Demo Impressions Part 24

Featuring: Consume Me, Cupid’s Chatroom, Hungry Neighbors, Killer Chat, and Online Obsession

These just felt right to group them together. Mainly visual novels plus one with a lot of gameplay. If any of these still have demos when I post this, they’ll have a (*) as always.

Consume Me*

This is a game that I came to know about a a bit before this demo released and this was another demo I was waiting and excited for. Granted, though, that doesn’t mean this isn’t another game that purely drew me in with the art style and the trailer. Sometimes, that’s not a bad thing and Consume Me is one of the times that it worked out in my favor.

Consume Me follows Jenny as Summer Vacation just started. However, instead of relaxing in a cocoon all summer before emerging as a high schools senior afterwards, her mom has different thoughts. Jenny’s mom not only jumpstarts weight and looks insecurity in Jenny, but she won’t let her laze around all summer when she could be doing chores or studying. Though, it certainly doesn’t help that Jenny finds herself crushing on a boy that just graduated from her high school (which she also learns lives in the same apartment building as her). After weighing herself and seeing that the scale agrees with her mom, Jenny decides to go on a diet and as time goes on she also gets other goals and events. Like at the end of Chapter 1 Jenny is going to a beach party so she not only wants to lose weight so she’ll look good, but also save enough money to buy a new swimsuit.

So, gameplay. Gameplay is a lot (in a good way!). The cutscenes here are interactable cutscenes as you’ll be dragging your mouse to move Jenny or an object or a part of Jenny or whatever is being called to move in that cutscene. The first day, you’ll also be doing her morning routine and then after that it’s rushed through since you already did it and it does set the whole day’s mood (and I do wonder if there’s going to be a surprise involving this sequence later in the game). You’ll be playing this day-by-day, with a goal and, after the first week, an event that you’ll be looking forward to. You have a schedule, with actions you need to do and some free time for you to do anything you want. Aside from waking up, Jenny needs to eat and you do this as a minigame. At first eating is trying to fit food on a plate and trying to not let food fall to the floor, but it does soon evolve to a tetris-like minigame where you have a tray with hunger and empty slots and the food being tetris pieces. All you have to do is fill up all of the hunger slots while also keeping your bites (which is this game’s substitute for calories) under 500. Luckily, the dog is there for you to get rid of a food piece and you can buy/get food pieces to store in your lunchbag to add if you find yourself needing it, but it is difficult to get a perfect meal as you can’t move pieces after the fact, you are relying on RNG, and if there are any empty hunger slots it’s going to hit your GUTS stat as Jenny will still be hungry. Some days will have an unknown event where you can get something or something will happen. Then it’s free time! Jenny will have a variety of things she can do during her free time and will take between 0-2 time slots depending on what it is. She can shop so you can buy items, do chores and gain money that she can use to do said shopping if she does a good enough job that her mom pays her, exercise, do her makeup, or just laze around. And of course, all of these (aside from shopping) puts you into a minigame which are surprisingly relatable. Like how reading will have Jenny’s head spin, as well as the book (but not continuously) so the way she gets reading done is making sure her eyeline stays on the book by clicking so the direction of her head spin changes quick enough that it essentially stays in one place; while making sure to still follow it and avoid the thought bubbles. Or how doing laundry will have you folding clothes by clicking when the moving line lines up with the dotted line.

Oh yeah, I didn’t mention Jenny’s stats. The game would be too easy if there wasn’t anything to manage. Jenny has three main meters that you have to manage: Guts, Energy, and Mood. Each action you do can affect their meter and you do have to balance these out as you can’t go to sleep with any of them empty. Though, you also can’t end a day with them too low for too many days as there is a consequence (and there might be a consequence if a free time action depletes it to 0 but I didn’t risk it after the game warned me). Early on, you are also introduced to outfits, which some will boost one of the meters if you find yourself needing it and even give you a boost when you do a certain action (though you can’t wear it again until you do laundry). There’s also the Bites counter, which the goal is to be under 500 each day. Doing well with lunch helps, but there are free time actions that will bring that down (like exercising or walking the dog). Once you get past the first week, you are also introduced to your to-do list, with a set of them being requirements and a set being optional extras. There are also hidden stats that Jenny has that you can level up through the various actions you’ll be doing. Leveling up will increase their corresponding meter (like the Dieting stat will increase her Guts) and give you the choice to choose between three rewards. Which seems to be either outfits or different variations of your base actions (which also affect Jenny’s meters and stats differently).

