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Isabella I: Meet (some of) The Gang
We have officially started the first of seven routes in the game, each one told from a different character's perspective. With this, we unlock the first entry into our journal - a profile on Isabella, who will be our POV character for the foreseeable future.
Most of the fluff won't matter, but see that nationality there? The devs are from the Philippines, and Isabella (and one other character) will be their main tools to remind you of that.
Also, Isabella is a tiny smurf. The smallest adult we meet in this game, in fact.
'October 21, Friday | St. Goretti High School | Afternoon'
Music: BGM Classroom
Click the picture above for a video of this scene up to the first decision. All the dialogue is voiced (with varying quality between characters...) and there's a lot of pretty animation that doesn't really come across in pictures. Not so much the characters, there's a lot of rather... questionable movements there, even if it's nice that they emote a lot and turn around and stuff.
But the real star of the game is the backgrounds. The painted look fits well, there's lots of detail in the geometry, and the best thing is that there's a lot of particle animations and flowing and ebbing light, flying birds and the like going on. You can see the change in light when the GIF loops, for example. It's subtle, but looks pretty good in, uh, 'motion'.
(*Isabella picks up the phone*)
: Hello? Isabella? Are you there? Where are you?
A familiar, jittery voice comes from the other end.
If Isabella's design hasn't tipped you off to it already, this lady's hair colour ought to make it abundantly clear that the makers of this game are fans of, let's say, eastern animation.
Why is she at high school, anyways? She's twenty-six!
: What do you mean, 'what's the matter'? It's the mansion, silly! I'm here and you're late. Geez, we're on shift together. You promised! Oh my god. Please don't tell me you forgot! You were planning on leaving me to check this place out on my own, weren't you? You chickened out!
: Calm down. You know I take my promises seriously.
: I'd like to believe that, so hurry up and get here! This place is huge! A bit too quiet since no one's lived here since, like, forever but beautiful, nonetheless.
: Why are you so surprised? This isn't the first time you've been there.
: I know. I just wish I could live in a place like this. It really takes my breath away.
: Yeah... well, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Not after the rumors that say it's haunted.
: Geez, never mind those rumors. Ghosts aren't real, after all. And even if they are, which they are not, they can't do anything. They're nothing but spirits!
: No offense, sweetie, but that's a bit of a stretch.
: Ehhh, believe it or not, it's better to be careful.
: Right. You know, not every property we sell will end up with a dead body stuffed in a sofa.
I'm not sure how that even works. That's either a gigantic sofa or a very tiny body. Maybe a dead pet?
: And I think that mansion is where we'll likely find another one. I can feel it.
: That was one time, Isabella. Loosen up! Anyway, just get here ASAP, please. I'm getting bored being here on my own.
: Fine, fine. Let me just finish up here. I'll be right there soon.
: Okay, see you. Bye!
She hangs up before I can respond. Rose. Still charming as ever.
???: Who was that?
This lady sure loves a certain color scheme. Pink shirt, purple skirt, and... i guess the hair would count as light scarlet, but if you squint at it a little, it still fits her eyes.
: Oh, that? It's just Rose.
: Rose? The one you said who trained you for your job back when you started? You're working together again?
Here, we see a substantial difference between POV character (who are represented through hand-drawn stills in various poses) and everyone else. Others are drawn as some kind of pseudo-3D model whose parts are tweened about to suggest motion. Here, Rebecca just turned slightly to the side and crossed her arms, which looks kind of janky. You can check the video for that. Three guesses what got a gentle sway back and forth to suggest motion here? First two don't count.
By the way, why is that green lady called Rose, and not the overwhelmingly pink one?
: Just for this property. We've been scoping out that big mansion down at Anslem village after the renovations. Today's sort of its grand opening to the public. BRC wants to give it one last check before we let potential buyers tour it this afternoon.
: Didn't you keep saying how it just 'gave you the creeps'? You actually went there? And you're going back?!
: Well, I did promise Rose I wouldn't ditch her.
: And besides, a job is a job. Gotta' do what ya' gotta' do to make a livin'.
: What's so funny?
(*Rebecca shakes her head*)
: Nothing! It's just that I didn't expect you to say that! Coming from you, it sounds so... out of character.
: I mean, no offense. But you've been freaking out about the place being creepy, ever since you got assigned to it! Cursed rumors and all. I honestly thought you'd back out.
: Not all the time. I could really use a huge amount of cash right now, and this is just the fastest way to get it.
: Plus, listen to this: Briar Realty wants it sold as soon as possible! And the agent who lands the deal is going to get a huge bonus!
: They never give bonuses like that! Getting that would make life so much easier. They're desperate, I'm desperate. It's perfect!
A sympathetic look crosses her face.
: Or Ashton. We can always let you borrow and you can pay us back whenever.
I have to keep myself from groaning out loud. In the years I've known her, I can already tell what to expect once she has that expression.
: Becca—
: I've noticed that you've been living off instant noodles these past few weeks.
She crosses her arms and grimaces at the thought. Her voice slightly rises as she begins to scold me. Instantly, I'm reminded why Becca excels at teaching boisterous teenagers.
