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Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!


Hello, precious diamonds. I'm Roar and I'd like to welcome you to the Doki Doki Literature Club LP - a game so charming and eye-opening that it brought me out of LP retirement. While I will be acting as guide and semi-narrator throughout this heartwarming adventure, I am going to be taking a backseat role as I've done with my last few LPs - the game will be, for the most part, speaking for itself. Before we go into the game proper, though, I'd like to share some information on where you can get this game and a few guidelines for the thread.

First of all, Doki Doki Literature Club is a FREE visual novel on Steam (and through the developer's website) so there's literally no reason whatsoever to not download it right now and play it yourself. I highly recommend you do just that. If that's not your jam, though, that's cool...that's why I'm here, after all. Here's the steam link and product description:

quote:



Hi, Monika here!
Welcome to the Literature Club! It's always been a dream of mine to make something special out of the things I love. Now that you're a club member, you can help me make that dream come true in this cute game!

Every day is full of chit-chat and fun activities with all of my adorable and unique club members:

Sayori, the youthful bundle of sunshine who values happiness the most;
Natsuki, the deceivingly cute girl who packs an assertive punch;
Yuri, the timid and mysterious one who finds comfort in the world of books;
...And, of course, Monika, the leader of the club! That's me!

I'm super excited for you to make friends with everyone and help the Literature Club become a more intimate place for all my members. But I can tell already that you're a sweetheart—will you promise to spend the most time with me? ❤

This game is not suitable for children
or those who are easily disturbed.


I told you it was charming.

The only thing I ask for in this thread is NO SPOILERS WHATSOEVER NOT EVEN IN TAGS. I'm going to try and update this at least once every couple of days but life comes at you fast and with two kids and a busy work schedule, I make no promises.

Let's get to it!





Table of Contents:

1. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996#post477220834
2. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996#post477255019
3. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=2#post477320844
4. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=2#post477358982
5. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=2#post477384198
6. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=3#post477415099
7. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=3#post477443959
8. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=4#post477478364
9. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=5#post477511643
10. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=5#post477546459
11. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=6#post477580153
12. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=8#post477606525
13. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=10#post477637387
14. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=11#post477671016
15. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=11#post477706992
16. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=12#post477742765
17. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=14#post477776073
18. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=15#post477804762
19. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=17#post477832205
20. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=21#post477858364
21. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=21#post477858370
22. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=24#post477895447
23. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=25#post477930079
24. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=25#post477930094
25. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=26#post477963867
26. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=27#post478002640
27. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=29#post478039194

Roar fucked around with this message at 23:28 on Nov 7, 2017

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Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!

Table of Contents:

1. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996#post477220834
2. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996#post477255019
3. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=2#post477320844
4. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=2#post477358982
5. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=2#post477384198
6. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=3#post477415099
7. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=3#post477443959
8. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=4#post477478364
9. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=5#post477511643
10. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=5#post477546459
11. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=6#post477580153
12. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=8#post477606525
13. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=10#post477637387
14. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=11#post477671016
15. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=11#post477706992
16. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=12#post477742765
17. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=14#post477776073
18. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=15#post477804762
19. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=17#post477832205
20. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=21#post477858364
21. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=21#post477858370
22. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=24#post477895447
23. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=25#post477930079
24. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=25#post477930094
25. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=26#post477963867
26. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=27#post478002640
27. https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3836996&pagenumber=29#post478039194

Roar fucked around with this message at 23:28 on Nov 7, 2017

Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!
1.




Individuals sufferings from anxiety or depression may not have a safe experience playing this game. For content warnings, please visit: http://ddlc.moe/warning.html. By playing Doki Doki Literature Club, you agree that you are at least 13 years of age, and you consent to your exposure of highly disturbing content.

As mentioned briefly in the Steam description page, this game does deal with some dark and possibly disturbing issues later on. The developers of the game are taking no chances with people suffering from anxiety/depressive disorders and you need to actually agree to this caveat before moving into the game.

BGM: Doki Doki Literature Club! **New!**





No chances whatsoever.

This is the last notice of disturbing content. There will be no further warnings. Enjoy this LP at your own risk.




Welcome to Doki Doki Literature Club!



Our name is Mitayo. There is literally zero rhyme or reason behind this whatsoever beyond “I wanted something vaguely Japanese-sounding and also I didn’t want him to be named Dongs.”



