jury - episode 1: before the trial

8/10 ciekawość

niewątpliwie gra z pomysłem na siebie, z różnorodnymi postaciami i sytuacjami; opowiadanie potrafi być wciągające, nawet jeżeli nic akurat szczególnego w części pierwszej się nie dzieje; konsekwencje wyborów potrafią być dość wyraźne i nieco zadziwia tak wielkie skupienie na nich, gdyż można wiele pominąć;


# uwagi zebrane

wybory są ważkie jako że określają kogo zobaczymy w następnej scenie, przez co pewne informacje zdobywamy później albo w ogóle; nie można być w dobrych stosunkach ze wszystkimi; do tego charakter wyborów jest symbolizowany albo pełnym serduszkiem albo przełamanym; uzyskanie wszystkich osiągnięć wymaga pewnej gimnastyki, by zobaczyć wszystkie warianty;

występuje tu jakiś komizm, lecz ma on charakter seksualny; zarówno ten słowny, jak i sytuacyjny, odnoszą się do braku doświadczenia seksualnego;

z menu możemy wybrać opowiadanie dodatkowe (side story) dotyczące przeszłości jednej z postaci (layla’s christmas); jest to krótkie, oznacza wyraźnie swe rozdziały na czarnych planszach, i zadziwiająco ciekawe jak na coś co dzieje się w jednym miejscu;

layla
layla-christmas.jpg

koniec epizodu 1. oferuje podsumowanie ze statystykami relacji z postaciami; można się dowiedzieć, jak wiele interakcji przygotowano; zakończenia poszczególnych rozdziałów oferują zgoła krótsze podsumowania; w ich przypadku maksymalna tendencja związkowa z danym dziewczęciem jest wtedy koloryzowana w tekście;

niektóre informacje od tych samych postaci są przez nie później powtarzane; można by zauważyć iż ludzie potrafią tak ze sobą rozmawiać, niejako forsując swe zdanie, jednakowoż w samej grze sprawia to nieco wrażenie déjà vu, bo przywoływane są te same zdania; a jednak tak nie jest, albowiem same postaci się do tego odnoszą na zasadzie „mówiłaś, że…”; przez chwilę wydaje się, że rozgałęzienia opowiadania, związane z podjętymi wyborami, nie zostały ze sobą należycie połączone, jak dzieje się to w wielu innych powieściach wizualnych dla dorosłych;

pierwsze spotkanie z alice
alice-reception.jpg

wygląd postaci jest realistycznie brzydki; niemniej, są one wystarczająco atrakcyjne, by raz na jakiś czas próbować przedstawiać je jako urocze, co przede wszystkim polega na skupianiu się na wyrazach i grymasach twarzy; przy czym, można czasem dostrzec lekko przesadzone skupienie na zębach, a do tego zdarzają się gesty dłońmi;

gesty alice i lily
alice-a-palm.jpg
alice-b-face.jpg
lily-palms.jpg
lily-love.jpg

autor podkreśla na początku iż gra modelowana była w programie daz3d; jednocześnie miejscami widać zacięcie do filmowych ujęć artystycznych w kadrowaniu niemych sytuacji;

podczas animacji typu pokaz slajdów, tj. gdy kolejne kadry przewijają się same po pewnym czasie, gra pokazuje nam kręcące się logo (spinner) w prawym dolnym rogu okna;

styl ambientu wydaje się być dobierany względem charakteru postaci;


pierwsze uruchomienie raczy nas kalibracją jasności i wyborem języka;

swobodna eksploracja (freeroam) została ograniczona do jednego statycznego kadru;

gra używa własnego ekranu powitalnego (splash screen);

rachael
rachael-night.jpg



# kłopotliwe osiągnięcia

initial (2023-04-02) – episode 1: before the trial
These won’t fit me… Give away the present Jenny gave to you
Wishful thinking there pal! You didn’t think it would be that easy did you?
Angelic? Hidden achievement: Find the angel wings tattoo
Why does it always rain on me? Convince Jane to shower with you.
Something slippery this way comes… Find an interesting item
Tinkle Tinkle, little star… IYKYK
Snitches get stitches Tell Officer Frost a secret about someone else
Slap that! Slap… then be slapped!
Shot Shot Shot! Take a shot at dinner!
She does what?! Find out a very unexpected secret…
Rub-a-dub-dub! Let Jane have a bath in your room
That’s the wong button! Hidden achievement: You pushed it too far!
Part 1: Achieve all 4 endings End part 1 with all possible endings
PEEPING TOM! Perhaps you took a peek at something you shouldn’t!?
Nice clean teeth! Tell Alice the secret to nice clean teeth.
Show your strength! Outmuscle Aimee in the gym!
Man or mouse: Mouse You didn’t even have the guts to stick up for a woman in need? Shame on you!
The Moon’s out! See a moon in daylight
Man or mouse: Man Handle Jacob in the most manly fashion
Lewd Artist Draw something totally inappropriate
She’s learning! Help Katie try something new
Jezabell IYKYK
I can see the mountains from here! See two beautiful mountains in the woods
GULP! Quench Jenny’s thirst
Going Stag Go down to dinner alone
Did that really happen? Have an experience with Jenny in an unexpected place
Do the curtains match the carpet? Find out if Jane’s carpet matches the curtains.
Just say it how it is… Don’t beat about the bush when interrogated by Lily.
A spot of light bedtime reading… Choose Layla the most extreme book
Attention to detail! Pay attention to what Jane’s wearing


