#asterika

To present this narrative, I explored several formats: From the log system of Phantom Rose to the visual novel style of Phantom Rose 2. You might've seen some of these explorations and evolutions in screenshots or teasers if you've been following as well.

Ultimately, I decided on a presentation format that is more prose-focused, accompanied by full-screen artwork in major moments like the following:

The UI and the visuals will continue to change as development progresses but the fundamental way of storytelling will no longer change as the story is finalized.

There are several factors I’ve considered when deciding to move away from the more traditional, character-driven visual novel style:

Pacing: The script is introspective. A full-page layout allows the writing to stand and flow naturally without being chopped up.

Structure: Since the story is independent of the gameplay loop, I don't need to force the narrative to 'fit' within the environment of the game. I have the freedom to write a more continuous, expansive tale.

Focus: The experience is not only more focused for reading but also allows me to put greater energy in the writing.

While this format leans heavier into reading, I believe it allows me to deliver the best version of this story. I hope you look forward to the adventures of Klare, Iris, and Vignette.

2. Next Steps

There’s still a lot of work to be done, including localization and completing major artworks for each chapter. Although I can’t reveal many of them further, I hope that what I’ve shown so far in this devlog and other materials has piqued your interest in the story.