BGM: Ohayou Sayori! **New!**

I see an annoying girl running toward me from the distance, waving her arms in the air like she's totally oblivious to any attention she might draw to herself. That girl is Sayori, my neighbor and good friend since we were children. You know, the kind of friend you'd never see yourself making today, but it just kind of works out because you've known each other for so long?

We used to walk to school together on days like this, but starting around high school she would oversleep more and more frequently, and I would get tired of waiting up. But if she's going to chase after me like this, I almost feel better off running away. However, I just sigh and idle in front of the crosswalk and let Sayori catch up to me.

I'm not entirely sure why Mitayo starts off the game by being so annoyed over Sayori. I think he’s going for a roasting-my-friend sort of vibe but it doesn’t come across very well. It's not a great first impression, but it never really comes up again. He actually does consider her a friend.



: “I overslept again! But I caught you this time!"

So this is Sayori - like the MC mentioned a minute ago, she's a bit of a flake. She's super nice, though, and a generally worthwhile person to know. She's the typical 'has always been my best friend' character - kind of the middle of the road with no obvious glaring faults.

: “Maybe, but only because I decided to stop and wait for you."

: “Eeehhhhh, you say that like you were thinking about ignoring me! That's mean, Mitayo!"

He was and it is.

As an aside, the male POV never appears in the game. The portrait I went with was on the first page GIS search of Japanese high school boy and I have no idea where he’s from.


: “Well, if people stare at you for acting weird then I don't want them to think we're a couple or something."

: “Fine, fine. But you did wait for me, after all. I guess you don't have it in you to be mean even if you want to~"

: “Whatever you say, Sayori..."

: “Ehehe~"

This game is not voiced. No weird awkward laughter to cap here.

We cross the street together and make our way to school. As we draw near, the streets become increasingly speckled with other students making their daily commute.



: “Have you decided on a club to join yet?"

High schools in anime and VNs are super-into extracurricular clubs. How much of this leaks from real life is beyond me because I'm an uncultured idiot. It certainly happens in media enough.

: “A club? I told you already, I'm really not interested in joining any clubs. I haven't been looking, either."

: "Eh? That's not true! You told me you would join a club this year!"

: “Did I...?"

I'm sure it's possible that I did, in one of our many conversations where I dismissively go along with whatever she's going on about. Sayori likes to worry a little too much about me, when I'm perfectly content just getting by on the average while spending my free time on games and anime.

...they really are friends. He really does like her, I promise. :(

: "Uh-huh! I was talking about how I'm worried that you won't learn how to socialize or have any skills before college. Your happiness is really important to me, you know!

: “And I know you're happy now, but I'd die at the thought of you becoming a NEET in a few years because you're not used to the real world! You trust me, right?"

NEET is apparently an acronym for 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training.”I'd never heard this term before so if you're in the same boat I was, you're welcome.

: “Alright, alright...I'll look at a few clubs if it makes you happy."

: “Will you at least promise me you'll try a little?"



: “Yeah, I guess I'll promise you that."

: “Yaay~!"

Why do I let myself get lectured by such a carefree girl? More than that, I'm surprised I even let myself relent to her. I guess seeing her worry so much about me makes me want to ease her mind at least a little bit - even if she does exaggerate everything inside her head.

There! That's a little bit of caring! I told you!



The screen transitions into this classroom. I think we only come here once or twice, so enjoy it while it lasts.

The school day is as ordinary as ever, and it's over before I know it. After I pack up my things, I stare blankly at the wall, looking for an ounce of motivation.

: “Clubs..."

Sayori wants me to check out some clubs. I guess I have no choice but to start with the anime club...

Literally no choice whatsoever. I'll get rid of my NEET status in no time if I spend my after-school hours talking about Tuxedo Mask and Goku!

: “Hellooo?"



Get used to Sayori. While the other girls do make a grand appearance very, very soon, it's pretty obvious that Sayori is the obvious forerunner for love interest.

Sayori must have come into the classroom while I was spacing out. I look around and realize that I'm the only one left in the classroom.

: “I thought I'd catch you coming out of the classroom, but I saw you just sitting here and spacing out, so I came in. Honestly, you're even worse than me sometimes...I'm impressed!"

: “You don't need to wait up for me if it's going to make you late to your own club."

: “Well, I thought you might need some encouragement, so I thought, you know..."

: “Know what?"



You have about four and a half lines of dialogue to guess which club Sayori's a part of.

