izigame.me

While I did enjoy most of the game, and I think the idea is unique and different from a lot of the other "cozy" games out there, there are just still too many things that make the game just not worth completing. The game feels almost...unfinished in a way, and would definitley be in need of some polishing and fine tuning.

I agree with a lot of the criticism you see in the other comments about how the developers did not really think of how the game feels the play, as things like the controls and mechanics make the game less enjoyable. For example, it's very annoying that some bugs/insects can ONLY be triggered by sprinting, but because sprinting and tool-use are THE SAME button and cannot be set seperately, this is an extremely annoying mechanic to deal with. It's also extremely annoying that anytime you are handed something, by an npc, or pick up something, you drop your tool. This really doesn't make sense and could have been avoided as well if there was more thought into the tool usage, which would be improved by having a proper toolbar. It's also a weird mechanic that I have to open my backpack, select my tool, then close my backpack, to switch between tools.

Aside from the mechanics, while there is a lot to do, I am always feeling quite bored inbetween certain events in tasks. It feels like there is nothing to do at certain points, so the flow and balance between these different tasks and events is lacking. While the bathhouse is being fixed, you can fish, bug catch, etc. But a lot of the characters are always busy, and once you catch what you need to for your shrines or collections, there is not much motivation to keep fishing or bug catching (cannot sell at a good price, make things or cook with most of them), so what is the point of catching them beyond the first one?

The game is also missing a lot of details that, while would not make the game "better" are things I would consider a minimum to not make the game worse. This includes things like: proper item descriptions (what does the different types of coffee do? how long do they last?), better notifications (when does an item wear off, I should still be able to see the friend meter go up even if they're not right next to me, such as after spending time at the hot springs), etc.

It also feels a bit unfinished in a way through the characters. Based on some of the dialogue, it seems almost like romancing was an option at some point, but was maybe not included. I also feel like the characters are not really exciting to interact with as a whole. I think the idea of doing things with them to increase the friendship meter is a really nice idea, and that adds a lot to the game, but it still feels like there should be more hearts, more dialogue, gifts, or cutscenes to the characters. I'm not really invested in them at all, they're just slaves for my bathhouse.

In conclusion, I really wanted to like this game,, the idea is good and unique, but it needs to be improved, somehow I lost my expensive bicycle in the ocean by getting off of it on the bridge out of town, so I wouldn't bother getting this game until they do so more bug patches and work on it. I hope the developers continue to fix it so it can be the game it has the potential to be.