Well, that at least explains why the hell we're at school. So, Ms. Pink here is a high school teacher.
: Stop eating junk! They're cheap but they're not good for you. You'll definitely end up in the hospital if you keep at it.
It's Baby's First Choice. As such, this doesn't really affect much apart from the dialogue following immediately afterwards and a small change to Rebecca's relationship with Isabella. Since this would be a very short first update if i stopped here and it doesn't do much down the line, i left the vote for the end of update two. Said vote came out to I eat other things, too! but to illustrate a mechanic, i'll show off both options here.
I eat other things, too!
See that notification in the top left? All the playable characters have certain pre-set relationships with each other, and most choices we can make influence them in some way. Let's check out the relationship screen, indicated by that little heart to the lower right.
The small white dividers on the bars indicate the default value where each relationship starts out. Thanks to our response, we've slightly improved our standing with Becca.
Keep in mind that the values you see here go both ways - when we play Rebecca, we'll have the same relationship to Isabella that you can see now. This also means that relationship values carry across routes. Be mean to Rebecca now, and when we play as her, her relationship with Isabella will be in the dumps.
How exactly that works when we'll be basically time-looping, uh... best not to think too hard about it.
I fold my arms across my chest, mimicking her posture and giving her the best frown I can muster. The same one I'd use with my younger siblings when they're being difficult. Instead, she only raises an eyebrow at me.
: That's not going to work on me. And I saw it when you were cleaning your flat last week. The instant noodle cups outnumber everything else!
: You're just exaggerating! Did you even see what's in my cupboard, yet? I'm not just living on instant noodles alone. I've got canned beans, peas, tuna, ham, and even hamburgers in there!
I would have laughed a little at that, if I didn't know it would only lead to more reprimands from her.
: Aren't those the same ones you won from the grocer's raffle more than a year ago? I sincerely hope you're checking the date stamps on those things before eating them. I don't want a repeat of last year.
: In any case, those are still not exactly healthier choices, Belle.
When she looks up, I immediately brace myself: More words from her. Sometimes, it's just better to let Becca talk until she's out of things to say. But when she turns her attention back to me, there is only warmth in her smile.
: What am I going to do with you?
She says this more to herself than me; her voice shifting to something kinder, even "motherly," if I'm looking for the exact word.
: I hope you know that it's impossible not to worry about you when you're like this. You don't have to keep eating the same thing.
Or if we had taken the other option...
You're not my mom!
I press my lips together and roll my eyes at her. I'm not entirely sure how I should feel whenever she goes on her mother-hen mode. She means well. I'm glad someone's looking out for me, especially with my family living on the other side of the globe. But Becca's bossy attitude can be such a pain at times.
She's more overbearing than Mama and that already says a lot!
Predictably, this is what happens when you're mean to Rebecca.
: I didn't say I am!
: Nope. But you're acting like one! You don't need to boss me around all the time!
Immediately, I brace myself for another round of reprimands from her.
: I'm not bossing you around! I'm just telling you to, at least, mind what you're eating! Remember what happened last year? You ended up bedridden for two weeks after eating something bad. And I ended up having to listen to you cry about how those absences would 'take a huge chunk out' of your paycheck! Do you want that to happen again?
: No, mom.
Only a loud, frustrated sigh comes from her while she pinches the bridge of her nose. Likely to help ease a headache starting to form. I bite my lip to keep myself from laughing out loud at the image she makes, expecting her to say more. But when, at last, she looks up, she's simply carrying a resigned expression on her face.
: I'm serious.
: Not my mom, Rebecca~!
I shut my mouth after that. Although I know she's not really angry, I don't want to push it. An angry Becca isn't someone I'd like to cross paths with in my lifetime. I've seen it happen and it wasn't pretty.
: Yeah, I'll stop.
I grumble, but she doesn't seem to care much. Only giving me a small, acknowledging nod.
: Good. Look: If you need anything, tell me. And I'll help in anyway I can.
And that's it for this option.
Regardless of the choice we took, we get an achievement and end up continuing here:
This or That - Make your first Decision
: Thanks, Becca. I really appreciate it, but you don't need to keep babying me. You've been taking care of me since after I moved here! You have to take a break some time.
: And before you ask again: No. You know I'm not a fan of borrowing money. And I'm not going to ask you to give me what you earned hard for yourself.
: Eh, you and your pride. But suit yourself.
: The offer stays on the table, though.
I nod in response, if only to get her to drop the topic. But I'm pretty certain I will never take that offer. Ever.
It has nothing to do with pride. I've simply seen plenty of times how friendships can take a turn for the worse, just because of a few unpaid debts. I don't want something like that to happen between me and Becca! We may argue about a lot of small, petty things, but she already feels like a real sister to me. I don't want to lose that friendship over something so trivial!
: Well, enough chitchat! Lunch is ending and my students will be back any minute.
: We can catch up later.
: Good luck with your clients. You better treat us to lunch or something if you get that sale!
: You bet!
With a small smile, she returns to her desk and begins sifting through the pages of a rather thick history book.
She's probably working on next week's lesson plan. Or trying, at least. Her eyes are distant and she doesn't seem too attentive to whatever is on the page.