: “Sayori..."

: “Yeah??"

: “...There is no way I'm going to your club."

: “Eeeehhhhh?! Meanie!"

Sayori is vice president of the Literature Club - not that I was ever aware that she had any interest in literature. In fact, I'm 99% sure she only did it because she thought it would be fun to help start a new club.

Knowing Sayori's character, this is probably entirely true.

Since she was the first one to show interest after the one who proposed the club, she inherited the title "Vice President". That said, my interest in literature is guaranteed to be even less.

: “Yeah. I'm going to the anime club."

Tempt me not, woman! Anime awaits!

: “C'mon, please?"

: “Why do you care so much, anyway?"



: “I kind of told the club yesterday I would bring in a new member...and Natsuki made cupcakes and everything...ehehe..."

Free food, you say...?

: “Don't make promises you can't keep!"

I can't tell if Sayori is really that much of an airhead, or if she's so cunning as to have planned all of this out. I let out a long sigh.

: “Fine...I'll stop by for a cupcake, okay?"

: “Yes! Let's go~!"

It's hard not to like Sayori. She's so bubbly all the time, even over little stuff.



I want this on my tombstone.

I dejectedly follow Sayori across the school and upstairs - a section of the school I rarely visit, being generally used for third-year classes and activities.

I don't think it's even mentioned exactly what year of school he's in.

Sayori, full of energy, swings open the classroom door.



THIS is the room we'll probably be seeing the most of.

BGM: Doki Doki Literature Club! (modified - no "Doki Doki!" at the beginning)

: “I told you, don't call me a 'new member--'"

Eh? I glance around the room.



: “Sayori always says nice things about you."



: “Way to kill the atmosphere."



: “Welcome to the club!"

In one fell swoop, every other character in this game gets introduced. Other than Kirby hair, the others are definitely anime but not obscenely so.

: “..."

All words escape me in this situation. This club...is full of incredibly cute girls!!

:derp: GIRLS! :derp:

To Be Continued!

Roar fucked around with this message at 01:26 on Oct 30, 2017

someone awful.
Sep 7, 2007


Ground floor :getin: I literally just read this today, but I'll be following this because I love seeing other peoples' perspectives on stuff.

Why does our childhood friend have such tiny baby hands.

TheOneAndOnlyT
Dec 18, 2005

Well well, mister fancy-pants, I hope you're wearing your matching sweater today, or you'll be cut down like the ugly tree you are.
Ground floor. This is gonna be a ride.

To anyone going :rolleyes: at the first update... stick with it. Not going to say any more than that.

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

Monika best girl. It's really not even a contest in the end.

just fyi that unicode heart at the end of the store blurb didn't copy properly ❤

discworld is all I read
Apr 7, 2009

DAIJOUBU!! ... Daijoubu ?? ?
Your screenshots look a bit squished; not sure if that's just me though.

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

They do look like they should be a little wider.

mauman
Jul 30, 2014

Whoever's got the biggest whiskers does the talking.
I don't quite understand how I'm getting myself to read this.

It's like some sort of bile fascination.

Oblivion4568238
Oct 10, 2012

The Inquisition.
What a show.
The Inquisition.
Here. We. Go.
College Slice
To anybody just reading this LP, I have to second the OP on playing the game yourself. The music and effects really add a lot to the game, it's not very long, and it's free. In fact, Roar, I'd say you should probably put music links alongside the updates, like how the VLR and Phoenix Wright LPs do it.

Also seconding that the pictures are a bit squashed.

Goatse James Bond
Mar 28, 2010

If you see me posting please remind me that I have Charlie Work in the reports forum to do instead
Oh good, another boring anime VN with nothing to distinguish it.

VolticSurge
Jul 23, 2013

Just your friendly neighborhood photobomb raptor.



GreyjoyBastard posted:

Oh good, another boring anime VN with nothing to distinguish it.

Keep watching. It has some interesting twists. :getin:

mauman
Jul 30, 2014

Whoever's got the biggest whiskers does the talking.

VolticSurge posted:

Keep watching. It has some interesting twists. :getin:

Ah gently caress....are we going Corpse Party or some other hosed up anime path here?

Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!

Oblivion4568238 posted:

To anybody just reading this LP, I have to second the OP on playing the game yourself. The music and effects really add a lot to the game, it's not very long, and it's free. In fact, Roar, I'd say you should probably put music links alongside the updates, like how the VLR and Phoenix Wright LPs do it.