So yeah, the gameplay here is so fun (they’re more fun playing them than they seem reading me trying to describe them) and the game balances everything really well.

I absolutely adored Consume Me. Everything about this game is hitting it out of the park both with how it met my expectations and then some and how fun it was to play. I absolutely loved the art style, which is unsurprising since that’s mainly why I was drawn to this game but it was even cuter while playing the game as I got to see all the animations and different activities and outfits Jenny will do/wear. Jenny’s outfits are all so cute and you best believe I’ll be getting screenshots of Jenny wearing all possible outfits when the full release comes around. I love the whole overall style of the game. I love how it’s being told, how the cutscenes are interactive as you’re “dragging” an object or character along yourself, the symbolism here is great, and the game is so funny and charming. It’s also really relatable, even if you don’t have Asian parents. I did also find all of the various minigames really fun to play, I love how some minigames evolve and how you’re gradually introduced to all the different aspects of the game, the game easily gets you into that mindset of micromanaging your stats, and how there seems to be consequences if you go to sleep with a stat low enough for multiple nights to add in some more difficulty (well, I’m not sure if the other stats will, but going to bed hungry too many days does). The rewards for leveling up stats were also well done. Though, I won’t lie and say it isn’t bringing up some of my own memories and weight insecurities …and how I totally failed my own diet.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens past Chapter 1 (which this demo stops at the end of). Most of the 13 endings being bad does not bode too well, but I’m hoping that one of them sees Jenny going on a healthier outlook on eating and weight rather than going to an extreme on either side.

Killer Chat! – Expanded Edition*

This is actually a game that I know from itchio! Though it’s been on my to-play list and I haven’t gotten to it yet. However, seems like the waiting has paid off as an extended edition is in the works and it’s coming to Steam! So of course I tried out the demo.

After making your character, you learn that in Killer Chat you’re an inspiring crime writer that’s currently writing about a serial killer protagonist. Or, well, should I say trying to write cause it seems like it’s been going terribly so far. There’s just something missing from your character so you do what any other writer does and make some very questionable searches. It doesn’t seem to be really turning your gears until you ask a question on one of those Q&A sites and you get a mysterious message from an unknown user. Throwing away internet safety, you open the exe file you were sent, input the password key, and faced with…a dark web chatroom? And not only any chatroom, but one where everyone is a serial killer. At first, you think it’s just an elaborate roleplay server…until you’re hot with evidence. You can, of course, choose to bail, but let’s be honest. Any self respecting writer in the crime thriller genre would eat this opportunity up. So you stay with the excuse that it’ll help flesh out your book and make it super realistic. You just…have to not let anyone in the chatroom realize you’re not a killer.

I ended up loving Killer Chat. Aside from the character customization being laggy for me, I really loved how this took place in a chatroom that’s basically Discord (but with the added ability to send voice messages), framed as you trying to write a book, and I did like all of the characters so far. I’m guessing this demo is the Common Route as it ends on a choice between the four love interests on which one gave you inspiration (personally I liked Angel the most so I would have chosen her). Anyway, I really liked the writing here, it really does mimic being in a chatroom pretty well and it was interesting trying to not let any of them figure out that you’re not a killer. I liked the addition of there being voice chat, video chat, voice messages, direct messages, and even being able to freely go between the different channels (oh and by the way, there is voice acting for the voice/video chatting!). It’s also pretty cool that there were some moments when you can write whatever you want, even though it can’t really affect the story. I did also like the dialogue choices (I find it funny how I got away with not being forthcoming about my murders hy being flirty) and how you get thoughts within the chatroom so it’s not all at what I’m assuming are the end-of-chapter thoughts screen. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next, especially since you’re already a bit suspicious not being forthcoming with any murders (and yes I know I can technically play this one right now). I also wonder if it’s ever revealed who sent you that invite in the beginning.

Cupid’s Chatroom*

Yeah, I have a fascination with visual novels that take place within a chatroom. This is another game I already knew about when it was only on itchio and actually played the demo. Although, I only played enough to where I knew I would enjoy it and then stopped. After seeing it being added to Steam, and it being demo season, I thought it was the perfect time to fully play it and then write up my impressions on it!

