1. From one to five, one being the worst and five being the best, what would you rate the character creation and customization options?
2/5
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2. How would you improve the current character customization?
Currently, it's basic. The questions about the cat's body and pronouns at the start are sensitive and I appreciated those. I'd definitely recommend some unique options like unique paws, pelt marks, etc. Eye color is also something I missed every time I opened the menu.
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3. From one to five what would you rate the level up process?
3/5
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4. How would you improve the current leveling process?
I feel myself growing stronger at a relatively good pace. It was a bit tough to get anything done at first, but with just a couple pawfuls of the patrols and being Twigpaw's right-paw herb deliverer, I was able to start handling owls and other cats. One thing that has bothered me is that my apprentice doesn't seem to accrue knowledge from following me and witnessing how I handle challenges. Maybe I need to get her to pay a little more attention, but she is lagging behind me in terms of how much she is improving, and it has made her a bit of a burden in a serious battle.
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5. What would you rate the current item variety? Claw upgrades, fur upgrades, prey and herbs, and cosmetic items included.
4/5
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6. How would you improve the current item system and variety?
I enjoy the amount I have found--that they are imparted mostly through completing quests make them meaningful for me to use in battle, and the advantages of one over the other are notable. Like I mentioned, my apprentice Foxpaw has been struggling in battle, and when
Minnowstar imparted a gift upon me,
Foxpaw benefitted greatly from its blessing.
Prey on the territory has been a bit sparse, but I visited the local hunting hollow and found it quite bountiful. If only I could see one or two a bit closer to camp, I wouldn't have to get my paws so sore. Oh well...it's not that much of a burden.
I haven't had enough to purchase any cosmetic items yet, either from the Circle of Claws or from the deputy. They are expensive and I've been spending a lot of money for herbs to keep Foxpaw from dying. It would be terrible to let her get so injured. ___
7. What would you rate the current maps and areas?
2/5
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8. How would you improve these maps and areas?
The map is currently a chore to access, it feels like it really needs to be binded to M. I also think it could really use clear indications of notable landmarks--either immediately, or when you have walked through them before, depending on which you would prefer. I spent a bit too long trying to figure out what Sunningrocks was, where Snakerocks was, where the waterfall was.
The areas are okay. I like the size of the territories as it doesn't feel like a chore to get in between them. I would say they feel a little empty or lacking interesting features through large parts of the territory, but that's kinda accurate I suppose? I just found myself glancing away holding one of the movement keys for a while--it would be nice to encounter some cool stuff to look at. I will say it was cool encountering the event cat, but it is a bit weird seeing the same cat waiting at the Gathering place constantly saying the same thing. Will the lover cat ever show up? StarClan may never know.
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9. What would you rate the exploration and "free form" play?
4/5
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10. How would you improve the exploration and free form play?
Good! It's really solid and I see it as the strong foundation all these other systems branch off of. I think this falls under areas as well but it would be nice to have more to encounter--make the world a little more 'lived in,' I guess? Encountering one warrior per other clan is a little weird, always being the same warrior that attacks you.
For some reason, that mouse-brain Smokefur attacks me every time I cross the border, even though we made an alliance with RiverClan and Minnowstar explicitly said we would be allowed to hunt here! Is she rescinding her promise?
Cats from other clans almost solely appear in relationship with a quest being triggered, and it makes the territories feel a little empty, like I find a quest in camp, and my only purpose for going outside the camp is to go to one place to meet one cat, then back to camp, another quest, etc. It is quite linear and doesn't feel like being a 'real' warrior.
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11. What would you rate the current story progression and dialogue?
3/5
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12. How would you improve story progression and dialogue options?
It's intriguing so far and I'm interested to find out what's going on between ShadowClan and RiverClan. I must have chosen poor dialogue with Silverfur because she is peeved off at me now ;.; I'm sure that won't spell good things for RiverClan.
A moment of dialogue struck me as weird. I'd have to replay it to be certain but I thought the
RiverClan apprentice said the ShadowClan cat came to RiverClan so her kits could be born in the forest before she moved onto the Twolegplace. Afterwards I responded to Sunheart sayingthat this reaffirmed siding with RiverClan to me and he got angry and said it was cruel for the queen to be forced to leave RiverClan? It confused me and didn't seem to be the understanding I got from the earlier dialogue.
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13. How much time did you play (on all characters) before sending in this feedback?
My character files are 8 and a half hours, and I imagine about 45 minutes of time from game overs. To be clear, about 6 hours on a warrior and 2 and a half on a medicine cat.
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14. Which clan do you want to be released next?
ShadowClan >: 3
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15. Do you have a favorite character from the story?
Minnowstar thus far. This is helped a lot by the sad StarClan quest. Her conflict with ShadowClan is also inherently interesting.
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16. Comments and etc.
Bug: I believe there is a bug with the Mothermouth quest. I was able to
complete the quest fully twice and was given it a third time when i selected 'Guidance' again. It repeats the xp given to my cat throughout, and the kit no longer has Badgerclaw, Stonepaw, etc. and I can recollect them. I've got 2 copies of Mother's Love.
I think my cat gaining experience while Foxpaw didn't at the end of a quest was my least favorite part of the gameplay experience. It meant my character was getting new abilities and able to handle more than Foxpaw could, so she would either get knocked out or an anxiety-inducing closeness to death while my cat still had 80% of his health. I close-to fixed this several hours in with a pink pearl and a buff, but it made the first while of having an apprentice a real drag.
The camp, as of now, doesn't feel like much of a home. Many of the cats are really passive-aggressive or dismissive when you try to chat with them, a few don't say anything or just a word. It doesn't really feel like a 'home-base' and I think there would be a benefit to having more things in the camp, whether it be more dialogue or actual activities, that make me want to stay in my camp more and not spend 95% of the game outside. I was excited when Crowpaw asked me if I could help train him, but I was disappointed when it was just one dialogue response. It would have been cool to have some apprentice interaction guided by my warrior.
The 1 on 1 fight area is pretty neat. Why can't I bring my apprentice there? Do a 2 on 2? will she rat me out? every cat knows the first rule of-
Some small stuff:
After I had kits with my mate, saying 'Let's talk!' just closes the dialogue box. For note, it's with Mudfur.
Branchnose: Imma kill Goldpaw when I get my paws on him again!
Goldpaw: Haha that's where you'd be wrong
My apprentice decided Sunpelt needed some help in the story to my kits:
...after which she promptly decided to take over the party! I fixed this by dismissing and readding her, but just so you know it happens.
This gives a new meaning to a double date!!
This is what the game said about re-choosing Mudfur as my mate:
i definitely didn't save scum this after letting her get bitten and watch her cry as i promise her she won't die, and then she promptly dies and gives me an anxious crying mess fest
And I must note...
Some of this dialogue is straight 11/10.
And this made me laugh hard even though it's so 90's romance.
How infatuated do you want to sound?!