That's a good idea. Doing so.

quote:

Squished images

I'm not sure why OBS did that with my game capture.

(OLD)

(NEW)

Is this better?

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

Much better.

Logicblade
Aug 13, 2014

Festival with your real* little sister!
My body is not nearly saturated in enough VN yet.

Lotus Aura
Aug 16, 2009

KNEEL BEFORE THE WICKED KING!

TheOneAndOnlyT posted:

Ground floor. This is gonna be a ride.

To anyone going :rolleyes: at the first update... stick with it. Not going to say any more than that.

Between the thread title and product disclaimer, I'm fully expecting a School-Live! style bait and switch at some point. Gotta start saccharine before the plot twist can have any impact after all.

Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!
2.

BGM: Doki Doki Literature Club! (modified - no "Doki Doki!" at the beginning)



: “If you want to say something, say it."

: “S-Sorry..."

: “Natsuki...”

: “Hmph."

The girl with the sour attitude, whose name is apparently Natsuki, is one I don't recognize. Her small figure makes me think she's probably a first-year. She is also the one who made cupcakes, according to Sayori.

I like that Mitayo remembers this; he’s got his cupcake-shaped priorities in order.

: “You can just ignore her when she gets moody~"

Sayori says that quietly into my ears, then turns back towards the other girls.

: “Anyway! This is Natsuki, always full of energy. And this is Yuri, the smartest in the club!"

Yuri, huh? According to google, that means Lily. Natsuki, in contrast, comes from a mix of 'summer' and 'hope'. As an afterthought, Sayori might be a combination of small, night, and village, though that might be a huge stretch.

: “D-Don't say things like that..."

Yuri, who appears comparably more mature and timid, seems to have a hard time keeping up with people like Sayori and Natsuki.



: “And it sounds like you already know Monika, is that right?"



: “It's great to see you again, Mitayo."

Monika smiles sweetly. We do know each other - well, we rarely talked, but we were in the same class last year. Monika was probably the most popular girl in class - smart, beautiful, athletic. Basically, completely out of my league. So, having her smile at me so genuinely feels a little...

: “Y-You too, Monika."

: “Come sit down, Mitayo! We made room for you at the table, so you can sit next to me or Monika. I'll get the cupcakes~"

: “Hey! I made them, I'll get them!"

: “Sorry, I got a little too excited~"

Sayori really likes the tilde-trail off. I used to do that all the time when I was like fifteen.

: “Then, how about I make some tea as well?"

The girls have a few desks arranged to form a long table. As Sayori mentioned, it's been widened so that there is one space next to Monika and one space next to Sayori. Natsuki and Yuri walk over the corner of the room, where Natsuki grabs a wrapped tray and Yuri opens the closet. Still feeling awkward, I take a seat next to Sayori. Natsuki proudly marches back to the table, tray in hand.



: “...Ta-daa!"

: “Uwooooah!"

Natsuki lifts the foil off the tray to reveal a dozen white, fluffy cupcakes decorated to look like little cats. The whiskers are drawn with icing, and little pieces of chocolate were used to make ears.

: “So cuuuute~!"

I want a cupcake now. It's 9:20 in the morning though.

: “I had no idea you were so good at baking, Natsuki!"

: “Ehehe. Well, you know. Just hurry and take one!"

Sayori grabs one first, then Monika. I follow.

: “It's delicious!"

Sayori talks with her mouth full and has already managed to get icing on her face.

I kind of imagine Sayori as a yellow lab.

I turn the cupcake around in my fingers, looking for the best angle to take a bite. Natsuki is quiet. I can't help but notice her sneaking glances in my direction. Is she waiting for me to take a bite? I finally bite down. The icing is sweet and full of flavor - I wonder if she made it herself.



: “Thank you, Natsuki."

: “W-Why are you thanking me? It's not like I...!"

(Haven't I heard this somewhere before...?)

: “...Made them for you or anything."

SO TSUNDERE BAKA

: “Eh? I thought you technically did. Sayori said-"

: “Well, maybe! But not for, y-you know, you! Dummy..."

: “Alright, alright..."

I give up on Natsuki's weird logic and dismiss the conversation.

I've been working on a pet theory that says the the pinker someone's hair, the more likely they are to be super quirky or possibly nuts.