In Cupid’s Chatroom you play as yourself who has just got done with the final revision of your recent product design project late at night. As you’re getting ready to log out and head to bed, you see that a strange app suddenly popped up on your desktop. An app called Cupid’s Chatroom (roll credits) which isn’t letting itself be deleted and, if you choose to decline the invite to the chatroom, will auto-accept it. You’re first greeted by Cupid herself who tells you about why you’re here, the rules, and is the one watching over everything that happens. You were invited to the chatroom to help you find your perfect romantic partner as she also invited five other bachelors to the server. Identities are hidden at first to encourage you to get to know them. In addition, no one can reveal specific information (like where they specifically live) nor can you reveal the true purpose of the chatroom so everything can be as unbiased as possible. You do also learn that Cupid is watching over everything and you do chat with her over the course of the demo (and I’m guessing the whole game as well) and she does seem a bit suspicious with her deleting messages (well more suspicious than this whole chatroom situation). Anyway, it doesn’t take long before the other five love interests are added to the server, but they don’t really know why. Either way, they all just roll with it. After all, might as well use the server since they can’t delete it and interacting with these guys are fun.

Also, I’m sure Cupid would force open the chatroom if you don’t participate.

So, throughout the game, you’ll spend your time in this chatroom chatting with the love interests here and getting to learn about them more. I wonder who will win your heart. And if you can avoid suspicion of being the only one out of the group to know what’s really going on as one of the guys has the know-how to look into the guts of the server. Oh and it seems these chats happen late at night/very early in the morning. It’s pretty easy to overlook the timestamps, but man it’ll be interesting to see if the chats gradually happen during normal daylight hours as everyone bonds and gets used to talking to everyone (though I’m not complaining considering I…also mainly chat late at night lol).

I really liked Cupid’s Chatroom, even more than I did back then since I actually played the full demo this time. It is a bit overwhelming at first (which does actually fit the chatroom framing), but the writing here is great as it really does feel like you’re in this chatroom with five other guys with different personalities, lives, and typing habits. They wear their personalities on their (virtual) sleeves and I love all the banter that happened. There’s even private messaging, video chatting, and voice chatting; which is pretty cool and I was even surprised with there being voice acting. I went in without looking at the love interest profiles and I literally went “Omg why is he hot” when Romulus initiated a video call. You do also get dialogue choices, which I did like, but it does seem like your normal dialogue is told through the choice framing as almost half the time you only have one dialogue choice. Oh, and I really enjoyed all of the love interests so far. I can’t really choose which one I like the most as they’re all so wonderful. I didn’t know this until later, but the game is pretty sneaky with which route you’re sent down. This demo seems to actually have the start of all of the routes, it’s just that I naturally went down Romulus’ route first and then I used a guide to go down Chapman’s route (to see if the demo only included one route sneak peek or sneak peeks to all the routes…btw he’s hot too). I was worried about how already read chats would be able to be distinguished from new chars, but just by playing two routes it does seem like chats are unique between routes (though some do carry similar vibes) which is great as it already takes care of one worry, makes routes unique, and it just shows how much passion and work the developers are putting in.

So yeah, overall, I really enjoyed the demo and I can’t wait till the full release so we can get to know all the love interests more and see what shenanigans are going to go down after the first couple days.

Online Obsession*

Oh my gosh yes! I learned about this game through the Twitter algorithm a couple days before Valentines Day (yeah, that’s going to be a long time by the time I publish this huh) and it was interested in an instant. It was even better as there was a demo coming out and I am a bit picky in writing styles. Also, I have to admit, I like yandere characters and love interests (LIs). Anyway, onto the game! Online Obsession takes place during Winter Break as the protagonist is 8 months deep into her online friendship. The protagonist doesn’t seem to have a canon name, but you can name them (of course), determine how they look, and their personality thanks to a personality quiz that you get sent. This quiz was sent by your online friend of 8 months, a man named Adisorn (or Adi for short). You met him through playing a game and ever since you two hit it off. You two are even close enough for you two to exchange photos of yourself (though you send more photos on your end and may have shown your full face before the events of the game) and your addresses. The game starts with getting a package from him…and another anonymous letter from your stalker who just sends you helpful messages. Creepy, but doesn’t do anything but that as far as you know. You soon learn that Adi also just moved into the same town as you. You’re excited, not really catching on that it may not be a coincidence, and you manage to talk him into meeting you irl the next day. And man, was it such a sweet meetup. You can definitely catch some bad vibes off of him, but he turned out to be handsome and he was so charming and sweet. This demo ends shortly after the meetup ends and you’re walking home on a scary and creepy cliffhanger. It legit scared me as I was not expecting it.

