#moonvale thoughts

Don't get me wrong, I definitely understand that Everbyte needs to earn money. And I also understand that they need to earn more money now. Everything is more expensive, all the costs that come with making a game, the actors, getting locations and all that. I do understand. And I have to say, it was 5€ for me, which is, in my position, every couple of months not too bad. But many people aren't that lucky. They can't afford it and it doesn't change the fact that the gems system is kinda... ouch.

However, I believe getting the episode pass saved me from many problems during the game so my experience was probably better than the once of others.

Let's get more into the episode itself. I think the story line is interesting and has a lot of potential. And it can be great, however, I have to honestly say, I'm missing something. I'm missing something that keeps me hooked and makes me want to keep playing. Sadly, for me, there is a big difference. When I played Duskwood I was always like "Oh man, I hope the episode doesn't end. Please don't end, please, I need more. More information, more chats" etc. etc. etc... But while playing the Moonvale episode I was just like "How much longer? How much more is left? Is it over soon?" I liked the story. And luckily, in between there were moments in between that gave a new push of excitement. But around that? I was more like... Hm... That's damn much episode but it didn't kept me hooked. I wasn't like "I have to keep playing!"

I have to say, I can't deny that Jake's character was a big part, yes, maybe even the biggest part why I loved the Duskwood episodes so that. And of course it's a mystery game, not a romance game. But it's also the story itself. It's good, but it's more of a 'yeah I keep playing because maybe the next episode will be better'. You know what I mean? I'm just missing something that makes me feel like "I have to know what happens next! I have to know more. More story, more interactions with the characters!" and not just "Yeah, it's good, I keep playing"

And I'm also still missing the depth of the character's. Like we got more about Charlie, and in my opinion, he's the most interesting character in Moonvale. Violet is... silent. Eric is... not too bad but also somehow boring, for me. And Ash... I don't like her. Really not. She's so bitchy and always so... haughty, in my eyes.

And for me, I also think the episodes are too dry. Too much talking about things that aren't really that exciting, of course it's only the second episode, but still. And I also really don't like how slow the damn chats are. Of course, I think it's a way to make the episodes longer, which is a way to go, but in my eyes not a really good way. I would kill to make those chest faster. I think there should be an option to set the pace like it was in Duskwood. Simply because for people who think it's too slow and dry, like me, it makes me lose interest and it's more like a "Yeah, whatever, let's finish this".

I think a great addition to the game was definitely the 'Story' part, where we had to post the story. And as we all have seen, there was also a Duskwood picture, so I can very well imagine that in the future, that's might be the way how we are going to reach the others, by posting a story.

Speaking of Duskwood, let's go in with the side story. Which was, of course, also not too much yet, but it gave us a great inside of what is going on and it's very interesting what is happening. Like, they're shutting the whole town down. No messages in or out, no signal and now all of them are brought away by, obviously, the FBI probably. And of course all that is happening because of Jake. Shutting the town down etc. Which is absolutely exciting and the biggest reason why I keep playing Moonvale. I think it's very interesting how NYMOS was brought in and I think it's a believable way why the dw characters can't reach us. And I also loved how Everbyte included that the characters are speaking to us. Like Dan, Thomas, using our name and reaching out to us and not just talking with the group like they are still waiting and hoping for us. And at the end also Cleos video and that she spoke about Jake and all that... It's just a big relief to see them back and all that. And I think in the future it will definitely bring us a great experience.

Back to Moonvale: I also though some chats did not make much sense to me. Like, some theories and stuff, I think they forgot a bit about the end call with Adam in episode one and that he was alive there and all that. Even if he didn't talk etc. I don't know, I think some chat path weren't that logical. But I love how they kept using the right time line. Like 'last night', 'now it's morning', that's often a big problem xD

And some more positive about the game design now. I think the way the mini games are designed isn't too bad. It's still cute and has more of candy crush but it doesn't bother me that bad anymore like it did at the beginning. I'm glad they changed the backgrounds and the messanger chat layout. It's more realistic again and also the sounds are more realistic. The theme music is more realistic and I really like that and I'm happy everbyte went that way now.

I'm also glad we got a bit more profiles of the character's. Like the picture and videos. It makes the whole thing more real.

Sure, we still have some Ai in the game and I still don't support that. But I'm glad at least Charlie and Violet both have a real picture now and not just AI generated pictures. It would be best to completely remove Ai, we talk more than enough about why. But I can go with it, for now, as long as it doesn't come back like in episode one. (Of course I don't protect Ai art here now, and as I said, I would prefer it it were more real like on Duskwood. With stock photos and stuff. But fact is, AI art is indeed a part of this world now, if we want or not. And even if it's not good, there is also not much to do against it. Which doesn't mean I like it)

I'm sad we didn't get the option to chose out own profile picture and background etc. To really customize our profile and the game experience. And it's still only Ai art, which is really disappointing for me. Especially also because you still have to be lucky when you pay gems for more wallpapers and so. Why not letting us just buy what we want as profile picture. It's still a way to make us buy more gems if necessary which is sad. And like, how am I supposed to customize my profile to make it more *realistic*, when I only have background and wallpaper that aren't even close to what I personally like? It just makes it less real, in my eyes, and that's very sad.