Yuri returns to the table, carrying a tea set. She carefully places a teacup in front of each of us before setting down the teapot next to the cupcake tray.



: “Don't worry, the teachers gave us permission. After all, doesn't a hot cup of tea help you enjoy a good book?"

: “Ah...I-I guess..."

: “Ehehe, don't let yourself get intimidated, Yuri's just trying to impress you."

: “Eh?! T-That's not..."

Insulted, Yuri looks away.

Good lord, they're all so easily nettled.

: “I meant that, you know..."

: “I believe you. Well, tea and reading might not be a pastime for me, but I at least enjoy tea.

: “I'm glad..."

Yuri faintly smiles to herself in relief. Monika raises an eyebrow, then smiles at me.



Cupcakes.

: “Um..."

I was afraid of this question. Something tells me I shouldn't tell Monika that I was practically dragged here by Sayori.

Not entirely sure how 'I wanted to check out my friend's club' is an awkward statement but you do you, Mitayo.

: “Well, I haven't joined any clubs yet, and Sayori seemed really happy here, so..."

: “That's okay! Don't be embarrassed! We'll make sure you feel right at home, okay? As president of the Literature Club, it's my duty to make the club fun and exciting for everyone!"

President is kind of a lofty title when you only have four members, isn't it?

: “Monika, I'm surprised. How come you decided to start your own club? You could probably be a board member for any of the major clubs. Weren't you a leader of the debate club last year?"

This seems like a weird question to me. Why start your own club? You're already super popular!



: “To be honest, I can't stand all of the politics around the major clubs. It feels like nothing but arguing about the budget and publicity and how to prepare for events...I'd much rather take something I personally enjoy and make something special out of it. And it encourages others to get into literature, then I'm fulfilling that dream!"

: “Monika really is a great leader!"

Yuri also nods in agreement.

Natsuki is presumably off seething in the corner during this.

: “Then I'm surprised there aren't more people in the club yet. It must be hard to start a new club."

: “You could put it that way. Not many people are very interested in putting out all the effort to start something brand new...especially when it's something that doesn't grab your attention, like literature."

As a English Lit major, rude.

: “You have to work hard to convince people that you're both fun and worthwhile."

As an English Lit major, accurate.

: “But it makes school events, like the festival, that much more important. I'm confident that we can all really grow this club before we graduate! Right, everyone?"

: “Yeah!"

: “We'll do our best."

: “You know it!"

Oh, welcome back to the conversation, Natsuki.



Such different girls, all interested in the same goal...Monika must have worked really hard just to find these three. Maybe that's why they were all so delighted by the idea of a new member joining. Though I still don't really know if I can keep up with their level of enthusiasm about literature...

At risk of spoilers, this will absolutely not be a problem.

: “So, Mitayo, what kinds of things do you like to read?"

: “Well...ah..."

Considering how little I've read these past few years, I don't really have a good way of answering that.

: “...Manga..."

You were about to join the anime club, Mitayo. Stop dancing around the subject - you like anime. It's fine.

I mutter quietly to myself, half-joking. Natsuki's head suddenly perks up - it looks like she wants to say something, but she keeps quiet.

: “N-not much of a reader, I guess..."

RUDE

: “...Well, that can change..."

What am I saying? I spoke without thinking after seeing Yuri's sad smile.

: “Anyway, what about you, Yuri?"

: “Well, let's see..."

Yuri traces the rim of her teacup with her finger.

: “My favorites are usually novels that build deep and complex fantasy worlds. The level of creativity and craftsmanship behind them is amazing to me. And telling a good story in such a foreign world is equally impressive."

She's got a copy of LOTR in her backpack right now. Calling it.

Yuri goes on, clearly passionate about her reading. She seemed so reserved and timid since the moment I walked in, but it's obvious by the way her eyes light up that she finds her comfort in the world of books, not people.

: “But you know, I like a lot of things. Stories with deep psychological elements usually immerse me as well. Isn't it amazing how a writer can so deliberately take advantage of your own lack of imagination to completely throw for you a loop? Anyway, I've been reading a lot of horror lately..."

"Mitayo, have you heard of Creepypastas?"

: “Ah, I read a horror book once..."

I desperately grasp something I can relate to at the minimal level. At this rate, Yuri might as well be having a conversation with a rock.



: “For someone as gentle as you..."