update #1 (2024-03-29) – episode 2: the trial of brooke lafferty
V-Plates Hidden achievement: Give someone their special moment.
Perhaps a little off the sides? Suggest a haircut.
Tame the Tiger Discipline the cat in the cellar.
Sit on that! Give Jenny a shock in the Courthouse
Service with a smile Don’t mess up the coffee run!
Seriously? Did you think that would work? Do something you KNOW isn’t going to end well.
Red Meat Pain in the cellar.
Rash decision Sometimes a rash isn’t a bad thing…
Of course you asked that question! You’ll all do it… I know you will…
That’s not the cheek! I don’t think Officer Frost expected that on a first date…
It’s not looking good After 2 trial days, things look as bad as they can for Brooke.
We’ll make a man of him yet Help Layla steer Jacob onto a better path.
Things are looking up After 2 trial days, things look as good as they can for Brooke.
I like to watch Take 5 sneaky pictures in a single playthrough.
That’s gonna leave a mark! Leave a mark somewhere to be seen.
Kiss ass! Make Officer Frost do the forefeit.
Just for insurance purposes… Catch Rachael with her own scheme.
I know you want to… Bring out your inner child in the bathroom.
A head rolled Mess up really badly on the jury.
Guess Who? Guess the correct answer at the pool.
Good vibrations! Check that Katie’s remote works.
Finger food Help Jane get started with a more exciting life.
Encore That looked so good, I just have to see it again!
I dreamed a dream… Hidden achievement: Have an unexpected person appear in your thoughts.
Don’t blow it at me! Hidden achievement: How could you?!
Eww… Cooties! Avoid everyone’s lips!
Code breaker! Can you crack the code?
Bowling with Layla Play a different kind of bowling with Layla.
That’s a bold move! Hidden achievement: Does Aimee have no shame?
Back to School See someone in a school uniform.
Unanimous Get every member of the jury to vote for you as head juror.

update #2 (2025-06-20) – episode 3: knives & dark desires
Wet Socks! Whoopsie! Looks like Lily had an accident… Or, did she? ;)
Ta Daaa! Perform a magic trick for Rachael
Super Soaker! Next time there’s a water fight… I’m on Aimee’s team!
Stolen Vibrations Hidden achievement: You thought I’d forgotten about that little black and white gadget, didn’t you?
Still Snappin’ Hidden achievement: Still taking those pictures, huh?
Steamy Grinder Take a trip to the steamroom with Beth and… Grind away…
Snail Trail! Hidden achievement: I’ll wear this like a badge of honor!
Slider They REALLY should sort out this leaking roof… ;)
PUSH THE BUTTON! Hidden achievement: Oh, how coud you!? Right infront of everyone! :D
Casually Pitching a Tent Pitch a tent… In the tent…
One Ring To Rule Them All… I never knew Officer Frost had something in common with Frodo…
Do You Need A Napkin, Madam? Whoops! Looks like Mia needs a napkin! Clumsy!
Lucky Leftie! Hidden achievement: If only it were a mic, she could drop it at that moment…
I’d Like to Check In Please. Not your usual check-in…
Iced to Perfection… Hidden achievement: It’s hard to ice a single cake perfectly… Icing 2? Well, that certainly deserves an achievement…
Hasslehoff! I’ll be ready… (I’ll be ready!)
Glutton For Punishment! Your bravery is admirable! Enjoy!
Take the soft route… Didn’t have the guts to take the scarier option? ;)
Dam Buster! Nothing’s holding back that flood!
Clean Couger How nice of her to clean up after you! She’s a keeper! ;)
Bar Snack! I normally order peanuts with my beer, but tonight…
A Stones Blow Have a little fun with Mia and Layla at the party.