And I also think it's a bit annoying that we still haven't Charlies and Violets contact with names just because we don't have them in personal Chats yet. I would very much prefer it they would see the names instead of the numbers.

Let's talk about the mini games for a second. First of all, too much. Really too much. Why not staying with only three per break? I mean, that more than enough. But sometimes 4? And then having only a short chat and having to play again... It's too much in my eyes, really. I found them much more bearable this time, however. Still not that easy but better than in episode one. Those killed me. Way too much and too hard. It just added onto the not so great play experience. This was better here, in my eyes, but still a bit too much in my eyes. Keep it calm, don't make us play so many, we lose hearts, gems and time. We play for the story, not for the mini games. I get that we need to do that in between, but four are just too much.

So, a bit more about the story itself. I think it was really interesting with Eric and Whitmore. Like, I somehow liked him xD. I just love weird characters and I thought he looks really cool for this role. (I won't comment on any acting here.) The way he suddenly appeared, with that look, those eyes, I loved it, gave me a good amount of chills. He gives me 'wannabe survival trainee'- vibes. Like, you know, those guys who train in case the world ends? He gave me those vibes. Likes it. Whitmore is approved. xD

I think it was very interesting that whitemore also had a tarot card. Like, we got 'The Stranger', Whitmore got 'The Liar' and ad Unknown said, he is indeed lying. So we are, apparently, somehow connected with Whitemore definitely. And it's obviously that whatever is happening, we are a big reason for it. I feel like someone is challenging us to solve this case. Maybe Unknown, maybe someone else, I don't know.

Unknown is my favorite character so far, to be honest. Yes, I'm a simple person. But he is obviously somehow important for all this and knows things that might be important for us. The Greenside Motel story is very interesting for me as well. I like how they made this mystery around it. The room Adam got and how we have the theory that the room was for us and not for Adam himself. The bonus with doing the Viral Story gave the whole thing an extra touch and made it more exciting. The comments we get, what the people say about the Motel, the whole stories and stuff, I think it's very interesting.

And I also liked the little bonus about the girl who was asking for Eric. Seems like those two had a rather stromy relationship or anything since Ash said 'Like she has any right to know' and stuff like that. I really do wonder how Charlie managed to deal with her.

Oh, and another big thing: WHERE THE HELL IS BRIAN?? Like two episode and dude didn't appear? Sus! Come out, say hello. I don't have time to wait.

So, long story short, my opinion in a few words: The story is great and has definitely potential. However, I'm still missing something that really keeps me up on my toes and and give me that adrenaline like feeling. The episode was definitely much better than the first one, although, in my eyes, sadly,.. chewy and still a bit too dry.

(Oof, so, that was a lot, actually. And the first time I really made a whole post about my thoughts. I'm sure I forgot about things I wanted to mention but if so, I will just add it to this post by reblogging. I hope you found my answer likeable and you had some fun reading it. Of course, if you want my opinion on something specific you can ask away any time.)

I also apologize for the rather negative answer here. It's sadly how I feel about it and please don't forget 'it's just my opinion', my opinion about the game and the characters. You can like it much more than I do. I don't try to make people sad or anything with it. I'm still looking forward to episode three and how the story will continue. 💚

I never thought they would make him die but still, always a little worry in the back of my head. But now I'm just a silly little happy fangirl and this ending have me so much motivation and I love it.

About the thing with Charlie, I link you this post here because I have already talked in much more detail and I certainly can not remember everything I said. And it would only be a repetition.

But I can say that I have absolutely no idea what this means. I have so many questions and theories in my head but somehow I don’t believe in most of them myself.

Just another really mean Everbyte thing to give us this grudge and then to say "Yes, see you later, we’ll talk about it again in the next episode" and then we have to wait and worry again. It really is torture!

And I’m pretty sure we’ll get things answered. As long as they have not forgotten this promise as well...

But no, I think the side story will definitely not be too short and we will have to deal with it in the next episodes and hopefully find out everything. I mean, Everbyte took good care of Duskwood, I hope they brought that to Moonvale.

Personally, I would much rather have a real premium version again, even if I’m sorry for those who can’t afford it. I don’t want to have such inequality and such an advantage but as we have noticed now it is still not so easy to get through the game without paying money. No one is happy about it, and makes it unfair either way.