: “I guess you could say that. But if a story makes me think, or takes me to another world, then I really can't put it down. Surreal horror is often very successful at changing the way you look at the world, if only for a brief moment."



Oh, you hate lots of things.

: “Oh? Why's that?"

: “Well, I just..."

Natsuki's eyes dart over to me for a split second.

: “Never mind."

: “That's right, you usually like to write about cute things, don't you, Natsuki?"

: “W-What? What gives you that idea?"

: “You left a piece of scrap paper behind last club meeting. It looked like you were working on a poem called-"

: “Don't say it out loud! And give that back!"

"It's a work in progress, Mom!!! It's called slash and it's ART!"

: “Fine, fine~"

: “Ehehe, your cupcakes, your poems...everything you do is just as cute as you are~"

Sayori sidles up behind Natsuki and puts her hands on her shoulders.



If you hate your image that much, you might want to invest in some hair dye.

: “Natsuki, you write your own poems?"

: “Eh? Well, I guess sometimes. Why do you care?"

Just making conversation. Jeez.

: “I think that's impressive. Why don't you share them sometime?"

: “N-No!"

Natsuki averts her eyes.

I was just kidding before but I think she actually is writing weird fanfiction.

: “You wouldn't...like them...

: “Ah...not a very confident writer yet?"

: “I understand how Natsuki feels. Sharing that level of writing takes me than just confidence. The truest form of writing is writing to oneself. You must be willing to open up to your readers, exposing your vulnerabilites and showing even the deepest reaches of your heart."

Alright, tone it down a little, Zenyatta.



: “Maybe if you share some of your work, you can set an example and help Natsuki feel comfortable enough to share hers."

: “..."

Yuri looks visibally uncomfortable with the idea.

: “I guess it's the same for Yuri..."

: “Aww...I wanted to read everyone's poems..."

Wait, where have YOU been the last ten minutes, Sayuri?

We all sit in silence for a moment.

: “Okay! I have an idea, everyone~"

All: ...?

Natuski and Yuri look quizzically at Monika.



: “Then, next time we meet, we'll all share them with each other. That way, everyone is even!"

This seems like a horrible idea but I'm just the new guy, who am I to judge?

: “U-um..."

: “..."

: “Yeaah! Let's do it!"

Can always count on Sayori to be up for anything. :shobon:

: “Plus, now that we have a new member, I think it will help us all get a little more comfrotable with each other and strengthen the bond of the club. Isn't that right, Mitayo?"

Monika smiles warmly at me once again.

: “Hold on...there's still one problem."

: “Eh? What's that?"

Now that we're back to the original topic of me joining the club, I bluntly come forth with what's been on my mind the entire time.

: “I never said I would join this club! Sayori may have convinced me to stop by, but I never made any decision. I still have other clubs to look at, and...um..."

One other club, Mitayo. One. And it's anime.

I lose my train of thought.



: “B-But..."

: “I'm sorry, I thought..."

: “Hmph."

: “Mitayo..."

To be fair, Mitayo has a perfectly valid point and they're kind of giving him unnecessary flack here.

: “Y-You all..."

I'm defenseless against these girls. How am I supposed to make a clear-headed decision when it's like this? That is, if writing poems is the price I need to pay in order to spend every day with these beautiful girls...

: “...right. Okay I've decided, then."

: “I'll join the Literature Club."

Fortunately for the girls, Mitayo is very, very malleable.



: “Yesss! I'm so happyyyy~"

Sayori wraps her arms around me, jumping up and down.

: “H-Hey--"

: “You really did scare me for a moment..."

: “If you really just came for the cupcakes, I would be super pissed."

I get the vibe that you'd be super pissed regardless.

: “Then that makes it official! Welcome to the Literature Club!"

:toot:

: “Ah...thanks, I guess."



: “I think with that, we can officially end today's meeting on a good note. Everyone remember tonight's assignment: write a poem to bring to the next meeting so we can all share!"

Monika looks over at me once more.

: “Mitayo, I look forward to seeing how you express yourself. Ehehe~"

: “Y-Yeah..."

Can I really impress the class star Monika with my mediocre writing skills? I already feel the anxiety welling up inside me. Meanwhile, the girls continue to chit-chat as Yuri and Natsuki clean up their food.



Wait, it's over? Did we actually do anything at this meeting other than eat cupcakes?

That's right -- Sayori and I never walk home together anymore because she always stayed after school for clubs.