In addition to the visual novel sections, there are some interactions here. Looks like there will be times where you can look around the room and inspect things, there are times where you’ll click or drag things, and there are minigames (the ones featured here being a memory game and rock, paper, scissors). You can even see the lobby of the game they play.

I loved the demo for Online Obsession! Actually, I loved it right from the start and while usually I end my demo playthroughs of visual novels there, I got an urge to write a demo impression for it. I loved the art styles used (why does Adi have to look so handsome) and the backgrounds are nice, it was a nice soundtrack so far, and the writing style was right up my alley. Not to mention that I love the protagonist and Adi so far. Even though Adi did have some…questionable actions sprinkled in during his really likable actions. Though, the protagonist was so much like me it’s crazy. It’s like I was stalked so I could relate to the main character here haha.

I am very much looking forward to Online Obsession and seeing what happens after that cliffhanger. I definitely recommend checking it out!

Hungry Neighbors*

I honestly have no clue when or how I came across this one, but it was on my wishlist and I saw that it had a demo. Perhaps this game being visually super cute and wholesome on the surface, but hiding dark secrets and horrors underneath, caught my attention. Plus some other games that had you cooking for fellow animal neighbors into food or there is a cannibal character (Like Bonnie’s Bakery and Dead Plate).

Hungry Neighbors takes place in a world where everyone is an animal, though it’s not too clear whether you are one too (or at least you’re not an animal with paws). You are 28 years old and you’re currently taking an impulse one way trip to an island called Horizon Island after spending your own life in a mainland city. It’s one way because you used up all of your savings and you decided to move there after seeing a brochure and wanting a new life like the brochure promised. You also learn that Horizon Island is only visited by the outside world (by boat of course) once a year. At least the captain of the boat you’re riding on assures you that everyone always has great stories and no one has wanted to go back to the mainland. Well, either way, this is going to be your home for at least a year. Your new life here starts well enough as you meet your new neighbors, get to know them more, learn how people live here (like how they just…forage and plant food wherever), and get roped into being the new chef for the local restaurant. However, there’s a dark secret about Horizon Island that everyone is hiding as well as your neighbors having some baggage and pre-established dynamics.

In addition, you do learn about the past chef through the journal entries he wrote when he was still around. Which gives us an insight on him and the recent past of the island. Especially since no one likes talking about what you’re curious about.

Hungry Neighbors is a visual novel and has relationship building, as you’ll be able to earn or not earn hearts depending on your actions, but there are minigames! The cooking segments are minigames and there are a few different ones that you’ll do here. Most of them are clicking when you’re in the green area of a meter without messing up too much and done under the time limit if there is any; but there is another one where you’ll be placing an ingredient under another when it hits your crosshair. The townsfolk customers (which are the non-named characters) will also have you typing out the name of the dish they want on a timer. Serving them doesn’t seem to be worth it, as they don’t advance the story, but they do give you some dialogue that references what’s happening. You do also get inspection segments, both when it’s bright and when it’s dark as you only have a small circle of light to see with.

I really liked Hungry Neighbors so far and I was so close to stopping the demo early before I found out I was already at the end. By the way, this demo is the game’s first chapter and the beginning of the second, leaving us on a cliffhanger. I love the art style, it has that cute factor, while leaving some room for the creepiness or eeriness. Their normal sprites do have some hints of it, with it increasing a bit with their hungry sprite, and then ramping up when the more disturbing sprites come into play. The scares did actually get me, even though the game spoils that this is a horror game, as you don’t expect it to happen, and I really liked the various hints towards what’s really going on on the island. It does quickly go back to the cutesy wholesome vibe, but you get that sense of foreboding. If you can’t tell yet, I loved the writing style as well (and this game is also pretty funny in addition to being morbid). I can’t wait to see what happens next and what the various endings and routes will entail.