Ah, this is precisely why I followed her here. For someone who makes a habit out of worrying about other people, Becca sure forgets how to take care of herself!
: Hey... You sure you can manage on your own? I mean... You're still a bit feverish…
: Oh, hush, dear. Don't you worry about me.
: I'll just drink some medicine and I'll be right as rain!
I level her with a flat look.
She has had a cold for a couple of days now. Something about the strange weather not agreeing with her lately. And, despite my advice to take the week off and rest, I found her apartment empty when I dropped by this morning. She even left the medicine her doctor prescribed!
Look who's being stubborn now.
: You shouldn't even be working right now.
: Seriously, you big baby, I'll be fine! For now, just go to work and stop making that Rose girl wait for you.
: I'll call you if I still feel bad, and you can come pick me up if it makes you feel any better.
She offers me a reassuring smile and I can only sigh. Why do I even bother? There is no stopping her once she has decided on something!
She looks at it warily when I place it in front of her. Unfortunately for her, this is one thing I'm not letting her have her way!
: Alright. But don't forget what the doctor said: 'drink this on time.'
: I'll see you later, okay?
There's an amused gleam in her eyes when she shifts them back to me.
: Look who's playing the mother-hen now?
Even if the paperdoll template solution kind of makes many characters look samey (and kind of completely different from their POV appearance), at least they get a decent variety of expressions out of it. Every character has 20+ facial expressions, plus various arm poses to accentuate it. I like Rebecca's taunting look there.
: Okay, okay! I won't tease anymore. I'll make sure to drink it, mom.
Before I can retort, she casts another look at the clock. I take that as a sign to finally end the conversation and my short visit. With a small wave, I leave her alone to her classroom and her thoughts.
'October 21, Friday | Luxbourne City | Afternoon'
I hope the taxi driver won't force us to gamble our lives by taking one of two pills. Then again, the extremely pink lady earlier was still fine, so we should be safe.
Music: Ambience Inside Car
The mansion is some ways out in the countryside, but I don't have trouble giving the driver directions. Apparently, everyone in Luxbourne City knows of it, including every bit of rumor surrounding the place. In fact, just the mention of its name is enough for locals to give you cautious, sidelong glances. I learned that the hard way the first time I commuted there, and it only boosted my belief that there's something more to the house. Even the news of it being renovated and placed back up in the market has caused quite a stir. Thankfully, it died down a few weeks later. The place would've become a lot harder to sell, otherwise!
I avert my eyes from the window once the buildings shrink in the distance. We get a glimpse of the countryside soon, although a quick glance at my watch tells me we're still a few minutes away from our destination. Might as well get some work done. Rose did ask me to review the mansion's documents. I already looked them over last night but you never know when things may go wrong! Life has ways of messing things up like that.
Halfway through reading the papers, my phone rings again. I pick it up without looking, neatly tucking it between my ear and shoulder. It's probably just Rose again, anyway.
: Rose?
We're supposedly riding a taxi right now, but the scene doesn't change to reflect that. I guess they figured this ambience hum of a running motor in the background is convincing enough.
That voice...
: Ash.
: Bingo.
: Hey! What's up?
: Just checking if you're still cool later this evening.
: You mean that thing with Zach?
: Yeah! He even called in the middle of the night just to remind me.
: No, don't worry. I didn't forget. I'll be there.
: Cool! I'll see you later. What time do you get off?
: Around five…? Six PM? I don't know...
: It's the first day of the Ermengarde Mansion's open house, and we're expecting quite a number of potential buyers. I'll be booked the whole afternoon.
Meet Ashton. A big fan of Solid Snake. His impressions of him are not very good though.
: You know? The big Jacobean mansion at Anslem village? I'm on my way there right now, actually.
: On your own?
: Yeah! Well, Rose is already there. But, yeah!
: I see... Looks like the scaredy-cat finally toughened up.
: Shut up!
Ash chuckles and I can't help but roll my eyes upon hearing it.
: Whatever! Bye!
(*click*)
Stupid Ash-hole! Always teasing me whenever he sees a chance! I'll show him who's tough!
I am like 85% sure the devs chose his name specifically for this terrible pun.
After we've seen certain chunks of story, the events will be put down in a timeline in our journal. This is kind of important since we'll be seeing the same span of ~ 2 weeks multiple times through different character's eyes, so this kinda helps to keep straight what has happened and when. Our journal looks like this:
To make it slightly less of a pain to read, this will be the only time that i actually show you the in-game journal. All other times, i'll write out the journal entries like just below. There's also a sweet pencil drawing accompanying each entry.
Journal Updated - OCT 21
Before going to the Ermengarde Mansion, Isabella Santos dropped by St. Goretti High School to check on Rebecca Gales. The former reminded the latter to take her flu medicine before leaving. On the way to the mansion, Isabella received a phone call from Ashton Frey, reminding her of Zachary Steele’s movie premier that night.
Kind of a slow start, huh? But now that we have the awkward character introductions for a few of them out of the way, we can get started on the real reason we are here: the spooky mansion.
Next time: We actually get to enter the probably haunted mansion. And maybe we'll finally get to find the eponymous letter...?