route. :/
Though, then again, this is still not the final book if I understand the reviews, so there might be a chance that there'll be a way to clear things with her as well, at least once the whole story is finished. Might be a good idea to not follow that path, then, though, for the time being.

It's very kind of you to take the time to give me such a lengthy and in-depth explanation of how things seem to work between the first and the 2nd installment.

Edit: Ironically enough I somehow get the feeling being an actual monster that just is out to get revenge no matter what and not caring about the suffering inflicted on innocents might be a lot less stressful of a route to take, which, I guess, kinda makes sense. Not that I really wanna do that, but it's probably just a simpler way of going about it.

[MarshMelody]

Originally posted by A Ballad from Nocturne:

My all-time favorites are games like Tin Star, Wayhaven Chronicles, the Infinity series, A study in Steampunk and similar stuff.

not really chiming in here with anything on-topic, but Tin Star was excellent. not as hot on the others you mention (though I've enjoyed my time with the vast majority of COG/Hosted/Heart's Choice), but Tin Star rules.

will say that Retribution is very much on the mark with its morbid tone, as Rebirth was, with a fair share of levity to make the more traumatic moments go down easier. that being said, it does have some extremely tense sequences, as you might imagine. they're handled gracefully (or, at least, earnestly), but they do hit like a damn freight train.

[Lord_William]

Well, I must be in the minority because I ended up in a massively ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up cliffhanger of utter fear and chaos ending.
I guess there truly is a significant variation to how the story progresses... not keen on waiting another 4 years for part 3, but such is life.

[Wyrtt]

Originally posted by Lord_William:

Well, I must be in the minority because I ended up in a massively ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up cliffhanger of utter fear and chaos ending.
I guess there truly is a significant variation to how the story progresses... not keen on waiting another 4 years for part 3, but such is life.

And 10 years for part 4.

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Originally posted by TheRealMW:

Originally posted by A Ballad from Nocturne:

My all-time favorites are games like Tin Star, Wayhaven Chronicles, the Infinity series, A study in Steampunk and similar stuff.

not really chiming in here with anything on-topic, but Tin Star was excellent. not as hot on the others you mention (though I've enjoyed my time with the vast majority of COG/Hosted/Heart's Choice), but Tin Star rules.

will say that Retribution is very much on the mark with its morbid tone, as Rebirth was, with a fair share of levity to make the more traumatic moments go down easier. that being said, it does have some extremely tense sequences, as you might imagine. they're handled gracefully (or, at least, earnestly), but they do hit like a damn freight train.

Oh yeah, definitely Tin Star isn't the best out of those, to me personally it's Wayhaven Chronicles, but that's due to it being my favorite game of all time, so, yeah...xD

It's nice to hear someone enjoyed the Heart's Choice installments, I never got into any of them, I dunno, either they don't interest me cause it's not for female protag and female loveinterest, or because the romance isn't really that big of a thing. At least among those that had the option to play as a female character with female romance options.

I agree tho, the fact the author of the Fallen Hero series actually knows how to handle those scenes in a way that makes me feel as if they either have deep personal and/or professional insight in these topics makes it bearable. It's just handled very well and not in a tasteless, edgy manner.

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Originally posted by Lord_William:

Well, I must be in the minority because I ended up in a massively ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up cliffhanger of utter fear and chaos ending.
I guess there truly is a significant variation to how the story progresses... not keen on waiting another 4 years for part 3, but such is life.

That's what I'm worried about. x.x

[Raven]

You don't have to romance Ortega (I didn't) to get the type of ending fieryace described

[A Ballad from Nocturne]

Originally posted by Raven:

You don't have to romance Ortega (I didn't) to get the type of ending fieryace described

Thank you, that is yet another boost for my motivation (and fickle bravery) in regards to tackling this 2nd installment (i bought it already, tho, author deserves that much, this is one of the highest quality series)

[jaguarstryker]

Please let us know how the game went or is going for you! It might lead to some better ways to describe the game for those who are hesitant or unsure if it's something they really want to do.

Also, I played through the Alpha/Beta release as a Patreon on 6+ different saves. I thought I had seen mostly everything. After purchasing the game this month - I HAD NOT.

There is so much branching content in this installment that I keep playing it over and over just to learn everyone's secrets! I think that's the biggest overall change from the first book to this one for me - in the first book you are very focused on Sidestep and their point of view. In the second book, there's a LOT going on with other characters that any one Sidestep will never know because they're wrapped up in their own world and problems.

It's a masterpiece of both fiction and interactive fiction, and I wish I could get more people to play it!