making a sequel based on the bad ending of its predecessor is such a creative concept, and it's done really great here! :D

(SPOILERS)

once again, you nailed the feel of the game. it hooks you on the first sequence alone; taking the role of dean, doing normal things in his home with seemingly nothing out of the ordinary, after the hell he made you go through was super effective. the disconnect between these events going as usual and the chilling ambience playing at all times was excellent; it's like the game itself knows there's something really wrong with letting this guy scot free, but it can't do anything about it. and when the actual plot starts, the chilling atmosphere doesn't stop. seeing hank explain so calmly the supernatural stuff he's been researching was really spooky, just watching this previously pretty normal guy fall into this rabbit hole was honestly kinda sad, and the anticipation from finding out exactly what he's gonna do to dean was super well done. searching for objects for the ritual felt just as dispassionate and detached as hank probably felt haha. and when the ritual is complete and... "billy" is brought back, the reveal of his form (i can't get the sound of the flashlight clicking again and again out of my head-) and the chase around the dark house was sooo scary, really great job.

the art is once again really good! with this game being shorter than purge: desperation, i'm glad there were even more cgs with sweet, sweet gore than last time! once again they're all really good and their references are really cleverly chosen (the thousand yard stare soldier meme being used caught me off guard tho- that's right i unlocked the bonus folder again because i'm still a true gamer™). and i did like how the gore is even MORE extreme than last time, with blood staining everything, guts flying around, skin being snatched from bodies (that was an unironically really good drawing, really disgusting haha), and of course retrieved billy's design. i'm not praising it just because "yay there's even gorier stuff now! :D" though that's cool too lmao, but it really feels like an appropiate and natural escalation from the last game. like, even considering all the messed up stuff dean made hank do, the things hank does to reverse it being arguably even more extreme felt pretty ironic and fitting for his character haha.

i really liked the contrast between hank sounding monotonous the entire time, aside from a few bursts of anger, and how he breaks down and the game focuses on his feelings in the two endings. whether he reunites with his son, or he finally lets go of him. really good stuff. and in the true ending, i loved the scene with his wife's picture. i totally believed he spent so long looking for a way to bring his son back, and in just one moment opening his eyes and realizing how deranged what he's doing is. felt very realistic, and really cathartic for his character, as is the actual true ending which is appropiately bittersweet.

if i had to complain about anything, i think the chase sequence with retrieved billy was a bit annoying since i kept trying to find a way out and didn't understand what i actually had to do haha. hank's bedroom was open unlike all the other doors so i assumed i had to do something there? don't know if that was intentional but i think making it locked too would've made the way to win even more clear (the "don't stop running" hint at the start is pretty good tho!)

lastly, i read the "thoughts" file and i'm really happy to know you stepped out of your comfort zone and found enjoyment in using rpg maker <3 i'm really excited for the games you plan to make, whether you continue with the lawson story or not, and i hope you keep improving the super great skills you've proven to have! :D

(edit: OMG i can't believe i forgot to mention the tv scene haha. such a funny and unexpected crossover XD)

Picture of Hank hope his story doesn't end here

It is obvious that a lot of effort was put into both the story and the drawings of the game. Every part of the game is in harmony and integrity with each other, which increases the immersion of the game. I loved it. I am looking forward to your new game.❤️❤️

I really loved this!! Such a dark topic and I think you brought a real sense of tension and horror to it. 

Lets hope the old problem ain't here

Obviously I'm making a video on this immediately and I did finish the game and I will say that this is a 100% improvement compared to the last game, my biggest complaint is that there isn't enough more with Dean and his hatred towards headache even though yes he did kill his brother but I need more like context for dean and his revenge against Hank. And it kind of helps the story a little bit more and kind of favors like oh I understand his for you or I can understand that person's view, other than that the art and character design for the Billy monster was really cool and the part where Dean just pretty much died in crazy stuff happening is pretty cool as well and yeah I'll continue on supporting you all. All love 💖 💖.