update #3 (2025-08-05)
Keep Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ Wash well with soap before use…

update #4 (2026-04-03)
Written in Red Read Alice’s not so subtle message
What a Performance! Give a 10/10 performance on screen
Thirsty Dog Be mistaken for a thirsty dog
Risky Rendevous Arrange a date with someone you probably shouldn’t
Privacy is Valued Respect the privacy of others
Pop-up Pirate! When he pops up, you just got to push him back down again!
M’Lady! Send Jack off to make a fun discovery
Match Maker Give Willow the assist
Mashing Bananas Be mistaken for a sloppy banana
Knocked for Six Watch Jack take a well deserved hit
I Guess That’s Fair? Allow Layla to do something a bit different
I Barely Touched You! Discover pure innocence
Husband Material Have Layla pretend you’re her husband
Huff dat thang! Watch Jack do something creepy
Heroic Flatulance Hidden achievement: Now, why would you do that in a situation like this?
Hacker Man Help Officer Frost in her time of need!
Exploring Uranus Explore the planets with Jane
Dated Views Discover something not from this time
Clumsy Clappers I was just trying to tap you on the shoulder… Honest…
Back Door to the Basement Find the backdoor in the basement with Aimee
50 Shades of Belt Show Jane your new belt…



# ścieżka dźwiękowa

soundtrack
the mission kick lee 2:39
somewhere we were stars (stripped) michael shynes 3:06
somewhere we were stars michael shynes 3:07
invisible world aija alsiņa 3:12
mindwipe sémø 2:05
lovu shu, yimgah 4:16
lovu (stripped) shu 4:16
snowflakes aves 2:43
morning light jonas kolberg 2:41
good morning love eldad zitrin (אלדד ציטרין) 3:28
charm adrián berenguer 2:35
growing up on me chris mason 3:43
growing up on me (instrumental) chris mason 3:41
rebirth (instrumental) ziv moran 4:52
ikebe kalukwu 2:24
holding on to hope (conclusion) christopher galovan 2:33
nocturne birraj 2:57
penumbra efgr (ethan rank) 2:22
come to love the most daniel pratt, gabrielle grace 3:27
come to love the most (instrumental) daniel pratt 3:22
ballerina yehezkel raz 1:12
yearning adrián berenguer 3:17
unconscious mind (delta) yotam agam 7:23
illusions john dada, the weathermen 3:11
cocktailparty.mp3 2:44
a ray of elegance will van de crommert 2:33
shadows rise doug kaufman 3:47
sucking starlight marc neys 11:07
hope simon wester 3:46
aisle thots skipp whitman, jeremy page 2:36
aisle thots (instrumental) skipp whitman, jeremy page 2:29
rundown streetlights michael shynes 4:17
rundown streetlights (instrumental) michael shynes 4:17
last universe daniel brown keys 2:39
bathtub of a monk mee 3:35
early mornings paper planes 1:46
frost.mp3 2:36
gym.mp3 2:08
dream family evgeny bardyuzha (евгений бардюжа) 1:59
within our midst simon wester 2:27
for my wife with love zland band 4:24
amber elad perez 2:20
cold laurel violet 3:04
staring muted 2:37
drifting wonderland 2:34
overcoming ardie son 2:31
lc_chesad.mp3 2:15
lc_jewellaryjoy.mp3 1:51
lc_laylaangry.mp3 1:56
lc_library.mp3 2:44
lc_newday.mp3 1:44
lc_sadjewels.mp3 3:02
lc_television.mp3 2:03
unveil zland band 3:33
lc_xmasmorning.mp3 1:59
we found each other birraj singh taneja 2:07
give it all up kyle cox 6:32
coming back yehezkel raz 1:56
soulriver daniel brown 2:06
stay lost with me reed pittman 2:55
stay lost with me (instrumental) reed pittman 2:55
candle lights aves 3:23
i do balloonplanet 3:05
miaroom.mp3 3:06
lovu shu/jishu, yimgah 4:16
my will rocknstock 1:55
spread the news anthony vega 1:53
safe to relax gvidon 2:36
sunbeam ethan rank 2:56
no more rain shinto 2:17
in the shadow of doubt sémo 2:42
kindness courage kolby knickerbocker 4:19
kindness courage (instrumental) kolby knickerbocker 4:22
stay louis island 2:22
stay (instrumental) louis island 2:22
professionalism t. bless & the professionals 2:39
seaside soirée fadedaeon 3:37
welcome the night zland band 3:09
sc_jewellary.mp3 1:51
shake that fever juju joint 4:21
snowflakes aves 2:43
i see you in light we dream of eden 3:58
raining dream annie zhou 3:40
raining dream annie zhou 3:28
lights in the dark brander 3:07
lights in the dark (instrumental) brander 3:08
be careful what you wish for quinten coblentz 2:09
startscreen.mp3 2:33
bad connection jimmy svensson 3:19
free radicals stanley gurvich 4:42
inborn piotr hummel 3:54
that’s what you think (but you think wrong) ok otter 2:41
that’s what you think (but you think wrong) – instrumental ok otter 2:41
love present lux-inspira, megan yagami 2:00
unsettled matt evans 1:52
creativity (theta) yotam agam 9:06