Would you prefer works with very strict storyline locks?

[moonyuki]

Would you prefer works with very strict storyline locks? Mainline storyline locks for characters are quite common, but some works lock multiple characters, and others have strict rules regarding the order of character play. Although this can ensure the enjoyment of the puzzle-solving process, sometimes some character lines are really not to one's liking and can only be skipped forcibly. I can generally accept the situation where one character line is locked and can complete the game by progressing through other characters and then choosing this locked character. I don't really like the character line setting where one needs to complete all of them to enter.

 

[satory]

I also prefer having one locked route (+/- secret) and everyone else open, Cafe Enchante or UN:LOGICAL style. They have poster guys routes locked, but you don't have to clear the whole game to get to them, only one route is enough (I'm looking at you, Itehari, as I'm trying to read a story, not to solve a mathematic equasion who goes where, and when, and in which sequence ).

And I usually read a game for one or two LIs, and not much interested in every single character, so clearing everyone feels boring sometimes. Of course, there are interesting stories and inexpected new favourites, but it's not every time they happen. Just give me my guy already T_T

 

[ninnikuryona]

i think i prefer enforced playing order so that i dont accidentally spoil myself by reading routes in the "wrong" order LOL. also something like virche's system where you are forced to read bad endings before good endings is cool for me too, because sometimes i follow guides to a t and they unfortunately list bad endings right after good endings, and since i dont dare go against whats written, usually this order just makes me feel like shit ww. even if its a bad dream and happy ending is the "canonical" one, it still spoils my mood a liiiitle bit! i prefer leaving all the sugar and sweets for last:3c

i dont mind being forced to finish routes that dont interest me, because unless the game is mindnumbingly boring, im gonna finish it (and 100% if possible) either way^^

 

[藍色水珠]

I only get motivated to research and complete a game if a character's route appeals to me. I generally try to play everything.
For example, in Primula's Puss in Combat Boots(軍靴をはいた猫), published by pencil, the hidden human character has strict affinity requirements. Except for the one that unlocks at the very end, the affinity of each other character needs to be just right and evenly distributed. I tried countless times without consulting a guide, but eventually I couldn't take it anymore and had to seek one. It was a bit of a test of patience, but after completing the game, I felt it was alright.

要看該人物路線是否能吸引我,我才有動力去研究並攻略通關.基本上都會試著玩看看.
例如Primula開發、pencil發行的 Puss in Combat Boots(軍靴をはいた猫),隱藏角色(人類)就有嚴格好感度限制,除了最後開啟,其他每個角色好感度都要平均剛好,我不看攻略嘗試無數次,最後受不了,只好去尋求攻略,有點消耗耐心,但通關完畢感覺還可以.

 

[fr4pp3cinn]

I usually don't mind enforced playing order, but I feel like some games take advantage of them to mask weaker routes (by making you complete mediocre routes to unlock the true route, which has the actual good writing lol). It was actually one thing I disliked about 7scarlet ;b the first two routes you need play were pretty weak imo, and I felt like only the secret and last routes actually had spoilers. I kinda dragged on the game because of that. I actually like enforced endings more than routes though, sometimes they make more sense if you get it in a certain order!

Overall I'd prefer if more games had an official recommended route order, but not necessarily a strictly enforced one (although I'll play all of it anyway lmao)