: “Sure, might as well."

: “Yaay~"

With that, the two of us depare the clubroom and make our way home. The whole way, my mind wanders back and forth between the four girls:









Will I really be happy spending every day after school in a literature club? Perhaps I'll have the chance to grow closer to one of these girls...Alright! I'll just need to make the most of my circumstances, and I'm sure good fortune will find me. And I guess that starts with writing a poem tonight...

BGM: Dreams Of Love and Literature **New!**





So this is where the main actual gameplay is (which is a lot more than you can say for most VNs, to be fair). Our assignment is to write a poem, and we given 20 lists of assorted words that we can use. We don't get to see the completed poem, but the elements we put in will definitely affect one of the girls based on their own preferences.

For example, on this page, Milk / Awesome / Lollipop belong to one category, Love / Peace / Promise belong to another and Melancholy / Raindrops / Climax belong to yet another. That being said, it's now time for audience participation. Knowing that your answer will increase our appeal with a certain lady, which of these series of words do you want to go with? A list of possible combinations are located below - the options are randomized, so I can't give you direct options. Some answers may or may not have similar results with multiple girls. Vote now - group A, B, or C
?

quote:

GROUP A
Happiness, sadness, death, tragedy, alone, love, adventure, sweet, excitement, fireworks, romance, tears, depression, heart, marriage, passion, childhood, fun, color, hope, friends, family, party, vacation, lazy, daydream, pain, holiday, bed, feather, shame, fear, warm, flower, comfort, dance, sing, cry, laugh, dark, sunny, raincloud, calm, silly, flying, wonderful, unrequited, rose, together, promise, charm, beauty, cheer, smile, broken, precious, prayer, clumsy, forgive, nature, ocean, dazzle, special, music, lucky, misfortune, loud, peaceful, joy, sunset, fireflies, rainbow, hurt, play, sparkle, scars, empty, amazing, grief, embrace, extraordinary, awesome, defeat, hopeless, misery, treasure, bliss, memories

GROUP B
Cute, fluffy, pure, candy, shopping, puppy, kitty, clouds, lipstick, parfait, strawberry, pink, chocolate, heartbeat, kiss, melody, ribbon, jumpy, doki-doki, kawaii, skirt, cheeks, email, sticky, bouncy, shiny, nibble, fantasy, sugar, giggle, marshmallow, hop, skipping, peace, spinning, twirl, lollipop, poof, bubbles, whisper, summer, waterfall, swimsuit, vanilla, headphones, games, socks, hair, playground, nightgown, blanket, milk, pout, anger, papa, valentine, mouse, whistle, boop, bunny, anime, jump

GROUP C
Determination, suicide, imagination, secretive, vitality, existence, effulgent, crimson, whirlwind, afterimage, vertigo, disoriented, essence, ambient, starscape, disarray, contamination, intellectual, analysis, entropy, vivacious, uncanny, incongruent, wrath, heavensent, massacre, philosophy, fickle, tenacious, aura, unstable, inferno, incapable, destiny, infallible, agonizing, variance, uncontrollable, extreme, flee, dream, disaster, vivid, vibrant, question, fester, judgment, cage, explode, pleasure, lust, sensation, climax, electricity, disown, despise, infinite, eternity, time, universe, unending, raindrops, covet, unrestrained, landscape, portrait, journey, meager, anxiety, frightening, horror, melancholy, insight, atone, breathe, captive, desire, graveyard

Roar fucked around with this message at 23:31 on Nov 3, 2017

Epicmissingno
Jul 1, 2017

Thank gooness we all get along so well!

Roar posted:

Wait, it's over? Did we actually do[i] anything at this meeting other than eat cupcakes?

[i]That's right -- Sayori and I never walk home together anymore because she always stayed after school for clubs.


I think there might be a problem here with italics tags.

As for voting, why not go with A?

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

C

There once was a girl from Imagination,
Whose melancholy was terribly determination.
Her incongruent lust
Set my fickle to bust
But now I've a burning sensation.

SoftNum
Mar 31, 2011

This is going to be fun. And short enough that it might actually finish. :v: I'll refrain from voting though...

inflatablefish
Oct 24, 2010
C.

As a secretive but fickle intellectual, we covet the agonizing melancholy of an incongruent yet tenacious philosophy. Chicks dig it.

GirlCalledBob
Jul 17, 2013
C is the route I didn’t go when I played this, so I'll vote for that.