While some can buy gems, others can’t, it’s simply unfair to everyone. And I also hope that Everbyte will change their mind and bring back a little more from Duskwood.

Everything that has happened is still a bit confusing to me and even if I'm calmer, the disappointment is still there. And I really hope they will give us some of the Duskwood vibe back.

Otherwise, I just hope that you also liked the story of Moonvale itself and that you had a really nice game experience besides of everything around it.

And of course, thank you a lot for sharing your opinion with me/us. I really enjoyed reading it and it's especially wonderful to see other people being happy about Jake as well. 🤭

The Candy Crush comparison makes me laugh every time and it hurts me because it’s true. xD

The thing with the characters being identical with the Duskwood characters... It's a hard topic in my eyes.

Some people say it way too early to judge this. And it's true. We didn't saw much now. But I do think we can already judge them a bit by what we saw. And when we compare it with how the Duskwood characters were in the first episode, I do think you can see that there's not much yet, sadly.

Like, we had Thomas, the idiot in love with problems to take criticism. We had Jessy the hanger-on that were clinging to Dan but then decided to change sides. We had the funny sunny boy Richy. The pretty cold acting Cleo. We had bitchy Lilly and of course we had the grumpy and unfriendly Dan. They all acted pretty strong from second one, in my eyes.

But I somehow absolutely don't think the Moonvale characters are like the Duskwood characters. Because well, I really think they need stronger personalities.

We have Eric who's a pretty normal guy and even though he tripped twice in one episode he's not at all like Thomas.

We have Ash who's like a very, veeery light version of Jessy and Lilly, in my eyes. Somehow kind but somehow absolutely not trustworthy.

We have Violet who's just.. there sometimes. Even the drunken police chief is more expressive.

Well and Charlie is.. Somehow like Richy and in my eyes has the strongest personality so far.

Oh and not to forget Brian who wasn't even there. Lol.

So yeah, I understand both points but I might see it a bit differently.

"Why's this game taking so much of my money" had me on my knees, laughing and crying at the same time because it's almost funny what Everbyte did and it's just as sad.

During my first playthrough I was also like: Someone give me a crucifix I need to get rid of Eric as soon as possible.

But while replaying I just had to see what happens if you decide to get closer with Eric and I swear it didn't disappoint me. It was hilarious and truly, I want this with Jake. I need such a chat with Jake! Everbyte, please!

I mean, I'm not flirting with Eric because I think he's hot or anything. Sadly, his character isn't interesting to me in this sense. (I need the mysterious guys xD) But I just had to try it and I mean, who knows if it will be important later. It's manipulative, I know, but don't judge me. And also, there's still this little hope for a jealous Jake. *ahem* Sorry, I promise I still feel bad for flirting with someone else. 😩

But gosh, the side story end. It was worth all the wait, really. I said before, I don’t forget about the negative things because of it but I'm just a silly, lonely, disappointed girl in love with a fictional hacker, let me have this adrenaline boost!

And yes, I was so happy when I saw Alan's body cam. I immediately knew what that means but at first I was just so happy to "see" Alan as well. I really like this guy, I can't stop myself.

About rant 1: I love the comparison with "So expensive is a picture" it is just as true and actually shows again how incredible it all is. I’ve said my opinion many times now, and I still want to protect Everbyte and give them a little empathy. But it's sadly just true.

I had a thought about that (what you said in rant 2) before and wanted to make a post about it later. So I hope it's okay if I get to it later.

Rant 3: This is actually one of the things that botherse the most. We can't rewatch calls, videos and pictures. The chats are disappearing and are gone forever. And they told us it will be different and that's so annoying. Not being able to see it in the app is just bothering for me. And yeah, that they broke the "promise" is as well. We all were so happy about the chat thing and now...

I actually like the look of Moonvale even if I would prefer something much darker. Especially with the mini games. The background is AI, of course, so. It would look much better with a real background.

And the damn mini games... I loved the ones in Duskwood so much. I really did. It was so much fun and I was one of the people who found them very easy.

But now the Moonvale mini games. By lord. Even though they're much easier for me in my replay, the first time I was actually this close to throwing my phone against the wall. I mean, I even went to sleep at some point and finished the game the next day! Everyone who follows me since duskwood knows I would rather shave my head than that. But they're just pain. And I seriously hope Everbyte will make them a bit easier or give us moves! Because this was often the biggest issue for me. Not enough moves. But they want you to buy gems so... 😒

Your conclusion sound good. I'm definitely planning to replay Duskwood as well. If I want or not. I have to. I need the comforting atmosphere and my emotional support hacker.

So I would say, see you in Duskwood, my detective friend. 🫡

No, jokes aside. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me and us. As I said, I love your humor and the way to describe the things. And I really enjoyed answering it. 💚

I hope you could calm down a bit as well. I definitely needed some days before I could see it more clearly.