Tester profile: no IF experience player, played on the Inform 7 interpreter, took them around 20 minutes, and they reached the end goal.
Overall impression: He liked the tone. It self introspective and cinematic since the start. He also liked the minimal size world for pacing, and each room was different than the other. He felt that the “truth as progress” came through.
What worked well:
- He liked how the writing is vivid and restrained. Also lines like “Locker 208 relaxes…” gives the story life.
- The school changing when you lie is very clear and powerful
- Having three encounters that lead to the finale makes the timing satisfying
What could have been better:
- The navigation commands were still a little confusing (not sure how to set this up in Inform 7)
- The dialogue clarity was also a little confusing (yes/no v Y/N)
- Didn’t understand that choices were building towards an ending, so maybe add some “verification” after every choice
- When the locker got unlocked, it felt a little abrupt.
Changes TBD:
- Add movement/action indicators
- Yes/no components stand out more
- Internal thought added after each conversation
- Expand opening the locker scene