I played this whole thing in one sitting yesterday and it sure was an experience.

TheGreatEvilKing
Mar 28, 2016





C

:yokotaro:

Logicblade
Aug 13, 2014

Festival with your real* little sister!
C sounds depressing. Let's do it!

placid saviour
Apr 6, 2009
C.

Gotta love depression!

Avalerion
Oct 19, 2012

Main thread in games made me consider getting this, this seems like a better way to experience it though. :D

A

ArcadePark
Feb 4, 2011

Damn it, It's all your fault!
C

:emo: Let's make everyone in this club regret every living second of their futile existance.

Hwurmp
May 20, 2005

Avalerion posted:

Main thread in games made me consider getting this, this seems like a better way to experience it though. :D

It's actually super short and a lot of the effects work a million times better in person.

jaclynhyde
May 28, 2013

Lipstick Apathy

Roar posted:


Individuals sufferings from anxiety or depression


I have anxiety and depression! A nice, sweet game sounds like just the thing to soothe my soul. :3:

C!

chitoryu12
Apr 24, 2014

Do C. Make them regret inviting us.

Adlai Stevenson
Mar 4, 2010

Making me ashamed to feel the way that I do
I've already lost but I'm voting B. Bring on the vanilla waterfalls and sugar kittens!

Finished the game yesterday. It was great, highly enjoyed it, absolutely worth the 0 money spent on it. Gonna buy the 10 dollar package just to support the guy when I have the budget.

Lucky Guy
Jan 24, 2013

TY for no bm

A

Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!

“Really Pants” posted:

It’s actually super short and a lot of the effects work a million times better in person.

I can't encourage this enough. This game is fantastic and I'll do my best with the limitations of the SS format but experiencing it yourself is probably the supreme option.

I've got ideas, though.

“Adlai Stevenson” posted:

I’ve already lost but I’m voting B. Bring on the vanilla waterfalls and sugar kittens!

There may or may not be more voting options in the future for gumdrops and lollipops!

Roar fucked around with this message at 20:43 on Oct 11, 2017

Chillgamesh
Jul 29, 2014

I've never played VNs before but I tried this one and enjoyed it!

Voting for the A set.

For anyone following along with the LP, the game is free and short and pretty dang good. Though, if you have major depression, I think you might be better off just following along with the LP.

Roar
Jul 7, 2007

I got 30 points!

I GOT 30 POINTS!
C wins because you all want to bruteforce the sadness. :v: Update relatively soonish - either tonight or tomorrow.

If you're curious, here are the words I used:

quote:

agonizing, analysis, massacre, covet, imagination, vertigo, infinite, ambient, starscape, explode, disarray, unstable, pleasure, judgment, breathe, disown, frightening, determination, captive, graveyard

Any poem that comes out of those is going to reeking with edge. I'm proud of you all.

Double Punctuation
Dec 30, 2009

Ships were made for sinking;
Whiskey made for drinking;
If we were made of cellophane
We'd all get stinking drunk much faster!

jaclynhyde posted:

I have anxiety and depression! A nice, sweet game sounds like just the thing to soothe my soul. :3:

C!

From what I read in games, that sounds like an exceedingly bad idea. They are dead serious with that warning.

jaclynhyde
May 28, 2013

Lipstick Apathy

Double Punctuation posted:

From what I read in games, that sounds like an exceedingly bad idea. They are dead serious with that warning.

Having just played through the whole thing with my (also depressed) wife, it was awesome. But I probably should not have played the words I voted for so I could see a different first route... :v:

(Edited to remove spoilers, sorry!)

jaclynhyde fucked around with this message at 13:09 on Oct 12, 2017

Sally
Jan 9, 2007


Don't post Small Dash!
This looks like it's going to be a pretty interesting and bizarre game, and the OP was pretty clear on what they'd like:

Roar posted:

The only thing I ask for in this thread is NO SPOILERS WHATSOEVER NOT EVEN IN TAGS. I'm going to try and update this at least once every couple of days but life comes at you fast and with two kids and a busy work schedule, I make no promises.

So, uh, please don't post anything that could possibly be a spoiler--and if what you're posting is NOT a spoiler, then please don't use spoiler tags.

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plaintiff
May 15, 2015

I played through this blind for the first time. It lasted about an hour, I think.

This thread is GOING PLACES, YE-HE-HEAH BOY.

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